Don’t Rush It

When the words don’t come, there may be a reason.Andy Scheer 2012

by Andy Scheer

With the deadline approaching, I drew a blank.

For the past year as a magazine columnist, I’d been able to find topics. But Monday, three days before deadline, my mental cupboard remained bare. And other commitments the next few days would keep me from the keyboard. So I threw myself on the editor’s mercy and asked for a week’s extension.

Even with the deadline pressure relieved, no ideas came. I told myself I’d write the column Saturday and turned to other projects.

Thursday two news items arrived in my in-box, converging to illustrate a significant trend for the column’s readers. I knew what I’d write come Saturday.

But I forgot to tell my subconscious. About 2 a.m. Friday I awoke, my brain racing with how to develop the article. To get back to sleep, I had to jot down those thoughts. Fortunately, Saturday morning the notes still made sense, and the column fell into place.

When the pieces don’t fit, my only choice is to wait. The ideas will come. I just wish they’d arrive before bedtime.

Freelance editor Andy Scheer recently served as editor-in-chief for the Christian Writers Guild and editorial director for Believers Press.

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About Andy Scheer

With more than 30 years in publishing, Andy Scheer has provided freelance editorial services since 2010. He has edited fiction and nonfiction for publishers including Moody, WinePress, and BelieversPress, as well as for clients including Dirk Cussler, McNair Wilson, DiAnn Mills, Heather Day Gilbert, and Sammy Tippit.

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