Do You Love It Enough To Keep Going? - Lisa E Betz

Do you ever feel like throwing in the towel on a project? I certainly have. When the going gets tough, we’re likely to quit—unless we love it enough to keep going despite challenges, setbacks, and criticism.

Working as a writer is often lonely, frustrating, and discouraging.  I sometimes wonder if the months of work are worth it. Should I continue to write novels or give it up for more practical pursuits? When I feel down, I remind myself that the things that are worth doing are rarely easy.

Honing skills, living with purpose, and choosing authenticity over people pleasing—all these take persistence and courage. One factor that makes hard things worth pursuing is passion. It helps to love what you are doing, because it motivates you to keep at it through difficult times.

Why do I love it enough to keep going?

I sometimes ponder this question. Why do I choose to spend my time writing and speaking when I could be earning a steady salary as an engineer, or a math teacher, or some other practical occupation? And then there’s this quote from George Orwell. “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”

Makes you question the sanity of anyone who chooses to write books, doesn’t it?

So why do I keep at it? The answer is complex, but the bottom line is that I do love writing. It’s become part of who I am, and how I serve the world around me.

Here are some of the reasons I love it enough to keep doing it.

Writing is part of my life purpose  

Contrary to Orwell’s perspective, I’m not driven by demons. Instead, I’m called and empowered by God. He’s the one who led me into writing and provided mentors to grow my skill and encourage me to keep working. The writing process is hard, but it’s worth it, because I’m using my unique gifts to do something worthwhile. And that brings joy to my soul.

“The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.”

—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hearing my words have made a difference.

Every now and then someone will tell me how my books or a recent blog post inspired them. This is what writers live for. It is the nectar that entices them to keep going. Writers need to hear, from time to time, that something we wrote made a difference in someone’s life. That knowledge makes the hours of struggling to wrap words around the ideas and emotions swirling in our heads worth the effort.

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Your simple words of encouragement may give someone the nudge they need to keep at it instead of giving up.

The joy of imagination.

What is now proved was once only imagined.

– William Blake

I marvel at my young grandson’s seemingly effortless ability to imagine as he plays one pretend scenario after another. I consider it a privilege that I can join him in his imaginary worlds. 

Some days I sit in front of a blank screen and begin to type, not really sure what I am trying to say. If I persist long enough, a scene begins to take shape. When I’m finished, I marvel at this scrap of story that appeared from nowhere. Who would have guessed this character, setting, or metaphor was hiding in my head?

Our ability to imagine is a miraculous and wonderful gift of God. I find joy with each new idea he gives me.

The thrill of laughter 

“Laughter is carbonated holiness.”

– Anne Lamott

Making a roomful of people laugh is immensely satisfying. I’m not a comedian, but I allow my quirky humor to shine through in my writing. And every now and then I get to watch the results of my humor on an audience.

I frequently run across articles extolling the benefits of laughter to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. Embellishing my stories with witty dialog and quirky descriptions is one way I bring a little bit of light to this dark world.

The opportunity to touch a life  

Fiction may seem like trivial fluff, bit in fact stories are powerful forces of change. God designed humans to learn through story. Every ad exec knows that a story has power to touch people emotionally and sway their thinking.

Stories teach truths in a way non-fiction can’t. Fiction novels can deal with serious themes while also appealing to readers who would never pick up a non-fiction book on that subject.

That’s why I fill my books with imperfect characters who face various challenges and do their best to stick to their values and make good choices. Through my stories I present a Christian worldview as a valid and wise way to live.

Another book—because I loved it enough to keep going

Despite all the reasons I love writing, I still entertain quitting from time to time. And then somebody will come up to me with an eager smile on their face and ask, “When is your next book coming out?”

So, for all of you who have been asking me that question, I have good news!

I’m excited to announce that the next book in the Livia Aemilia Mystery series—An Ode to Poison—will be published this fall. Stay tuned for more information about the book and ways you can help me spread the word.