Some of you {read: Mom} may remember that I started a blog a few years ago as a way to be more intentional about my writing. That worked well for about a year. Then, adoption happened and eight months later, we moved to a different job in a different state. In all of the transition and stress of adjusting to a new place in a new season of parenting a wee one with special needs, I fell off the blogging wagon and let fear creep into my soul, stealing my motivation to write.
In the past few years, I’ve realized two things:
1.) I missed the consistency that blogging brought to my writing. I missed my tiny corner in Blogland that allowed my thoughts to move from my head and my heart to my kind readers.
2.) I gave fear permission to determine the course of my writing. Identifying and addressing the root of my fears proved to be a sobering process that involved prayer, time, wise counsel, facing some ugly truths about myself, and immersing myself in books written by authors I respect and trust. I recently attended a conference where one of the speakers said that she finally chose to commit to her art, despite her fears. She said, “I’m learning to ‘Do It Afraid’.”
My fears have subsided as I’ve faced them but they’re still there, quietly lurking in the dark. I know that if I give them permission, they’ll emerge, ready to steal my joy and motivation all over again. I’m learning to create with the fears present. I’m choosing to “Do It Afraid”.
With the encouragement and support of good friends, family members, and these fantastic things we call “online writing communities,” I’m better equipped to fight the resistance, “the enemy within,” as author Steven Pressfield describes. I’m learning to pay attention to that Still Small Voice that has nudged me to write all these years. Time and prayer and working hard with the creatives in my life have helped me to pen with courage and humor what really matters to me.
Thanks for stopping by. I do hope you’ll stay.
![Fantastic read from the summer.
Posting just now because LIFE.
Anything by James McBride is worth reading.
Favorite character line:
"Every once in a while there's a glimmer of hope.
Just a blip on the horizon...something that said,
'Guess what, you so-and-so, I am God's child.
And I.Am.Still.Here.'"
You're still here.
I'm still here.
What will we do today
to live the truth that we're God's children
and we belong?
What will we do today
to ensure the belonging of others
who don't share our privileges?
[ID: A hardcover book with the outline of a man wearing a hat, and swirls of red, green, and orange on the front. The title 'Deacon King Kong a novel James McBride' is printed on the cover.]](https://i0.wp.com/www.katiecarper.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?ssl=1)
I love that you are blogging again! You are an amazing writer with a great perspective… I am thankful to call you friend. Looking forward to many more posts in the days to come! Way to go Katie!
I am thankful to call YOU my friend, Lanee! Your continued prayers and support have helped encourage me along the way. I’m so grateful that distance does not determine the depth of our friendship.
❤️❤️
Moriah–fellow blogger and friend–I have enjoyed reading your writing. I am a bit of an old geezer trying to figure out the technical part of blogging so forgive me for not being more “present” on your site. I intend to remedy that.
Yay Katie! I will look forward to reading your posts! xo
Jess–You’ve stuck with me and encouraged me from the beginning. Thank you, my dear treasured friend. Also, I miss you. Let’s connect again, soon.
Way to go girl!! I’ve been praying for you and this since that fun weekend!!
Thank you for your continued prayers, Julie! You are not a sister-in-law–You’re a sister, true and kind. I love you and continue to pray for you as you pursue your own dreams and goals.
You had me at the first mention of Lucy! She is the person I aspire to become. I’m so looking forward to sharing your gift of communication here!
Oh, thanks, Aunt Joan! Yes, I aspire to be like Lucy! She’s so brave–as are you. I appreciate your continued friendship and I’m grateful for social media that helps us stay a bit more connected.
About anything worth lie that we do, we do with an element of fear, if we have any sense. Buying a car, getting married, having a baby, adoption, buying a house.. fear slows us down, reminds us to takeadeepmbreath, pray, and then forge ahead. I’m with you, and look forward to anything you write. Love, Mom
Mom, you’re full of wisdom per usual. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support along the way. Your boldness in submitting pieces and your journaling have inspired me to keep going. I love you for that and for so much more.
Always love hearing your heart, Katie. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you indeed. May He do something so big in your life it will be obvious it is from Him. May He increase your influence and opportunities to make a difference for Him. May He give you a continual awareness of His presence and direction as you make decisions. May He protect you and keep you from falling into satan’s traps. In Jesus’ name, amen ❤️
Beth, I am so grateful our paths crossed years ago! I appreciate your posture before the Lord–you have such a pliable heart toward Him. Thank you for the ways that you encourage me and so many others to trust in the Lord and to give Him all the glory. I hope you are well, sweet friend & mentor.
The world needs your persepctive, Kate. Keep it coming. It will get easier with every post.
Thanks, Jake. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Every girl should get to have a brother like you.
Hi Katie:
Trying to make time to (find and) read your writings. Also trying to work through my own thoughts about blogging. So did you set up katiecarper.com yourself, or did a blog site help with that? Where should a person like me go first to see if 1) I have any time for writing intelligible thoughts, 2) I have any intelligible thoughts once I extract them from my brain where it certainly seemed like they made sense originally, 3) I can at least “do the experiment” (like we say at work) and either do the blog or rule it out.
Our community group was talking last week about things you would do if you did what you always wanted and didn’t worry about what anyone thought. So trying to look into this more. Less afraid about what people think, more afraid about realizing I can’t really do something I think about all the time.
Love you guys,
Hi Mike! So good to hear from you. I appreciate your taking the time to read my blog–I hope that the words I offer are encouraging and thought-provoking. To answer some of your blogging questions: I set up my own blog. WordPress gets great reviews among techs and writers the world over (and I had used them before) so I chose them. I bought the dot com because that gives me the rights to my writing, not WordPress. I paid for Bluehost (also gets great reviews) to host my domain. It was like $2.95/month for a 3 year commitment. Small price to pay for more freedom, fewer ads, loads of theme options, lots of tech help if necessary, and the option for more plug-in. That’s what gave me the katiecarper.com name rather than the katiecarper.wordpress.org name. The difference is that I own my site or rather I rent it from Bluehost. Jeff Goins & Michael Hyatt explain blogging far better than I ever could and you can start the process right from their websites. I highly recommend that you check them out. Also, you may need to explore your reasons for blogging: if it’s just for fun–more of an online journal, then you may not want to pay for a host site. But if you’re looking to eventually get published or really serious about writing, I’d go with the dot com. You can eventually switch to dot com but I’ve heard it can be a real hassle. I also recommend finding a FB writing group. They’re everywhere! It might be helpful to take a class to help refine your vision and find community/support/critique in it. I’ve looked at Tribe Writers–my goal is to take their class and attend their conference next year. I am so glad that you’re looking to write more intentionally. It’s daunting, as we both know, but I’m a big fan of pursuing our dreams, even when we think we don’t have the time or money or opportunity. I keep thinking of Madeleine L’Engle’s words as it relates to you: “The artist seeks that truth which offers freedom and then tries to share this offering.” I believe your writing to be honest, Mike, and as you continue to seek the truth, I pray that you’ll find creative ways by which to share it, regardless of the opinions of others. In this season of giving thanks, we thank our good God for the years we spent in community with you guys. You are loved and missed.
Thanks, Katie, that is extremely helpful! For now I definitely consider my potential writing as a hobby (at best). I have gone back and forth for the last 10 years about writing a book (draft title: “Convicted – How the Holy Spirit Changed My Heart, My Theology, My Politics, and My Life”) but this is really not only a stretch goal (!) but I also worry that the times are not ripe for people to hear something that might soften their heart. Is real communication and the resulting understanding possible anymore? Is my life experience really just for me alone? I don’t expect to be the Holy Spirit, but I would like to think I could make others think, and understand, and expand their hearts. My optimism about this rises and falls daily. But it is still in my heart to try.
Anyway thanks again for the advice; that helps!
Love to all of you!