Show Me The Money!

Like many couples, my husband and I often struggle financially. I retired in 2011, although I was young and healthy enough to still work. **uh, cough, could! I consider 62 young enough** My husband works hard, but in the construction line of business he’s in, if he doesn’t work, he doesn’t make money.

My SS check every month isn’t that much. I do some selling on eBay and Amazon, but the bottom line is that I don’t contribute much to our income. I was so zealous to be retired and finally devote my time to writing, but let’s face it. For many writers, it’s not very lucrative. Truthfully, most of the time, we spend more in our pursuit of writing than we bring in.

Recently I have felt the pressure in my lack of ability to contribute more to our income. It has made me question my quest in writing. As a Christian writer, I’ve heard so many say, “It’s not about the money as long as we bless and minister to others with our writing.”

Well, okay, BUT! Does the Christian plumber, fireman, doctor, nurse, or store manager say that? We can bless and minster to others with our writing without being made to feel guilty because we expect or hope to receive monetary recompense. There is nothing wrong with that!

So, where does that leave me right now? I’m not sure. I am praying and asking God for guidance. I love being retired. I love having time for just me. It seems like I’ve taken care of others, and looked after everyone else since I was sixteen years old. I was a wife and mother then. But I’ve asked God the last few days if I need to be looking for a part time job.

I’m just being real. I don’t have an answer right now, but I serve the One who does. In the meantime, I’ll write and write and write because I love it. 

The Poor Writer

I know a lot of people, A LOT, and have many friends. It’s from my years in church, and in ministry. When the word first got out that I was writing – had written a book – I began getting messages or being contacted by people that I hadn’t seen or talked to in awhile.

 

All are good people, dear people, and those I admire and love. But the underlying reason for them contacting me was they assumed I was riding a crest of wealth now – you know, being an author and all. It was a subtle way to remind me of the good work they’re involved with.

 

I am a giver by nature. I don’t need to be coaxed or strong-armed into giving. The truth is, though, I’ve never had a lot of available resources for giving. And, are you ready for this….writing usually costs more to do than I’ll ever see returned in royalties, etc.

 

That is true for most writers, at least those I hang out with. Unless you become a Debbie Macomber, Stephen King, James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, or any number of famous, prolific writers, there’s just not a lot of money to be made for the beginning or struggling writer.

 

This truth hit home with me almost immediately. My income/expense spreadsheet is always in the red. BUT, I keep writing. I write for the love of writing. I love words. Not just words, but the ability to string words together to tell a story.

 

Maybe someday I’ll get rich and famous. Maybe!

It's Not About The Money

“It’s not about the money!” We’ve heard that statement from politicians, actors, athletes, celebrities, and many others. My husband says every time you hear it, you can take it to the bank that it is about the money.

When I started my writing journey, I had visions of earning a comfortable living, people clamoring to be my agent or publisher, and even movie offers for one of my novels. Aren’t we all dreamers? Don’t we all want recognition for our accomplishments? It reminds me of that song we sang in church when I was a child –This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

What is the purpose of having a light if we don’t let it shine? With my first completed novel, I expected the world to love it like I did. Well, if not the world, at least an agent or publisher. When that didn’t happen – and I must confess that I didn’t try very hard – I began the journey of discouragement and questioning whether writing was really what I should be doing.

So I did what I’ve done my entire life, I began to earnestly pray about it. Lots of tears and fears accompanied my prayers. The sweetest thing the Lord spoke into my spirit during that time was, “Who are you, Leola? Are you who others say you are or are you who I say you are?”  When the great “I Am” speaks, we better listen.

Now I write for the glory of God – with the hope I make some money in the process. The first half of that sentence sounds pious and sanctimonious, so I included the second part. As Christians, everything we do should be for the glory of God.  And the money would be nice too.

There’s nothing wrong with desiring to make money with writing. I repeat, there’s nothing wrong with that. As we surrender our desires and expectations to God, we free Him to open doors and make things happen. My heart’s desire became, “God, I want to touch others, minister to others through my writing.”

Lord, today I pray for those who are struggling with doubts and discouragement about their writing career. Envelop them with Your presence and love. Encourage their hearts, and reveal Your will to them. In Jesus name, Amen!