I am breaking all my rules. Unwrapping is about seeing the small things in the midst of our everyday, pausing in the moment, and celebrating. But y’all. I can’t see anything today but the big. The Big Fat Book. I know my kids are growing up somewhere in the background and my husband loves me and the days are long and the years are short. But I can’t see it and I just have to be real with you.
There is something mysterious and lovely about being in book-writing mode. But the times of writing are so intense, that the times of not writing have become the exact opposite. The Man tells me that my on/off switch is now over-sized and drastic. I can sit and write for four hours straight. Sometimes five. But when I come up for air, the fog settles around me, making the daily little things nearly disappear.
My kids names all blur together. Dinner menus are painfully repetitive. My craving to watch mind-numbing television is at an all-time high. But I will tell you this: I know that there is a message in this book, and it isn’t my own. I am watching as He weaves His story through mine, and I laugh and cry as it comes out through my personality on paper. Christ in you is a profound mystery, but it is true. This I know.
Perhaps I have a gift to unwrap after all.
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If you want to link up today but don’t know how, please-oh-please read Darcy’s post: What is a permalink? How do I find mine? All blog linkups ask that you use the permalink to your post or your link will be deleted. So read Darcy’s post if you have no idea what I’m talking about.
If you have never participated in Tuesdays Unwrapped before, you are welcome to join us today. This post may help you understand more about it.
As a freelance writer I can relate to how all encompassing the process can sometimes be, and I have never attempted anything as ambitious as a book, that is something I truly admire! And it is miraculous how words can flow from places in our hearts and minds that we never even knew existed!
Kat
i think that’s really AWE some. emphasis on the awe. when the words pour out of you like that you know they are right. i’ve experienced that before. when i was writing my “book” i loved it when i got into the groove and the words came effortlessly. writing a book is a good feeling. i wonder if i’ll ever do it again. for real this time.
*small smile* I know how you feel – the photography drives me like this. Isn’t it so alive?
I am SO EXCITED for you. I can feel your energy coursing through your words here. So excited, Emily.
xoxo elizabeth
I wonder if I will write like that one day. Others say yes. Deep inside I think maybe. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Emily!
You are pouring so much of your emotional energy into your writing that you’ve just about run out at the end of the day. Some days when I return from work, I’m in the fog too. I totally get it.
Press on, and pray your family through!
I’m a long-time lurker, very bad commenter, first time joiner-in-the-fun. Thank you for hosting this. I love it every week and have finally screwed up the courage to play too.
Emily, I am praying for you dear lady! Thank you so much for sharing the very real emotions and experiences you are having in the holy process of creating the book that God has placed in your heart, mind and spirit!!! Wow!!! Amazing!!! I am SO glad that you are starting to see the gift that God has in you that He wants to unwrap for the rest of the world! You have been gifting us for so long! You are such a blessing! Thank you for giving us the honor of the glimpse into your world. Blessings to you!!!
“I am watching as He weaves His story through mine, and I laugh and cry as it comes out through my personality on paper.” That is so incredible, Emily. Definitely a gift to unwrap.
Wow. Such an exciting, yet challenging time. I can’t wait to see the life He breathes into your writing. Blessings!
Dear Emily, things will get better. Whenever you’re writing a book, it’s much like being with child and then giving birth. There’s a lot of intensity, anxiety and pain … and no way to turn around. But there is an end to the madness. And, in the end, it is so worth it. Bless you as you move forward to that end.
I know He’s writing this story through you… and for that reason (and because I, you know, kinda love you) I cannot wait to read the words you pen in these intense days.
simply beautiful emily …
and it is one of my favorite things about tuesday. thinking i have nothing worthy of unwrapping… seeking, and realizing the gift was just waiting to be found.
I’m so in writing mode right now, too. Thank you for sharing what it feels like for you. Now I know I’m not the only one who feels loopy and neurotic unless I have a pen–or computer keyboard–in my hand, lately. Praying blessings and writing mercies for you today!
I can’t immagine what your life must be like right now trying to balance this new ‘baby’ amongst your already full day-to-days.
Maybe you could glean some insight and encouragment from another dedicated mama and wife that has also walked in these publishing shoes? Are you familiar with ‘Steady Mom’? She just had a book released and shared a bit how she ‘did life’ around her writing. Find her at http://www.steadymom.com/
Oh, Emily. God bless you.
Christ in you IS a profound mystery. “Profound” and “mysterious” are not synonyms for “easy,” though. Worthwhile work is almost always hard.
I almost didn’t link my post after I’d read yours. . . but then I decided I would go ahead and link it. And I’ll just say to you that, as you’re eating those routine dinners and watching that mind-numbing television, hug them. Take photos of them. Then get back to your writing, for God has given you that job as well as your wife and mother jobs. You would not be able to do this always, but for this season I believe He will give you special strength and grace.
I love you.
Thinking of you and praying for you…
I cannot wait to see how it turns out, what unfolds
I’m reading Annie Dillards “The Writing Life” and some of her sentiments sound similar. You are doing wonderfully!
This will be over and a distant memory before you know it. Just breathe.
I love your honesty! My family calls what you’re going through being “in the zone”. The good news is that the zone helps you get that book written, but when it’s over, it’s over and the family and the rest of life comes back into full focus more beautiful than they ever were before.
You definitely do have a gift to unwrap. I love the words you share with us here. I am sure your book will be amazing.
I totally, totally, totally, totally get this.
I am so encouraged by this. “I am watching as He weaves His story through mine, and I laugh and cry as it comes out through my personality on paper.” Although I am not writing a book, I know that God is weaving His story in me too. At least, that is my prayer. And I look forward to reading that book of yours when it’s all done. Blessings to you. Truly.
I only discovered your blog a short time ago and am participating for the first time today in Tues. Unwrapped. I think it was your post on your sister site that I enjoyed so much about the little girl who chose the pretty pencils instead of the book. I will pray that God gives you the grace you need to complete this project but to not lose site of the little gifts He is giving you each day too.
i can’t even muster the inspiration, courage or energy to write a blog post right now much less a book. i am totally in awe of you and think you are such an inspiration. you’ll look back on this time and be so glad you’re making the sacrifices now for such a rewarding thing.
It gives me chills to hear you describe your writing experience! Thanks so much for sharing and unwrapping this most amazing gift with us
I have been fluttering around your site for a bit, gleaning nuggets of inspiration here, smiling over perfect words there.
Today I happened to write a post that would work well for Tuesday’s Unwrapped. So I decided instead of fluttering, to do my first link up
Thanks for having me! TJ
I’m so excited for you and the blessings that are going to come from the efforts and time you are pouring into this book!
I long to be overwhelmed with my writing…and tell myself “someday.” Your words are quite inspirational and as I was reading this unwrapped gift of yours, I realized that sometimes the best gifts are gifts we create, not the ones we wait to arrive on our doorsteps. The gift you are creating in your book – think of how many people will unwrap that someday!
Thank you for teaching us all to take time to unwrap!
Great post… Great reminder. (and dare i say it- I am a bit jealous… i NEED to be in that mode. I haven’t been there in over a year and I know it’s because life feels so heavy and distracting…)
Thank you for sharing a little piece of your heart today. Hopefully, I linked up correctly this time. He is doing a mighty work in you. Rest in Him, He will sustain you. I can’t wait to see what unfolds.
such an honest, poignant post. my fave bit: ‘Christ in you is a profound mystery, but it is true. This I know.’
ps have you read ‘bird by bird’ (anne lamott, a reflections-on-writing sort of book)? i’m guessing yes. but if not, get thee to a library. she’s a kindred soul in literary form.
Oh it clicked, it clicked, and you are dancing the dance, and I can hardly wait to see it! Praying for you!!!
scratch my last suggestion; i did a bit of homework via google and saw that you recently posted about this very book. forgive me as i’m new here. i’m hoping the days ahead are fruitful, and that you find satisfying rhythms of writing and rest.
Thank you so much for sharing this experience Emily. It is exciting to see how everything works together when you are doing what you have been gifted and called to do.