Tag Archive | popular

Author Confessions: Be Who God Created You to Be

Sep29
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Author Confessions: Who God Created You to Be

In light of events in the past few weeks there has been a lot of focus on one man. His videos are being watched by millions and many want to use his name as a calling card and a rallying cry. This is not a post about that man, or any man.

It is amazing what some people accomplish in this world. People can be so amazing. We can point to great parenting, deep faith, dizzying intellect or any other number of things to explain why someone would be so polarizing and inspiring all at the same time.

Here’s the truth. God called you to be you.

Your journey on this earth will be uniquely yours.

It’s nice to look up to people and admire them but the reality is our only focus should be on Jesus, God the  Father, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit within those of us who claim to be His redeemed children.

Any little thing we do can have a ripple effect through eternity and we may never know what that impact will be. If you’ve never read The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews, check it out at the library. It’s a short read but inspiring. He also has a children’s book called The Kid Who Changed the World which has similar content.

While some people seem to be having an impact due to number of followers on social media or a blog, how many watch an interview on television or a podcast… the reality is, we can never fully know that impact and to do any of that to seek numbers, followers, or money, is a vain and foolish goal.

When we sold our house I asked our realtor if it was unusual to have so many showings so quickly. She said, “Yes, at your price point this is unusual, but you only need one right buyer.”

Just one. We did and he loves the house.

If I spent years working on a manuscript between writing, revising, editing, pitching, revising again, editing, submitting to a publisher, contracting, editing, editing, editing, marketing and trying to get that book out, how many people will make those hundreds or maybe thousands of hours of work worth it? f I’m trying to be compensated fairly for my time the number would be quite high.

If I’m writing the stories God tells me to write, then the true answer is: the right reader who needs that story. Five hundred people could read it but it might be one person who needed that story to take that next step of faith. That has eternal value.

An author sat down to pitch a story to me at a writer’s conference and she started out by saying, “I know you don’t like Amish fiction, but…” I stopped her. “You knew I didn’t want that yet you’re here to pitch it? Why did you write Amish fiction?” She said she wrote it because it sells well. That was true at the time and even my agent wanted me to write Amish romances, but I refused for a variety or reasons that maybe I’ll write about another time. I told her that as a Christian author she should write the stories God tells her to write, not just what will sell.

Why does obedience and faith need to be tied to a price tag or a quantity of people validating it?

This post is not about any big name who died doing what God called them to do. It’s not about any well known person who is getting attention in this world. Yes, their lives matter.

Don’t compare yourselves to them or try to be anything other than who God created you to be. It’s a reminder to me as well. My journey is my journey and it has at times been unconventional, but I’ve always sought God’s leading through the Holy Spirit along the way. Have I obeyed flawlessly? No. None of us can. But I’m still here and I’m still trying to be who He needs me to be, which is ME and no one else, using the unique gifts, calling, and opportuinities as they present themselves, for HIS glory and not my own.

Don’t focus on a big name or someone who seems popular. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and be exactly who God created you to be. Let God take care of the rest.

Author Confessions: My Children are Unimpressed

Feb19
Reading Time: 3 minutes

My Children are Unimpressed

It’s funny that my kids are not impressed the fact that their mother has published a long list of novels. I’m not a famous doctor or multi-millionaire who owns corporations or a private jet. Maybe those would garner attention?

I doubt it. I’m Mom. I’m the one who was always there, making meals, picking them up from school, cheering them on in their sports endeavors.

Some people are impressed but it’s usually followed with “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

“Great!” I reply. “You should do it.”

I’ve met with people who want to know how. If I were to inundate them with all the things they need to now to be published they’d never write a word. I tell them to write the story on their heart. Whatever it is. Then they can decide what they want to do with it.

I thought I knew how to write when I wrote my first book. Boy was I wrong! I learned so much through the process of those first few books. It’s humbling. I’m still learning. Sometimes I try something new but it flops with my editor and I have to go back and rewrite. There are skills I’ve haven’t mastered yet as well as I’d like to. I am also an editor, so I try to help my authors get to those next steps as well. Hopefully, every book I write is better than the last one.

Recently some people at church have realized that I’m an author and they are starting to read my books. I’m still Susan to them. They enjoy the stories and that is so sweet to hear their comments. I’m not a celebrity though. The work I’ve done conveys no special honor in my church family. There are a few who are honored to be my close friends and have encouraged me on my writing journey through the years.

When my first book hit the best-seller list at number one shortly after publication it was surreal. It lasted a week and only because the publisher dropped the price. Basically it only sold more than the other books out there that week. I realized then that it was an illusion.

Will my children ever realize the hard work I’ve done? Will they ever even read one of my books and be amazed that their Mom wrote them? I often read something I’ve written and been amazed. Not that I’m so great, but that God allowed me to write it. I am fully aware that the gift of telling the stories I do, are from Him. He is the One who I pray will guide my imagination as I seek to write stories that will not only entertain but also encourage or challenge people, that there will be a heart impact. That their faith would be stronger because of the story. I’m often blessed by the words as well which makes me more aware of the spiritual nature of my work.

So maybe I will not be a famous author or my name lauded on the New York Bestsellers list. That’s OK because I write out of obedience to God. Maybe someday my kids will appreciate that even more than the books they’ll be left with after I’m gone someday. Will my children stay unimpressed or become impressed?