Spring is coming, or so the groundhog says. Whether he’s right that we’ll have an early spring remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – spring will come!
Even more certain is God’s promise in Hosea 6:3: “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him, and he will respond to us as surely as the coming of dawn or the rain of early spring” (TLB). But did you read the condition? Are you pressing in to know Him and, as one who has been given the gift of words, are you pressing on to make Him known?
If you’re feeling stuck in a long, cold winter of your soul when God seems distant and a season when your writing appears to be going nowhere, take heart. “Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us” (2 Tim. 2:13 TLB). And what does He promise? Romans 11:29 says “God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn” (TLB). He also promises that “Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7 TLB).
A promise that kept me writing and submitting when my first book kept getting rejected is Galatians 6:9. “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (TLB). That book was finally accepted after being returned 42 times over a five year period. (I learned not to use the word “rejected.”) Had I given up, I would have missed the joy of encouraging others through my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writer; the joy of the six other books that followed; and the joy of directing the Greater Philly and Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
We’re picking up 8,000 brochures today for the May 11-14 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. If you’re not on our mailing list, please email me to receive the 16-page brochure. The August 10-13 Greater Philly conference is well along in the planning stages. And I’ve expanded my online bookstore for writers – finally. Through February 28 I’m offering an additional 10% off the already discounted prices including Sally Stuart’s 2011 Christian Writers Market Guide making the price for the new edition only $18. I hope you’ll visit www.writehisanswer.com/bookstore.htm.
But Father, most of all I pray that Your people will be encouraged to “write Your answer” during these critical days. Help us all to be faithful to our calling.
Because of Christ – Marlene
Write His Answer 
I have been attending the Estes conferences for 5-6 years now, and it wasn’t until last year a publisher picked me up. There was one year I didn’t go because I was so discouraged with all of the reps at the conference being really excited about my work, taking my book proposals with them, and then getting shot down by the editorial staffs. I was frustrated, and at times even angry at God. But as one who felt the urging of the Spirit within his soul to write, I just couldn’t put it down. As Paul would say, “Woe to me if I do not [write] this gospel!”
When I finally was picked up, it was for one of the first two ms’s I had been bringing there from the beginning. I brought it as a backup, still had the original book proposal from five years earlier [that was professional], and was fairly ill-prepared to give a credible interview.
But God knew when He wanted it published, and with whom. If it is your gift you must write, and if it is your gift you will write regardless of earthly rewards. Don’t get discouraged. Use your gift, and trust the Giver. Keep knocking and the door He wants open to you will open.
Thanks, Marlene for the encouragement. I am a freelance writer who writes for clients in the mornings and myself in the afternoon–at least that’s the way it’s supposed to go! Often times my own writing gets pushed off due to client deadlines and big projects. I struggle with making my own projects a priority. So many things I want to do that sometimes I feel paralyzed by what to do first.
I would love to come to one of your conferences. I live in Indiana, so I’ll have to see if I can arrange it. Blessings to you and in your work for the Lord.
Hi, Jane. I definitely understand how our own writing can get pushed off. I find that the conferences consume most all my time. But I praise God that I’m certain I can make the greatest Kingdom impact through the conferences. I hope you’ll be able to come. If you’d like to receive our 16 pages brochure, please email your USPS address to mbagnull@aol.com. In Him – Marlene