Blogger: Wendy Lawton
I’m rereading Mark Batterson’s Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge for the third time. Yes, it’s only been out for a little less than two years but this book is worth reading and rereading even in the space of a few months. On day seven, which he titles, Put on Waders, he tells the story about the year before his congregation bought what is now the famous coffee shop, Ebenezers, on Capitol Hill. They were praying for a piece of property to come available– any piece. They knew it would take a near-miracle to find anything for sale, let alone for a price they might be able to pay.
That year he took an $85.00 step of faith that set them up for the three million dollar miracle to come. His children’s school held a charity auction and he attended. Most people bid on trips or tickets to sporting events but he decided to bid on a book on Capitol Hill zoning codes donated by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society. Batterson bought the book and considered it a down payment on a dream. He sensed he needed to demonstrate his faith even before they found a property.
As I read that for the third time, it hit me– that’s what we ask writers to do all the time. Put a down payment on a dream. What are some of the things we may suggest you do?
- Create a website and begin building a reader following long before you have your first contract.
- Jump into social media and begin to build a platform long ahead of your book.
- Join the writing community and connect with other writers, both published and not-yet-published.
- Spend scarce dollars to take webinars or attend writing conferences.
- Create a writing environment in your home– a place for you to be serious about your dream. (I know, I know, but Noah built the Ark on dry land, didn’t he?)
So you tell me. What kinds of dreams do you have? Have you put a down payment on that dream? Have you demonstrated your faith before the dream has even come to fruition?
TWEETABLES:
Have a dream? You may need to put a down payment on that dream. Click to Tweet
Want to be published? Maybe it’s time to put a down payment on that dream. Click to Tweet
Wendy, I admire people who quickly step out in faith. I tend to drag my feet, arguing with God (silly me, I keep doing that even though God always wins). Like Moses at the bush, I list the reasons why not, often staring with “I don’t have the time,” and moving on to “I don’t know how.” Usually God is gentle and patient, showing me “how” in tiny revelations. A few times I’ve sensed a booming “JUST DO IT!” Either way, God is the power behind the action.
The 40 Day Prayer Challenge is moving to the top of my reading list, thank you.
Your comments remind me of Ecclesiastes 11:4
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”
And yes, God is definitely the power behind the action.
I react much the way you do, Shirlee. Of course dragging our feet may just a form of God’s timing, so we can’t beat ourselves up for it.
Wendy, in 1992 I saved up my babysittinmoney for a year (I was a stay-a-home mom who babysat others’ kids),applied for a scholarship and attended the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. 47 books later I’d say that’s a great investment. Each year I make different investments. A few years ago I attended a blogger conference, with the goal to grow my blog. Next year I’m looking to speak at homeschooling conferences, to grow those audiences. There are always areas of growth and development, but it takes being strategic! Great post, and I’m almost done reading through that book for the second time!
Tricia, thank you for sharing that. That someone in your position still longs for growth … to see how God can further use you … is very encouraging.
Love that, Tricia. What an investment, right?
I make a downpayment on a dream – or try to – every day. Every day I fabricate a part for an airplane I’m building. (It’s a Pitts S1-11B, and you can read about it here if you’re interested – http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepPittsAviatS-1-11B.html)
Taken at face value, it’s a stupid thing to do. I can’t move without severe pain. I can drive, but don’t because the body position necessary makes using a seat belt impossible…don’t even try to imagine what it looks like!
And a project like this will take about 2000 manhours. Spread over the years needed, it’s certainly more time than the doctors say I have.
While I can afford the raw materials to keep going, I can’t afford stuff like roller bearings ($20, each, and it needs a lot of them), instruments, and hey…an engine!
So why do it? Why take the pain of sawing pieces of steel plate and tubing, and the burns that come with welding them together?
Because it’s a down payment on life. I want to believe – I HAVE to believe – that the sell-by date that’s been given me is wrong, and that I will prevail.
This is a down payment on the miracle for which I pray daily. To some extent, to get the miracle – you have to be the miracle.
And so what if I have to fall into a fetal position and spit blood between saw-strokes. Blood makes the grass grow green.
And here on the New Mexico high desert, grass is a treasure.
Okay, now I’m a bloody mess today. Andrew, you are a treasure. And an encouragement.
Shelli, thank you.
Andrew, I love your downpayment. I think the whole Books & Such blog community need to make the trip out to New Mexico when you finally make your debut flight in that plane. We’re cheering you on as you build.
I’ll be expecting you out here. It’s one bada** airplane, and you won’t be disappointed.
Way premature to ask, but I’d like to paint a testimonial block on the thing – “This airplane would not have flown without the support of…”
And the names of everyone here will therein appear.
Andrew,
You are such an encourager and I don’t think you are aware how much the rest of us are moved by your sharing. I would love to watch that plane take flight and I imagine as it soars through the skies, the heavens will shower blessings.
Andrew:
That is going to be one a-ma-zing airplane, my friend.
You never fail to make me stop and think “How am I living my life today?”
What an inspirational post, Wendy. I have done three of the things on your list and in the process of working on the other two. You surely have me pondering this topic, although action needs to follow, eh? 🙂
In some ways, I feel one of my down payments is making the commitment to stay the course, fully aware there are plenty of good reasons one could say “why bother” at this point in life.
And thank you for mentioning the book–definitely moving up to the top of my reading list as others here have noted.
“Why bother” is something I ask myself every day.
And the reason why to bother is always the same.
Hope is a force multiplier. It lifts up our other endeavours, energizes us, and lifts a lamp to light the dark ways. No only for us, but for those whose lives we touch.
God invested His Son in us, and the return on His investment is faith, HOPE, and charity.
Absolutely–well stated, Andrew.
Good Micky! Three installments on the down payment already!
And “Why bother?” is the question that stops more people than any other. I’m guessing God cares more about our act of faithfully “bothering” than about the outcome.
Wendy, I’ve been rereading The Circle Maker all fall. I haven’t read the companion book you mentioned, but I’m going to change that!
I love how Mark Batterson challenges us to lift our lives in hope rather than sit around in despair. My husband has done some amazing things this year to put a down payment on a dream. I’m really proud of him.
Jill, my husband has done the same this year. It has transformed his outlook, and given him joy.
How exciting, Jenni! When my loved ones are full of hope and joy, I can’t help but be full too! I’m happy for you and your husband!
How exciting, Jill. My husband is reading Draw the Circle with me this time around and it’s fun to read it in tandem. Looking for great things to happen.
Wendy, the only thing better than reading a life-changing book is having your spouse read it too. Here’s to great things!
Thanks for this post, Wendy. I hadn’t thought about the things I’m doing now (pre-agented and pre-pubbed) as a down payment, but it’s an apt description. I love this perspective.
I do have a dream of being published one day. I began my blog 18 months ago with that in mind (among other things). Learning social media, and allowing some of my time each day to go toward that rather than my story, feels like a waste some days. But when I can look at it as a down payment, it’s easier to justify in my mind.
And the truth is, once you are published you’ll never have this concentrated time and focus to set things up and learn new systems. Using this time well will pay huge dividends later.
Another good reason to make the down payment of time and effort now. 🙂
Hi Wendy,
Do you know my husband? When I begin to voice doubts, my husband tells me this is the best time in a writer’s career. I should have fun with writing before the ‘real’ deadlines begin.
Thanks for sharing today. I’ll have to check Mark’s book out.
Jeanne, your blogposts bless me. My favorite kinds of blogs to read are where people share from their heart as you and Shelli do.
I’ve met some wonderful people over two years of blogging. It’s so rewarding to encourage others, and being encouraged back is a bonus. ❀
Thank you, Wendy! You blessed my heart! 🙂 And I think I’m the only “Shelli” here with the name ending in “i” … so I’m taking it that you meant me!! 🙂
Having a published novel is definitely a dream. With one middle grade novel raring to go … it feels like hours spent working and quality time from kids are the down payment. But somehow I have a feeling that the middle grade novel is part of the down payment, as well … learning and growing in the craft … and my next project is waiting. 🙂
Batterson’s testimony is incredible.
Yes, I have to completely agree with you Shelli. My first book, which is a YA, is my downpayment in a way. It has birthed many heartaches and finances have taken a toll for it, just like any new baby does. But, I continued and will continue…however; smarter, more equipped, and adapt for this creative adventure 😀
Many Blessings on you and yours as well.
The Reality Writer for His Glory!
Melanie Kilsby
Melanie, thank you. Your website is darling and your testimony … beautiful.
My friend, Debbie Macomber, used to say that she worried about taking her writing time away from her kids. She now says it was the best thing she could ever do for them because her now-grown kids know what it is like to have a dream and they know what the work looks like needed to attain that dream.
Shelli, I sense deeply you’re a very loving mother. When I started homeschooling twelve years ago, I was told I’d need to kiss my hobbies goodbye.
I bucked that advice since it seemed counter intuitive to teach my kids to be so extreme. Instead I found a way to continue my necessary creativity by seeking balance. We don’t put our kids into every single thing the other homeschoolers do.
As a result, my daughter focuses on her piano and worship team involvement and my younger son does the same with his drumming. He’s part of the youth worship team and a small band. Kids don’t need to be involved with everything and moms don’t have to give up everything.
I think Wendy’s advice is spot on–keep teaching your kids how to pursue a dream. And I will too. ❀
Wendy Mac … I just finished writing an article saying exactly what you said. I think it must have been a self pep-talk!
Yes, we live far out of town enough that the girls can’t be involved in too much … have to plan our trips into town wisely! 🙂 The driving back and forth is just too exhausting.
I read The Circle Maker, then I lent it to someone who hasn’t given it back. I want to read that one again, in addition to the companion book you mentioned, Wendy.
I started following Books & Such about two years ago, which enlightened me to the fact that I needed to start working on my online presence. I’ve invested many hours in doing just that, though I regret I can’t spend more time on my blog. I’m blogging for two websites that have larger audiences than I have alone, so maybe that will help me down the road. Either way, I enjoy the blogging and it forces me to write every day, so that counts for something in and of itself. 🙂
Jennifer, I think guest blogging or community blogging can be even better sometimes than solo blogging. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
I’m so glad we were able to help inspire you to get out there. 🙂
Jennifer, you’re fortunate to have the opportunity to blog where there’s a good audience. It’s hard to build up an audience by yourself. 🙂
Wendy, this post gave me goosebumps (the good kind).
“Spend scarce dollars to take webinars or attend writing conferences” really spoke to me, as I did participate in a webinar this year using “scarce” money. But my husband has been encouraging me all along and urged me to go ahead on it.
Since then he’s gotten an increase in his wages and is now encouraging me to attend my first conference next year in our province. Last night, out of the blue, he thanked me for finishing my first book (I’m still editing–I’ve lost track of what round I’m on).
He’s investing both faith and money into my writing. It helps me to have peace about the time and prayers I’ve invested into this journey.
The destination may not look how I anticipated, but I’m stepping forward and learning as I go. Experience has shown me that God’s in control. My job is to invest my talent (regardless of how small it may be) and not be the slothful servant who buried it in fear.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac ❀
Wendy, my husband has done the same—invested faith and money into me pursuing this dream. Having his support and encouragement makes it easier to take the next step when the journey is difficult.
“I’ve lost track of what round I’m on” tickled me. I can so relate. 🙂
What a testimony to your husband, especially acknowledging how huge a task to complete a book. I think we all just fell in love a little. 😉
I like to call spouses like your husband our Patrons of the Arts. Where would artists be, down through the ages, without a patron of the arts?
I nicknamed my husband, Dream-Rescuer, after we got engaged decades ago. He’s living up to that name in full force. I had to marry him since my Mom, Grandma, and girlfriends all wanted me to. 😉
I love, “Patrons of the Arts”. ❀
That $600 writing class that we couldn’t afford that my Hubby told me to go for. The next class, the eleven little local writing conferences, the website, the blog, the 4:00am mornings, hope and dreams.
Serious down payment!
Killjoy reporting. My dream is essentially dead.
For eight years I pursued the dream of obtaining a trade publishing contract, doing all the things recommended, perhaps not as vigorously as I could have, but doing all of them (except starting a newsletter and harassing friends to subscribe). I sunk over $8000 into conferences. I sunk time learning, reading, commenting, joining, attending and leading critique groups, all with no visible benefit. For three years after ending the main pursuit I’ve allowed that ember to stay hot.
No more. If I ever again have money to burn I’ll go buy some toys; if I ever again have time to burn I’ll enjoy playing with them. Trade publishing is closed to 99.99% of those who desire it. I’m not chasing those odds ever again.
In a world where the ‘never say die’ mantra has become the cultural norm, it takes character and guts to say, “no more”.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re a killjoy at all. Joy is found in learning to live within reality.
I hear you, David, though I’m not buying that publishing is closed for 99.9% of those who desire it.
I don’t want to say something cliche here but sometimes when a door slams in our face it’s because it was not the door we were meant to walk through.
If you can quit writing and walk away, you will be all the better for it. Buy toys, play, enjoy the sun.
If, like so many of us, you are really called to write– if you can’t experience something without figuring out how to shape it for a story– come and back and keep trying. It may just be that the time is not ripe for your book right now but everything changes. (Just the fact that you are still here on our blog makes me guess that giving up writing is not going to be as easy as you think.)
If your dream is really dead, it’s time to figure out your new dream. *praying for you right now*
I don’t believe I’ve jumped into social media, but even the wading I’ve done seems to suck time away. As Tricia mentioned, I’m trying to be strategic.
Thankfully, I’ve been able to connect with many published authors at conferences and at my local ACFW chapter.
The investment I’ve made to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference the past three years has yielded amazing opportunities. Wendy, meeting you for the first time in 2012 was one of the highlights. 🙂
Great connections and great down payments!
Jenni, I’m enjoying your Facebook posts. My husband and I have always bought character homes, including a designated heritage house. I love their ambiance. Looking forward to reading your book. ❀
Wendy, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my FB posts. Trying to hone in on what might inspire and excite my future reader.
Your lived in a heritage house?! I would love to see pictures. You and your husband added to the unfolding history of that space. 🙂
Wendy, My first down payment was to join a writer’s group. Next was Mt. Hermon, 2013 where I took your morning track. Next-the blog, then more webinars, etc. A second blog, Twitter, FB presence, Google Plus, and Pinterest. Sometimes it feels like baby steps because growth is slow but more than my toes are in the water now. Just obeying what God gives me to do. The book is finished and entering it’s first re-write. Pray for me, I’m told this is harder than the first draft!
I love seeing the systematic hard work. When I get people who blithely say, I think I’ll write a book, I can’t help but think about the people like you who are investing and working so diligently.
Oh, Wendy, your post was just what I needed today!
I attended a conference here in MI earlier this month. My husband encouraged me to go and I’m so glad that I did. It was a big investment but worth every penny—I met some wonderful people, learned a lot, and practiced pitching my book for the first time.
I just found out about another conference at the end of this month. I’d love to go, and my husband thinks I should. However, it seemed a bit…extravagant, I guess. Yet when I look at it as a down payment, that changes everything. I think I’ll go ahead and register. 🙂
Thanks for the new perspective!
P.S. A theme in many of these replies is supportive husbands. A blessing for sure!
These conference are often filled with divine appointments. I remember some of my first conferences. Little did I know that some of the fellow writers would end up being professional colleagues one day.
It’s that building a community that some want to avoid that turns out to be so important. We don’t live in an age when a writer can be a hermit in a shack in the desert.
Have a wonderful time at the conference, Jen.
Wendy,
Thanks for the post! I just ordered Batterson’s book, and look forward to reading it for my first time.
Faith is one of the few gifts we only need and receive while living on earth. I don’t want to make excuses or waste my opportunities to stretch, for any reason. I appreciate your encouragement.
Kaye
Great point Kaye. Yep, that stretching.
When Borders was in their final days of closing down shop, I went in and bought three acrylic book display stands (plus a big sign that says “ROMANCE,” tee-hee). Since I was nowhere near signing a book deal, it felt presumptuous and almost like I was jinxing myself–if that makes sense. I did it anyway, because I was determined. It was an act of faith that someday I would need them. They sat on my closet shelf for a few years, but it was a proud day when I finally put them into use.
So fun, Karen. I’d love to see a photo of you at a book signing with your acrylic stands and sign. Great encouragement for all of us!
BTW, I bought 16 huge 8′ x 4′ bookcases from our Borders which we built in to several rooms. I was thinking I’d never run out of shelf space again. Yeah, right. I’m squeezing, shifting and trying to decide which books I can box.
One can never have too many bookshelves. 🙂
Wendy,
Dreaming is a leap of faith, so true. The prayer commitment helps me not to give up. You were the one who encouraged me to give Pinterest a try. I didn’t know what it was at the time. Now I teach Pinterest workshops and encourage other writers. I remember thinking back then, oh no, more social media.
Currently working on these things you mentioned after writing two novels and working on a third with a fourth ready to go next Still dreaming…
You crack me up, Kathy. It doesn’t take long for you to master a new challenge, become an expert and begin teaching.
Keep dreaming!
I read that book, and it didn’t draw me in. I felt the need for prayer, but this book didn’t make me hungry for it. That’s what I was expecting after such great reviews.
I have mixed feelings.
As I remember he wanted to baptise over 3,000 people in one day. For me it’s called falsehood by trying to be Christ. I don’t want to judge people, but it seemed to me it was about his fame than his humble reasons behind it.
You might feel differently, so give it a try.
I invested a lot of time and money. But I can’t sacrifice my family. I can’t quit my work. I need to pay my bills.
And my husband isn’t that kind of a guy who believes women should stay home with children. So I’m living my dream in silence. I go to work. I teach my sons. I’m a cleaning lady at home. I write. I read. Then I do everything else in between.
Oh, those wonderful dreams! They keep us going. They give us inspiration. They lead the way. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
One of my biggest dreams involves you, Wendy. When I was looking for an agent for my first book, I contacted quite a few of them and learned that there was this one agency which was considered top notch. Books & Such.
As I studied your website and each of your photos, I felt drawn to one of the agents–you, Wendy Lawton. Now this was crazy. Who was I to be considered by this excellent agency, not to mention Wendy Lawton!
But the notion would not let me go, to the point that I copied one of your photos and put it in my “Dream” scrapbook, where I smile back at you and say, “I am a writer for Wendy Lawton.”
Living up here on a farm in Montana, my opportunities to attend writing events are pretty limited. Well, almost non existent. But there was one place you always went, Mount Hermon, and my dear friend also taught there, so I took a deep breath, gathered up my coins for three airplane flights and begged God to go before me and help me see you. To let me show you my work. To ask if you would consider being my agent.
It was a huge step of faith, because honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. My writing is not that great, I didn’t have the book I was working on done, I didn’t what kind of reception you would give me. And of course you were wonderful.
Yes, in every sense of the word, that was a down payment on my writing future. My husband and I have put down payments on many things in our business. Land, tractors, cattle, machinery. They’ve always paid off and I know this one will too.
I behave as if I’m a professional author. I figured it’s best to get into the habit now.
1. I treat writing like a profession. I block out time for it, instead of trying to fit it in around everything else. After all, if it is going to be my career some day, I need to take it seriously.
2. I behave myself courteously and professionally online. Sure, I’ve got my own personality, and the monkeys get me down just like everyone else, but I don’t go around stalking people because of a bad review, or rant politically about whatever irks me (unless it’s something Christ would say, in hopes that my words would make the world a better place). I try to be a decent person online. After all, my future fellow professionals and my future readers are watching.
3. I make 50-Year plans. Where will I be fifty years from now? I work today to get me there.
Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.
A beautiful way to put it, “A down payment on a dream.”
Thanks for this post! I’m writing my way through life. I’m writing when I’m awake. I’m writing even in my sleep. I’m writing to grow, perfect and help others.
Regards,
S.J. Francis