I have to admit that posting on Sundays has been one of the greatest challenges here on this blog because of how we feel about keeping it holy.
Before, I was able to post about technique, experience, queries and so on. But, if I really think about it, it's not Spiritually uplifting or brings you closer to the Lord.
So, how do I do both?
I'm not sure, but I'll have to revamp my thought process.
One thing that does come to mind is writing on Sundays. This would include editing or self-help books on improving your craft.
Even though I am not a published novelist as of yet, I feel it is only right to NOT edit or write for myself. Why? Because it is my intention to be published and my previous labor into it is what will bring me to that point. If I do this on Sundays, then that means that I broke the Sabbath to achieve my goal as a paid writer.
So what I will do is service to others. I will critique friends' work on this day with a prayer before and with a prayerful heart.
How do you feel about writing and Sundays?
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I've been back and forth a lot on this. A part of me thinks of it as "doing work", but the truth is that I started writing because it's a stress relief for me to just sit and get words out on the page. (most of the time, at least). It was less about trying to accomplish something external, and more about trying to slow down life and step outside of it.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that throws a monkey wrench into all this is that I spent 3 years with a job where I was often on-call and paged in to do work for the company I was with on sundays, and writing seems so much less like "work" to me than what I used to have to do...
I've been puzzling over this for the past couple months, as I've tried to figure out how to best honor the Sabbath, now that I'm no longer constrained by a job. I'm currently leaning toward allowing myself to write on the Sabbath, but not allowing myself to work on my current "project". I'm still not completely sure how that's going to work, but I think I'm going to give it a couple weeks and see how I feel about it after.
I love your idea of critiquing and helpings others on Sunday. That's a very interesting way to go about it, and makes perfect sense. I'm curious to hear how others handle this as well. :)
The best thing about the Sabbath is the wonderful spiritual inspiration I get. Usually I can't help but write about the spiritual insights I get on this day. If I feel moved to write, I pray about it, if I still feel moved to write, well then, I write! Right now my current project is of a spiritual nature so this is not a conflict of interest. When I did Nanowrimo, I took Sundays off and was immensely blessed by this decision. But either way it is one we should take prayerfully to find out what is right for us.
ReplyDeleteErin, when it comes to my writing, there's no question about the Sabbath. But I struggle with other matters since my husband, who has different ideas on how the Sabbath can be spent. *Sigh*
ReplyDeleteNikki--approaching the matter with a prayerful heart is perfect. I love that!
Thanks for leaving comments, ladies! <3
Thanks Liz. I don't know that I've had that issue...my Sundays are so crazy I barely have time to sit down, let alone write. If I were published and "worked" more regularly, I would probably keep the weekends for family and church, anyway. Even now that's pretty much what I do. Great things to think about, though!
ReplyDeleteI personally don't write on Sundays. And I find it helps me clear my thoughts and think through my story line. ...I can't help think about my writing, even if I don't write it down.
ReplyDeletePS:Lisa Turner suggested I talk to you about a feature. A few months ago I was picked up by a publisher www.treasurelinebooks.com and my new and first book titled "Veiled" will be coming out late Feb. early March. As you can guess I am trying to promote it, and since I'm a stay home mom, I do that online!
I would appreciate any help in this area you can provide me with!
Thank you. http://www.sbniccum.com or www.spiritualsupernaturalparanormal.blogspot.com
IF I write, it needs to be LDS fic AND needs to be something I really want to get down. Sometimes inspiration strikes because it IS Sunday. So, that's when I write on Sundays.
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