writing for God's glory – Page 2 – Carol Ann Erhardt, Author

I’ve been in cave mood this week, perched on a chair in my office running every scene of my book through a new editing program. Hope to finish today. Then one final reading and I’ll be going into the publishing phase. It’s exciting when the book reaches the final stages of publication. Then I wait anxiously for the sample paperback to ensure it is correctly formatted. The next step is the best…when I say publish it now!

I love the entire process of writing to publication. Unfortunately, a lot of writers have no idea what goes into making a book publishable. I don’t want to ruin my reputation by just writing and hitting publish without making sure the book has been properly edited. Writing is hard work, patience, and perseverance. It is being dedicated to a goal and having a passion to fulfill that goal.

Along the journey, since 2001, I admit I’ve faltered. So easy to fall into a trap of believing there are no more stories left to tell, to feel lost, broken, and useless as a writer. At times it is difficult to decipher between God’s voice and Satan’s voice. And, sometimes, we just need a hiatus. A resting period, because life requires so much from us, there is nothing left for storytelling.

This is the year God called me to return to write for Him. To share His goodness and how he takes brokenness and changes it to joy. In this soon to be published book, I named a little girl, Joy. The significance will become evident as you read Katy and Ben’s story.

Now back to cave mode.

Saturday April 30 marks the day I wrote the end to my 9th full length novel. Emotions ran high that afternoon.

I missed being able to hug my husband and to hear him tell me congratulations. He was my biggest fan. And marketer. He told everyone I was a published author, even strangers. It’s a wonderful feeling to have someone be proud of your accomplishments. It’s different now, being a solitary writer. I sometimes think about the writing groups I once was part of. I left those behind when my husband needed my care more than I needed those groups. But I won’t get into the past today.

Another emotion was saying goodbye to the characters. This was sad and happy at the same time. I love happy endings and my characters reached theirs. But they lived in my mind night and day talking to me and now they are silent. Their story has been told.

I’m looking forward to the next adventure but while I am looking through ideas for plots, my writing is turning to telling my own story. The stories of my youth. Of things forgotten by today’s world. Of the future writer who escaped into other worlds as she walked along creek banks deep in the woods. This is my legacy to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I haven’t yet decided if I will make the book available to the outside world.

As I lift my cup of tea and smile at the view outside my window and give thanks to God, I am peaceful and filled with gratitude for the gift He has given me.

Tag: writing for God's glory

This Writer’s Journey

After Writing “The End”