One Year Ago

One year ago today, I won Camp NaNoWriMo & finished my first novel. It was all of 46,526 words long. It was the first time I stepped out of my usual genre of historical fiction and quaint, old-fashioned stories or silly contemporary ones and actually wrote something with a deep theme. It was the first time I persevered with something that was hard to write. It was the first time I had a fangirl team. It was the first time I was in a writers’ group. It was the first time I crafted a character that I knew I would love the best forever. It was the first time I created a cover that I was sure was just perfect.

Now, 12 months later... that book started a whole series with 10 books in it. I created real mood boards on Pinterest. I helped start a writing camp for Christian girls. I reached 50,435 words in my current story, which is my 3rd novel. I designed covers beyond anything I’d ever dreamed. I cried over my writing & made others emotional too. I have even more fangirls than before. I’ve tackled themes deeper than I ever imagined I would. I’ve pushed through hard and dry spells. I’ve created a character that will always be my “baby” character.

What happened in between? 

I wrote. I actually set time aside to write. Sometimes it was just 100 words a day. Sometimes it was 2,000. Sometimes it was more. But I wrote consistently. 

I’ve learned to accept critique. Oh, it’s still hard. But I’ve learned that it’s needed and useful. At the same time, I’ve learned that my book is my book and it’s okay not to do everything everyone says. 

I’ve learned that if God gives you a message He’ll show you how to write it.

I’ve learned that all glory & praise in my writing is His, and not to take pride in it. At least, I’m trying. 

I’ve learned that even if twelve months later you discover that a book is rubbish... it’s okay. 

I’ve learned that sometimes you don’t figure things out for months and then suddenly God just snaps the puzzle pieces together at the right time.

I’ve learned to be humble, because I’m not the best.

I’ve learned that rewriting isn’t a bad thing.

I’ve learned that no matter how good I think something is, I’ll always find later that it’s not as good as I thought... and it’s foolish and wrong to be proud of it. 

I’ve learned that you’ll always get better, but that can’t stop you from producing in the moment. You have to start somewhere. 

I’ve learned that God will bring along just the people you need at just the right time in ways that are simply astounding.

I’ve learned that if you have the courage to step up and speak the truth and say what is right, God will take care of you. And it is so freeing.

 

I’ve learned how to get along with people who are wildly different than me, and how to get along with people who are very similar to me.

I’ve learned that I don’t know it all. And I need to keep learning.

I’ve learned that when you surrender your dreams & plans to God, He gives you far more than you ever imagined or hoped for. 

I’ve learned there’s a reason for heartbreak and pain and uncertainty and fear. And that God can use it for His glory.

I’ve learned how beautiful redemption and love and mercy and hope and grace and justice are. 

I’ve learned that God does wonderful things in just 12 short months. He has worked on me and changed me so that I barely recognize the girl I was 12 months ago. Anything I am is all Him. I’m humbled and awed by what He has done. And I’m beyond grateful. 

God has blessed me so much & brought me so far since July 23, 2019. 

Praise be to His Name. 

And thank you to those of you who’ve stuck with me. You’ve put up with so much from me. You’ve been gracious and sweet. You’ve kept me going with all your encouragement & care. You’ve answered countless quotations and brainstormed innumerable ideas. I can’t say thank you enough to all of you for all you’ve done.