Writers’ Greatest Fears

         

        Have you ever questioned your ability to write and fear that no one will want to read your work? Or, perhaps, it’s another desire other than writing that you haven’t pursued?

         

        Author Rose Anderson recently wrote in Romance Books 4 Us: “When I became a novelist, I jumped right in. It's a weird story really. I had been working on a wordy 5-book masterpiece for years (I call it my magnum opus or MO for short). When the end of the tale drew near, I began to fret. What if no one wanted to read it? What if I couldn't get a publisher to even take it on?”

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2015/09/an-exciting-new-venture-new-nom-de.html?zx=bae4662e232d1f9b

          If you follow Rose’ career, you’ll see that she has done extremely well and has many admirers.

          After reading Rose’s post, I was reminded of a quote that I’ve kept a copy of for years. I stumbled on it just this week, while clearing out a drawer. The quote reminds me that Fear is our worst enemy. If God has given us the desire to write, then it’s a gift endowed by our creator. It’s up to me to believe, embrace a gift, hone it, and be thankful for it. There will always be others who write better and are more admired. That doesn’t take anything away from God’s gift to me. In fact, these authors help me to strive to work harder and learn more.

Do we neglect other gifts?

          I also love to draw. Time, responsibilities, and inclinations don’t allow me to expend the energy to practice and learn more. Perhaps, if I were better organized…  Or, could it be that I believe I just don’t have a gift that could be honed and improved?

          There I go again.

          Isn’t it better to believe that if we found the time to hone our gifts, we might realize that it’s our thinking that holds us back, not our abilities?

          Here’s a picture I drew of my grandson, Nick. It’s embarrassing to show it. The proportions are off and the sketch needs a lot of work. I admit I tossed it aside and gave up on drawing years ago. 

           I'm inadequate? 

          Or, should I believe if I kept at it, I could do it? 

          Obviously, there are many things we don’t want to do, even if we have a measure of talent, and that’s fine. As long as that’s our reason and not that we can’t do it.

Smile when you think of your gifts!

          

        I’m writing this and sharing my thoughts to encourage others who might feel inadequate or question their abilities to smile with appreciation at the marvelous gifts you’ve been given because you’re worth it! God said so.

Take this quote to heart:

Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

           

          Write on and shine your light!      

                                                                        ~Elaine