Survival Tips for the Waiting Part of Writing Tip #20 – Remember Who is in Control

During this season of uncertainty, life can often feel as if it is spiraling out of control. We can’t control the virus, we can’t control the fact that life as we once knew it may never return, we can’t control the stark division this political climate is causing, we can’t control the weird weather—seriously, fire tornados and land hurricanes?

As writers and authors—we can’t control the increasing closure of brick and mortar bookstores, we can’t control lost face-to-face opportunities to speak and promote, we can’t control the slow response time of publishers and agents, and we can’t control the ever changing landscape of the publishing industry.

But don’t lose heart. The truth is, we never really were in control. Our current global circumstances haven’t increased the things beyond our control; they’ve just made our utter lack of control more apparent. We serve a God who is not surprised by these events. He was, is, and will always be … in control.

Here are a few things we CAN do to move forward while we wait and trust in Him.

We CAN take advantage of every virtual opportunity available to further our craft and platform. Online conferences, Zoom meetings, social media events, and digital training opportunities are becoming the wave of the future. We don’t have to leave our home to take advantage of these opportunities, and who doesn’t enjoy the freedom of wearing lounge pants while participating?

We CAN use our time wisely. Many of us find ourselves with extra time on our hands these days. But it can seem like that time is wasted if we don’t treat it purposefully. Priority lists are always helpful, but long lists can seem too overwhelming. Start with three goals per day. I know if I can check off at least three boxes by bedtime, it motivates me to do more the following day. And beware of the great time parasite—too much social media.

We CAN choose to have a positive attitude. Our world is full of frustrated, scared, angry, divisive people. But we don’t have to be lumped into that group. In fact, we are called to be a light in this dark world. By using our writerly superpower—words—and combining them with love and truth we can be a force of encouragement and joy in a world that desperately needs it.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 5:14, Proverbs 16:9

Fun Fact or Helpful Resource:
A great resource for online, affordable training is Serious Writer Academy. Their courses are categorized by genre and you can go at your own pace.

ANNETTE GRIFFIN BIO

Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.