I have spent a significant part of my life writing. I wrote my first short story in the sixth grade and have loved crafting images with words ever since. But aside from some academic work, I haven’t written anything substantial in over three years. I could probably give dozens of reasons why I abandoned one of my favorite pastimes, but it boils down to being busy with other things. Even as I type those words, it sounds a whole lot more like an excuse that it does a valid reason.
In this journal entry, I plan to explore ideas on where I go from here. I think the critical question is not why I quit, but rather why now I have decided to return? As I answer this question in journaling format, keep in mind that I’m thinking aloud (well, on paper) to myself and to my Father in heaven. But my prayer for you, the reader, is that you might benefit from my transparency and that you will be encouraged by what you read. So without further ado, I’d like to look at several reasons I long to return to writing.
First, many people have inquired about how we’re doing.
Life has not been easy lately. If I look at our journey as a series of ups and downs, which seems to be God’s modus operandi, 2020 spun into one of the lowest downs we’ve experienced in over a decade, and it has nothing to do with that pesky virus named after my favorite beer that I’ve never tasted (but totally would if I drank beer).
Yes, God has provided us most importantly with himself, with good jobs, with healthy children, with life-long, rock-solid friends, and with a roof over our head. We have no real reason to complain. Many people have it so much worse. And yet, as 2021 kicks off, we still find ourselves frequently feeling sad and empty.
Neither Katie nor I am ready to reveal to the world the source of our pain, but I hope we find a day in the future where the hurt subsides, and we’re ready to discuss the tragic events of 2020 objectively. I will link it here if that day ever arrives. Please pray that it does.
In the meantime, you can find out what we’re up to right here. I don’t expect anyone to care too much about our problems—we all have enough on our own plates, and there are people in far more need of encouragement and compassion than the Laymon’s—but if you’re curious, you know where to find us.
Second, I don’t want to lose my ability to write.
Writing, like most skills, requires frequent use to stay sharp. I can literally (in my best Chris Traeger voice) feel the rust constricting my creativity. I want to gain back what I once had and perhaps take my craft to new frontiers.
In previous writing endeavors, I often found myself obstructed by a lack of material to write. I imagine that could be because in the past I have primarily focused only on non-fiction composition. Non-fiction serves many beautiful purposes, but its subject matter saturates so much of the daily published content—particularly the blogosphere—that coming up with new truths to write on from a unique perspective can be both challenging and discouraging.
This time around, I plan to delve into different genres such as fiction (which I will address below) and journaling so that hopefully I always have a topic to explore.
Third, I want to leave a legacy to my loved ones.
I went tumbling over the hill in 2020, and as one of the world’s newest editions to the forties bracket, I, like many others before me, have begun to consider mortality and what treasures I will leave behind to those who come after me, with a particular interest in my children.
Most people desire to leave a mark on the path they’ve tread through this relatively short span of life that God has gifted to us. We call it leaving a legacy. God leaves the content of our legacy ultimately up to us, but the scope and reach of our legacy are largely out of our control. I wish I had realized that a decade ago. I would have spent a lot less time trying to build scope, and I would have spent a lot more time actually creating content.
As I venture into writing once again, I do so with a refreshing outlook on priorities in this area. I will endeavor to focus less on the scale of my audience and more on the quality of work that I wish to leave behind for a few.
I hope my children and grandchildren will gain something to their lives from my writing. I hope they will know their God more fully and be inspired by his intensely personal significance to me.
Finally, I want to start writing fiction again.
I have spent most of my life writing non-fiction, but thinking about fiction. I love fiction. I love reading it. I love writing it. I love the process—the world-building, the character development, the outlining, the everything. I’ve neglected writing anything of fictional substance in the the past because a novel feels like such a daunting task, but after an enlightening conversation with my oldest daughter the other day, I may have an idea.
I don’t want to say too much about it now, mainly because I still have much to figure out, but I believe I can work my way into a novel through writing short stories. I have conceived the world I want to explore, but lots of details and backstory remain unclear. My short-term goal with fiction is to compose short stories that set up the world where my novel will unfold. By the time I get to the book, many of the characters, their backstories, and the world mechanics will have been established through what I write here. And by using this method, I set up for myself some short term goals that feel more attainable.
Closing Thoughts
So there it is. I have laid my writing plan bare for all to see. I like it. By publicly telling everyone my plan, it holds my feet a bit to the fire on getting it done. Thank you for volunteering yourself as my accountability in this endeavor.
Lord willing, you’ll be hearing from me soon. God Bless.
