In our family, if we don’t hear from one another often enough, we send out an email asking, “are you trapped under something heavy?”
I have been. I was trapped under 75,680 words of a novel I’d love to find sitting on all your bedside tables this time next year. I doubt that is going to happen. But, I did finish the thing and made the deadline for the Christian Writer’s Guild Contest. Now, I kind of worry that I might not have any words left.
I’m not worried about having enough words for the next novel. I’m still not sure I’m a novelist. But, in case I am, words for the next three books are already tumbling around in my head. Instead, I worry that I won’t have any more words for the weekly neighborhood news column in our local paper. And one of my faithful old, farmer readers once told me, “We hate it when you miss a week.”
Or maybe I won’t have any more words for the front page of the church bulletin. Which people actually read in our church instead of throwing it on the floor. Then they are kind enough to tell me later in the week how something I said drew them closer to Jesus. I don’t ever want to run out of those words.
And, I even worry that I’ll run out of words for this blog and you kind, invisible readers who evidently log on now and then to see if I have anything more to say. So, I worry. But, like I told my friend, Cheri, the other day, the most miraculous thing keeps happening. I’m certain I’ve reached the ultimate limit of my words. That I’ve used up every good word God every invented and have put them together in all the ways my tiny brain can imagine.
Then, I sit down to write to you, Dear Reader, and to tell you farewell, because I’m all out of words. Instead, I find I’ve written you an entire essay. Evidently, God has and endless supply of words, and He shares them.
They just keep coming out my fingertips…
You made my day by calling me Dear Reader…I love that phrase and authors who step into their novels/stores/essays to use it. Not sure why I love it so much but I do…
At my work we joke about having only so many keystrokes in your fingertips. Once you’ve used them all up, you don’t have to type anymore. Granted this comes from a gentleman who is fond of shorthand and abbreviations in his typewritten communications. Maybe you can start worrying about running out of keystrokes instead?? If you run out of keystrokes you can always continue handwriting the wonderful words God gives you to share with us, your Dear Readers…
Yes, I am one of those who checks on you everyday, hoping Kathy has shared something that has made me think, or pictures that make me smile. It is like receiveing a letter in the mail. I know it isn’t written specifically to me, but I still get to sit and relish it, just as if I had torn open the envelope.
I know I don’t write often either, and people have asked me when I’m going to post again. I can’t fault people who don’t write everyday Kathy, I don’t either–but I wish YOU would 🙂
Ah, thank you Dear Reader Carol.
And, Andrea, I often have actual people in my mind when I write. You are one of them 🙂
Twice last week I sat down to remind you that I look for something new at kathynick.com every day… My opening line was going to be, “Is it true that real writers don’t have time to update their blogs more than twice a month?” But I decided not to put so much pressure on you, since technically I get your “Sunday morning blog” too. Love you, and the thoughts you so eloquently express on paper, in the cyber world, and in person all the time.
Thanks, friend Anna. Never hesitate to prod me. I need it.
I wait patiently, too, for new posts! But honestly, you don’t have to come up with anything new for me. You can just recycle all the wisdom and advice and observations you’ve been sharing all your life, and I’d be happy as a clam to hear it again! (Also because I’m quite certain I haven’t heard it all.) 🙂 You’re such a fantastic writer…
Ruth – you are so sweet. But I”m pretty sure you could recycle it all yourself, and in a better package.
Well, I SO RELATE to this post, but first I have to say how much I relate to Ruth’s comment (you’re such a sweetheart, Ruth!) Because I’m your daughter and should have heard it all before as well but like Ruth I would gladly take the same ol’ things recycled. And now, back to relating with the post, I so do. And I relate to that wonderful, miraculous feeling when you get something new written and realize the words weren’t used up after all. Major sigh of relief when that happens.
I too, love it when authors say “Dear Reader”. So thanks for that! And thanks for the little talk we had the other day, because it inspired and helped me. Your words, whether written or spoken are very insightful and refreshing — and new to me!