Gallant or Goofus Writer?

I was an early reader and gobbled up anything I could get my hands on to read, from library books to the backs of cereal boxes. One of my favorites was Highlights magazine.

Here was a magazine aimed at my (then) age group, with informative stories, pictures, cartoons, etc., and I loved it. If I remember correctly, I discovered it at a doctor’s office, and my parents eventually blessed me with a subscription. When each issue arrived, I retreated to my room, reading and re-reading every page.

One of my favorite features was “Goofus and Gallant.” For those of you who are not familiar with these fellows, Gallant was a model child, depicted as doing the right thing in every situation. If Gallant wanted a glass of milk, he would politely ask his mother, wait patiently, and express thankfulness when she obliged.

Goofus was the polar opposite. He would grab the milk without asking, spilling the liquid all over the floor and leaving it for someone else to clean up. And so on and on, doing the bad thing month after month, year after year.

I would love to say I have always been Gallant, courteous and obedient. I would be lying, as, sometimes, Gallant’s brash ways show up.

That got me thinking: what if Goofus and Gallant were writers? How would they respond in similar situations? Let’s explore this idea.

Gallant would write every day, at a set time, probably early in the morning right after his Bible study. Goofus would only write every now and then, when he felt like it, and never early in the morning. If the muse did not show up, neither would Goofus.

Gallant would see writing rejections as learning experiences and not let them bother him, moving on to the next submission with gladness. Goofus would be crushed by rejection, sulking for days (months, years) and eating copious amounts of ice cream to lessen the sting.

Gallant would find joy in editing his work, taking the editor’s advice to heart and making the suggested changes with no issues. Goofus would wonder why the editor was picking on him, calling the editor a not-so-nice name and refusing to make any changes.

Gallant would build his platform “plank by plank,” seeking opportunities to get his name and work in the public eye. He would post on social media every day without fail. Goofus would snub his nose at platform building, hardly ever posting on social media while thinking he could make it without such nonsense.

Gallant would accept the highs and lows of writing, accepting them as God’s will and being open to whatever comes his way. Goofus would get frustrated during the dry times, throwing in the towel and threatening to quit writing (and maybe even overturning a table or throwing a chair in the process).

I strive to be a Gallant in my writing, even though there are times it is tempting to act like a Goofus. It is easy to get discouraged (goofed up, maybe?) from rejection and the silent times, but, as long as we remember Who is in control, we can be a Gallant writer.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb