I’ve recently taken a giant leap of faith in an effort to pursue my dream. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. And my dream is to be a traditionally published author of Christian contemporary romance.

It’s uncomfortable to share my dream publicly because:

• It’s personal.
• It’s daunting.
• It seems impossible.

But aren’t all dreams personal, daunting, and seemingly impossible? Yes, but publicizing a dream adds pressure. Everyone will know if I fail.

I’ve toiled for years writing in my spare time. I can only pursue my dream a few hours a day, after I finish my bill-paying job. This means many times I’m writing when I’m tired, when I don’t feel inspired, and when I’d rather be doing something else. A writer invests and sacrifices much in the endeavor.

A writer also must deal with the things that kill dreams. There are many, but here are two that plague me most.

Dream Killer One – Doubt

I’ve written and finished three novels. The first took me five years to write. I queried every agent I could query and was rejected by all. I quit writing soon after. The dream seemed like folly, and I didn’t see the point in pursuing the impossible.

I’d tried. I’d failed. I wasn’t meant to be a writer.

Years later, when the dream wouldn’t die, I started novel two. It took three years to finish it, and during that time, I met a group of wonderful ladies including a famous Christian fiction author. They’ve been balm to my weary writing soul, and provide advice, prayers, encouragement, and accountability. They’re God sent, and no one can convince me otherwise.

I finished novel two, only to realize it was most likely just a learning experience. I’ve chosen Christian fiction as my genre, and my book is a bit edgy for that genre. If I want it published, I’ll need to make major revisions. I think it needs the edgy parts, and so for now I’ve set it aside. It was a valuable learning experience that helped me to hone my craft.

On December 31, 2020, I completed novel three. I believe it’s my best work yet. But what if I’m wrong, and it’s not good enough?

Doubt kills dreams.

Dream Killer Two – Fear

I’ve known since book one an author needs an agent because most publishers will only sign authors who have agents. Which causes two fears: What if, once again, no agent will represent me? And if I get an agent, what if no publisher will contract my book?

Over the past year, I’ve learned agents and publishers want authors to have a following on all the social media, and to have a large newsletter subscriber list with interested and engaged people who will sound the trumpet about your book and buy it. Insert fear number three: Why would anyone want to follow an unpublished author, much less read the person’s newsletter?

Rejection is the fourth fear, and every author needs to prepare for it. The market is tight, and the competition is fierce. No matter how good your story is, someone else has written a better story or someone has written an equally good story, but they have the followers that you don’t.

Finally, there’s the most personal fear. I’ve dreamed of being an author since I was a teen. Writing has always been fulfilling and doesn’t feel like work when I’m doing it. Fear number five is the biggest fear. What if the dream I’ve latched on to isn’t God’s dream for me?

Getting an agent and getting published are out of my control. It will only happen if God makes it happen. I can take credit for typing the words, but the idea for the story and the words that I typed came from Him. Whatever success I have belongs to the Lord. If my dream of becoming a writer in only my dream and not God’s then I’ll fail. I cannot be successful without the Lord.

A Writer Needs Faith and Perseverance

Writing is hard. Sometimes the words flow and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the words are brilliant, but many times they’re not. And when you type “The End,” the hardest work begins.

Dreams give us hope and purpose. Fulfilled dreams can bring us the greatest joy, while crushed dreams will always break our hearts. I’ve borrowed a line from the movie Field of Dreams and tweaked it for my purpose. “If God is in it, and you’re faithful to write it, God’s dream for you will come.”

His dream will come. My job is to do the work, give it to Him, and accept what His dream looks like. which may look very different compared to mine. Maybe His dream for me is to write for Him only, and it’s never been about getting published.

I believe writing is God’s dream for me, but on too many days I battle doubt and fear. Dreams are risky, but we should never give them up without a fight. So, when doubt and fear and the other dream killers attack, I try to remember Romans 8:31. “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

If you’d like to know more about how to discover if your dream and God’s dream align, there’s a great book you might want to read. Unlock Your Dream by Philip Wagner is one of the best books I’ve read on the subject. You can find out more about it at: http://www.philipwagner.com/unlock-your-dream.

Are you pursuing a God-given dream? If so, how did you conclude it was God’s dream for you?

I’d love to hear from you.