Passing the baton
This is a farewell blog post, or at least an 'au revoir'! I have that happiest of problems for writers: too much writing to do. Three big projects, all of which have to be written this year and none of which I'm allowed to talk about yet, plus the next ACW collaborative effort to follow the Lent book, mean that I've been putting down other things wherever possible to get the work done.
I've even been refusing paid performance work, which is very scary, but has been a good test of my faith and a valuable workout for my ability to say 'no'! In contrast, ceasing this blog is not at all scary, as I know I am leaving my 2nd-of-the-month slot in the very capable hands of the wonderful Lucy Rycroft, whose excellent writing on her own blog has encouraged and amused me many times in the past. Do click on her name to find out more about her.
I've been glancing back over my past More Than Writers blogs, and reflecting on how much I've learned in my writing journey over the past couple of years. I've learned about inspiration, and overcoming the fear of the blank page, and nurturing projects in their infancy. I've learned about encouragement and celebrating success and the immense value of a community of writers. I've learned how good collaboration is for me, an erstwhile lone hermit of a writer, and how much I need other people every step of the way.
I think that the lesson God is now teaching me has to do with disconnecting my writing with the immediate need for feedback. Years of blogging and social media have left me unprepared for writing a longer book, when every time I finish drafting a chapter I immediately feel I want someone to see it! Working all year on things that won't be revealed until 2019 is hard, but necessary, and I'm sure very good for me.
And if there's one more thing I've learned, it's not to hold on to anything too tightly. I have enjoyed writing here, and found it so helpful, but now it's time for someone else to have those opportunities and for all the readers of this great blog to enjoy a fresh voice.
Amy Robinson is publicity officer for ACW. She is a performance storyteller, ventriloquist and author of several books about puppetry and storytelling. She is currently working on three more books, to be revealed soon!
I've even been refusing paid performance work, which is very scary, but has been a good test of my faith and a valuable workout for my ability to say 'no'! In contrast, ceasing this blog is not at all scary, as I know I am leaving my 2nd-of-the-month slot in the very capable hands of the wonderful Lucy Rycroft, whose excellent writing on her own blog has encouraged and amused me many times in the past. Do click on her name to find out more about her.
I've been glancing back over my past More Than Writers blogs, and reflecting on how much I've learned in my writing journey over the past couple of years. I've learned about inspiration, and overcoming the fear of the blank page, and nurturing projects in their infancy. I've learned about encouragement and celebrating success and the immense value of a community of writers. I've learned how good collaboration is for me, an erstwhile lone hermit of a writer, and how much I need other people every step of the way.
I think that the lesson God is now teaching me has to do with disconnecting my writing with the immediate need for feedback. Years of blogging and social media have left me unprepared for writing a longer book, when every time I finish drafting a chapter I immediately feel I want someone to see it! Working all year on things that won't be revealed until 2019 is hard, but necessary, and I'm sure very good for me.
And if there's one more thing I've learned, it's not to hold on to anything too tightly. I have enjoyed writing here, and found it so helpful, but now it's time for someone else to have those opportunities and for all the readers of this great blog to enjoy a fresh voice.
Your posts have always been a really good read, Amy, and often very entertaining. Well done on all the new projects. I look forward to hearing more about them in due time :)
ReplyDeleteI'd echo the above!
ReplyDeleteLove the bit about not getting instant feedback...I'm sure many of us can relate, as it is so common these days to learn our craft through writing a blog. But you have something better behind you...the trust and backing of a publisher who believes in you! AND of course the peace of knowing you are where God wants you to be. Great post. X
ReplyDeleteYou will be much missed, Any! Your blog posts have always been engaging, to the point and instructive. Hope the big writing projects flourish.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the projects, Amy. Hope they all go well.
ReplyDeleteWill miss you here Amy, but pray your year of tackling these projects will be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI've only recently started reading this blog so I know I've missed a lot of great posts but I'm so glad that I've been able to experience your fantastic Scargill bedtime stories Amy. So I have every faith in your upcoming projects and can not wait, espicallly for one of them! ;)
ReplyDelete