@AlyciaMorales

I’m staring out the window watching a cold rain fall and wondering what on earth to blog about. Yesterday was a sick day for me, and I think my brain is still trying to catch up to the fact that my body feels better. I can’t put two sentences together for the life of me.

But I do. Because I must. Because writing is a calling and I am obedient. And my post is due.

1. Deadline. My best friend works on deadline all the time. When we’ve signed that contract, it’s time to put fingers to keyboard and get that manuscript written. Don’t have a deadline? Create one for yourself. And find that friend who will hold you accountable to it. Raise the stakes and make a pact. If you make the deadline, she buys you dinner. If you miss it, you buy her dinner. Hopefully, you’ll be celebrating a success!
2. Goals. Goals don’t happen if you don’t work toward achieving them. Set a goal to write 300 words a day. It’s reasonable. Even the busiest person can get a few sentences on the page each day. That’s 109,500 words per year. That’s 29,500 words over a contemporary novel length. You’ve just written a book in a year!
3. Dreams Come True. It’s possible to make your dream come true, especially if you dream of writing a book. Or creating a successful blog. Or writing a screenplay. These things take time, but it doesn’t cost anything else to sit at the computer and write. Whatever your dream is, make it happen. Use the rainy days to catch up on a project you’ve fallen behind on. Use them to set new goals or create a vision board. Whatever you choose to do, look for the silver lining in those clouds and go for it! You’re closer to making your dreams a reality when you do something to pursue them every day.
4. Commitment. Have you told an agent or editor you’d have your manuscript turned into them for consideration by a particular date? Let your yes be yes and turn it in on that date. Sit down today and write. Or revise. But make sure you’re working toward getting that manuscript polished and ready to turn in on time. Be a man or woman of your word. You never know what might come of it.
5. Creativity Wanes. Have you ever taken piano lessons or ridden a bike or gone roller skating? Have you noticed that when you don’t continue practicing, you feel a bit rusty when you want to get back to doing those things? I find the same thing happens with my creativity (especially my writing) when I don’t stick to doing so on a regular basis. Rather than let my talent get dusty on the shelf, I need to keep at it. Lord knows I don’t want my creativity to wane. It’s what brings me joy in life.
6. Readers Wait. Have you ever mentioned what your book was about and had someone perk up or say, “I want to read that”? If so, then you have readers waiting on your book. Ask any avid fan of an author, and they’ll tell you how much they can’t wait for the next installment in an author’s series or the next new book they’re going to release. Your readers will feel the same way, if you ever finish that book. So what are you waiting for? Get to it!
7. Obedience. If God has truly called you to write a book, then He’s given you a ministry of words. What are you going to do with it? Our words oftentimes touch the hearts of particular readers. Which is the reason we write to begin with, in most cases. What ministry opportunities are we withholding from another if we don’t make it a priority to write our novels or nonfiction manuscripts?
8. The Glory. I’m not talking about our glory or the glory of hitting a bestseller list or having a movie made from our novel. I’m talking about the glory God receives when we are obedient to do what He requires of us. Writing is a form of worship. A celebration of His truth in this life. A heritage of story we pass from generation to generation. It’s a chance to point to Him and declare His praise. What’s holding you back? After all, it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Bless Him by putting those words on the page today.

There are plenty more reasons why we should sit down and write today. Whether it’s one sentence or a flash fiction piece, a poem or a song. The next chapter of a novel. Whatever the length of your writing may be, make it a priority. Spend the time with God and let the words flow. You won’t regret it.

Alycia Morales is a freelance editor and writer. Her writing has been in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. Her editing clients have won several awards for their manuscripts, including finalist in the Selah Award. Alycia’s first ghostwriting project, The Spirit of Hospitality by Larry Stuart, releases in December 2018.

She is also the conference manager and the blog editor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

When she isn’t busy hanging out with her writing friends, her husband, and her four children, Alycia enjoys reading, watching TV, hiking, and crafting.

Follow Alycia at her blogs, Life.Inspired. and The Write Editing. She can also be found on Instagram and Pinterest.

Alycia’s Twitter: @AlyciaMorales

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV