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My writing bestie sent me a video a few days ago. I finally got around to watching it, and boy, did it blow my socks off. I’ll link it below. In the video, Corey Mandell talks about story structure. While the content was fantastic, what captivated me was the way he talked about writing. The sparkle in his eye truly sparked, if you know what I mean. All my emotions of the past few months came to a head, and an epiphany abounded. I needed to get back to writing for the love of writing. 

Somewhere along the way, as I’m told most writers do, I’ve lost myself in the muddle of marketing, book promotion, social media, and have forgotten the pure, unadulterated joy of writing. Perhaps that is why I enjoy drafting so much. It isn’t about perfection; it’s about the creativity and forming the characters out of nothing. 

Many people have asked me. How do you do it? Write books, work full-time, mom full-time, be a wife, and serve the church? There is no magic answer to this question, as I suspect it can vary from person to person. Only one solution I can think of comes to mind. We spend time on the things we care about. 

All my life I’ve struggled with discipline. I’ll engage full force in a hobby, then in a matter of weeks bow out. It’s my MO–ask my family about exercise! This time writing became more than a hobby for me. I needed it like I need to eat– so I’ve prioritized it in my busy schedule. I wake up early–to write. I write instead of watching TV (I also do my fair share of TV watching, too.) I have a writer’s group that meets monthly in person and virtually online. I listen to podcasts on my walks. I read articles and old Writer’s Digests that my friend Linda passes down. I email other writers and attempt to form connections. It’s become more than a hobby for me–it’s a lifestyle. 

So, if you’ve ever said. “I want to write a book.” The only way through is to be serious about it and dedicated to working on it consistently. Don’t expect your writing to be wonderful at first. Even those with the most natural talent in the world go through many drafts of a story. Surround yourself with a community. The friendships I’ve made have been transforming. (Hear me. It’s hard making friends as an adult.) And most importantly–believe in yourself. No one else has the voice and message God has given you to share with the world. Trust yourself and be proud of your work. 

In Writing News: 

I have finished the first draft of The Weight of Mercy. It’s rough but so good and emotional. I hope to have it in ship-top-shape by the fall to query. It needs a rest though, so I won’t be picking it up again until April. Instead, this month I’m going to work on a short story I have been meaning to finish for some time. It’s a true story of an event that happened during my time at an assisted living community. I’ve titled it The Great Escape. You likely will see this as my blog post in April or a bonus post later this month. 

I have two in person events coming up, both I’m stoked for. Please come and see me at either! I’d love it. 

Current Reads: 

Theo of Golden – by Levi Allen. I’m still plowing through the audiobook.  It’s rich and for me is best consumed in brief spurts, but overall, I’m enjoying it. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures – By Shelby Van Pelt. This book got a lot of hype. I’m only two chapters in and see why. I already love it. 

Follow me on Goodreads for additional reviews and to keep up with my reading. This month, the Fans of Amish Fiction group on Goodreads is reading Into the Promised Land. 

Additional News: 

I have revitalized my Instagram page @sarahheatwole to share daily snippets of my writing life. Follow me on Instagram if you desire to follow along more closely on my journey. 

I am auditioning narrators (including myself) for the audiobook version of Into the Promised Land. I hope to have it out in early summer. Stay tuned! 

Finally, thank you for being here. Your subscription to my blog means the world! Happy March! 

Writing Video linked below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImXYKs280pA&t=5s