Finish the First Draft

First draft. Your dreams. Your calling. What you were born to do. Words you cling to as you sit in front of your computer, stretch your fingers over the keyboard and get ready to write. Before long, you hear other words. The boss called, the kids need you, I’m tired, no time. Consequently, you turn the computer off and walk away.

You are Ready This Time

You sit again, kids tended to, work done. Found an hour to yourself. You turn on the computer and poise yourself, ready to do it this time. However, the page remains blank. Words do come, but they are not helpful. They filter through your mind and invade your heart. Who do you think you are? You’re not a writer. Failure. Dreamer. Foolishness. Forget this, do what you know, do the thing that you’ve always done. Get a real job. You turn the computer off and walk away.

Your story remains untold.

God has called you. He put the dream there. It’s not a dream of your own making. The dream is not only in your head. Lies are. However, here is the truth…You are good enough. You can do this. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. You may have to work while pursuing your dream, that’s life, and that is okay. You will have to tend to the kids, that’s life and that is a blessing. The only foolish thing you could do is to lay the dream down and walk away.

How can I do this?

The answer may seem simplistic but is truly not, it can be quite difficult, but you can do it, for God is with you:

Schedule time to write, be it an hour or just twenty minutes a day. Just write.
Don’t expect perfection on your first draft, it will be ugly and that is okay. That’s okay. Just write.
Write from the inspiration that strikes your heart and spirit. Go with it, let it flow through you. The Holy Spirit is speaking, let him. Just write.
Write even when you don’t feel that inspiration, write a paragraph. Write what you know.
Research things that need researching. Don’t stop and wait until the inspiration strikes. Just write.
Turn that editor off during your first draft. You will need to turn him on later, but not today. Today, just write.

Above All–Pray

Above all these things; pray for God’s word to be spoken through you. God is the Author, you are the pen in his hand. Let him speak, let him move. Listen to that still small voice that says, write this, research that. Push aside the lies that invade your spirit, then fill it with the truth of what God has spoken to you.

Finish the First Draft–Just Write

Sit down at that computer and just write.

Author: Lauren Harrison
Website: http://www.lauren-harrison.net

Lauren writes Christian fiction and inspirational poetry. She has had poems published by the International Library of Poetry and won an Editor’s Choice Award for her work. Lauren currently has several stories in first draft and editing stages and knows God has a plan and is confident He will help her as she completes the work.

When Lauren isn’t working, or writing, she enjoys long walks, spending time with friends, window shopping at the mall, and playing with her cat Lightening.