By DiAnn Mills, @DiAnnMills

Every time I begin a new writing project, I panic. Can I do this again? Do I have the necessary skills to carry another book through to completion? Will my readers like the characters? Is my plot credible with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing? Will my critique buds keep me accountable?

Then I remember who’s my Boss.

I bet many of you thought writing would be free of the worries and hassles of a boss. No clocking in. No arriving early or staying late. Then you discovered all the demands made on your time and effort: publishers, agents, editors, copy editors, publicists, critique partners, readers, social media, and family responsibilities. But did you stop to consider your real Boss?

The One who called you into the writing ministry?

If you’ll think back to the time when writing began as a dream, the urge and passion to communicate through the written word became so powerful that you didn’t know what to do with it.

It was power.

It was passion.

It was alive.

It was undeniable.

A realization began to grow deep inside you that this newfound urgency came from outside the realm of your own being. Writing had become a calling from God, and you had a responsibility to learn the craft.

With the understanding God purposed you to write, I can assume He didn’t include a timetable as to when you’d be published. If He did, please forward me the e-mail.

I can also assume the techniques and tools of the craft weren’t immediately drop-shipped into your brain. If so, I want that e-mail too.

And I’m fairly certain He didn’t gift you with a brand, blog, website, Facebook page, Twitter presence, and all the other social media platforms. If so, then I want your prayer life.

This wild, sweet gift of writing is a lot like the road David walked in the Bible. He discovered his Boss at a young age, and he clung to Him all the days of his life.

1. David didn’t take the throne immediately. He had much to learn
2. David battled lions and bears to build strength, courage, and endurance.
3. David’s family probably didn’t understand who he was or what he was attempting to accomplish.
4. David fought Goliath—the world of publishing—by using his skills and trusting in God.
5. David faced rejection from Saul, his wife Michal, and those he thought were his friends and family.
6. David made mistakes and had to ask for forgiveness.
7. David never gave up. He had hope, which means he waited for the Lord to fulfill His promises. What about you? Where is your hope and commitment?

We use our words to entertain, inspire, encourage, and teach. Like David we can dream, learn, obey, and reach our purpose.

So I ask you, who is your Boss?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at http://www.diannmills.com