by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I was talking with a good friend of mine, Torry Martin, at a conference, and we got into an interesting discussion. He mentioned that being submissive was something that writers don’t often consider. The look on my face must have clued him into my confusion because he went on.
“It’s a natural progression, from submitting things for possible publication to the concept of submission.”
Wow.
I just sat there, amazed that I’d never considered that connection. He went on to say it was something I should write about. I tried to convince him to do it, but he said to consider it my first conscious act of writing submission.
So Torry, this one’s for you!
A Submissive Writer
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
As writers, we’re constantly being called to submit, even if we don’t realize it. Of course there’s the obvious connection, when we submit our writing for possible publication. But there are other ways as well.
- We submit to God’s call when we put our words in tangible form—either handwritten or in a digital document.
- We submit to others when we share our words for critique.
- We submit when we invest our time and energy in organizations, classes and conferences.
These acts of submission are part of the path we must follow to become a working writer. Beyond that, they are things we must practice—not something that we only do once or twice. This process is sometimes painful, but growth and obedience always are.
Submission is also an act that can bring on spiritual warfare.
When we draw a line in the sand and begin to follow God in obedience, it invites attack from the enemy. We can expect him to come after us in many ways.
- He tries to fill our days with busyness—often camouflaging it with good things to tempt us away from God’s best.
- He will use others to bring us down with negative words.
- He whispers in our minds how inadequate and bad our efforts are.
- He even tries to make us doubt what God Himself has shown us.
But just like the verse in James states, submission empowers us. When we refuse to be drawn off God’s path, Satan will flee. Maybe he won’t disappear forever, but by submitting we have a powerful weapon to combat him.
These are my thoughts on being a submissive writer, I’d love for you to share yours in the comments section below.
Edie Melson—author, blogger, speaker—has written numerous books, including her most recent fiction – Alone, and nonfiction – While My Child is Away. She’s also the military family blogger at Guideposts.org. Her popular blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She’s the the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine, Social Media Mentor at My Book Therapy, and the Senior Editor for NovelRocket.com.
The Conversation
Edie, I love Torry Martin. He is a great example of submission. Thank you for writing this poignant article. My prayer for myself and my brothers and sisters is that we would all be sensitive to the Spirit and our place in Gods plan. We must submit when God promotes one work over another. We should cheer each other on as we wait for God to promote us in His perfect timing. WE are all on the same team. WE are family. Our Heavenly Father may use 1 piece of writing to change 1 person, or He may orchestrate an author to write a bestseller that changes millions. The choice is His. I pray that I submit today and always. It’s not easy. One thing I do know, I love when one of my brothers and sisters succeeds, giving the Glory to God. I rejoice with them.
Thank you, Torry Martin.
Thank you, Edie Melson.
I needed to hear this TODAY.
May God bless you both.
Submission to God requires obedience and faith. Edie, your article made the connection to writing clear. Thank you!