Stormy Weather

The best thing about the month of March is you never know what you’re going to get. At least that’s how it is here in southern Ohio. This year we’ve experienced some crazy stormy weather just like every other part of the nation. This March may also see you facing stormy weather in other aspects of your life—whether in your marriage, work, friendships or the lack of friendships, with your kids or in financial situations.

We often face stormy weather in our writing too. Maybe that’s where you are right now. Because of work and family obligations you haven’t started a new book in two years. Or you’re struggling to finish the story languishing on your hard drive because you don’t have the passion for it you once did.

The first thing to do is stop blaming yourself for the storm. You’ve heard the quote; “Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” The only thing we can do about the weather is prepare for it and deal with it. If you’re facing a storm in your writing, don’t lay blame. Instead figure out where you are now and deal with it.

Maybe you need to ride out your storm. Maybe the best option in an evacuation plan. They have them for hurricanes. Why not your writing? Perhaps God is calling you to do exactly that for a season.

Maybe you need to approach your storm in a different way. Maybe you’ve spent so much time struggling with the one place in your book that has you stymied, you’ve given up hope of ever finishing it. Try a totally new approach from a different angle. Breathe new life into it. It could be something truly simple holding you back.

You could be complaining about the weather when the weather has nothing to do with it. Maybe you’re just looking for excuses not to write because writing is hard and thinking about writing is a lot more fun than actually sitting down and doing it. (This is usually where I find myself.)

Examine your weather patterns. Control the areas you can and survive the ones you can’t. Don’t just complain about the stormy weather in your writing. Figure out what’s causing those highs and lows and battle through them.
Here’s to a blessed and productive writing week.