Where Have All The Words Gone?

Happy New Year, everyone! So many changes happening in Seekerville, it kind of makes one giddy, if of course, you’re prone to that sort of thing. Changes are good. They make you step back and re-evaluate, tweak, and try something new.

Pretty sweet, right?

That’s the verse that guides my writing life. I choose to write romance books; He points me toward inspirational stories to help people find hope. Pretty straight forward, right? Well, for the most part-yes.

It’s the other part that tends to give me problems.

You see, I had interpreted this verse to mean exactly as I saw it. Writing romance with 3 strands - Hero, Heroine, God - that’s a good choice, right? I love bringing my characters together once they get their brains wrapped around the fact that God covets and demands an important role in their lives. The ideas flowed through my brain and my little fingers couldn’t keep up. I had ideas for books and characters and plots. I was enthusiastic and energized with the possibilities -

Until… “The Day The Earth Stood Still.” (Remember that movie? The original version? Scared the pants off me back in the day!)

I remember exactly when the creativity stopped flowing from my heart. Those of us who could get away from our daily duties had escaped for a Seekers retreat. Our very first Christmas novella collection had been successful and we were discussing the possibility of compiling another. Count me in! So, I toyed with characters from my series and came up with ideas. I picked Ruthy’s brain (very fertile ground!) about bakeries and how to run them. We came up with lots of scenarios for my little baker and the all the problems she could run into along the way. Hot Dog!

But something was wrong. Even before we left the retreat, I could feel a disconnect with this fabulous story. I shook off the feeling passing it off as returning-to-day-job blues. I convinced myself that as soon as I got home, cuddled the dog, hugged my husband, all will be right again. I had 3 months to write a 25K novella that I had plotted out. Not a problem.

I got to work.

●  I hunkered down at my computer and powered through the blank slate of my mind, insisting on writing words, convinced they’d make sense sooner or later. Didn’t happen.

●  I changed my writing routine. I grabbed my laptop and headed into the foothills that edge my town. I drove to my favorite mountain park to absorb the fresh air and forest atmosphere. Usually writing description is my forte. Nope. The essence of Rocky Mountain beauty fell flat.

●  I removed distractions by holing up in a small meeting room at our library. Sitting with my back to the viewing window, I stared at the blank wall and waited for the story to flow. Instead of racking up words, I got caught up in the non-descript pattern of tiny texture of the vinyl wall-covering and tuned in to the rhythm of the ventilation system as air-conditioning whooshed on and off.

Sound familiar maybe? If you’ve read any sort of “How-To” book on becoming a successful author, they should. Here's the expert advice:

• Butt In Chair
• Mix It Up
• Word Count
• How Bad Do You Want It?

“Pray About It” is suggested in all of the Christian guides.

I did pray about it. But you see, I was convinced I knew what God wanted me to do. He’d heard the prayers of the Seekers; He’d answered my prayers. I was published with a traditional publisher, my dreams had come true. When the words didn’t come, I was convinced I wasn’t trying hard enough. I was letting God down. He’d answered my prayer and I wasn’t passing muster. 

I prayed, but I wasn’t listening to His response.

After about a year of dismal effort to write anything coherent, I gave up. And cried. And apologized to God for letting Him down. He should have chosen someone else to make the most of all the opportunities and gifts He’d given me. I’d convinced myself I had nothing to offer aspiring writers, I couldn’t even put two words together much less form a sentence. I’m the unlucky thirteenth Seeker.

It wasn’t until I’d cried through a crate of Kleenex and allowed a thick layer of dust to gather on my keyboard that the Spirit whispered in my ear -- I was trying to fix something that wasn’t broken.

There’s a reason we all learn the 23rd Psalm at a very early age. It’s all about God telling us how much He loves us.

Now, to the point of my story.

I finally let go and let God, as the saying goes. I set aside my aspirations to write more books. I closed the door to guilt and frustration. I surrendered.

I’d like to say suddenly my world brightened and birds began to sing, but no, nothing so dramatic happened. Instead, I made a point of enjoying my day job (good thing since I still have years before I retire, LOL); I spent time with my family and friends; I started reading for enjoyment.

I know it sounds corny, but I started to sing. Loudly. 

God must of either liked my singing so much He rewarded me, or He cringed at the off-key tunes and gave me something to stop the noise. Either way, after over a year and a half, I felt the words I’d lost return to me, and they are good :)

The moral to my tale is simple: As readers and writers, we’re in love with words, with story. Embrace the creativity poured over you and the talent to write gripping, funny, loving stories with your whole heart. Thank the Lord for His gifts. And work hard to accomplish your goals.

It may sound like I’m contradicting myself, but really, I’m all for discipline and pushing through the rough spots on your writing journey. We all run into those walls of writing frustration, and diligence is essential to overcoming them. But, also be alert to whether pushing yourself is helping or hurting. When you pray for guidance, LISTEN to the response you get. Sometimes those “blank word” times are God’s way of telling his children to stop and rest - He's got plans for you.

I’m working on a book now. Well, it’s not just one book, it’s become a series. The deeper I dig into the characters, the brighter my bulb of imagination shines. I’ve got notes and scene snippets all over my office. Stay tuned and see what happens!

So, there you have it. The story of the Seeker who went MIA. How about you? Have you experienced “writer’s block?” Have you run into writing dead-ends that just won’t quit? What kind of frustrations have you experienced? What have you done about them? Please share. Let’s kick off 2018 by supporting each other!!

Leave a comment and then check out the Weekend Edition on Saturday to see if you've won a choice of ebook written by one of our new Seekerville bloggers!!

Audra Harders writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring fearless men who haven't a clue about relationships, rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero, has two adult children, and is surrounded by everything conducive to writing about farming, ranching, and cowboys at her day job in the county Extension office in Boulder County, Colorado. She began writing right after her son was born and sold her first book to Love Inspired mere months before that same son graduated from high school. Surviving those years in between reminds her God does have her plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor. You can visit Audra at

Website: www.audraharders.com

Facebook: Audra Harders, Author

Twitter: @audraharders

Find Audra Harders books here.