The Neverending Idea

I’ve been floating the idea of writing a book for years now. It started with 3 simple, encouraging words, from a professor many years ago (she simple wrote “You should write.” on one of my papers). It has been poked, prodded, given attention, and then placed on the backburner, back and forth so many times that sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get to that end.

The good news? I’m getting closer - really close some days.

The bad news? The ideas keep shifting.

The thoughts I had five years ago, or even a couple of years, are different than the thoughts I have today. I find that as I review notes, that the ideas keep morphing and taking new life - in directions I would have probably never developed them in the past.

My suspicion is that most authors never really ‘land’ on a thought - they simply capture it at a given moment in time. As they look back years later at what they wrote, I wonder if they chuckle a little at how their thoughts have continued to evolve past that moment?

So, I’ll do my best to take up the task, to grab the best of what I have at this moment on my journey, share it with others, and then enjoy the ride as the journey hits a bend in the road.

Posted 09.18.2009

Share this post on...

Conversation About This Post...

Ethan Bryan shared their voice on 09.18.2009:

I know exactly what you mean…when I look back at songs written years ago, or even last year, I want to change them, tweak them, catch them up to where I am now. It’s the same thing with the script I did. Finally, I had to say, “Good enough,” and submit it…

Daniel Decker shared their voice on 09.19.2009:

Speaking from someone who has worked directly with authors for almost 10 years now… I can tell you with 100% confidence that almost every author looks back on their past work in the way you mentioned. Some books, years later, they wonder why they even wrote. Other books they wish they could rewrite (many do via revisions if a book is selling enough for the publisher to warrant revisions). It’s a constant evolution of thought, perspective and revelation. The key, from what I have observed from successful authors, is to fully drill out the concept that is weighing most on you NOW. Putting that into words without worrying about what will be next or what was before. What “will” and what “was” can block what “is.”

Add Your Voice...

Sorry. Commenting is no longer available for this post. In most cases, you may leave comments up to 30 days from the time a post is published.

What Are Thin Places?

"Thin Places" are rich in Celtic tradition. They are the places in our lives where the divine and the natural worlds come so close together that we can catch a glimpse of God. For the Celtics these places were very real - places within creation where we could physically go. The Thin Places in our own lives are those moments where the space between us & the Kingdom is thin, when we are introduced to a greater glimpse of Who He is through our experiences and through the stories of others.

Where From Here?

This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on 09.18.2009.

The previous post in this blog was
"Announcing - Chick-fil-A Leadercast"

The next post in this blog is
"When Content Is King"

More can be found on the home page, by using the search box at the top of the screen, or by looking through the archives below.

The Whole Shebang

Need something older than a year?
There's a lot here (539 posts, to be exact, dating all the way back to 08.30.2003). Try using the search box at the top of the screen.

Latest Life...

Getting ready to board the long flight back home. Hoping to sleep as long as I can.
Follow me on Twitter

In The Thin Places