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When a writer has poured their heart and soul into something new, sometimes we expect everyone to feel the same way about it that we do. The truth is, that seldom happens. Even when you write a great song, and people react favorably to it, they seldom feel exactly what you felt while writing it. But that should always be our goal as a writer. We want the listener to feel what we felt. But we are limited by words and melodies to convey that feeling.

I am writing this article with a wounded heart today. Well, not really, but I still kind of want my family to think my feelings were a little bit hurt. I worked on something for about an hour this morning and then shared it with them. They thought I was joking. They really did. And I was as serious as I could be. That just goes to show that even though I have been writing professionally for many years, over 23 years to be exact, I am still quite capable of writing something that just flat out stinks!

My family laughed at me. They really thought I was not being serious. But after I got over the initial shock of their reaction, I took a closer look at my creation, and it really did stink! It didn't stink just a little bit, we're talking major, bad, awful stink. And I couldn't blame anyone else for it. I did it all by myself. As I looked at what they thought was so funny, I realized just how bad it really was. I couldn't hold it against my family, although I did pout for a little while to make them feel sorry for me. Then they started saying they were sorry they reacted that way and that I really was a good writer. Then they started loving on me. I wasn't about to let that end, so I acted a lot more hurt than was really true. That "loving on me thing" feels mighty good, and I didn't want it to stop too soon.

Now the creation that I wrote today was not a song at all. Actually it was an article for this very website! But I thought for sure that since I can handle my way through a lyric without much pain or disaster, I could just sit down and let something like a monthly article flow out of me just as easily. Wrong!!! These articles are very difficult to write. I can't just sit down and wing it! I got the bright idea this morning that I could do just that, and the end result was not at all what I was looking for. But I am glad to say that I got over my hurt feelings pretty quick, even if I did milk it for a little while. But I had my reasons. The good news is, even after I quit pretending to be upset about it, my family is still loving on me just the same.

You may not have a monthly article to write. Maybe all of your writing efforts are focused on songwriting. My advice to you is to brace yourself and be prepared for the worst. I would much rather have a family that told me the truth than a family that just simply told me that everything I did was wonderful. I hope your friends and family that you let hear your compositions are equally as honest. It may sting sometimes, but it will make you a better writer. Today I learned a valuable lesson. I have to give my best at all times. God requires it of me. And he gave me some folks around me that are well able to let me know when I am missing the mark. But if you think I'm going to let them read this before I post it, think again!!!

Before I close I would like to send my deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Bud Chambers. Bud wrote two of my favorite songs, One More River and I Was Born To Serve The Lord. Bud wrote many songs in his lifetime. But in those two songs, he wrote a testimony that has blessed millions of people over the years. I believed him when he said that he was born to serve the Lord. And I truly believe that he has crossed that last river that we have sung about for so many years. You see, Bud accomplished in those two songs what every one of us should strive to do. He made us feel what he felt, through the use of lyrics, chords and melody. I never had the chance to meet him in person. But I can truthfully say that this world will miss the talent of Bud Chambers on this earth. He won't write anymore songs down here. But he did leave us some that the rest of us can sing all the way to heaven.

Until next time, keep on writing!

Daryl Williams
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net

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