The Value of Unpublished Words

 

• A traditionally published book = Value
• A quality self-published book = Value
• A homemade photocopied booklet = ?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the value we place on various types of writing. As writers, we want to find an audience for our work. In my role as an editor, however, I’ve often had to tell authors that their manuscript needs more work if they want it to be published. Sometimes a LOT of work. Many take feedback on board and polish up their drafts, but I know there are others who’ve felt discouraged and maybe even doubted whether they’re meant to be writers. This is never my intention, as I always try to be encouraging, but I have no control over how people will respond to my comments.

I think one of the problems is that we tend to equate value with publication, but they’re really two separate things. If we want to be traditionally published or produce a quality self-published book, there might be certain things we need to do (e.g., adhere to spelling and grammar conventions, use creative writing techniques, have the work thoroughly edited, ensure that the cover and overall book design are pleasing). However, our work can still be of value even if none of those things happen. Here are some examples.

[Note - This blog was initially published in 2022, but some new material has been added in 2025]

Journaling

You might record your thoughts in a journal on a regular basis or for special occasions (e.g., during a trip). Or you may keep a diary on a particular theme (e.g., a gratitude journal or a prayer journal). You might later use some of this information as the basis for a book. However, even if you don’t do anything specific with it, the practice itself is still valuable. It helps you to recall events such as answered prayers. It hones your powers of observation and reflection. Even the process of writing can be beneficial in helping you to work through issues, including mental health concerns. Click here for some more information on the benefits of journaling for mental health. Whether anyone else ever reads what you’ve written, journaling is valuable.

Blogging

Blogging is similar to journalling, in some ways, only you're making it available on the internet. Technically, that means it's published in cyberspace so people can access it, but I've included it here because blogs in themselves can be undervalued compared to books.

Of course there are different reasons for blogging. Some use it mainly to express their thoughts and opinions, some use it in a professional way to provide people with information or to direct potential customers to their business, and others use it to help or bless others. While some blogs do generate income, that's not always the case. I know many Christians who use their blogs for ministry purposes. In some cases, those authors have also written books, but that's not always the case. I can think of a number of people I know personally who have written hundreds of devotional blogs that have ministered to countless people over the years. We can never underestimate that type of ministry. 

Letters

Back in the Dark Ages when I was at school, I had a lot of overseas pen pals. I also collected stamps, so I loved opening the letter box and finding letters from India, Sweden, Germany, England, Austria and more. With the advent of email, text messaging and social media, we've largely lost the art of letter writing. Even sending Christmas cards is becoming less common. After all, if you've been in touch with someone on Facebook all year, what's the point of sending them a card and Christmas letter? 

While the speed and ease of modern communication certainly has its advantages, there's still something special about receiving an actual letter from someone. They're ideal for those who aren't on social media, such as older folk in aged care homes who might not have a mobile phone or computer. They're more permanent than emails. You can keep them and read them over and over. 

Remember that most of the New Testament, including Luke and Acts, are letters to various individuals or churches. We're still reading them 2000 years later.

Postage can be an issue. I'm old enough to remember when you could post a letter within Australia for 7c and overseas for less than $1.00. Now it's $1.70 for a small local letter and more than $4.00 for small overseas letters. Phew! I guess I won't be sending out 100 Christmas cards anymore (though Christmas rates are cheaper). However, think about who might be blessed by receiving an actual letter and who might like a longer email occasionally. Or depending on distance, you can hand-deliver a letter or card. You can't underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Your words are of value.

Gifts for Family and Friends

I've edited a number of memoirs over the years, and many of those people have since had their books published, either traditionally or indie-published. Some of those books have wider appeal than just family and friends because the authors are sharing lessons they've learned along the way that could help others. However, you don't necessarily have to think that broadly. Maybe you have some stories, poetry or devotions you'd like to share with family and friends. Or perhaps you want to compile a family history that would mainly be of interest to your immediate family. There's nothing wrong with doing things simply rather than going the whole hog with publishing.

I remember one lady from church who invited my husband and me over to her house for morning tea. She told us a bit about her background and then proudly showed us several volumes of family history that she'd put together. She'd typed all of them up in Word, inserted relevant documents and photos, then had them photocopied and spiral bound at Office Works. Could she have done more with them? Maybe, but she was putting them together for her family and the spiral-bound copies were fine for that purpose.

You might have some stories, poems, devotions, reflections or other material you'd like to share with others. It could be your family, a particular group of friends, or just one person. You don't have to wait until some magical day in the future when it's published. You can bless people now.

Zines

A zine is a small homemade booklet that is usually photocopied and distributed free of charge. There’s no ‘right’ way to make a zine. Some zines are produced using computer software, but they can also be handwritten, cut and pasted from other material or a combination of both. Some zines are like newsletters (e.g., they might advertise what’s happening in the local community), while others contain poetry, art, comics, short stories, true stories, opinions, reviews, calls to action, how-to information. There’s really no limit.

 My local book shop (Jeremy’s Book Exchange) has just started a zine library and I felt inspired to have a go at making a little mini zine for fun. Click here to see Austin Kleon’s two-minute video on how to make a little zine from a single sheet of paper.

I used some blackout poetry for this zine, which involves finding some text from newspapers, books or magazines, choosing some words that would make a new poem and then blacking out the rest. Here’s a photo of the finished product.

You can put anything in a zine. You could use it to try out some ideas, to bless other people, to get across some information. Whether it’s just for you, for the members of your family, or for a wider audience, it’s of value.

Writing Prompts and Exercises

We’ve all probably come across blogs, books or classes that have included writing prompts or exercises. But is there any point to these if we’re just writing bits and pieces that aren’t for publication? Absolutely! They help us to hone our craft and get the creative juices going. The process of creating in itself can be good for us. I’ve sometimes written a funny piece just for fun and it’s really lifted my spirits. I’ve also ended up with some publications from snippets that started out as writing exercises, though that shouldn’t be the main aim. Art for art’s sake is still of value.

 

Intrinsic Value

I’ve only just scratched the surface here and could have easily written longer blogs on each of those topics, but hopefully that’s whetted your appetite for more. Don’t equate your worth or the value of your writing with society’s idea of what’s valid. You are made in the image of God and are of unimaginable value to him. He has also imbued you with interests, desires and gifts to help you and others. Whether published or not, your work has immense value.

 

Have you got some other examples of unpublished work that’s helped you? I’d love to hear your stories.

Author Bio

Nola Lorraine has a passion for faith and social justice issues, and loves weaving words that inspire others with courage and hope. Her books include the inspirational historical novel Scattered, the Christian devotional book Comfort Zone, and the Christian charity anthology Glimpses of Light which she co-edited with Jeanette O’Hagan. She has more than 150 short publications, including fiction, poetry, devotions, true stories, magazine articles and academic papers. She loves sharing the words and stories God impresses on her heart, and prays that He will use them to bless others. She would love to connect with you through her website: www.nolalorraine.com.au

Picture Sources

Featured photo by hobin on Pixabay.

Journal writing photo by kaboompics on Pixabay.

Letters by blende12 on Pixabay.

Family tree from Clker Fre Vector Images on Pixabay.

Zine photo by author.

Author photo by Wayne Logan at Encouraging Photos.