by DiAnn Mills
Are you in pursuit of a writer’s holy grail?
A holy grail can be defined as a sought-after prize of great significance that
brings happiness and accolades and can even provide special powers. It’s often
termed elusive—just beyond reach but dangling, teasing, urging the person to
keep moving forward.
A writer’s holy grail is different for each
of us, and the vague definition makes it difficult for us to comprehend. The
concept is personal. Sometimes we aren’t sure what the individual achievement
is or how to attain it. Or if we’re supposed to pursue it.
Our quest begins by describing what the
writer’s holy grail means to each of us. Examine the whole picture:
professional, personal, physical, spiritual, and mental. Be honest with
ourselves. A well-grounded writer understands that challenges promote change
and growth in every aspect of our lives.
Do one or more of these seven items reflect
our list of goals?
1.
Publication by one of the Big Five publishers
2.
NYT bestseller
status
3.
Receiving a distinguished award
4.
Winning an incredible international contest
5.
Movie contract with a large studio
6.
Interviews on all the big TV networks
7.
A six-figure advance
Are we doing all we can to make our holy
grail a reality? Do we search for methods and study tips guaranteed to help us
climb the rungs to a bestseller? Are we actively involved in establishing
relationships through social media, not to sell books but to offer our
experience and expertise? Are we participating in a writers’ group and helping other
serious writers learn the craft? Do we attend workshops and conferences? All of
these are solid practices. Are we raising the bar on our craft and growing as
respected writers whose work can be trusted?
What if we’re doing all the things the
experts claim will bring our desires on a golden platter, and nothing’s
happening except discouragement? What could be a few reasons our quest hasn’t
been realized?
• Writer
expectations are too high
• Novel
or book project is not a high concept
• Market
is saturated by the same genre or topic
• No one
knows about the book
• The
quest is all about us
• We
forgot to pray and give all the glory to Him
Perhaps the last point should be our first. . . .
Where does God fit into our plans?
Has he purposed our holy grail of writing?
Has our crusade taken the place of God, who gave us our gift? Are we ignoring
the guidance of respected professionals in the industry? These are tough
questions to ask ourselves, and the answers require prayerful reflection. Read
this paragraph first, then review the entire post top to bottom. Does the rest
of the information make more sense when we establish God as our priority?
What does the holy grail of writing mean to
you?
(Comment below for your chance to win a copy of DiAnn's latest release, Fatal Strike, courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers.)
As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.
Thanks for the reminder today. No matter what our profession or career, I think we tend to have those holy grails that we need to put at the feet of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteYes. Jesus is first but too often we forget.
DeleteAgree. Sometimes we forget that God is in all the details, as well as the dreams. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteGod has us in the palm of His hand, but too often we want to tell him how it's done.
DeleteHello DiAnn! Thank you for stopping by Seekerville again and sharing with us yet again an insightful topic. We look forward to your new release!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! I love guest blogging for Seekerville! Fatal Strike was a fun romantic suspense to write.
DeleteDiAnn, I never really considered what a writer's Holy Grail would be, much less what mine is. Although, as I read your post, I realized mine may be tiered, if that makes sense. I want to get an agent. Then a book contract. Then earning out. Then . . . and I love how you encourage us to keep God at the center of it all. If we're not focused on Him first, and on bringing Him glory, all that we're attempting is in vain.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I love your insight. It's easy for all of us to put God in charge of our grocery list of wants instead of allowing Him to make the list of what we need.
DeleteWelcome, DiAnn! We're so glad to have you back with us. I loved this post because it made me think. I do need to sit down and think about this, to prayerfully set some goals that aim high. Thanks for inspiring me today!
ReplyDeleteMissy, thanks for your encouragement. My goal in writing posts is to inspire everyone to grow closer to God while working on their writing ministry.
DeleteI was just talking with my parents this morning about how everything we do should be to bring glory to God and should always be our best whether cleaning our house or doing something really important. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLucy, thank you for stating the simplicity of being obedient to God's design for all of us.
DeleteLove it. Even in the small things. =) Thank you for sharing!
DeleteLovely, DiAnn! God is leading me into a time of change...still writing, but in a new way. It's exciting and also challenging. This change demands prayer as well as silence so I can hear him leading me along that new path. Or perhaps, it's the same path but I'm seeing it in a new way.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could be with us today!
That's exciting, Debby!
DeleteHi Debby, a new path with God is always an adventure - even if it's a new way of looking at what He has purposed for us.
DeleteFUN!!! New challenges can be quite the adventure as well.
DeleteGood morning, DiAnn!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, and very timely as we're heading toward the ACFW Conference.
Keeping God in the midst of our goals is so important. I know that for me the knowledge of God's sovereignty and knowing He has a plan helps me focus on what I need to do: follow Him. Any success I have in reaching any Holy Grail is all through Him. :-) Because we all know that anything we strive to do that is outside of His will is only going to leave us empty and disappointed.
Thanks for being here today!
Thanks, Jan. How sad so many people are empty, disappointed, and they don't know why.
DeleteKeeping God in the midst of our deadlines is important too, and I really needed this reminder today! When I think I can't, I need to remember to take it to Him and know He's given me this work and these stories for a reason. I've been worrying when I should be focusing on His plan for me and my writing. Thank you, DiAnn for this timely post!
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie, deadlines are critical reminders of our word and integrity. And worry ... we are all guilty of not trusting God with our whole lives. Be blessed!
DeleteThank you Laurie for stopping by and sharing with us!
Delete"Where does God fit into our plans?"
ReplyDeleteHi DiAnn:
I believe the above quote expresses the key question.
The actual Holly Grail has little to no intrinsic value. Certainly, as a drinking cup, it has far less monetary value than the average chalice used in the Catholic mass.
The Holy Grail is a relic. It is the cup Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper. The quest to find the Holy Grail is the endeavor to unify with God in this world.
The quest is not about money or fame or success.
The pursuit itself is what is important. Make your work, your writing, bring you closer to God, ideally to as close to the Divine as it is possible to come in this life. This to me is the Holy Grail of writing and, incidentally, of everything else we as Christians do.
A Bit of Levity
In a scene from the British "Detectorists" TV comedy, two metal detector hobbyists (detectorists) are talking:
"I just read that a club up north detected some gold Roman coins near Hadrian's Wall. Now that's the Holy Grail of metal dectecting."
"No," the other dectectorist said, "The Holy Grail of metal detecting is the Holy Grail."
********
Don't mistake metaphors for reality…unless they are the reality.
Thanks, Vince. I value this truth: "The pursuit itself is what is important. Make your work, your writing, bring you closer to God, ideally to as close to the Divine as it is possible to come in this life. This to me is the Holy Grail of writing and, incidentally, of everything else we as Christians do."
DeleteThank you, DiAnn, for this God-filled post. Your reminders are timely. As a first time novelist, it's needful to understand how to promote and market my work but more importantly it's vital to make those choices that will bring honor to the one who has so generously given me everything. As I seek God's approval above all other, I can be assured I'll receive the guidance I need. Again, thanks for your soul searching message.
ReplyDeletePat Jeanne, Many I encourage you to read Called to Create by Jordan Raynor? Insightful reading on this topic.
DeleteThank you DiAnn for sharing these thoughts with us today. I think putting God first should be our priority in everything. When we do that, it's amazing what kinds of blessings follow, and when our hearts/desires are in line with His, He will grant us the desires of our heart. Yes - it's also very important to work hard for your goals/craft - don't expect things will come easily to you without working for them. Blessings to you! Lee-Ann
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, I agree. When we lose sight of who we serve, we lose sight of obedience.
DeleteI'm late getting here today, DiAnn, but I enjoyed your post. It is good to be reminded to think of God first in our writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy, often when I'm writing, I imagine God looking over my shoulder (and He is). Just knowing He's not abandoned me while calling me to write offers the encouragement I need to continue.
Delete