Thanks for dropping by!
Happy April 1st!
The first day of April is a big deal in these parts because I traditionally “release” a new book each year on this date.
Have no fear, I’ve been hard at work on my latest release, and I’m excited to share it with you.
The Divine Endorsement: How to Seek and Find the Only Influencer that Matters
(If you’re new to my newsletters, you will want to read to the end of the announcement post.)
My new book shares simple steps any Christian author can use to gain the influence of the only one who truly matters.
Learn More HERE
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And now, let’s share about things that are real…
Over the past three months, I have been involved in assisting our congregation and diocese with resolving a very difficult situation. That’s about the most diplomatic and confidential way I can say that right now, but needless to say, it has occupied an oversized portion of my thoughts.
I’ve gotten to know A LOT about how bishops, canons, chancellors, and deacons function within the Episcopal Church.
As someone who still wishes deep down for the simplicity of a house church without hierarchy, I have been consistently impressed and encouraged with the care and wisdom of our leadership.
Having said all of that, the situation remains difficult and incredibly draining.
At times like this, I have leaned on my practice of Centering Prayer to let go of unproductive thinking loops and endless ruminating. Yet, it feels a lot like pulling persistent weeds with their hard fought underground root networks from our flower beds.
Some days it has felt a lot more like I’m fighting off the weeds constantly rather than cultivating anything productive or creative.
Cultivating a creative environment is so important for writing, and I’m sure the same goes for other forms of creativity.
I’ve heard from several artists about the ways they can “see something” in their minds before they create it. My best writing comes after I’ve had time to quietly sort out of my thoughts ahead of time.
When I prepare sermons, I read the passage in question weeks ahead of time just to make sure it gets into my head. That helps me sort out ideas before I flip open a commentary or start laying down an outline.
I wish I had so much more time to use my thoughts more productively over the past three months because I’m at a crossroads of sorts in my creative work.
Now that I’m working full time at a job that feels like a good fit for my experience as an editor and creator, I need to figure out what to do with my author “career.”
It’s obvious that my book editing work needs to go dormant. I do enough editing in my day job, and I don’t have time for side projects right now.
The place for my work as an author remains in need of sorting out.
Prior to taking my job, I had started a four-book series of books on creativity that links up with my deep dive into oil pastels.
I already made the oil pastel drawings I plan to use for each book’s cover. I completed one book and have parts of each book already written. I definitely want to finish those this year if possible.
Yet, even as I want to finish those books, there’s a deeper question about my goals as an author. I had long ago given up the goal of a career as a “Christian author.” I pursued that while ignorant of what working authors need to do day in, day out.
I’ve seen the Christian author influencer game, speaking circuit game, and social media influencer game up close. No thanks.
Much like I realized in my 20’s that I didn’t have the temperament or skills to match pastoral ministry in most evangelical churches, I also don’t match what’s expected of a working Christian author.
I still care very deeply about writing, and I will continue to write. However, that will need to look quite different from the past.
My hope is that I’m mostly on the other side of that situation at our church, my mind can begin roaming again, and writing will become a larger part of my weekly routine alongside my oil pastel creations.
I used to be terrified of not knowing which direction my writing career would go. Now, I’m at least relaxed enough to know that I’ve got the writing in me, but the writing needs the mental space to take root and flourish.
As it turns out, not knowing what’s next isn’t the end of the world.
Thanks for reading,
Ed
PS You can always find my real books on Amazon.
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