10 Minute Writer

My dearest readers, (Russian Spammers, I am not addressing you)

Back in the creation of this blog, my purpose was to list practical ways busy writers could squeeze in time to pursue their dreams. At the time, I had decided to write a novel in the midst of household and family demands, so this thought was a frequent one. Also, at the time, I found so little satisfaction in other areas in my life, I had the novel to be my comfort and my therapy while I waited on other aspects of my life to improve.

At the beginning of the summer, I decided to take some time to prayerfully focus on the biggest needs of my life, ones that I’ve only briefly mentioned here. This prayer time, which went from only a few days to a few months, required me to lay aside my online time. I didn’t write much, I didn’t blog much, and I went for almost four weeks total without Facebook. (You have no idea the sacrifice that was!)

In that time, some very amazing things happened. I wish I could share them in this forum, because I would like to see everyone embrace a prayer life, but much of this was so sweet and so intimate between me and The Lover Of My Soul, that I think to reveal it all would cheapen it. Forgive me if I pique your curiosity. (If you want to know what it is like to be intimately loved by God, ask him yourself.)

By the end of the summer, not only did I have a clear direction for my family’s future (of which my husband came to the same conclusion separately), but I have a new vision of my purpose as a writer and as an encourager. I’m not so sure that this blog and my novel are part of my immediate future. Other issues, long dormant ones, ones that I’ve been waiting on for years, are going to be addressed. I believe that God is bringing me to a place where my heartache will be completely healed. And writing, at least for a little while, might not be the therapeutic outlet it once was.

At first I balked at this suggestion, “What? Give up my novel?” But then God, as tenderly as always, said, “There is a fresh new healing. Give your time to that. The novel will have its place later.”

I am hoping in the next few weeks, I am able to put aside this vagueness and tell you specifically what I mean, but we’re waiting on a financial and professional breakthrough — one that might even put my husband in a high profile position. I can’t jeopardize this by blabbering on a public blog.

This is all very good news. But there is the bittersweet. If I step away from this blog, then I potentially lose some great friends. My new relationships have been a joyous surprise. Their friendship transcends a blog — and almost even transcends Facebook — and I firmly believe that they will stick with me no matter what I write or do, online or off.

Perhaps, I will blog again — with a focus less on writing, but more on growing in confidence in all areas, maybe a little hospitality and domestic commentary, maybe a few photos, think Pioneer Woman set in a scenic coastal historical New England town?

In the meantime, I’m still going to Twitter and Facebook, so if you haven’t friended or followed me, please do!

I don’t mean to disappoint or sadden anyone. This is a God-directed new thing. God’s new paths are great adventures and they always surpass every expectation.

All my love,

Katharine Grubb, the former 10 Minute Writer