Not writing; not in a coma
James Watkins said, in Writers on Writing, “Unless you’re on life-support, you can write.” He, after double-hernia surgery, completed a book project “with two ice packs down [his] pants.” Well, I’m happy for him and I appreciate his point, but … well, he’s wrong. Okay, at least not completely right.
I have been sick for the last two days. The cool thing is I actually completed more writing since becoming sick than I had in the entire two weeks previous. (Chalk up a point for the Mr. Watkins.) However, I accomplished that only because I can’t do anything else. My head pounds if I stand up. There’s nothing on tv during the day. My amazing husband has removed all distractions, otherwise known as Isabel, Zach, laundry and dishes. (Thank you, Rick!!) So, yes, I’ve gotten something done, but is it any good?
I’ve got about ten minutes before my brain checks out again, yielding to “medicine head”. My body will slump, undeciferable among the pillows, and I’ll drift off into some … Argh. There it goes. Vocabulary is gone. All I write this week will require serious edits next week.
Dare I strive for a point while surrounded by this cloud? Why not.
What I’ve noticed, since becoming couch/bed-ridden, is how low writing has been on my priority list. If God has called me to write, why am I not doing it more passionately? More consistently? If I truly believe this is the job He has given me, why am I not working at it wholeheartedly? Why do I turn off the computer to watch the Yankees? Why do I spend so much time on laundry when I could just buy less clothes? That’s a double time saver! No shopping, no clothes to wash. Perfect! I spent hours making caramel corn for the school bake sale. I could have just bought prepackaged cookie dough and accomplished the same purpose (to raise money for the school) in less time and less energy.
Yes, I say I’m a writer. Yes, I claim to be obeying His call, but in reality, I’m just sitting on it. I’m waiting for a word from an editor or two. I’m waiting for the right opportunity to surface. I’m waiting for more time. Guess what — all this is just rationalization for my procrastination. Procrastination is delayed obedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience.
So my question to you is this: what is keeping you from fully obeying God? Has He given you a job to do? Are you doing it?
God told me to write. Unless I’m in a coma, I need to be writing something, even if it’s just a little something, every single day. He’s given me a lot to do. I can’t have Him return to books of blank pages.
(By the way, I mean no criticism to Jim Watkins’ book. I’m a third through and so far it’s been great.)
Posted on October 2, 2007, in books, faithfulness, illness, obedience, purpose. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
Oh goodness, Tanya. How dare you step on my toes like this. No, you stomped on them. I have been struggling with so much of the same. I have done practically nothing with writing for ages. I have every intention; I have projects in various stages waiting; I have editing partly done; etc.etc, Maybe this will be a help–shake me up a bit. I think maybe I’m waiting for God to zap me, but I need to prayerfully come out of this stupor. Thanks for the nudge.
Oh, are you a Yankees fan, too? Read my NF blog when you get a chance.:)
Tanya!
I feel like you’re in my head. I’ve been doing the same thing with music, and somehow I think I’ve just been hoping that something happens for me. Thank you for giving me a pep talk to move forward and fulfill the job that God has given to me.
-Katie
Well, I’m sorry for stepping on toes (most notably MINE!), but I’m happy to be an encouragement to you both.
Maxine — I’m actually a Yankee widow. I lose my husband to them six months out of the year. I say watching them is the only time I get to spend with my husband during baseball season, but … well, couldn’t I sit next to him with my laptop? Couldn’t I keep writing even while he watches the games? Probably! In the meantime, GO YANKS!!
And KATIE — I think you have a few valid excuses!
I’m not trying to promote procrastination, but c’mon … you’ve gotten married, moved, and become an auntie all in less than two months’ time. And we know you’ve been busy with other things, too! Show yourself a little grace … then get back in the studio. 
Love ya, girl! Can’t wait for the new album!!
I’d like to say ‘God called me to writing’ but cannot with any conviction make that claim. I write, when I come out of distraction’s glittering fairground, it’s because I need to write. When I don’t write – it hurts – even though the distractions are so seductive. Maybe I’m hiding from a calling and the responsibility that comes with it. Aaaahhh didn’t want to go down that train of thought.
I maintain that although I write, I’m not “a writer.” On the criteria that a writer will write no matter what, I’m utterly disqualified. If I’m not inspired to write, I simply won’t; I believe that other things are more important to tend to in this case. I don’t worry when I don’t have inspiration, either; I believe God knows how to order my minutes, hours, days…months…and years—He gave them to me after all! Mind you, discipline is still required when the inspiration comes; when inspired I must exert effort to apply it, but this is a far cry from making myself write morning, noon and night regardless. Ergo, I am not “a writer,” and that’s okay, I’ll write anyway. : )
Good thoughts… very convicting. Thank you.
So often I know God has called me to do something but I sit around waiting for a zap or something, but as you said, delayed obedience is disobedience. So thank you for stirring up my heart today!
Tanya I do hope you are feeling much better…praying for you..
Oh and I have never made claim to being a writer either..I am inspired by the Spirit…
I believe that each of us are called to writing in ways as individual as God created each of us. I can agree with every post, up to a point.
I can’t think that other things I do aren’t important. If I have an intimate relationship with my creator, then I will be working in HIS time and not mine. That’s different for each of us.
I know when God is leading me to do something … a blog entry, a phone call to someone in need, or working in ways that, on the surface, might not be seen as my writing ministry. Yet all that I am, all that God has worked through me in my life ultimately comes out in my writing.
For some, the ministry of writing is full-time, 100 percent, full speed ahead. That doesn’t work for me and so while I highly admire so many whose blogs are linked here (and sometimes wish I could be like each of you), I’ve learned to accept God’s design for my life.
And I do thank God for women like each of you who are so filled with words and obedient to His calling.
THANK YOU all for your thoughts and prayers. I am feeling much better now.
As for the writer debate, why is it a dichotomistic label? Does it have to be all or nothing? Why can’t you be a part-time writer? Or a hobby writer? I believe if you write, you’re a writer. You don’t have to do it every day to be defined by it. Do I stop being a mother when I’m not with my kids? Of course not! Writing, in my opinion, is the same way.
Now the book I quote was written for people who want to be professional writers. Mr. Watkins was encouraging those writers to view writing just like any other job. You get up and you write whether you feel like it or not. Otherwise, you’ll never make a living with it!
Writing is hard work. If people only did it when they felt like it, our bookstores would be much smaller and filled with inferior products.
HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!