I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to stay motivated, largely in preparation for a writers’ workshop I’ll be taking on the topic at the Word Writers’ Fair in Brisbane on 6th November (see www.thewordwriters.com). It has been a timely journey – I never cease to be amazed how, when I am preparing input for some speaking engagement, God so often uses it to speak to me first and foremost! You see, the fact is that I have now completed seven years of solid novel writing, plus preparing for many speaking engagements over that period. Is it time then for me to have a sabbatical? Or should I forge ahead, complete Novel Number Six and fulfil those speaking engagements that are beginning to emerge for 2011?
Please don’t get me wrong. I love preparing talks – and delivering whatever God has given me to say. And I love writing with a passion. I can’t wait to complete my current novel and find out what happens to my characters! And I have several more ideas for novels sitting on my computer, almost begging me to investigate them more fully. Yet on certain days at least, it can be an effort to stay focused, to pick up the threads of my current novel and to move my characters forward in a way which is consistent with who they are and the journey they have already travelled.
I have heard what God wanted me to, I believe, as I have prepared my workshop input. I know there are vital ‘God factors’ in staying motivated – things like remembering our call from God to write, reading God’s Word, practising the presence of God, praying, and being thankful for the journey thus far. I have seen again the importance of receiving encouragement from others in the form of a mentor who understands the creative process, a wider faith community, friends who will pray for us and teachers and editors who will give us specific, helpful writing input. I have noted too the place of watching our responses to any negative feedback and of learning to say no to things that are not right to undertake. And again I have been reminded of the whole self-care aspect – getting enough exercise and sleep; finding words, objects, places that motivate me; disciplining my time; setting goals; celebrating my little writing ‘victories’; and putting past failures behind me.
But then God takes over again and drops those extra encouraging words into my spirit. This morning I read the following beautiful, simple prayer from 2 Thessalonians 3:5:
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
That prayer to me highlights the two key things I need to remember in my writing journey – the real direction I need to be heading in my heart. If I focus on God’s amazing love for me and remember that this love will never change, whether I write well or not so well or even whether I write at all, then I am on solid ground. And if I keep Christ’s example before me of persevering to the end and of being so determined to do his Father’s will – well, what motivation could be stronger than that?
And just now, again in God’s exquisite timing, an email has arrived, telling me my fifth manuscript has been accepted for publication! Do you think God is sitting back, smiling and enjoying this special encouraging gift along with me? I do!
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
Hi Jo-Anne,
This is an interesting post. I’m really looking forward to meeting you in Brisbane. I would love to pick your brains concerning discovering venues at which to speak. You seem to do that which such ease, while I find it incredibly difficult – although I love speaking when I do find somewhere.
Hi Paula
Looking forward to meeting you in Brisbane too! I’m sure the marketing panel in the afternoon at the Writers’ Fair will touch on this area of finding speaking venues, so perhaps you can get to that and ask some questions there as well. I will try to email you on the topic later today – finding these venues is quite a journey for me too!
Hi Jo-Anne,
This post spoke to my heart this morning. I am in an unsettled time and you have helped me to focus this morning. My husband and I are preparing for a round Australia trip. I’ll be at the Writers’ Fair and looking forward to meeting you.
My first book has been accepted by Even Before Publishing and I’m so excited, but try to remain focussed on my next work, too, so your post was timely. Thanks, again.
So glad my post was right for you, Laura, in this big time of change, but what an exciting prospect, to be heading around Australia! And congratulations that your book has been accepted by Even Before! I look forward to meeting you in Brisbane – I’m on a couple of panels as well as presenting the workshop, so hopefully we’ll cross paths somewhere.