I missed out on a late-night conversation during the holidays. My sister apparently told my daughter and niece that I am a woman of many interests. That I throw myself into something and then abandon it when something else grabs my attention.
That might just have been a nice way of describing me as fickle. But then she told them that I always came back to writing.
She’s got that straight. Sisters are smart like that. Especially younger and wiser ones. She reads me.
Lots of pursuits entailing lots of supplies entailing lots of money. Sometimes even making money.
Lots of hobbies. Soapmaking, quilting, antiquing, decorating, organic and vegetarian cooking. For starters.
Lots of jobs. Nursing, transcribing, editing, selling. For starters.
But it always comes back to writing. And reading, too. The pursuit of words. Tasting and tumbling sounds and syllables. Delighting in the perfect phrase. Making music with the alphabet. A passionate pursuit in the midst of pursuits.
I can’t remember not writing in some form.
I loved Bambi so much that I brought the book home from the school library and attempted to copy it with a pencil.
I wrote long letters to my aunt who was a cloistered nun. Some were in journal form inspired by Jo from the Little Women.
Once I wrote a Nancy Drew type story where I was the heroine and captured bad guys down by the lake. I sent it to a local newspaper, just like Jo. It came back with a written rejection, and I burned both.
My parents took me to a Tigers game when I graduated from eighth grade. I wrote a poem about the game (the Tigers beat the Yankees) and sent it to George Kell and Ernie Harwell along with an autograph book. I don’t know what they did with the poem. They didn’t return it. But they did return the autograph book, and every player had signed it, including Al Kaline. A couple years later, I decided that was childish. And I burned it.
Sigh.
In the 80’s I took a writing course through the Christian Writer’s Institute with Esther Vogt as my instructor. I went to a CWI conference and started to submit articles. Some were actually accepted, and I made a little money. I wrote and edited a church newsletter.
During this time, I also dug deep in the Word, inductively, and led Precept classes. I taught. I spoke. I overcommitted to good stuff.
And then came pain. Infertility. Pregnancy loss. Children adopted in our mid and late thirties. More joy and more pain. A granddaughter born to a single mom. Challenges. Dark nights of the soul. Wilderness times. Mountaintop moments. Emotional and spiritual growth.
And then near total burnout. Overwhelmed. Living life in frantic fragments with a blurred focus. I was tempermental and moody.
And restless with a deep desire to have my time, my work, my life, stamped with eternity.
I quit my job to regain my balance. I began to dig out of the rubble.
Dorothea Brande in her book, Becoming a Writer, says of a writer that “the moods and tempers, when they actually exist, are symptoms of the artist’s personality gone wrong–running off into waste effort and emotional exhaustion.”
So maybe my moods, my crankiness, my overwhelmed state were really a result of being overwhelmed with the wrong things? I’m certainly as busy or busier now as then and am much more overwhelmed with joy.
Ms. Brande also talks about arranging “affairs and relations so that they help you instead of hinder you on your way toward the goal you have chosen.”
Or that was chosen for me?
At any rate, once I started the decluttering of heart, home, and head, I began to hear more clearly. A whisper. A faint rumble. A call. The call. Passion reawakened.
The right pursuit. The write pursuit. Placed in my heart by the One whom I pursue. With Whom I want to be right.
So today I spin this blog off Beholding God, which I started late last summer. That one simmered with an eclectic flavor. But now it will be mostly devotional and personal.
I hope The Write Pursuit will appeal to readers and writers, those also in pursuit of words. I’ll focus on my writing journey, book reviews, author interviews, maybe some guest blogs, and writing tips as I learn them.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll come back, and I hope you’ll find some encouragement for your own journey.
P.S. The pen above is a bookworm pen, a Christmas gift from my sister. The perfect gift for a reader/writer. You can find it and others here.
In pursuit,
Sandy
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King
Hi Sandy,
I'm so excited to be the first one to comment on your first post for your new blog. I totally enjoyed reading it!
Sometimes we go through a season of silence in the area of a ministry God has called us to so that we can be used in ways we had not been prepared for before.
I've been speaking for over 18 years, but it seems as though writing is a new dimension of ministry God has given me. My first book is due out mid-2010 and I'm more amazed than anyone that He would allow me to be used in such an unexpected way.
I pray your writing will be extremely fruitful.
Eternally His,
Stephanie
Phil 3:7-14
Hi Sandy!
Congrats on this new blog! What an exciting new adventure! Blessings!
@Stephanie: You are #1! I could have given away a book for the first poster–if I'd published one. LOL. I could always send you some chocolate! Thanks for the encouragement. Can't wait to see your book.
@Jody: My first follower! You should get some chocolate, too! You are such an inspiration to me.
Hugs to you both!
Sandy,
As I read this (wonderful) first post, my first thought was that your journey has been so much like mine! "Tasting and tumbling sounds" . . . a passion for words–I understand that completely, and have a trunk full of journals (some childishly scrawled) to prove it. I also tried to pacify the urge to write with hobbies,crafts–from felt mouse ornaments to gingerbread houses, quilting . . . But when you're meant to write–called to create by and for the Author of Creation–you come back. I'm glad I did. And thrilled that you are, too. I see in this post that you have the ability and the heart to do this. All that has come before, disappointments and pain and growth, has been part of a Plan to get you to where you are now–and where you're going. Your empathy and honesty will touch many lives. What a blessing! I'm so looking forward to reading more from you.
Candace
Oh, Candace! Now that brought tears to my eyes! Thank you, thank you.
You reminded me of the little cinnamon stick and antique hankie angels I used to make! It seems we have a lot in common, you and I. I appreciate your words of encouragement more than you know.
For such a time as this . . .
You go, Sandy! Looking forward to following this new venture.
Thanks, Katie! I'll let you know when I repost your interview. 🙂
Awww… I DO read you — especially in my "lurker" moments. Writing has always been your passion and your gift. I am very proud of you that you are following your dream. Know that I am always in your corner, rooting for you. Much love. Sissy
So now I'm taking apart a hankie angel to blow my nose and wipe my eyes! Thanks for coming out of your lurking corner to post.
My sissy. My encourager. She rocks!
Hey Candace. Meet Candace.
OMG, SANDRA LEE!!! Did I forget to tell you that you should wipe your eyes before blowing your nose? I am aghast that you would use that beautiful angel for said purpose! What happened to the cinnamon stick? Be assured I will be watching to see if you developed any other bad habits through your 60 years!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my word. Sitting up straight. Hands in lap. My mother is in the house!
PS: I know I DID remember to tell you about "Kleenex" and "Angel Soft".
By the way… I trust you understood that I "read" you in many ways — but this silly posting system didn't let me fix it (quite obviously)… 🙂
Sandy, it is a joy to meet you and it seems God has allowed us to walk some common paths. Looking forward to your blog. 🙂
@"Anonymous": You are having entirely too much fun. 🙂
@Jenni: Thanks for stopping by! It's a joy to meet you, too.
Just stumbled upon your tour…WOW!
Thanks!
Oh Sandy…. my heart is overwhelmed..((sigh))
Sharon: Love you, girlfriend!