There’s only one truly awful reason not to write: You’re scared.

But I get it. I do. I was scared to death to write. I thought, Who am I to write a book? More than that, Who am I to even think that I could write a book?

And publishing? Forget it!

But I want to share something that not only told me that I could and should go for it, but keeps me motivated every day to get something down on paper.

(*Note: I don’t think you need any religion whatsoever for this to apply. Not tryin’ to stand on the pulpit here!*)

The Parable of the Five Talents

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.  Then he went on his journey.  The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.  So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.  But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  The man who had received the five talents brought the other five.  “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents.  See, I have gained five more.”

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”

The man with the two talents also came.  “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.”

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Then the man who had received the one talent came.  “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.  See, here is what belongs to you.”

“Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.  For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

- Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)

So, it’s not like I ever fancied myself a young, white girl version of Toni Morrison or anything. I just knew that I had a huge passion for books and that writing is something I always wanted to pursue.

Since I was ten I wanted to be a writer, but always thought it impractical. (Yes, I was a very rational little girl. I think even then I wanted to be a lawyer–or maybe race dogsleds.) 

Anyway, I was a counselor at my childhood camp a couple years ago and re-heard the parable of the five talents. I swear, someone might as well have spanked my behind with a rolled up newspaper because I felt downright forlorn that I had been the servant who had buried my talent.

There was good news, though! I could dig my talent up, dust it off, and start putting it to use.

Now, every day I think, It’s not about whether or not I get published because I’m peddling that talent. I’m using it to get new talents. Like writing graphic novels. And reviewing books. And now snagging my agent, getting ready to submit to publishing houses.

So many good things have come from dusting off that rusty old talent. The one I wasn’t even sure was in the same spot.

I kept writing through rejections letters, through close calls, and through moments where that damn plot was stuck in a quagmire so mucky Bilbo Baggins himself couldn’t wade through. I did it because I’d know there was something inherently wrong about sticking my talent back in the dirt.

Point being: If you want to write. Write. Don’t be scared. I think this comes at a particularly good time because so many people are considering doing Nanowrimo. Now, I’m not saying the book you wrote for Nano will be on the fast track to the NYT bestseller list, but it’s a great place to brush the dirt off your talent and let it stretch its legs. So have fun and start planning for November or whatever writing related goals you may have! Look forward to hearing about your successes!

Status: Still expanding my synopsis. I must say, I think it’s coming out well. I mean, it should be when eeking out each page takes me a day! That’s ok, though, because I want it to be perfect.

It’s got some dialogue and I’ve incorporated several captions. I think it’s really capturing the “feel” of the graphic novel. I also had a cool breakthrough with the help of the artist regarding some of the “science” behind shapeshifting. Tons of fun and I got the chance to add it to the synop.

And, if you don’t know what in the heckfire I’m talking about and, instead, would like to be clued in, stop by my Scout page!