SIGN UP TO RECEIVE SUSAN'S LATEST POSTS IN YOUR INBOX
At the past few days of this recent retreat, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to spend a fair amount of time writing. It has truly been a blessing. And I’ve enjoyed the words that flowed from my pen and onto the 
keyboard.
Mostly. Or maybe less.
When I teach homeschoolers writing, I teach a couple of different lessons on turning off your inner critic. There’s a really good reason for that. My own inner critic, more than any other factor, is what keeps me from writing, slows my writing, or even causes me to sit on completed projects instead of marketing them.
And I see the same phantom in the efforts of my students. I can’t tell you how many times one of them has had an amazing idea that I truly believed would become a sellable story or novel—only to watch them stop writing it just short of the finish line.
The inner critic, the demon of doubt, is truly evil. It’s another variant of our old nature. Who are you to think that you can serve a holy God? It says. You are frail, weak and mere flesh and blood. What offering can you possibly give the creator of the universe that He would value?
If I had designed me, I don’t know that I would have made me a writer. The cycle of hope and rejection is a painful one. But the fact is, the Father who knows me better than I know myself chose this path for me. I have tried in the past to avoid it. I have tried to be a ‘normal’ person. But it doesn’t work. Living without words makes me miserable. I put words to everything without trying: from the sunrise I saw today to the music Karl composes. I can’t help it.
So I am writing this post as an intermission to get me back on track. I am writing a story I love. I need to know how it turns out even if it never sells. Hortense has become a good friend as she has coped with myriad of characters in the fairy tale world.
So, to my worst critic, that horrible inner voice, I say, all words of truth come from the Word. I may be nothing, but I am giving back to Him the words that He gives to me. I am giving Him myself when I put the words on the page.
And isn’t that what it says in Romans 12:1 that we need to do? Therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
So after I post this, I will go back to writing my story—laying it all on His altar as I do so.
Musing About the Original Language
2/20/2019 8:17:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Favorite Poet
2/13/2019 8:11:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Favorite Chapter of Proverbs
1/30/2019 7:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Wrestling with God
1/23/2019 7:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
You Can't Always Win
1/16/2019 5:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream... Perhaps to Write
1/9/2019 11:16:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Balance in the Notes
1/2/2019 7:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Choosing to Begin
12/27/2018 5:23:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Christmas Letter 2018
12/19/2018 8:56:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Hidden
12/12/2018 8:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Celebrate Advent!
12/6/2018 8:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
In Gratitude to a Kind Stranger
11/28/2018 3:16:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Thankful Moments
11/21/2018 1:14:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Brave Life
11/14/2018 11:41:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Need to Do
11/7/2018 10:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Week that Makes Me Remember Mom
10/31/2018 5:06:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Trying to Understand a Just God
10/24/2018 1:10:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Limited Perspectives
10/17/2018 3:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Hope
10/10/2018 3:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Grieving through the Eyes of Eternity
10/3/2018 3:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
(Re) Learning to Scream
9/25/2018 7:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Hurricanes and Other Storms
9/15/2018 10:26:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Trusting God Doesn't Come Easy
9/7/2018 3:02:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Walk of Life
9/1/2018 5:53:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Escaping Life Under the Sun
8/24/2018 10:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why I Know There is a Hell
8/18/2018 7:35:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Can Do
8/10/2018 4:10:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Non-writing Writing
8/3/2018 10:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Thoughts on Forgiveness
7/28/2018 1:28:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Of Mice and Fragile Clay
7/21/2018 3:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Farewell to the Teenage Years
7/6/2018 7:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Living Free
6/30/2018 9:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Reminiscing
6/22/2018 1:32:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Writer's Tribute to Honest Guys
6/15/2018 2:36:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
In Balance
6/10/2018 9:35:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from Tabitha
6/2/2018 6:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Still Learning to Breathe
5/26/2018 9:01:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Breathe
5/19/2018 5:30:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Sisters, Mothers and Dear Women
5/13/2018 6:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Tied to the Electrons
5/6/2018 8:08:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Powerless
4/29/2018 8:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Sestina Education
4/23/2018 7:48:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Remodeling
4/15/2018 8:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Promote
4/9/2018 7:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Nobody's Fool--An Easter Sestina
3/31/2018 9:44:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Week Leading to Easter
3/25/2018 9:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Off-balance
3/18/2018 9:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from the Hyacinth
3/11/2018 9:06:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Plant Lessons--The Aloe
3/4/2018 7:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Lessons the Birds Teach Me
2/25/2018 10:59:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Love... By Any Other Name
2/17/2018 11:11:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Ongoing Task of Learning
2/4/2018 1:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Musings About Pain
1/29/2018 1:18:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Time to Breathe
1/21/2018 7:32:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Poem a Day
1/13/2018 7:52:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Beginnings
1/6/2018 10:36:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why the Gospel of Luke Speaks to Me Best
12/29/2017 10:31:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Christmas Letter
12/21/2017 5:51:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Revisiting Anna
12/9/2017 10:04:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Twas the Night
12/1/2017 2:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Quitting
11/25/2017 6:10:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Wonder of a Shoebox
11/18/2017 9:36:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Place to Hide
11/11/2017 3:13:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Thoughts on the Reformation
11/4/2017 9:04:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons in Praise
10/28/2017 5:23:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why I Love Fairy Tales (and It Probably Isn’t What You Think)
10/21/2017 8:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
For Better, For Worse
10/14/2017 5:32:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Practicing Functional Fitness
10/7/2017 5:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Tired
9/30/2017 3:50:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Priorities
9/23/2017 10:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Other People's Kids
9/16/2017 8:02:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Crunch Time
9/9/2017 3:47:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
At War With ... Myself
9/2/2017 5:47:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Prepping for the School Year
8/26/2017 9:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight, Part Three
8/19/2017 6:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight, Part Two
8/11/2017 8:28:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Overweight
8/5/2017 1:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Creating Worlds
7/28/2017 8:58:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Prepping to Attend a Christian Writers Conference
7/20/2017 10:15:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Karl Lessons
7/7/2017 3:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
How I Learned the Feeling of Freedom
7/3/2017 7:37:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from Marriage
6/24/2017 5:51:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Learned from my Dad
6/17/2017 9:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from Being Sick and Tired
6/11/2017 9:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My Worst Critic
5/26/2017 3:42:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
May Birthday Tribute
5/20/2017 9:03:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Mom
5/13/2017 3:44:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Mom
5/13/2017 3:44:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning Honesty
5/6/2017 6:46:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Tribute to my Husband
4/22/2017 5:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Celebrating the Resurrection
4/15/2017 3:13:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Your Custom Tract
4/8/2017 1:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
March Birthday Tribute
3/29/2017 8:24:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
A Tribute to Grandparents
3/11/2017 8:08:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
God as Our Rock
3/4/2017 7:45:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
February Birthday Tribute
2/18/2017 8:01:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Writing, Living and Existing
2/11/2017 9:43:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning from the Groundhog and the Auto Show
2/4/2017 8:55:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
January Birthday Tribute
1/28/2017 8:33:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Of Christmases and January Past
1/21/2017 1:28:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Welcome 2017!
12/31/2016 3:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Christmas Letter
12/23/2016 9:31:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
NaNo and Pebble Lessons
12/16/2016 10:40:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
December Birthday Tributes
12/5/2016 10:59:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
NaNoWriMo Lessons and Hopes
11/18/2016 3:34:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
My November Birthday Tributes
11/11/2016 9:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons of the Week
11/4/2016 5:41:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Speak Feline
10/28/2016 1:59:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
On Changed Hearts, Changed Minds and Politics
10/21/2016 7:00:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
October Birthday Tribute
10/12/2016 5:22:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Words and the Word (Part 2)
10/2/2016 8:20:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Words and the Word (Part 1)
9/26/2016 9:11:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Questions of Pain
9/18/2016 9:34:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
September Birthdays
9/11/2016 4:03:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Standard Rescue, part 2
9/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Standard Rescue, part 1
8/27/2016 4:59:44 PM by: Susan Lyttek
How to Go Into Debt
8/19/2016 4:44:52 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Difference Hope Makes
7/30/2016 9:23:22 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Why Teach Poetry?
7/24/2016 7:26:09 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from My Color Bible, Part 3
7/15/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog-itis
7/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Reminiscing with the Patriot
7/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons in Fear
6/30/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from My Color Bible, Part 2
6/10/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Leftover Queen, Part II
5/27/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Leftover Queen
5/20/2016 9:39:00 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from my Color Bible
5/12/2016 4:40:02 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Living As Called
4/22/2016 10:37:35 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Making Writing Fun Again
4/15/2016 12:52:15 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Springing
4/6/2016 6:26:30 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Good Friday Thoughts
3/26/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Confessions of a Delinquent Blogger
3/23/2016 8:42:49 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Accepting the Gift of Free Time
2/29/2016 7:45:10 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Rest vs. the Type-A Female
2/22/2016 3:43:20 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons on Sickness and Rest
2/14/2016 9:09:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Sick Lessons
2/6/2016 11:17:24 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blocked
1/27/2016 11:11:44 AM by: Susan Lyttek
When Inspiration Fails to Strike
1/16/2016 9:32:15 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Stumbling Into the New Year
1/13/2016 11:02:06 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Annual Christmas Letter
12/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent: Help with Work
10/31/2015 10:50:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Home
10/24/2015 4:55:48 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Benefits of Unscheduled Free Time
10/16/2015 8:03:39 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Empathetic
10/9/2015 7:46:24 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Empathetic
10/9/2015 7:39:56 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent: More Willing to Persevere
10/2/2015 8:50:54 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Closer to God
9/25/2015 8:33:01 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: More Intuitive
9/18/2015 7:07:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent--Weaker
9/11/2015 7:42:33 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Parent--Seeing God's Hand
9/4/2015 9:59:53 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Savvy-er
8/28/2015 6:49:31 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Braver
8/21/2015 7:34:00 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Wiser
8/14/2015 7:33:44 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Benefits to the Homeschool Parent: Smarter
8/7/2015 7:31:13 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Benefits of Being a Homeschool Parent (Intro)
7/31/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Lessons from my Great Aunt Ansie
7/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Virginia Writers Conference
7/14/2015 11:43:28 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relearning Fitness (Part 2)
7/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Some Truth About Independence Day
7/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relearning Fitness (Part 1)
6/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Under the Sun
6/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Lesson I Keep Needing to Re-Learn
6/13/2015 9:17:18 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Times of Transition
6/6/2015 8:43:26 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog Ideas
5/30/2015 7:06:10 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Mercs Next Door, Part 2
5/23/2015 7:36:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Mercs Next Door, Part 1
5/15/2015 9:00:41 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Getting to Mom
5/9/2015 9:32:42 PM by: Susan Lyttek
To Blog or Not to Blog
5/2/2015 9:57:39 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Driving Lessons
4/25/2015 2:01:36 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Gaming Education
4/18/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Fast Lessons
4/11/2015 7:37:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Resurrection Thoughts
4/4/2015 6:47:45 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Power of the Coupon
3/28/2015 6:18:32 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Spring Planting
3/21/2015 7:36:53 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Showing My Age
3/14/2015 7:51:06 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Women
3/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Beware the Ides of... February
2/28/2015 1:10:50 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Honoring a President in Fiction
2/21/2015 7:35:35 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Gratitude Lessons
2/14/2015 7:12:56 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Pros and Cons of Research
2/6/2015 8:13:38 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Off the Hamster Wheel... Part 3
1/30/2015 9:01:50 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Off the Hamster Wheel... Part 2
1/24/2015 7:55:59 PM by: Susan Lyttek
The Homeschool Hamster Wheel
1/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Etiquette Education
1/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Ready Stance
1/2/2015 7:01:43 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Our Christmas Letter
12/26/2014 8:36:08 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Sharing Christmas, Part Two
12/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Sharing Christmas
12/12/2014 5:32:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Swedish Christmas Education
12/5/2014 10:08:38 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Worry/Grumble Antidote
11/28/2014 11:07:16 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Milestone Days
11/21/2014 9:58:07 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Volunteer Education--via Operation Christmas Child
11/14/2014 8:32:03 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Veteran Education
11/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Reformation Education
10/31/2014 8:51:31 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Reluctant Vegetarian
10/24/2014 2:55:59 PM by: Susan Lyttek
What I Didn't, Couldn't Teach
10/17/2014 4:30:17 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Learning to Stand
10/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Christian Work Ethic
10/3/2014 6:36:19 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Animal Education
9/26/2014 10:54:19 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Changing the Love of Learning
9/19/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Blog Block
9/12/2014 9:50:31 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Educating Mom
9/5/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Debate
8/29/2014 7:22:59 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Interview with Jane, a non-homeschooling friend
8/22/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Homeschool Rebel
8/15/2014 8:11:24 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Other Countries, Other Peoples
8/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
George Washington Lessons
8/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Interview with Heather Day Gilbert
7/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
A Creation Education
7/18/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Blessing of the Church
7/11/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Free to Homeschool
7/4/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Best Thing
6/27/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
School Lite
6/20/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooling Poetry
6/13/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschool Preschool
6/6/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
AWANAcation (or Awana Education)
5/30/2014 4:40:30 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Drowning in the Ideal Schedule
5/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Penpal Encouragement: An Interview with Sandi
5/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Unexpected Education
5/9/2014 8:31:18 AM by: Susan Lyttek
When Is a Homeschool Mom NOT a Homeschool Mom?
5/2/2014 8:08:10 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Relax, It's Just Writing
4/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Purpose Driven Homeschool
4/18/2014 9:38:10 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The Heart of the Music
4/11/2014 3:11:23 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Music Lessons
4/4/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching My Testimony (Part 2)
3/28/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching My Testimony (Part 1)
3/21/2014 8:16:29 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Glimmers of Homeschooling
3/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Failed Days
3/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Other Side of the Homeschool Table...Leanne Hanson
2/28/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Fairy Tale Theology
2/21/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Things I Love about Life and Homeschooling
2/14/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Limitless Creativity by Bonnie Rose Hudson
2/7/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Weaving Christ into Math
1/31/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Paula Mowery Interview
1/24/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Historic Field Trips
1/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Snow Days... Homeschool Style
1/10/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooled Mom Resolutions
1/3/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
Off Schedule
12/27/2013 11:17:52 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Teaching Christmas
12/20/2013 10:24:16 AM by: Susan Lyttek
The (Writerly) Benefits of Learning Together
12/13/2013 2:11:46 PM by: Susan Lyttek
Homeschooling reinforced that I am not perfect
12/6/2013 11:33:13 AM by: Susan Lyttek
And they said homeschooling would be easy...
11/29/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Susan Lyttek
