"Wild wRide as a Writer" A few words from Lady Traveler

A Jennifer Richardson design

For Writer's only ... everyone else will be bored by the subject matter.

Writers don't have a whole lot of time to read for pleasure.  

They should.  

I'm a writer.  I write in my travel journal.  My personal journal.  

My writing journal.  My blog.  Guest blogs.  

I published my first novel last year 

(Lady and the Sea, incase you didn't know).  

I'm now rewriting my old manuscript, Lady on the Run.  

On and on.  

I spend lots of time researching about writing, 

editing, publishing, marketing.  

In books.  On the web.  On Facebook.  In between rewrites.  

Don't all writers?  You feel guilty if you don't.  

Now, I'm going to be real...  

Last week I grew bit weary of all the 

Reading, wRiting, and Research thing, so I prayed.  

Don't all writers pray?  

I told God,  I'm doing the best I can with what I have but 

I feel like I've hit a brick wall.  

I know Lady and the Sea is in Your Hands, 

so I'm looking forward to what You have up your sleeve.  

Well, something like that.

That same day I read this quote from author Mark Batterson's book, The Circle Maker:  

"I make the distinction between 

qualified and called with aspiring writers all the time.  

Too many authors worry about whether or not 

their book will get published.  

That isn't the question.  

The question is this: 

Are you called to write?  

That's the only question you need to answer.  

And if the answer is yes, then you need to 

write the book as an act of obedience.  

It doesn't matter whether anyone reads it or not."

What is your answer to Mark's question?  

Mine is yes, I am called to write.

I'm an older author.  

I call myself the almost-famous author.  

I published my first book last year.  

I'm pleased the way Lady and the Sea has been accepted and reviewed by those who have read it.  

I'm not looking for awards or making lots of money or fame.  

I wrote Lady and the Sea because 

I was compelled by God to write the true story of 

a WWII ship and the lady who loved her.  

Same with Lady on the Run-- another compell-ment from God.  Not going to push books today.  

I just wanted you to know that all writers go through stuff.

  

It's a big world of books out there.  

Don't get swallowed up in all the hoopla.  

Focus on your own personal journey.  

That way you'll have time to stop and smell the roses.  

Don't you love that old saying?

Now, after writing all my random thoughts, 

I must get back to my writing ... after I smell a few roses.

I Wish you smooth Writing and oceans of creative blessings on your Wild ride as a Writer!

p.s.  The day I prayed that prayer and read Mark's quote, I sold two books from my Facebook page!  Hey, it was my confirmation that I'm on the right path.  Prayer and obedience works.  As if  you didn't know.

Talking with my publisher way back when!

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com

www.sharonleaf.com

I'm Drawing Circles ... not to be confused with running around in circles!

Dream ... and BeLeaf!

I'm beginning the new year by reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.  I read Chapter One this morning, but I stopped dead in my tracks after reading the first sentence of Chapter Two:

Every book has a backstory.  There is a moment when an idea is conceived in the imagination of an author and this idea is destined to become a book. 

All you writers and authors can relate to this statement, but the concept is for all of us who are alive and well on planet earth.  The backstory of our lives--what has happened up until now--is an important part of who we are today.  Good or bad, happy or sad, those choices we made yesterday make up our character--and believe me, some of us are real characters--and who we are today.


Mark's words were yet another confirmation to me that I made the right decision to keep my backstory in the novel, Lady and the Sea.  After all, the book is based on my true story.  This past year, readers have told me how they related to the ups and downs, the pain and the happiness of my life.  That is what Lady is all about ... touching lives for the better ...  finding faith for forgotten dreams.

What is your backstory?  I know some of you have experienced a failed marriage, the loss of a loved one, a serious illness.  My heart goes out to you.  Like you, I don't have all the answers.  But I do know that each time I sought the Lord ... He heard me.  He was there for me, and led me through to the light at the end of each tunnel.  He still does today.

I can't wait to delve into The Circle Maker.  But I'm more excited about delving into this coming year, knowing that our backstories are behind, and a promising future is ahead.

Dreams can come true.  Pray circles around them, and see what happens!

The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. 

 Psalm 19:7-8 The Message

www.sharonleaf.com