What You Need to Give Up

Kevin Lucia continues his series on the Path to Publication and discusses a few things that writers might just have to give up if they want to become serious about writing.

As a preface, I’d like to touch on two things, both of which relate to my previous entry and set up this one. First, I’d like to point out a recent blog entry by horror novelist Brian Keene, whom I referenced in my last entry. He recently re-posted an old blog entitled “Time, and How to Make It,” in regards to finding time to write. It’s relation to the tone of this series is uncanny (Warning: Contains ‘R’ rated language in spots, mostly in regards to how aspiring writers should just sit their BLEEPs down in front of the computer and BLEEPing write).

Second, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also point out rising Christian Suspense Novelist, Eric Wilson. Recently, Eric had the joyous occasion of announcing to family, friends, and colleagues that he was finally able to quit that dreaded “day job” and write full-time. How was he able to do it? Well…hopefully he won’t be offended by this, but please reference Brian Keene’s blog; Eric happens to write his BLEEPing BLEEP off. After plugging along through four novels that boasted rave critical reviews but only average sales, Eric persevered – trusted God as well – and hit the mother load: a whole slew of movie novelization and tie-in deals, as well his much anticipated new series: Jerusalem’s Undead.

It occurred to me as I sat down to write this blog that I might very well be the victim of my own hyperbole. As I thought about all the things an aspiring writer should consider giving up, I realized maybe these things aren’t that big of a secret and everyone already knows them. However, even if they aren’t elements of rocket science, sharing them is by no means a bad thing. So, in no particular order, here they are:

1. Television:

I cringe when I realize how many hours I wasted in front of the ole’ Idiot Box.  Not only are we talking about hours wasted, television saps our mental focus, shortens our attention span, and I honestly believe tires our eyes out, so that when we finally sit down to write after watching five hours of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine re-runs, (which I’ve never done, of course), we’re so tired, we pass out onto our laptop or manuscript.

Some may reserve certain shows as “creative muses” or “inspirations.” I, in fact, have one: Supernatural, on the WB. However, we run a different risk here, and that’s allowing our works to be too derivative of outside influences. This is for each person to judge, and admittedly it’s hard today to come up with an entirely new concept, hence the Biblical adage: “There’s nothing new under the sun.” However, we may find ourselves unconsciously copying themes or re-treading ideas from our favorite shows, so guard against this.

2. Some Aspect of Social Contact:

This is very dependent on what type of person you are. I tend to be a bit of a hermit, with a small circle of friends, most of whom have unfortunately moved away, so it usually doesn’t pose much of a problem.  However, social butterflies may struggle with this. Balance is very important because you don’t want to cut off life-long friends in an obsessive pursuit of a writing career, especially if you’re still at its very genesis, with few–if any–deadlines or obligations. It’ll be different for everyone, but the following equation will become familiar throughout this article: time spent doing other things = less writing time.

    a. athletic endeavors:

I’ll make this a sub-topic because admittedly it addresses a narrower segment of the population, but it’s something I’m currently struggling with. I’ve played basketball all my life; even spent three years coaching men’s basketball at Davis College. As a former college player who now plays for exercise, love of the game, and fellowship—especially with fellow Christian athletes—this has become my struggle. Often, I find myself distracted while playing, thinking about all the writing I’m missing. Still, I’ve come to believe health and fitness very important to a writer, (see next point), so I don’t want to give up basketball entirely. My solution: limit my participation to open gyms and things at my convenience, and not get shackled into commitment-based leagues and tournaments. It still gives me that basketball buzz, and I get good exercise and fellowship, but I’m not bound to it.

3. Snack foods, junk foods, and soda:

Yep, I’m going there. Because of the astounding mental and physical, (in regards to eyes), effort it takes to write, we need to be in the best shape we can be—and I do mean physically. It’s only common sense: the better shape our body is in, the better our mind performs. Don’t worry, though, I only discovered this recently myself. When I seriously started writing two years ago, I gained a TON of weight and started having neck and joint problems—even saw my blood pressure spike—because writing is, after all, largely a sedentary pursuit. I cut back on some foods and, living in the country, I get plenty of exercise through chores.

However, last April I was accepted into Binghamton University’s Creative Writing graduate track, nailed my weekly column at The Press & Sun Bulletin, and accepted a new position teaching 9th – 10th grade high school English. Add a budding three-year-old and Tasmanian devil one-year-old, and I foresaw the result: late and early hours writing and reading, short hours sleeping. I sensed the need to be in the best physical condition possible, so I radically altered my diet. Nothing catchy or gimmicky, because really: no diet pill, plan, or “weight loss solution” can top a daily infusion of fruits, veggies, high grain wheat breads, lean meats, chicken/fish, less soda and more natural fluids. Halfway through grad school and a handful of writing credits, and I’m convinced I wouldn’t have been able to keep the hours I have, eating the way I used to. Plus, losing the weight and seeing the blood pressure go down was a nice side-effect.

**For those with homeopathic, natural food & medicine leanings, I did find the following supplements of benefit – used only according to their guidelines, of course. Here are some key things about herbal supplements: they only seem to have an effect while pursuing a healthy diet and exercise regiment, (which makes you wonder what’s helping more – the exercise or supplement), and they replace what the body may be lacking, so if you’re not lacking, it won’t help. Also, supplements need to be consumed on a routine, regular and consistent basis so your body stores them up: there IS no quick, on the spot energy solution except the age old one: caffeine. However, bananas have proven to be helpful in this area also.
Helpful: forms of ginseng, ginkgo balboa, Vitamins B & B+, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in orange juice in the morning and night (helps lower blood pressure and provide energy). Remember: consult a doctor or homeopathic chiropractor/doctor in your area first.

4. Other writing/reading related endeavors that don’t advance career or skill:

Well, that was a mouthful. In any case, many of us —myself included—often get involved in many writing-related activities in the beginning to help get our feet wet in the market, and that’s not a bad thing. Plus, being plugged into a variety of writing-related endeavors not only provides a wealth of experience, but it also stimulates the ole’ creative centers. And, there’s a track record for folks being editors of magazines and ezines before their big writing breaks. Suspense author T.L. Hines was a contributing editor for several different magazines leading up to his first novel, Waking Lazarus, and in an even more interesting story, Robin Parrish, former editor of the Christian entertainment ezine Infuze, was prepping his Dominion Trilogy for release on Infuze when Bethany House snapped it up.

However, it’s important to know when and where to say “enough” and decide what’s really important. If a writer eventually gets to the point when writing = money and/or exposure, then some hard decisions have to be made regarding what’s worthwhile. For most of us, however, the question becomes this: are the endeavors I’m wrapped up in further developing my craft or establishing my credibility as a writer? If the answer is “yes,” keep on trucking. If the answer is “no,” it may be time to cut some things loose, because as always: time spent doing other things = less writing time.

Things You Should NEVER Give Up:

1. Devotions, Time Spent With God:

This sounds like common sense, right? You’d be surprised, especially when multiple writing deadlines, graduate school work, family and work obligations pile up. However, the answer is clear: don’t slack off. I don’t want to turn this into “rewards theology,” (I.E. I read my Bible X amount of times a week, God gives me X amount of publication credits), but for me the results have been clear: in the last three years, I’ve paid ever stricter attention to my devotions and prayer time in the morning, and as I’ve done so, God has blessed my family and I in all areas, most especially in the one I always feared devotions and prayer would steal time from: writing. This is SUCH a subjective issue for folks I won’t give lengthy advice, just a simple page from my book: wake up a little earlier in the morning, allow yourself a good novel or the newspaper while you eat breakfast to allow your mind to wake up, and then—regardless of looming deadlines—do your devotions first, before anything else.

2. Family Time:

In truth, depending on where you are with children and other concerns, this is also very subjective and different for everyone. Will you, at times, as a writer, have to go away from family—spouse and children—for an hour or two every day to get a consistent writing time? Certainly, but this should only be done after careful discussion and mediation between spouses, and with the full blessings of spouse and/or children (depending on age). The bottom line is this: writing is inherently a solitary activity, and in many ways a writer must be committed to regular intervals of solitude. However, these must be taken with care, and a writer or writer-hopeful must always be realistic and put your spouse’s and children’s needs first.
And for heaven’s sake, when your children are begging you to play “Tea Time” in the playroom, shut off the laptop, put down the pen, and go—which I’m going to do, right now.

Related Articles:

• A Plan in Hand Beats Wandering in the Bush
• The Path to Publication
• No Batteries Included, Patience Required
• Hats, Coats, and Thick Skin Only

Relief Blogger Travis Griffith reviews I Sold My Soul on eBay: Viewing Faith through an Atheist’s Eyes, the story of the much-publicized eBay auction where Hemant Mehta sold the right to send an atheist (himself) to church.

Hemant Mehta’s Journey:

Raised in the Indian religion Jainism, Hemant Mehta rejected his religion and became an atheist as a teenager. In his early twenties, he realized he didn’t know very much about American’s main religion: Christianity.

And what’s the best way to learn about Christianity? Go to church. The twist that Mehta put on that though was to let someone else decide what church he’d attend and how many times he’d go. Hence the auction.

The winning bid of $504 placed by Seattle minister Jim Henderson sent Mehta on a cross country tour of churches and interviews (The Wall Street Journal, The Seattle Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, to name a few).  Eventually an editor at Waterbrook Press asked Mehta to visit even more churches for the purposes of a book. And Mehta jumped on the opportunity to continue learning about Christianity while at the same time spreading the word of atheism and proving that atheists are not the angry God-haters they’ve been branded as by some Christians.

The Book:

The book begins with an explanation of how and why Mehta became an atheist, and then continues into his journey to churches across four states: Illinois, Michigan, Colorado and Texas. Mehta begins by reviewing small churches, followed by medium-sized churches and finally mega-churches including New Life Church (before the whole Ted Haggard controversy), Mars Hill Bible Church and Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church. Along the way, Mehta details his thoughts during each service, questions certain traditions and, at the end of the book, offers suggestions for improving services and ways for drawing non-Christians to church. 

His writing style is simple and clear, and it only took a few pages before I found myself identifying with him, his emotions, and his questions regarding faith.

What really surprised me is that Mehta is completely open to belief. As a former atheist myself, I can’t say I ever had the same amount of openness. And it’s his willingness to be open that makes this book so intriguing.

Another aspect of the book I was impressed with was Mehta’s proposal to bring atheists and Christians together for discussion, which he does at his website The Friendly Atheist. After all, he says he knows atheists who are actually following Jesus’ example more closely than many Christians. Many atheists have a strong commitment to Christian values, just without the belief in Christ.

Honestly, the logic and reason with which Mehta speaks about atheism is powerful, yet never condescending towards Christians.

This book is simply about finding the truth which, perhaps, is why some Christians feel so threatened by atheism. Are Christians afraid that atheists will bring up too many good points in a debate? Do Christian teachings not stand up to reason? Can Christianity continue to survive on faith alone? If these are your fears, then you really need this book.

Mehta says it would take a miracle to convert him from atheism—some undeniable proof about the existence of God or spirituality. This book reveals whether or not he received that proof.

On a More Personal Note:

I’m in the unique position to view this topic from both sides: I was an atheist and am someone who’s seen the undeniable proof that Mehta is open for. However, one person’s proof is another person’s fiction, which I suppose is what makes faith… faith.

Read this book and you’ll gain an insight into the truth about atheism. For Christians reading this book, you’ll come away with knowledge about how your religion is viewed by outsiders, and what can be done to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers.

Relief recommends this book because it takes two polar opposite beliefs and challenges each to consider the other. In the end, I would guess that Christians who are exposed to atheism won’t become atheists, but will become more passionate about growing into their Christianity.

 Travis Griffith, who recently left behind the corporate marketing world choosing family and writing in lieu of “a comfortable life” financially, is a former atheist trying to define what leading a spiritual life really means.  His children’s book, Your Father Forever, published in 2005 by Illumination Arts Publishing Company, Inc. captures only a fraction of his passion for fatherhood.  We’re glad to have him aboard.