The Birth of Your Book

Many people long for the day when the copies of their first book arrive in the mail, including me. I’ll finally have in my hands the book that I’ve worked on for so long!

Just as pregnancy isn’t always an easy thing, the process of writing a book isn’t, either. Recently I’ve had to devote much of my time into finishing my manuscript. I’ve learned it’s a long process and involves much hard work. But in spite of all of that, it’s exciting. Anticipating the day that I will get my package in the mail is what keeps me going.

Satan will try his best to make this dream seem impossible, though—especially at the lowest point of your suffering. Doubts and fears of the birth of your book will come to mind. What if the “baby” turns out unhealthy? Or worse, what if it doesn’t come at all, and all of this pain and dreaming of being a mother is for nothing? What if I’m doing something wrong? It’ll be my fault if it doesn’t come out right. So why risk it?

The first days of the process may be exciting: planning your story and writing the first draft. I’ve never published a book before, but I’ve heard that the hardest part for most authors is not trying to find a publisher or writing the first draft—but actually having to go through the editing process with your editor, right before the book is published. Isn't that much like the birth of a baby? The pregnancy in general isn’t a comfortable thing. It may be fine at first, when you find out you’re pregnant and the idea of having a baby excites you. The dream of being a mother is finally going to come true! But then comes the nausea. Inconveniences. Doubts of being a good mother, and fears that the baby won’t come out right. Going into labor is the hardest part, but you’re so close to the baby being born that there’s no turning back. You have to go through it if you want your dream of being a mother—or author—to come true.

Isn’t it worth it, though? Going through the “pregnancy”? Every time you start to have fears during the process or if you find yourself about to give up, go back to the dream and God’s promise to give you the desires of your heart. The “pregnancy” won’t be easy. But I’m sure that when the stork brings your baby in the mail, it’ll all be worth it.

John 16:21-22~

“When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. So you also have sorrow now… But your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy.”