Called To Tell A Story?

 by Sharon Hinck

I received a lovely letter from a reader of The Restorer and she asked some great questions. I enjoyed mulling the answers, and after writing to her, realized that these thoughts might bless others, as well.

She asked about what the journey has been like, and her core question was, "What would you tell another Christian young woman with a God-given story burning in her heart?"
As I looked back at the years while The Restorer "brewed" before I began writing it, and the process that brought it to publication, I remembered how painful that time was. Debilitating health problems, burn-out and feelings of disillusionment after years in a ministry that drained everything from me, then years of seeking Him for new vocational direction with no answers.

I don't know if it's true for all writers (although many of my writer friends tell similar stories) but it seems a lot of stories are born in the crucible of affliction.

I've always been involved in the arts (music, theatre, dance, writing) and yet had several years of NO open doors in any form of expression. Desert days. God whispered to me to "write" many years before He guided me to what kind of writing to do. When He slowly nudged me toward writing a novel, and that door opened, it was like a race-horse when the gate goes up. Exhilarating. Frightening. Intense. Then as the book took shape and people were being blessed by it, He guided me to seek publication--even more frightening and challenging - and then four years of prayerful DAILY seeking for that open door (in the face of the statistics of how many manuscripts are submitted and how few are ever published).

On the practical side, I'd studied writing in grad school, written non-fiction for magazines, etc., and then went to writing conferences for four years to meet editors and agents and learn about the industry. But the faith journey was the REAL challenge. Being willing to invest the work and time knowing I was primarily writing for an audience of ONE. Trusting Him to glorify His name in spite of human measurements. Seeking to give my very best...seeking to hone my skills to better honor Him - yet also knowing that it will never fully convey all the wonder of who He is (our art is so limited compared to His awesomeness).

Honestly, that is STILL a daily struggle for me. To feel God's passion for a story (as you may have felt for the one He's placed in your heart) and to pour out sacrificially to help birth the story - and yet to release any "results" to Him. I treasure each letter from a reader that hints that He is using this story for His purposes.

So what would I tell a woman with a God-given story burning in her heart?

SEEK HIM!

In each step.

I asked Him for a Christian writer's group (I knew I needed accountability, support, and feedback). It took years of prayer before I found one. After I'd joined the group, God released me to begin the novel - finally gave me clear direction. After I finished the first draft (about six months) I prayed about the next step. He led me to a writer's conference where I went with every ounce of teachability I had - to discover what publishers were looking for and if my writing had the skill needed to even be thinking of publication. He continued to provide direction for each next step. The most challenging years of my life.

I learned so much in those years of studying, working full-time at writing, and pursuing His will for my stories. I wrote, revised, and honed eight complete manuscripts (seven are now contracted with two different publishing houses), read books on writing, editing, and proposal-writing, and listened to what marketing teams, acquisition editors, agents, and others were saying about the kind of authors they sought to work with.

For all the practical resources that helped me, I have a page of encouragement for writers on my website with recommended books, conferences, etc.

But it's the faith journey that is the real challenge. Daily showing up - giving God my availability. When I teach writing, I mention two qualities that are vital: availability and authenticity. God's grace pours out of the broken places in our lives.

Are you called to tell a story for Him? I pray He will guide you even as He has been stirring the story to life in you. I KNOW He will comfort you on days of discouragement (because those will come) and send you wise counsel at the right moments as you watch for it.

I've talked about the crucible of affliction, but I want to also say that writing The Restorer  was FUN! It was joyous to discover the themes of God's grace weaving through the characters and their adventures. It was exciting to show up each morning wondering where God would direct my thoughts and words that day.

I long for my stories to accomplish God's purpose - which might look different for each reader, but I hope include giving glimpses of His wonderfulness.

THE END

Final Word

Helpful, huh? Okay, that's all for now.

Be sure to catch the interview with Sharon. And if you missed any of our other special features, including works by Ted Dekker, Bill Myers and Tosca Lee, you can find them here.