Embracing the New Directions God Has for Us

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

The writer’s path is a journey of a lifetime—one fraught with discovery and discouragement. We can avoid some of its pitfalls if we define that path early on. Today, I want to share some insights into my writing journey and the markers I look for to help me stay at least in the vicinity of the path.
This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's, my thoughts turn backward. I use this time to evaluate the past year and prepare for the next 
one. I've given up New Year's Resolutions completely and find the freedom from those expectations (and failures) a major relief. 

But I have implemented something else instead. My husband and I spend some time looking back at our spiritual markers for the past year. We evaluate them individually, as a couple and as a family. I also look at them in regard to my past year as a writer.
This is particularly helpful, because staying on the writer's path is difficult because each of our paths are so unique and varied. In the past I've had trouble evaluating my progress because I was comparing my journey to someone else's. I’ve come up with some questions to help me process where I’ve been and where I’m headed. 
Questions to Get Me StartedWhat were some of my writing successes this past year? (Not necessarily the most lucrative, but the most rewarding) What were some of my writing setbacks this past year? What writing advice stands out in my mind because it seemed to have been aimed directly at me? What brought me the most joy? (Writing related) As I map out these spiritual markers, the path God has had me on becomes quite clear. And, by knowing where I've been, it becomes clearer where to go next. 

The other thing I do this time of year is to choose my ONE WORD and SCRIPTURE for the next year. I've been choosing a Bible verse for the upcoming year since 1996, but I just started choosing a single word to go with it since 2012. My close writing friend Beth Vogt started me on it and the practice has proved invaluable.
My Unexpected Word of the Year

I had a preconceived idea of what my word for 2020 should be. I began to pray over things like focus, discipline, and peace, but nothing resonated. Then as I was asking God where to look for my word, He gave it to me. 

Just like that, the word exploded into my mind along with a Bible verse. 

BEHOLD I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
This word is so perfect for me. This next year is shaping up to be a year like none yet. It's full of exciting—scary—things, and this is exactly the kind of confirmation I needed to face it with faith. 
So what's ahead?
First, I'm directing (or co-directing) 10 events this year. And only 5 of them are writing related. 
Writing Events January 17-20 Mountainside Marketing Retreat : an event I'm co-directing with DiAnn Mills. It's geared to writers who want in-depth, hands on instruction for social media, marketing, blogging and branding. 
May 24-28, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference: an event I'm directing with DiAnn Mills. This multi-discipline writing conference is now the largest Christian Writers Conference in the country.
August 30-September 2, Mountainside Nonfiction Retreat: an event I'm directing with DiAnn Mills. This is a hands on event for writers who want to strengthen their nonfiction techniques and learn how to earn money in the process. 
October 4-7, Mountainside Novelist Retreat: as DiAnn Mills and I direct this event we guide writers into the intricacy of fiction writing.
November 8-11, Mountainside Speakers Retreat: DiAnn Mills and I are directing this with the amazing industry professional Karen Porter. This is our fourth retreat and is aimed at equipping writers to speak.
Photography EventsIn addition to writing, God has thrown open the doors for my love of photography. Ridgecrest Conference Center has engaged me to direct 4 photography workshops. Each one is a 26 hour event in each season of the year. They're planned to coincide with a full moon and include instruction, photography time and editing basics. 
February 9-10, The Snow Moon
April 6-7, The Pink Moon
August 2-3, The Sturgeon Moon
November 1-2, Harvest Moon
Creative EventsFinally, with my new series, Soul Care (with Bold Vision Books), God gifted me with the ability to share my love of creativity with others. The event I'm directing is 
July 17-19, Soul Care: A Weekend to Play & Connect with Our Creative Father
Bullet Journaling ClassesI'm also teaching a series of local classes at Fiction Addiction in Greenville SC for Bullet Journaling. While these events are currently in-person classes, I'm working with Fiction Addiction to see if we can include online instruction some time in the future. 
I'll also be keeping up my regular travel schedule. This is going to be a crazy, wonderful year. I may find at the end of it that it's time to do some pruning, and I'm fine with that. But life is definitely heading in new directions. 
I'd love for you to share your ONE WORD and/or Bible verse for the year, and hear some of your answers to these questions. 
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
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