Jeff, writing IS hard. You are telling the truth about that. But writing is also worthwhile. I’ve been writing and publishing music and academic articles (and my doctoral thesis) for many years, but my first collaborative, non-musical book was published this spring by Cyclical Press (A Liturgy for All Bodies: New Words for a New World). I remember with exquisite clarity the unrelenting pressure of the draft deadlines and final copy due dates in late 2022. Contributing to ALFAB was quite an education!
And yet ... being on the other side of publication is AMAZING. There’s something incredibly satisfying about having put a “book baby” out into the world. These are your thoughts, your hopes and dreams; they will impact other people, and, as people of faith, the act of writing is also the answering of a sacred call. There’s nothing sweeter than finishing a project that the Spirit prompted you to begin.
Who knows whose hearts will be encouraged by the words you write? Who knows whose faith will be strengthened, whose path will be changed or transformed by God’s grace, using your work as the conduit of that grace and goodness? God knows, and God sees your faithful efforts to finish this project, Jeff.
A measure of writing struggle is necessary, but self-doubt isn’t. My advice is to focus on improving your craft - because that’s a productive way to refine your writing and to strengthen your final product - but please, don’t waste your precious time and energy on worrying that you aren’t “good enough.” You are! And you are called and equipped, too!
I’m sure that many readers of your newsletter will want to purchase your book, and this Canadian is one of them. ❤️
Praying for you as you finish the book—I (and, undoubtedly, so many others) can't wait to hold a copy, so keep stepping forward in this dark night of the writing process!
Thanks so much, friend. Today's "dark night" is shaped largely by the city's decision to start jackhammering our street to replace pipes. Their timing is phenomenal.
Jeff! I just love your writing. Now wishing I lived in Michigan so I could buy tomato seedlings from Liz! Your reflections encourage me to slow down, consider what's growing, what's on my table, and what brings life. Thank you.
I look forward to reading your writing here. Today I realized the comfort I feel reading about your life (and so many interesting people!). Things in my life seem to flying around me and sitting here with you is calming. We have not had such good luck with growing tomatoes here in Iowa. Our enjoyment comes from eating them right off the vine...no recipes needed!
I forget to go to the farmers market....i think I'll put it on my calendar. I like to go on Fridays when it's not quite so busy. I will look for Liz's farm next time I go and you should look for Net to Table (if you like salmon). It's my nephew's stand. Their family commercial fishes in Alaska. They sell most of it to the cannery up there, but they bring some home to sell down here.
Thank you for doing the hard work that you do to write for us and for your upcoming book. You give me so much joy to read about simple things and cause me to pause and see the beauty in a farmers market and expand my views of farmers and savor a tomato! Take courage. Your book will be a joy to read I’m sure.
I loved this post and well, all your posts here: aways so rich! Love your way of storytelling and look forward to to book in whatever form you deem it finalized.
I loved this post, Jeff.
Thanks, Dominee.
As you requested, sending encouraging thoughts as you complete your work on your new book. So many of us cannot wait to read it!
Jeff, writing IS hard. You are telling the truth about that. But writing is also worthwhile. I’ve been writing and publishing music and academic articles (and my doctoral thesis) for many years, but my first collaborative, non-musical book was published this spring by Cyclical Press (A Liturgy for All Bodies: New Words for a New World). I remember with exquisite clarity the unrelenting pressure of the draft deadlines and final copy due dates in late 2022. Contributing to ALFAB was quite an education!
And yet ... being on the other side of publication is AMAZING. There’s something incredibly satisfying about having put a “book baby” out into the world. These are your thoughts, your hopes and dreams; they will impact other people, and, as people of faith, the act of writing is also the answering of a sacred call. There’s nothing sweeter than finishing a project that the Spirit prompted you to begin.
Who knows whose hearts will be encouraged by the words you write? Who knows whose faith will be strengthened, whose path will be changed or transformed by God’s grace, using your work as the conduit of that grace and goodness? God knows, and God sees your faithful efforts to finish this project, Jeff.
A measure of writing struggle is necessary, but self-doubt isn’t. My advice is to focus on improving your craft - because that’s a productive way to refine your writing and to strengthen your final product - but please, don’t waste your precious time and energy on worrying that you aren’t “good enough.” You are! And you are called and equipped, too!
I’m sure that many readers of your newsletter will want to purchase your book, and this Canadian is one of them. ❤️
Being on the other side of publication—aside from the publicity part!—is indeed amazing.
I am now following the farm--thanks for the tip! Sending good vibrations your way as you finish your book.
Praying for you as you finish the book—I (and, undoubtedly, so many others) can't wait to hold a copy, so keep stepping forward in this dark night of the writing process!
Thanks so much, friend. Today's "dark night" is shaped largely by the city's decision to start jackhammering our street to replace pipes. Their timing is phenomenal.
Jeff! I just love your writing. Now wishing I lived in Michigan so I could buy tomato seedlings from Liz! Your reflections encourage me to slow down, consider what's growing, what's on my table, and what brings life. Thank you.
I look forward to reading your writing here. Today I realized the comfort I feel reading about your life (and so many interesting people!). Things in my life seem to flying around me and sitting here with you is calming. We have not had such good luck with growing tomatoes here in Iowa. Our enjoyment comes from eating them right off the vine...no recipes needed!
I enjoyed reading this! I love going to farmers markets, but you don’t always stop to think what it took to get everything there
I forget to go to the farmers market....i think I'll put it on my calendar. I like to go on Fridays when it's not quite so busy. I will look for Liz's farm next time I go and you should look for Net to Table (if you like salmon). It's my nephew's stand. Their family commercial fishes in Alaska. They sell most of it to the cannery up there, but they bring some home to sell down here.
Thank you for doing the hard work that you do to write for us and for your upcoming book. You give me so much joy to read about simple things and cause me to pause and see the beauty in a farmers market and expand my views of farmers and savor a tomato! Take courage. Your book will be a joy to read I’m sure.
I loved this post and well, all your posts here: aways so rich! Love your way of storytelling and look forward to to book in whatever form you deem it finalized.