Never Too Late to Grow

Did you ever wish you’d heard certain advice years ago? That’s just the thought I often have of Nancy I. Sander’s book, Anyone Can Get Published—You Can, Too! A Practical Strategy for the Christian Who Writes. I often think of the book and the advice. The theme: don’t just write because the story is the dream on your heart, and don’t just write to get published—do both!

This has helped me more than any certain piece of advice I ever received. Don’t mistake me, writing takes a lot of study and experience to hone the craft. And we should always be working on improving, even if it means major changes in our technique. But while I continue to receive rejections on some of my heart-favorites, I now have a small collection of published material, from no-pay to good pay, to remind me to keep working and keep submitting.

Another favorite piece of advice: a note left on my desk by my husband several years before he went to be with the Lord. “Stir up the gift of God which is in Thee,” 2 Tim. 1:6 (KJV). I keep the note next to a small picture of him above my computer, thankful for his constant encouragement of my writing, and a reminder that any talent and desire is a gift of God, to be used for His glory.

Shirley Shibley