Lessons Learned from Birthing a First Book

by Linda Dindzans, M.D.

Authors often compare the writing of their books to the birthing of a baby–– the fleshing
out of a spark of an idea, the crafting of a plot that encourages the growth of well-developed characters, and the striving and pushes at the end to meet deadlines. The launch of our first book is celebrated with friends and family. We are showered with encouragement and well wishes.

And as with the birth of my first child, I had no idea how many late nights and early mornings would be needed to further nurture the life of my first book A Certain Man. Just as I was blessed with a helpful, involved spouse at the birth of my daughter, I was blessed with that same spouse and many fellow writers who shared their advice and experiences.

As a first-time mother, I remember feeling overwhelmed by all the accessories required to simply move baby from one spot to the next––stroller, diaper bag, toys, car seat. Similar emotions swelled as I worked to find help to launch a website, learn social
media, plan for ads, a newsletter, contest entries.

More than one wise mentor cautioned “A book launch is a marathon not a sprint. Like motherhood, it is not a day but a week, a month, a season, a year… decades.”

The parallels for me continued. Before I was a mother, I had come to a place of some assurance with who and what God wanted me to be and to do. But motherhood was a plunge back into uncharted waters. And I desperately wanted to be the best mother I could be. God, our loving Father has a way of bringing us to our knees, guiding us, bringing wise friends into our lives and forgiving our mistakes along the way.

Over my career working as an ENT surgeon, I had come to a place of growing confidence and competence. Decades later, I believed God had called me to put down my scalpel and take up my pen. Once again, I was thrust into a place of new beginnings and utter incompetence. Again, I desperately wanted to be the best writer I could be.

Little did I know that it would be a twelve-year journey to publication.

But God knew.

He knew I needed to develop writing craft. And He provided critique partners, writing conferences, online courses, and a writing coach.

He knew I needed to develop writing and spiritual disciplines. And He provided writer’s immersions and retreats where I witnessed the authentic faith and disciplines of others.
He knew I needed more regular time with Him. I am by nature more Martha than Mary. God knew I needed to learn a healthy life/work balance. Time seeking His Rest.

He has allowed me to rush into places of burnout that brought me to my knees.

There, He has taught me to pray for my writing journey and for the journey of fellow
writers, coaches, mentors.

There, He has taught me to pray for the words He would have me write.

There, He has taught me to pray each day for those who would read those words.

God has allowed me, through my own self-preoccupation, to get to places of
discouragement that made me examine my heart, question my motives for writing, and
recommit to His Will, His Way, His Time.

And He has dropped ‘Bread of Life’ crumbs of encouragement for me along the path of
this debut novel–– multiple awards, strong reviews, and requests to speak. Morsels for
renewed motivation took the form of encouraging anecdotes regarding how the book
has impacted readers and a request for copies of the book in a local Christian
bookstore. Perhaps most cherished is a request to teach a Bible study based on the fact
and fiction presented in A Certain Man.

As the first book birthday of A Certain Man approaches, my writing journey continues.

As with children, the imminent birth of the second child, A Certain Mercy offers lessons
of its own…

Linda Dindzans, M.D. is a writer with the heart of a healer who offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. Though her compelling characters inhabit the treacherous times of the Bible, Linda believes ‘there is nothing new under the sun’. The struggles of her characters still speak to hearts today.