Interruptions - we all have them. What's the best way to maintain balance and keep writing? Author Tyrean Martinson is here to share her insight on this universal challenge. She's a multi-published author, busy writer, wife, mom, and homeschooler, so she knows a thing or two about managing time.
Speaking of sharing, I'm guest posting at Tyrean's blog for her Five Reasons to Write series. If you have a minute, would you hop over and see us there too?
Three Reasons to Let Life Interrupt You and Your Writing
By Tyrean Martinson
I know it seems counter-intuitive to let life
interrupt our pursuit of our dreams. I mean, haven’t we heard that we should
stick to our goals above all else? Shouldn’t we create a sacred space and time
for writing that all other parts of life should regard with respect?
Writing routines are great! Keeping our eyes on
the prize is good.
But . . .
1) If we don’t let life
interrupt us, we might miss something.
I have a story I’ve told a few times: On a day
when I was feeling at a loss of purpose, I was stopped at a traffic light in
the rain with dark clouds above, and I looked up to see a bird land on the
traffic light post. My gloomy thoughts were interrupted. I felt purpose seep
into me. For if God knows and cares for the birds, he knows and cares for me
(and you).
(Matthew 6:26 paraphrase)
Recently, I was interrupted from my writing time
to talk with a friend who is traveling to Hungary with me so we can cheer on
our daughters at the Olympic Hopes Regatta. I found a library book on Budapest,
and I took notes. I had never thought about writing a story set in Budapest
before, or a story about traveling.
2) We can find new direction
in a small detail of our circumstances.
Now, the ironic thing is that after the story
about the bird on the light post, someone will ask me: was the bird a dove?
And, my answer disappoints them – it was a crow.
But for me, this is more powerful, because I think God cares for crows and
doves alike, and I’m more like an average, crabby-sounding crow than a sweet,
cooing dove. Thank God that He knows and cares for me as I am (and you, too).
(1 Peter 4:10)
In my writing life, I’ve been feeling like the
plots I’m working on are all “not me” – like I’ve been trying to write like I’m
someone else. Yes, some of that was on purpose to challenge my writing skills,
but it may be that I’ve been a crow trying to write like a dove.
3) Sometimes we need to start
something new, so new that we didn’t expect it.
While I do need to maintain a purposed course, I
also need to listen to God’s call (John 10:27), and to the call of creativity
(I think this is God, too), to find the right story to write.
As I write this, I’m still preparing for my trip
to Hungary. By the time this post goes live, I’ll be returning. I’m taking
notes on a new idea that’s still in the infancy of imaginative creativity. I’m
listening first, and writing second.
Do you ever find new purpose in life’s
interruptions?
Tyrean Martinson is an every day writer who lives on the Washington State
peninsula – so close to the Puget Sound that she can smell the salty sea, but
far enough away that her view contains cedar trees, blackberry brambles, and
everything green. She writes fantasy, speculative, adventure, devotionals,
historical, contemporary, homeschool curriculum, writing prompts, poetry, and
random lists. She loves to read, spend time with her family, daydream, and
believe. She has a random grouping of books out, available at most online
stores. Visit her at her blog, Every Day Writer.
I love Tyrean's observations! Her inspiration is contagious. Don't forget, if you have time, stop over at Tyrean's blog for my post, Five Reasons to Write Nonfiction. Thanks a bunch!
I'll leave you with Tyrean's question:
Do you ever find new purpose in life's interruptions?
Happy writing,
Karen