It's no secret my main goal as a writer is to have my novels published. I think it's the goal of many writers. But as I near the 12 year mark on my writing journey I've begun to ask myself, "Am I really ready to be published?"A few days ago I said, "Yes, of course I'm ready. I've been been learning non-stop for twelve years. I'm more than ready!"
But as I got to thinking about this, a change came over me. I think it was the Lord tempering my zeal (in a good way). And believe it or not, I thought of Prince Caspian.
Remember in the book (and movie) where Aslan asks him if he's ready to be King of Narnia? His response was hesitation. He wasn't sure if he was. And Aslan said, in effect, "If you had said you were, it would have proven you weren't."
I realized that by admitting my uncertainties of being a published novelist I was actually in a better place than if I'd been cocky and sure. Granted, it's okay to have confidence. But is my heart in the right place? Am I clothing myself with humility and a teachable spirit? I hope my answer will always be yes to that question.
And here right now is another example of the power of story. C.S. Lewis penned Prince Caspian fifty years ago, before computers, the internet, Twitter, Blogger, and the like. And here I am writing about learning from his book.
6 comments:
Good point. :) And that's exactly what I love about books - their power to speak to people generations after they are written.
*sigh* And a former coworker STILL has my set! From about 2 years ago? And I don't want the new ones, I want the ones that my brother and I grew up with...
Then again, I do have the Lewis books set in space. Maybe I should pull those out in the mean time. :-)
Oh, and did you see? Amazon has a box set of his non-fic! You know, Screw Tape Letters and such? Totally wanting that.
I do believe we all have moments of doubt, but that true spirit of the written word never falters, it is said in the subtext of your words, it is the learning and spirit that bands us...
I used to want to be a famous author and speaker and in the last year, all of the sudden I have NOT wanted it. I've wanted to stay at home with my daughter, holed up in my cozy world with her my husband, feeling ONLY fear at the very though of public speaking! I told hubby this the other day and he commented dryly--" I dare say this is when God lets you get those old dreams now. Just when you don't want them and think you can't do it!"
I like this post!
Great post, CJ. So true. Only the Lord knows when we're ready, and until then, we just have to sit tight and trust in HIS timeframe.
:-)
Wow, very true. Sometimes I wonder if I'm ready too. There's a lot of pressure if we get published.
But I hope you do. :-)
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