This past week I had the privilege of both attending and teaching at Write!Canada.
I had tons of fun hanging out with my editor and my agent
and old friends and new friends, and despite entering this new week severely sleep-deprived because of it, I have an I-can’t-wait-to-write-today anticipation that I haven’t felt in weeks, maybe months!
Fellowship with fellow writers and awesome classes can do that, but a huge part of the credit goes to Ted Dekker’s inspiring keynote address and class.
I have to admit that the last Dekker book I read was Three. The plots started getting too dark for my comfort level, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from his talks. But wow, I am so glad I didn’t miss them!
He was so open and honest, talking writer to writer.
We learned about his childhood on the mission field in Indonesia and at boarding school, and his rocky journey to publication, and the new fears and struggles that came with sudden success. Too often our identity is wrapped up in our job or our children or spouse or in what we accomplish instead of in the Father and what he’s done for us.
Then he shared a proverb about a person who climbs a rope to get away from the tiger chasing him, only to be faced with a second tiger at the other end of the rope and two mice nibbling through the rope.
He likened the tigers to our fears and how if you’re focused on them you won’t escape the fear and see the beauty around you…the strawberries.
He admitted that he often needs to consciously let the fear fall away before he begins writing each day and remind himself that the accuser is the one telling him he doesn’t love this.
When we let go of the fear & the lies, rivers of living water–creativity–can flow.
He likened our stories to sandcastles and authors are like kids playing in the sand.
We’re having fun making stuff up. If we don’t like it, we can wipe it away and start over. Change the story.
So go have fun and build a sandcastle!
Tiger image courtesy of anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
photo credit for sandcastle: KenC1983 via photopin cc
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Thanks for sharing. What a great message and words of encouragement. Really love the imagery. And a huge congrats on winning your category!!! That’s fantastic.
You’re very welcome. And thank you!
Congrats, Sandra!!! Glad you enjoyed the fellowship/classes and thanks for sharing with us! Keep up the great writing!
Thanks so much, Jackie
Great reminders. So much truth about our fears. Encouraging post. Congrats!
So glad you found it encouraging too, Loree. Thanks!
This is great! I’m off to build a sand castle. Actually, this castle is built. I’m off to revise it, perhaps add a turret, and clean up the lines and edges. I may even put fish in the moat.
Love it, Angel! Have fun. 😀
I’m also re-energized and ready to tackle writing (and the rest of life too). It was so good to learn from Ted and the other speakers (yourself included). I very much look forward to incorporating what I’ve learned and sharing it with others as I have opportunity. WC 2014 . . . definitely the best yet!
Yes, and a great way to celebrate the thirty-year anniversary.
Congrats, Sandra!! Shared this post!!
Thanks so much, Bonnie! Appreciate it.
Great post! I started Reading Ted Dekker’s new book Hacker and it’s really good! And now I’m off to rebuild some sand castles, too.
Ooh, I’m glad to hear that as I bought it for my son while at the conference, thinking it sounded like one I’d enjoy, too. I just taped a pic of a sandcastle to the shelf over my desk as a reminder. 😀
I suspect most of us went home re-energized for our writing. Lots to think about, and lots to fuel us for the days ahead! Congratulations on Deadly Devotion’s win, and I’m looking forward to reading Blind Trust.
Thanks, Janet!
I think I’ve read about 30 of Ted’s books! He has such a creative way of telling a story and bringing about a theme of faith. I too enjoyed his talk. His willingness to be so open was refreshing. Thanks for your post, Sandra!
You’re welcome, Darlene. Thanks for visiting!
Congratulations on winning the suspense category, Sandra! And what a beautiful message!
Thanks, Alexa!
Sandra, congrats on your win. Thanks for sharing Ted’s keynote. I had the privilege of meeting him and he is so willing to share with other writers. Like you and Pat, I just purchased Hacker.
Speaking of new releases, Blind Trust is great!
Thanks Terri! Glad you enjoyed Blind Trust.