Episode 02

Mick Silva

Learning To Appreciate The Process

Mick Silva is a freelance editor and writing coach who has spent nearly 20 years in the Christian publishing industry. He has worked for Focus on the Family Books and WaterBrook & Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Mick Silva is a freelance editor and writing coach who has spent nearly 20 years in the Christian publishing industry. He has worked for Focus on the Family Books and WaterBrook & Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
00:00 57:14

Show Notes:02. Mick Silva —Why Writing Is Hard: Learning To Love The Process

I have had the pleasure of working with Mick as a writing coach and editor on my latest manuscript. Mick’s knowledge runs much deeper than book publishing and marketing. Mick deeply understands the challenge of writing and the struggle authors face. This episode is a deep and honest dive into the soul of the writer and why writing is hard.

“There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say, ‘It is yet more difficult than you thought.’ This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works as an obstruction, to baffle us and deflect our intended course. It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.” — Wendell Berry

Read more: https://onbeing.org/blog/the-vital-obstacles-in-the-creative-process/

Mick strikes an important balance in articulating a kind of heuristic approach to first drafts and a focused and intentional revision process. Writing is more than what we know, but Mick acknowledges we all have to start somewhere. Once we have found a place to start, we have to be sensitive, yielding, and courageous to follow where God is leading.

Mick writes on his blog:

“I’ve long maintained that writing well is one of the hardest things one can do. It requires so much. I’ve justified that by saying the hardest things have the most opportunity to be life-changing. And that’s true. The hardest work is the most trying, but it’s also the truest test of your deepest beliefs. And God knows, we wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t for the promise of that reward. Maybe that’s base self-interest, but I think God takes what he can get. And if it gets us to start writing with God, he delights in taking the work and making it an adventure.

Like discovering unexpected treasure along the way, writing with God is ultimately writing for yourself. You will always be the primary beneficiary. And yet, because he is God, you may find this is also the best way to write for your readers.”

“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” — Flannery O’Connor

  • For the last year this kid has trained, often five nights a week. I told him I would never make him, but if he wanted, I would find a way to get him there. His hard work paid off. He had to compete at a higher belt level and still won his three matches to take first in the bracket. Some many great lessons. @dynastyjiujitsu
  • Just working on a little Bible project.
  • We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
  • Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
  • Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
  • Silver Dollar City 2024
  • I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
  • South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
  • It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
For the last year this kid has trained, often five nights a week. I told him I would never make him, but if he wanted, I would find a way to get him there. His hard work paid off. He had to compete at a higher belt level and still won his three matches to take first in the bracket. Some many great lessons. @dynastyjiujitsu
For the last year this kid has trained, often five nights a week. I told him I would never make him, but if he wanted, I would find a way to get him there. His hard work paid off. He had to compete at a higher belt level and still won his three matches to take first in the bracket. Some many great lessons. @dynastyjiujitsu
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Just working on a little Bible project.
Just working on a little Bible project.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
We got it in before the snow comes. Fun day.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
Happy birthday to the cutest 8 year old I know.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
Collecting shells and cracking coconuts.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
Silver Dollar City 2024
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
I’ve been hunting with Millie for twelve years. Not sure how many more I’ll get, but this was another good one.
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
South Dakota pheasant hunting with my dad and brother.
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
It’s officially fall when hay starts going in the barn.
6 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

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