Do writers retire from writing? I know people retire from their jobs, but can writers stop writing?
These questions have gotten me thinking about my writing future. I’ve published four books in six years, but the actual story-writing time for each novel has spanned a couple of decades. The fruits of my labor have often been delayed, but I still managed to get it completed and in print, that’s the best achievement in my passion for tale-telling.
It amazes me how authors can pump out a book a year, like James Patterson, Danielle Steele, David Baldacci, Jodi Picoult, etc. I’ve heard, and I can’t confirm, that some of these talented published authors have teams of writers. If so, that is terrific, their name and style of writing is an attractive niche for many readers.
I don’t know how I’d handle the pressure of producing a book every six months to a year, never having experienced it. Some will tell me to suck it up and say, writing for publication isn’t a hobby, but a real business with money-making potential. I believe that too, however, what I’ve learned is that real story successes start with an awesome storyline and a good backing by agents and publishing houses. One of my favorite success stories of independent publishing is on William Paul Young, author of “The Shack”. What began as a Christmas gift to his kids, ended up being passed along to friends and then strangers, and then publication. Watch the interview here.
I’ve been writing since I was fourteen years old, and professionally as an adult the last ten years (blogging, book reviews, short stories, etc.), including my first publication in 2014. As an independently published author, I don’t have agents or publishing houses giving me deadlines. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it because I have to manage my own time.
I’ll digress a moment, in my previous profession as an Instructional Designer; I also trained corporate employees on Time Management. I’ve incorporated those tools I taught to keep myself accountable when I’m writing; it’s not an easy task. So, my writing pace is slower, as my priority is raising my children. Would I like to dedicate more time to writing? Heck, yes! And include more reading time too!
Life has a way of throwing curves. I’ve had a few changes in the past and present that have stopped me short of moving beyond the roadblocks. When it happens, I question my dreams and aspirations. I’m not one to give up easily, but when my burdens become bigger than what I can handle, I wonder if it’s time to reevaluate the road I’ve been traveling on. Which brings me back to the second question at the beginning of this post? Can a writer stop writing? Some will argue that writers are born with the gift of writing; others will disagree and say that it is a learned passion. In both cases, if the writer stops, aren’t they squashing their devotion for the written word?
“I have two addictions/passions: reading and writing. I feel restless and empty when I can’t read fiction, write my deepest thoughts in my journal, or even write down story ideas. Writing calms me, centers me, and provides a healthy outlet for my communication with imaginary friends.”
Without my writing gift, I believe I am nothing because the world says so until I read a scripture verse in the Bible about gifts. The three greatest gifts are Faith, Hope, and Love. Love is the greatest gift of all to another. See 1 Corinthians 13:13.
I am more than my writing because God says so in the following scriptures:
Luke 12:7 – But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Mathew 10: 30 – But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
1 John 4:16 – And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4: 19 – We love Him because He first loved us.
I guess the question is… Would it matter to ME if I didn’t write anymore? Hmm… only I can answer this.
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A13&version=NKJV
https://outreachmagazine.com/interviews/20995-the-shack-movie.htmlhttps://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/the-story-behind-william-paul-youngs-best-seller-the-shack-video
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A13&version=NKJV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shack
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