I woke up with a dream one morning. Not a spectacular one that jolted me out of a sound sleep. But the kind I could forget as the busyness of the day took over.
In my dream I was graduating. Not only that, I was also supposed to bring up the rear of the class with a banner. My preparations should have been easy, but the most basic things were falling apart. My cap and gown were at home, my car was in another place, and I couldn’t find my keys. At one point, I sat down and cried, “I’ll never make it!”
Just then, someone turned to me. I didn’t get a clear picture of his face. Only that I knew he loved me and I loved him. He said, “I’ll take you.”
I stared for a minute, thinking of the traffic and parking hassles I could skip. It was a no-brainer. “Yes, please!”
I really like a life charted out just the way I think it should be. Tell me the rules, show me the path, and I’ll get going.
Okay, sometimes – not always, but sometimes – those carefully laid plans fall apart. Life presents an unexpected shift, and suddenly, the master plan needs revisions.
Art, like life, requires constant readjustments. I begin a story with an idea, hoping that its largeness will invite readers into a world that itself invites change. At that point, a journey begins.
I stockpile ideas in the research phase and throw them into one big basket. I outline, write, then outline again as random ideas mesh and others need to be stashed for another story, another time.
If I threw out those adjustments and insisted that everything come out the way I first expected, my manuscript would be stuck in two year old mode – yelling and having a fit when she didn’t get her way!
You know by now that I like to see parallels with life and art. Those patterns remind me that a creative journey isn’t set in concrete. Like a river, it develops along the bends and cascading falls, as well as in calm waters. Some of those waters are rapids, surging with debris. All along the way, I’m learning to hold the course and keep creating – no matter how life around me changes.
So be encouraged. If you’re a perfectionist, like me, you might need to remember this journey requires help along the way.
There’s a word in the Old Testament that I love. It reminds me of the friend who showed up in my dream offering to help.
The word is SHALOM.
Shalom is a big word. It includes peace, wholeness, well-being and harmony with God and people.
Like my dream, careful planning may not be enough to get us where we need to go in the days ahead. But we’ve been invited for a ride. It’s a ride with the ultimate Friend at the helm, in His vehicle and with His authority. When we think we’re too late, we can ask for help – and eyes to recognize it when it comes.
You might be led to timely advice in a craft book or teaching. An honest review from a beta reader, critique partner or coach is invaluable. You might even discover an amazing conference like WriterCon, which is a feast for a hungry writer!
There’s so much to enjoy about this journey. Keep me in touch when you can~
Write Your Heart Out!
Laurel Thomas
If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to look for our “Patience for the Writer’s Journey” video sessions from this year’s Experience Writing Conference! The videos are completely free. (Just put “0” in the “Name a fair price…” field!)
Also check out the accompanying small group workbook in our Experience Writing store!
About Laurel Thomas
“A former high school English teacher, Laurel loves words and their power to convey remarkable stories.
“She’s written for inspirational magazines including Guideposts and Mysterious Ways, as well as ghosted nonfiction. Her novel ”River’s Call” was published by Wild Rose Press and boasts five-star reviews on Amazon!” – Write Your Heart Out!
Laurel hosts a free weekly writers round table and has critique group and one-on-one options if you want to go deeper!
You can meet her at www.writewithlaurel.com!
