Author Beginnings: When God Plants a Dream

Editor’s Note: This is a guest article by award-winning Christian author and speaker, Dianne Neal Matthews.  Her passion for the dream God has planted in her heart and her obedience to pursue that dream will inspire you to continue your Servant Writer journey.

Ever since I picked up my first chunky pencil, I have adored the simple act of writing. My first-grade teacher told my parents that one day I would be an author. In fourth grade, the teacher saved time at the end of the day for a “reading” whenever someone told her that I had written a story. But as I moved toward my teen years, my self-confidence in all areas dissolved and I limited my writing efforts to school assignments.

Daydreams

Even though I minored in English in college, the idea of taking a creative writing course terrified me. What if I couldn’t come up with ideas to write about? How could I risk having work critiqued in class? I probably didn’t have any real talent anyway. So my creative writing was done in my head. It was safer that way. And I found pleasure in fantasizing about being a writer — sort of like pulling out a much-loved blanket when I needed comfort. As long as it remained just a dream, nothing could take it away from me.

The Journey’s First Step

In the late 90s, I began writing occasional articles for my church newsletter. Our pastor urged me to think about attending a writing seminar to pursue wider publication. Weeks later, a brochure landed in my mailbox. After much prayer, I set out for the Write-to-Publish conference with no idea what to expect, asking God to show me if He had called me to write. I took along two pieces of writing that had made it from my head to paper: a personal experience article and a one-page about a spiritual insight from my cat.

At the four-day conference, I felt as though I had glimpsed a new world. But I questioned whether or not I belonged in this world. Other attendees shared their plans to pitch article ideas and book projects. As for me, I didn’t even know what my “genre” was. While waiting to get back my manuscript, I covered my name tag with my notebook each time I got near the editor who had been assigned to evaluate it. I felt sure that he was wondering why in the world I had come to a writers’ conference.

My manuscript evaluation finally appeared on the table and the editor’s positive comments thrilled me. With that encouragement, I scheduled a meeting to show the Warner Press editor the short piece about my cat. The appointment led to my being accepted to write devotionals for the backs of church bulletins, submitting ten pieces once a year. “It couldn’t get any better than this,” I thought. But it did.

“The Word of God is alive and powerful.” Heb 4:12 NLT

Moving Forward

The second year at Write-to-Publish, I sold a one-page article to Focus on the Family magazine, which earned the New Writer of the Year award the following June. A Sunday School take-home paper published a couple of short articles. Soon, I began writing for my hometown newspaper, doing feature articles and profiles. So what if the circulation was very small and the pay was fifty cents an inch? People enjoyed the articles and I often found ways to share spiritual truth.

I returned to the conference every June, soaking up the classes and taking lots of notes. I became bolder about meeting with editors, and even started discussing ideas for books. Then my writing, and my life, seemed to hit a wall.

Maintaining

Dealing with multiple family problems sapped my strength and energy. I still submitted to Warner Press every fall and wrote some articles for my hometown paper. But I often didn’t follow through as I should have. When an article came back rejected, I usually filed it away instead of submitting elsewhere.

Even though a publisher had requested two weeks of samples for a devotional book idea we discussed in 2002, I couldn’t seem to complete them. I had let myself become paralyzed by discouragement from life’s problems. Still, I held onto my calling from God and after almost two years managed to finally send in the sample devotionals.

Beyond My Dreams

Just when I felt as though I would never move forward in my writing career, I received a call from Tyndale House Publishers offering me a contract for the one-year devotional book we’d discussed. The One Year On This Day released in 2005, after six months of feverish research and writing on holiday origins, historical events, and pop culture trivia. Shortly after that, the editor called and asked if I wanted to write The One Year Women of the Bible. This time I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t think about the obstacles or consider whether I would be good enough. I only knew that God had brought me to this point and I wanted to be faithful.

Looking Back

Whenever I teach a workshop, talk with first-time conference attendees, or email new writers, I look for ways that my past experiences can encourage others. I want to assure the beginners that just when we feel like giving up, God may have something planned that we can’t even imagine, right around the corner. I tell those struggling with difficult issues that even what seems like barren times in our writing may be preparation for our most important work. And I like to remind writers who feet stuck that if we’re faithful in the little things, God will eventually give us bigger assignments.

Looking Ahead

I don’t know what twists and turns my writing journey will take in the future, but for now I feel incredibly blessed. Even when the pay is poor or nonexistent, writing for God brings rich rewards. I thank God each time I get a note from a reader telling how a daily devotional gave needed encouragement, helped them think about Scripture in a fresh way, or mirrored the circumstances in their own life. And I remember why I always include Ephesians 3:20 in the Introduction section of my books.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Dianne Neal Matthews is an award-winning Christian Author of many articles and two books that have blessed families’ daily Christian walk.  She also speaks to women’s groups and teaches workshops at writers conferences.  Get to know Dianne by visiting her website or bless others with one of her inspirational books.

Where are you in your writing journey?  We would love to hear your thoughts.

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