C. S. Lewis: Discouraged about Writing

C. S. Lewis was fifty years old, looking back on his writing career and wondering if he had anything left to offer. He wrote to a friend on January 14, 1949:

“As for my own work, I would not wish to deceive you with vain hope. I am now in my fiftieth year. I feel my zeal for writing, and whatever talent I originally possessed, to be decreasing; nor (I believe) do I please my readers as I used to…. If it shall please God that I write more books, blessed be He. If it shall not please Him, again, blessed be He. Perhaps it will be the most wholesome thing for my soul that I lose both fame and skill lest I were to fall into that evil disease, vainglory.” (Hooper, Collected Letters 2.905-906)

Later that same year Lewis wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first of seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series, the work for which he is best known today.

Are you discouraged? Don’t give up! You never know what God still has in store for you to do!
 

2 Comments

  1. Rob Peters says:

    Ray what a great quote and reminder not to be discouraged. Thank you!

  2. Ray Fowler says:

    Hi Rob, nice to hear from you! I hope you and family are all well.

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