Where I Share a Raw Reality About My Vocation

Sharing My Heart and, Honestly, My Struggle

You know what’s weird (and kinda hard) about the writing life?

Currently, I’m writing a new book. But at the same time, I’m sharing a book that I wrote a while back. Does that makes sense? I don’t just write a book, share it, and then, after all that’s done, start writing another one. It’s a strange experience.

Those of you who are (like me) weirdly creative, imaginative types probably know what I mean. When you’re writing a book, you inhabit that world. You’re telling a story. It’s like telling a story to a friend. You’re there and kind of all in. If somebody interrupts you or even does something in your peripheral vision, it can throw you off.
​
You’re inhabiting this story world while you’re writing. But meanwhile, the book you inhabited a while back reaches the time when it’s ready to be shared. So you find yourself going back into that world, too. You’re doing both. In some ways you’re divided.
​
That creates a challenge. How do you throw your heart into sharing while you’re also creating?

I think about it as creation and connection. That’s the language I use because it helps humanize things for me. It helps bring my attitude into submission under Christ, especially when it comes to sharing (or that word that can feel icky: marketing). I don’t love words like influencer or saying that you’re making content. (It bears repeating: Stop Making Content.) I care about the meaning of things. I take my calling seriously. So I come back to these two words: creation and connection.
​
Those are the two jobs I have.

The Challenge

I’m invited to create. I’m called to create, and I love that. It’s so much fun. It’s difficult. It’s challenging. It’s almost impossible to write a story, to write a book. But it’s wonderful, and I’m up for it.

Then there’s the other challenge. You’ve made something, and now you want to share it. That matters deeply to me because I love the audience. I love the families, the kids.

These stories began as stories I told my own kids. Even the new book I’m writing right now isn’t a Green Ember book. It’s a story I told my daughter. It’s her story. I love her, and she loves stories about unicorns. I’m writing a story for her, and I’m excited about it. I can’t wait to share it.
​
But it’s funny. I say “I can’t wait to share it,” and then the time comes to actually share these books, and it’s difficult. There’s friction there.
​
That’s okay.

There’s a famous saying, that a writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.

I believe that. I love that. And I do love you and your kids. I want to give you good gifts. That’s really my heart. So I’ve been thinking about this little dilemma. It’s not a big dilemma in the grand scheme of the world, but within my calling, it is.

So I’ll just be honest with you. If you think of me, pray for me. I want to do a good job.
​
My dad lives close to me now, so I see him almost every day. When I’m leaving, he’ll often say, “Do good work.” That’s what I want to do.

I want to do good work in both creation and connection. Even though my heart is probably more all in on the creation side, the connection is so important and valuable.

That’s why I still use social media.

I use a modified version (I deleted the apps on my phone) that’s less effective, but the barriers are important to me. I’m dealing with all those things, just like everybody else.

So why do I keep showing up?

Because I want to do a good job at both: I want to do a good job at creation, and I want to do a good job at connection.

I don’t know how to do a lot of the things people (or algorithms) say you’re supposed to do to succeed on social media. A lot of that side of my work is challenging. But I’m willing to work at it to some degree (while also keeping my soul), for the sake of connection. For the sake of the calling I have to create things and then share them with you.

Because of love.

I am a blessed blesser. I am a gifted giver. I am a created creator. I’ve been given so much, and part of that is a calling. I want to share it with you.

Because of love.

I’m on your side,

Sam
​
P.S. This essay is based on an impromptu, unscripted video. Watch it here. Share it if it’s helpful for your artist/writer friends.

P.P.S. The next Green Ember book, The Lost Tales Book 3, is coming this Fall. Read up on Book 1 and Book 2 (get both SIGNED for a limited time!). I can’t wait to share about it, really.