A while ago I wrote a post about the challenge of having enough time. I have since been reflecting on that time. I did have a strong sense God wanted me to write but I couldn’t figure out what I was supposed to write and writing a book seemed totally impossible.

Looking back on that time three significant things happened. Because I had time on my hands I read two non-Christian books, something I previously would have felt I did not have time to do. One was “The Artist’s Way” which made me realize that I needed to write because I am a writer – getting published is just a bonus. (In the movie, Sister Act II, she tells a student you sing because God made you a singer). Secondly I read Stephen King’s book where he made the blatantly obvious comment that if you write 2,000 words a day for 100 days (about three months) you end up with a book of 200,000 words. I worked out that I wanted to write 50,000 words so only needed to write 500 words a day for a bit long than three months since I couldn’t write everyday. Suddenly writing a book was manageable. Thirdly, I was encouraged to get a blog. Blogging made me realize that I had a lot more to say than I thought!

The result of all this is that in the last few months I have actually written a book! Well, I have finished a first draft which is slightly under 50,000 words. Stephen King recommends you wait six weeks after you finish your first draft before starting on your second draft which seems like a really good idea because at the moment I’m really tired of working on my book.

It is amazing to me that for such a long time I said I could never write a book but because of God’s working in my life, I have managed to do it in just three months.