We all have things we wish we’d known in years past, and things we hope to remember in the years to come.

It’s impossible to know all that we would need for our writing journeys when we first began. But we learned. Our past writer selves grew and matured and moved passed failure, celebrated milestones.

Today it is my hope that my sharing my message to my past writer self, and also my future writer self, that you will be encouraged and motivated in your own storytelling journey.

There are a lot of things I wish 7-year-old me knew, when I first took out marker and paper to craft my first story. So many things that would have made the start of that journey a lot easier. So many of things that would have made my stories so much better.

But maybe there’s another writer out there, maybe reading this, maybe starting on their own new journey of storytelling. I hope that this letter to my past writer self will reach someone that needs to read it and needs to hear its message…

Dear past me…

Things are fun now. Your imagination is running wild and free, defying lines and rules and expectations. Nothing else matters but getting the story in your head on the page. Those wild, colorful, beautiful stories.

But things aren’t always going to be that easy. Stories won’t always come that freely. Inspiration won’t always be plentiful. Doubts and fears will creep in and cramp that young, sensitive creativity. Suddenly you’ll read your own writing and realize how much you don’t know. That crippling fear, the fear of never being good enough…you will get your first taste. And it won’t be your last.

But don’t give up. Don’t give in. Because the going gets tough, but you’ll get tougher, and your love for story will only grow. It will fuel you and reignite that childlike imagination all over again. You’ll learn a lot about story structure, character arcs, and “show, don’t tell,” things that may seem boring. But they’re important, so pay attention. Read books, blogs, watch those videos, listen to those podcasts. Because if you work hard, you’ll grow and you’ll notice your improvement.

Oh, and guess what? Your heavenly Father gave you that passion for story. And what’s more, He cares about that passion of yours and those dreams you lie awake at night wondering about. I know that may be hard for you to believe right now, but one day you’ll begin to grasp it. And that’s when your storytelling adventures will become all the more meaningful.

And, younger me, never EVER burn those old stories. Those stories that make you cringe and gasp and hit your head against your desk. Stop considering grabbing them off your shelf whenever good kindling is needed for a fire. Because even though those stories are rough and honestly pretty terrible, they represent that wild imagination and the joy of creating, and they mark how far you’ve really come. Because you have come far, grown a lot, learned even more, and you’ll keep moving forward. Other hobbies will come and go, but this one just seems to stick around.

So yes, learn all those technical things that will improve and polish your writing, but never forget that old thrill of creating a story and weaving together characters. Never forget your mission, your passion and the One who gave it to you and who stands by your side. Don’t compare yourself to others’ journeys. You’re where you need to be. If you keep your heart close to God, then you can let it guide you. There are so many great things coming.

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There are so many things I’ve learned that I want to remember for my future. So many things that have shaped my writing, and in turn shaped me that I never want to forget…

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Dear future me…

You’ve learned a lot. Like, A LOT. A lot about story structure, character arcs, “show don’t tell,” and all that helpful technical stuff. It’s pushed you and grown you and your writing. And that’s super great, so keep learning about those things. Keep practicing and keep pushing yourself to do better.

But you’ve also learned a lot about other things that have shaped you and your writing in deeper ways. You’ve discovered the importance of community and have met some pretty spectacular storytellers. But most importantly, you’ve begun to learn about what it means to be a Christian creative with a God-given passion for story. You’ve begun to discover that God not only gave you this love, but loves you so much that He wants to be your partner in it and lead you on a path of wild, free creativity. THAT, future me, is the biggest thing I never want you to forget.

Just like in your past, there will be hard times in your future. Times when you’ll feel like giving up and chucking your laptop out the window. Times when you’re inspiration will be so drained dry that you want to bang your head against the desk. Times when you start comparing your writing to others’ (again) and you begin to doubt and fear. Yeah, those things are coming. They just come with the territory. But if you’re in this for the long run, then stick with it. Never give up. The going gets tougher but so will you. And here’s the cool thing… The Creator of the universe is here for you, and with His strength you can do literally anything. And all those trials and hard times will only make you stronger.

So keep your heart close to God and never forget who you are in Him. See those trials as opportunities to grow your faith instead of something you just have to struggle through. Because the more you grow and improve and harden and strengthen, the brighter your stories will shine in this dark world.

Oh, and one more thing, future me…you identity is not in your writing. I know it’s hard for you to remember that, but it’s true. If your identity was your writing, that’d be a pretty flimsy identity. It’s not as solid as the fact that you are a daughter of the King and saved by Christ. That’s who you are.

Now go out there and create outside the lines.

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I hope these two letters, words from my heart, will touch you. I hope they will encourage you and inspire you in your journey. And I want to also invite you to do the same. Whether you release it publicly or keep it private, write a heartfelt letter to your past and future writer self. Never forget those things that have shaped you, people you’ve met, and trials you’ve come out of stronger. And never forget Who you belong to.

What’s the biggest thing you’d say to your past writer self? How about your future writer self?