23 Comments
User's avatar
Brianna Lambert's avatar

You are not a factory Samuel, and praise God for that. Creatives throughout history have always been subservient to the muses, which is in reality just the gift and humility of being human.

Samuel D. James's avatar

The response to this has been incredibly encouraging to me. Thank you all.

Christopher's avatar

And very well deserved!

Chris McKenna's avatar

What a refreshing statement, Samuel. That's integrity.

John Livingston's avatar

Take your time! When you are refreshed, then return!

Blessings to you and your family 🙏

Joan's avatar

Dear Samuel,

I am so glad to have read this today. I've been in that limbo for months, especially after the joy of Christmas. I too am struggling to find my muse, my place in my writing. Quite frankly, I needed the entire month of January just to breathe and do no writing. Just to sit and rest. Maybe rest is what you need in between those writings you have to do. I'm not sure. But the circle of the world and what it puffs out is what holds me back. Maybe you too! It's gruesome out there and then, as writers, we have to bring something coherant to the audience. I'll be looking forward to reading what you will bring to this post. And thank you for making me realize that I'm not the only one who's wandering in the desert.

Russell Board's avatar

Blessings on your writing projects!

Brady Cremeens's avatar

Keep on keeping on, Samuel. You're doing good work.

Christopher's avatar

And do pray for my similar dryness! Family death, moving house, remembering my late wife - none very conducive to writing so I will most certainly pray for you with knowledge and your prayers (and that of fellow subscribers) for me would also be most welcome! We creatives are indeed human!

Samuel D. James's avatar

yes, friend. Lifting you up.

Christopher's avatar

Like you I need it!!! And therefore praying eagerly for you with rather a lot of understanding right now...

Thinking  Out Loud's avatar

i paid for the year all at once but no worries sir. take care of yourself.

Jacob Holt's avatar

I don't see my subscription dollars as buying a latte or a gallon of gas--more like supporting a good kind of work that has many different rhythms and takes many different forms, sometimes less active and less visible. Please keep doing whatever makes sense for you, at whatever pace and productivity is currently good and right.

Elizabeth Merry Putney's avatar

I understand. I am learning to balance creativity with stewardship of the output.Everything that we sense needs to be said does not mean now. You are wise to look at the stewardship side of this gift.

Brian Marr's avatar

I am still eager to see your posts on men relentlessly pursuing above-ground living! But no rush: I appreciate the quality that I get from your posts. I often disagree with you but I never feel like the writing has been slipshod or put out because you have this need to generate content.

Tom's avatar

There might be some legal issues involved, but if there aren't, you could slap a few excerpts from the book on here.

Samuel D. James's avatar

I can and will post them, but they will have to come closer to publication date.

Trenton Morales's avatar

Praying for you brother. All grace to you.

Karen Swallow Prior's avatar

Be gentle with yourself, friend.

TJ's avatar

The blunt integrity of this post is massively encouraging. It's enough to motivate me to support your work as a paid subscriber once that option is available again. Praying for strength and fruit in your work, Samuel.