By Bethany Jett, @betjett

God gives us seasons of writing.

Seasons of rest.

Seasons of pursuing other projects, businesses, and family interests.

Sometimes these seasons are the equivalent of writing silence, when the posts and articles you pen aren’t for you, but as part of freelance, volunteer, or business work. They are words from your heart but may not be the words of your heart.

At least, that’s been the case for me.

My first book was published for young adults, but it’s been way too long since I wrote for that audience. When my agent remarked on my lack of blogging, I emphatically stated, “I blogged a few weeks ago!”

He immediately pulled up my website and checked the date of my last post.

“You mean four months ago.”

I tapped in my URL. In black and white was the proof. How could it have been so long between blogs?

It felt like I was writing all the time. I’d had a goal of consistent blogging at the beginning of the year, but as many of us do, we put ourselves on the back burner.
Thankfully, God always lets you know when it’s time to start writing again. Usually through other people.

All of a sudden, speaking engagements with a young adult audience started popping up. Then my friends and family addressed their observations directly.

“I don’t see you writing very much these days.”

“How is your writing going?”

“You need to take yourself as a client. Block off the time and write.”

It’s coming through loud and clear.

We need to keep our writing muscles strengthened by blogging, micro-posting on social media, guest posting, and freelance writing. Add to that list book proposals and sample chapters and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to explore the message God wants you to share from your mind and heart.

As we wade through this season of holiday merriment and goal-setting for the new year, let’s take the time to evaluate our priorities. God has given us a gift of writing, so let’s set aside the time to strengthen our craft.

It’s your season.

It’s your season to write.

It’s your season to purse the paths that God has laid out ahead of you.

Let’s journey this next season together.

**What is your writing goal for 2018? Let us know in the comments.

Award-winning author Bethany Jett is the Co-Owner of Serious Writer Academy, and Vice President of Platinum Literary Services where she specializes in marketing, nonfiction proposal creation, ghostwriting, and developmental editing. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in Communication: New Media and Marketing.

Bethany is a military spouse, momma-of-boys, suspense-novel junkie who describes herself as “mid-maintenance” and loves cute shoes and all things girly. Check her out at bethanyjett.com, catch her live on Writers Chat every Tuesday morning, and follow her across all social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | LinkedIn | Snapchat: @bethanyjett.