creativefiction@hotmail.com
November 7, 2023
It’s nearly the end of 2023, and as I sit here and contemplate the last eleven months, I must admit it’s been a better year than the past three. Trials have a way of testing your patience and causing you to mumble unintelligible things to God. But trials are also the rich soil from which your spirit thrives.
Thank God, I rose above the ashes. Couldn’t have survived without him.
My writing life has flourished and I’m learning much from traditionally published authors the more and more I read. It has been very encouraging to see indie authors, like myself, post the milestones they’ve crossed onto their Facebook pages—from making pennies on the dollar to four and five figures to become profitable authors.
One of the most valuable things I’ve found on Facebook is the advice given about the publishing world. It’s a lot to take in. I find myself a bit overwhelmed so I return to reread them. And it’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one who occasionally experiences pitfalls. It makes me feel like I’m not on an island all by myself.
No matter how successful we become, one of the things plaguing us as writers is our self-esteem. As soon as we conquer one area of our writing world, we sink into other areas and settle there until we’ve worn down that old LP needle to a flathead. When the record repeats too many times and wears us down, something snaps in us and we fight back. Then when we climb the next mountain, only to repeat past failures. I think we spend too much time inside our own heads, talking ourselves out of things we should pursue, watering down our dreams until they’re nothing but a mist … a vapor sucked up by the wind … a vapor sucked up by those who spew words of discord … by people who think we should make better use of our time rather than write.
When I’m caught up in all my whining, I sit back and reflect on the entire book of James in the Bible. Trials are expected. No surprise there. They are needed. Wait a minute! Really? YES!!! What you and I fail to remember is that trials place us in a position of humility. And if we will do our best not to rush things, you can settle in this rich soil to feed and grow. If you don’t, you can end up frustrated.
It’s a lot like the cycle of vegetation. From the tiniest of seeds comes a huge tree. Before that tree grows, the seed is buried under layers of dirt, trampled upon, watered, fertilized. Spring arrives and something that doesn’t come close to resembling the seed cracks the surface of the earth and sprouts forth green leaves, a stem, a fragrant flower, perhaps.
This process wouldn’t happen if there wasn’t foot traffic to bury the seed deeper, no water, no fertilization, no cover or protection from the elements.
When you think of your trials as a writer and as a Christian, think of this. Use whatever season you’re in to read, rest, contemplate, and plan. Because, though you can’t see it during your trials, there’s something growing inside you as a writer and as a believer in Christ. You’re changing. Growing. And come spring, you won’t look like you did last winter.
Since I’ve last updated this Author Page, we’ve been blessed with another grandchild, making us great-grandparents. We now have ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. At six months old, this precious little girl tried her best to say “Grandma.” Can’t tell you how much joy beamed from me. She’s twenty-four months now and has mastered “Grandma” to perfection. Oh, and I’m still smiling. I have two grandchildren I haven’t seen in a while. I crave desperately to see them. Pray my soul will enter a realm of acceptance.
As of this writing, my new book “Breathe for Me” will be released December 1st. You can find it here.
Much success in your writing life. Greater joy in the kingdom of God. Writing isn’t forever. The Kingdom reigns eternally.
Donna B. Comeaux
I love your style of writing with just having read sections of your author site, not your “writings” just yet. I would truly love to be a part of your critiquing group and / or friend in writing. I couldn’t help but even tweet about you just now “And as long as I have life in this old body, I want to write until I can’t see anymore. – Donna Comeaux”, which has just been favorited by Tablo Publishing. I would even like to invite you to participate in short story writing, though they are a bit longer than 500 words – yes, those really short ones are hard. If you have a few minutes, go to http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Writers-750-4731526?home=&gid=4731526&trk=groups_most_popular-h-logo and join the group. Heather Shuldt heads this group. She has taken some of our short stories and published them to her Giant Tales anthologies. I was published in 3 of them last year. They are not big money makers, but you have bragging rights. Writers 750 also upholds strict standards of no bad language or erotica. I have met some great authors of faith in this forum. So I hope to hear from you in the near future.
Keep writing and inspiring, Donna. You have a way of teaching all the while entertaining your readers.
Thanks, Patricia. You’re very kind.