Camping Outside the Promised Land Redux

Welcome to
CAMP-BE-A-WRITER-REDUX !

At ease campers. (That's an order!)

Take off your muddy boots and relax.

Whether your goal is a traditional contract, an indie contract or a new direction and/or renewal for your career, this post is as relevant today as when it first appeared in 2011.

It has come to our attention that some of you have become discouraged. Weary of marching miles and miles with no end in sight. Tired of eating unpublished rations. Disillusioned by the sight of the same sagging pup tent night after night.

Am I right?

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

We at CAMP-BE-A-WRITER would like to review the Promised Land Manual, Section I.

How To Survive Writer Weariness Syndrome.

1. Recall the dream.

When did yours begin? When did you first recognize the dream in your heart? Stir up the memories of those first miraculous steps on the journey and they will chase away any doubts or fears that attempt to weigh you down.

2. Stand on the promise. When that dream was dropped in your heart it came with a promise of fulfillment. Stand on that promise.

Genesis 28:15. I am with you and will watch over you where ever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

3. Look at how far you’ve come and not how far you have to go.

The strategy used to destroy your dream is to keep you focused on how far you have to go.

But the truth is you've already come a long, long way. And while you don't know exactly when you'll enter the promised land you do know that you are closer today than you have ever been before. And tomorrow you'll be even closer.

4. Don’t lose heart.

When you find yourself discouraged, stop. Renew your joy. Celebrate small miracles along the way. Every page you write, every contest you enter, every critique you open yourself up to is a reason to rejoice and be proud.

Even a rejection is a sign that you are a writer on the road to the promised land.

I salute you!

5. Don’t get comfortable in your tent.

This is only a temporary place to rest. Don't even think about decorating or making it your own. Your house is over there...see it? Over the top of the horizon.

It's called your dream and you won't be home until you arrive.

6. Don't quit!

Remember that God gives us strength and grace for one day at a time. Don't try to gather it and save the leftovers for tomorrow. Be present in this moment. One foot in front of the other and you will make it through one more day.

7. Be thankful.

You and you alone were called to your journey. Isn't that amazing? There are people walking on this road with no direction and no calling, envious of you. You have a calling and a writing ministry. You have a dream. You have a promise.

Everyone got that?

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!