Write His Answer

“What do you want to be when you grow up, little girl?”

When I was six, I told anyone who asked me that question the exact same thing: “I’m going to be a writer!”

Not that the path from first grader to published author was an easy one. It took years (first I had to learn how to read), but eventually I got there. Eventually I published 15 books under the name Karen Linamen, collaborated on another 15, and now I get to help people build their platforms, improve their writing, and get published.

But it all started with a dream. And a declaration.

Undoubtedly, you’re further along in your writing journey than I was at the ripe old age of six, but I think there are some milestones in my journey that you may find helpful in yours. There are three that come to mind:

1. One milestone occurred during a college chapel service where the speaker, a published author, encouraged us to stop saying “I want to be“ and start saying “I am.”

I walked away from that event with permission to stop saying “I’m going to be a writer” and start saying “I AM a writer!”

I had nothing published. No contract. No readership. Nobody waiting with longing to read the next installment of my witty observations and wise reflections. But I had permission to call myself what I longed to become—and what I believe God was calling me to be. And I don’t think I would have given myself that permission without encouragement from someone further along on the writing journey.

Do you want to be a writer? Or ARE you a writer? If you haven’t given yourself permission to walk by faith in the name of your calling, do it today. I give you permission to give yourself permission to say the words, “I’m a writer.” Yes, my friend, you are.  

2. Another milestone occurred when I attended my first writers conference.

Looking around the room at the other writers and faculty in attendance, I felt a profound sense of belonging. This was my tribe. I also felt a dazed sense of gratitude. I still hadn’t published anything, but I was starting to realize there were people further along this glorious path who had once stood in my shoes, mentors willing to reach back a hand and help me scale many of the boulders along the way.

Are you putting yourself in the path of mentors who can help you along the way? I don’t think I’ve come across another industry where people who have enjoyed a measure of success are more willing to share practical help and encouragement with others who are hungry to learn. Attend writers’ conferences. Join writing groups. Connect with other writers on social media and over coffee and in your city. There’s strength in numbers, and writers sharpen writers. Don’t try this alone. We really do need each other.

3. Yet another milestone occurred recently when I got to watch two people whose books I had the privilege of shepherding to publication hold those books in their hands for the first time.

Yes, there have been other milestones along the way—completing manuscripts, getting published in magazines and online, holding my own books in my hands for the very first time, reading precious letters from readers, seeing my books in bookstores, doing media appearances and so on. I remember these moments, too.

But as I sat down to write this post, the three that came most strongly to mind were all moments spent with other like-minded men and women who share our calling. In other words, some of the most pivotal and precious moments of my career have occurred during time spent with other members of the amazing community of writers.

I wish I’d known this sooner. I would have started attending conferences and writers’ groups a lot sooner than I did.

But I eventually figured it out. It’s been a game-changer in my writing career, and if it hasn’t already been a game-changer in yours, it can be.

Are you trying to hone your craft and feed your writer’s soul in isolation? Or are you sharing priceless moments with other writers, receiving help from veteran travelers on this amazing journey, as well as encouraging others who began their journeys more recently than you?

Spring and summer provide great opportunities to connect with like-minded souls at writers’ conferences across the country, and if you haven’t nailed something down for May 15^th-18^th, I know right where you need to be. Marlene’s annual Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park, Colorado, is one of the most robust and anointed conferences you’ll find anywhere, and I promise if you attend, you’ll be profoundly enriched by the experience.

You can Register for the May 2019 Colorado Christian Writers Conference Here

I’ll be teaching a couple sessions at this conference (and at the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference in August as well). I’ll be teaching a workshop on “How to Add More Humor to Your Writing,” and also a six-hour continuing session with Michael Klassen called “Taking Your Nonfiction Book from Good to Great!” If you come to either conference, let’s connect.

I really hope to see you there.

Here’s the bottom line: I’m grateful for YOU. I’m so glad we share this calling, so glad we’re in the same tribe.

Let’s do this thing. Together.