Sometimes things are hard.
Sometimes raising kids is hard.
Sometimes marriage and other relationships are hard.
Sometimes, believe it or not, writing is hard.
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the cafe at church while service is going on (we’re working in here this morning). I’m struggling with this book (which HAS to be done today) and struggling with an idea for a blog post.
My husband is sitting in the chair next to me, and he starts telling me about a guy named David Goggins, who talks about hard things and how it affects your brain (don’t ask me the details – my brain is in a fog at the moment).
The David guy is kind of insane. He weighed over 300lbs and decided he wanted to be a Navy SEAL. He lost the weight and then did three Hell Weeks in one year because injury stopped him from completing the first two. He thinks the SEALs are mediocre. Because they became SEALs and… stopped. (Okay, we know that’s not accurate, but that’s apparently his mindset – he was a SEAL but then what? What’s the next thing? What do you do after you’re a SEAL? I’m not saying I agree; just that’s how my husband describes this guy.) The list of things he’s done since then is kind of astounding (language warning though).
But doing hard things – whether physical like this guy or mental or emotional – makes you stronger. Makes the next hard thing a little easier.
As we’re sitting here, my husband is reminding me that this isn’t the first time I’ve had a hard time with a book. He reminds me that it’s always worthwhile. That usually the hard books are the best books, the ones that have the most meaning.
The next thing is a bit hard for me to say. It seems almost like shooting my marketing self in the foot but…
I’m not sure how that applies to this book. It’s good. I like the characters and the story, but it’s not one that, at the moment, strikes me as “special.”
Sometimes, you just a know a book is different. Either the message or what you learn while writing it or that it’s going to mean something to someone.
This book , at least right now, isn’t one of those.
But then he said something else. Something I’ve already forgotten (hey – I was up super late writing and am not quite firing on all cylinders). It made me think… Maybe it’s not THIS book that is “special.” Maybe it’s the next thing I’m supposed to be working on.
See, next week is the annual American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference. I need to have this book done before I leave (like edited and off to my proofreader – but I’m not done writing it…). I have other things that have to be done before I leave on Monday. And those things… Well, I won’t go into details about what they are at the moment. The world won’t come screeching to a halt if I don’t, but for a lot of reasons, it would be much better if it was done.
And after this book is done, there’s other things on my list. Things that have great potential. Things that could be those big, special things.
So maybe that’s why it’s hard. Because I can’t do those things until this one is done.
Over the years, I’ve learned that usually the things that are hard are worth it. Babies are hard. Relationships are hard. But they’re worth it.
And sometimes books are hard. I’m sure this one will be worth it, even if it’s hard to see why at the moment.
Jacqueline Grace and Dave both have hard things to do in Her Undercover Prince. I hope they think it’s all worth it by the time I finish.
Benjamin and Katrín both have to do some very hard things in The Indentured Queen, but they believed it would be worth it in the end. Katrín was working off an indenture and had hard decisions to make about it. Benjamin is finally coming into his own as king after the death of his father when Benjamin was barely a teenager.
What’s something hard you’ve had to do or are doing? Was it worth it? Let me know and one lucky commenter will get a Kindle copy of The Indentured Queen.
Crowns & Courtships
Book 4: Royals of Eyjania
King Benjamin is about to have control of his own home for the first time in his life. By evicting his uncle, he can finally become the ruler he was meant to be.
Finally live up to the legacy handed down to him, beginning with King Alfred the First, and embodied in his own father, King Alfred the Second.
But revenge is a dish best served cold – or at least lukewarm – and his uncle’s revenge comes just two days later when a press release announces Benjamin’s engagement.
To a modern-day scullery maid.
Katrín Jónsson took over her mother’s debt to the Eyjanian royal family as soon as she turned eighteen. Five years down. Only ten – or more – to go.
Until the king offers her a way out.
Marry him, in name only, for a year, then disappear. Her indenture will be paid off – and, more importantly, her mother and brother will be taken care of for life.
The wedding won’t change anything about her life because no one will know the truth of their arrangement.
A disconcerting incident softens Katrín’s heart toward the usually impassive king. But, even as she begins to fall for the man he could become, she wonders if she’ll ever be more than The Indentured Queen?
***I’ve got some sales going on through 9/15! Grace to Save is one of those books I’ve always known was special and it’s free in honor of 9/11. If you haven’t started the Crowns & Courtships series, you can do so now! Heart of a Prince is regularly .99, The Inadvertent Princess is free, and A Royally Beautiful Mess is only .99!***
Prizes galore in our Back-to-School Bash now on!
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
Hi Carol. Prayers of encouragement to you- for inspiration and perseverance! “Do hard things” was our motto last year with our students. Have to agree- being a wife and mum is hard…but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! When my boys come and give me cuddles (fortunately, they are still young enough to want to:) it makes the tantrums, sulking and whinging seem distant! I love my job, but being a teacher is hard…especially working with students as they walk through hardship. But it is worth it. I actually think being a Christ follower is hard sometimes too… but I trust that it is worth it.
Loved the Indentured Queen- I have to admit to being nervous about Benjamin- but he turned out alright!!
Blessings:)
Hi Carol! Personally I agree with Wemble, that as Christians we struggle in our daily lives – as daughters, wives, mothers, and grandmothers. Then whatever our career might be – writer, teacher, nurse, secretary, pastor’s wife, server, and more. Life is difficult and challenging when we love God and love our neighbor, but those challenges can make us strong. Thanks for sharing your struggles and may God give you His strength and carry you through. I have many of your books, but NOT the Indentured Queen. Please include me in your give away. Enjoy the conference next week. As a teacher, conferences always gave me a new perspective on the difficult parts of my job – how to motivate and keep students engaged in the learning process. Best wishes.
Hope things get easier. The struggle is worth it. Keep on keeping on, is a favorite theme of the New Testament. Thanks for being so honest.
Hi Carol. I do believe you shouldn’t force yourself. When the time is right, the story will come to you. As a reader I can honestly say that we readers sence when the story is pushed.
I completely agree that writing ir hard (whatever it is that we’re writing, for me is scientific papers, for you romance fiction, but I also think sometimes writing a card is hard, and writing a note to share feelings… those are all hard to write)…
maybe not as hard as relationships, babies, etc., but I’d like to think they are all worthy, though at different levels (I try hard to place my personal life above my professional one, but that’s hard too.) ;)
Carol, I am EXACTLY at this place right now, and I have tears in my eyes as I write this. Having to ask for an extension about ripped me apart and I bleed on the page with every single word, it’s so hard right now.
But the thought that this is only a necessary stepping stone is exactly what I needed to hear. You wrote this blog post for me. God bless you and thank you.
I’ve had a lot of hard things in life but they make you stronger. I have a lot of verses about that but here is one. I would have despaired unless I believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Psalm 27:13 and 14
On a lighter note I’ve been dragging my feet altering a suit jacket sleeve for my son in law. I’ve never done it before. It’s not fun or easy. I want to make a shirt with pretty material but I need to finish the jacket first.
Motherhood is hard. But totally worthwhile.
Right now, parenting my newborn, young toddler and 8 year old. I feel like they all need more of my attention. But God gets us through!
Thank you for trusting in God’s purpose for you and continuing to write even when it’s hard!
Today… editing was hard. (Except for when I was working at a local restaurant owned by friends and they stopped in with their six week old and I got to snuggle the baby!)
(Okay. Editing is always hard.)
First round is done (on paper). Needs to be put on the computer.
But I did get to start on that next thing I need ready for conference next week and it has the potential to be AMAZING. So maybe that’s what this difficulty has been about after all.
Hi Wemble! You’re right – being a Christ follower can be very hard as well!
That’s awesome that you worked on that with your students!
Thanks for the encouragement, Renate! The conference is my favorite time of year! You’re in the drawing!
Yes it is! And I’m getting there! Thanks for stopping by!
Sometimes I agree with you, but sometimes, you just have to push through and do the hard thing. Sometimes it’s not the story itself that’s hard (I always knew where it was going and how) but the actual words. Because you can’t just say “and then the bad guys were vanquished and they all lived happily ever after.” ;) But how do you say that in a way that works for the characters and the story, etc? That can be hard.
I like the way it turned out even if it did take longer than I’d hoped to get it written. :)
Amen! I agree! Sometimes the professional life has to come first for a season (hopefully brief). Sometimes the children have to come before the marriage (which stinks – I know from experience – sometimes a sick child has to be the focus for a season). etc.
But keeping it in perspective, even when out of balance, can be key. I knew I loved my husband and we were in this for the long haul, even if my days – 24/7 – were wrapped up in an infant who needed me in a way no one else could help him at that time. It was HARD, but we made it.
Oh Deb! That’s tough! I’m so sorry you’re in that spot! I’m glad I could be an encouragement! (And also glad to know I’m not alone!)
God’s got this, my friend – which means you do too!
Ouch! I just took a pair of pants in to get a new zipper before next week! I don’t sew! AH! I’d never get it done ;). (Or I’d take it to the same shop who did my zipper and just pay them to do it ;).)
But making a pretty shirt will be fun! You’ve got this!
Thanks for the verses! I love that!
Amen!
Oh, I understand! I had a high needs newborn (not sure how I’m going to fit his story in a book someday…), a 2yo, a 3yo, and a 5yo at one point. I get it!
But you’ve got this! It’s worth it!
Hugs! Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate it!
I guess the hard thing I am doing now is realizing the I and my husband are getting older.
This means more doctor visits,more medication and changing apartment to handicap.
Thank you for sharing. This is so very true! Being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever done. We just had baby #3 recently. And I am still trying to navigate having 2 very active toddlers and a newborn. But it is very much worth it. :)
Carol, I’m not a writer but struggling writing anyway lol
I’ve recently been appointed to a Supervisor and it’s very hard to manage people…
Blessings!
The hard thing I’m doing? Managing my personal care home and taking care of all the residents.
I hate the hard books, Carol. But your husband is right, they’re usually the best ones. I bet after you get it all done and editing done, you’ll read it later and love it.