They’re not your books!

 

Before I began writing, I remember standing in a large, Christian bookstore thinking, ‘Why would anyone ever want to add to the enormous numbers of books already here on these shelves? Surely we know enough about living the Christian life, without any more “how to” books from anyone? Perhaps there’s room for more Aussie novels, but how could I compete with all the American ones already here?’

Have you ever felt like that in your own writing journey? You may not have stood in an actual physical bookstore, feeling overwhelmed and intimidated, but perhaps as you have noticed online what others are writing, you too may have begun to doubt your own writing efforts. It can be so easy to compare ourselves with other writers and end up completely discouraged, can’t it?

I can also easily become discouraged after reading how others manage to promote their books in ways I have never explored. My current publisher, Authentic Media UK, tries hard to encourage all their authors to be more proactive promotion-wise, especially on social media, by providing excellent monthly coaching for us online via Teams. Even while taking part in this, however, I can manage to compare myself to others and wonder if I am doing enough.

In times of discouragement, one key thing that has helped me is remembering how God called me to start writing. I was overseas visiting a friend and, one morning while reading Isaiah 42, I sensed God saying, ‘Come on, Jo-Anne. How many times do I have to show you? Go home and start writing!’ I had wanted to write for years – but now I sensed God was giving me permission to do something I had felt might be self-indulgent and actually start. I am forever grateful for this strong challenge as it has helped keep me determined to do my best for God in my writing and speaking. So … do you have that same sense that God has called you to write? If so, may God continue to give you the strength to be obedient and persevere.

I remember too how, way back when I doubted the wisdom of adding to the plethora of books already out there, someone said gently, ‘But they’re not your books!’ That resonated with me, especially in the light of believing God had called me to write. God had created me as I am, with my own unique gifts and abilities, and taken me on my own unique journey through life. Surely then it was possible that God had things for me to say that no one else could say in quite the same way? And of course this is true for you too. Yes, we need to research the market and know what other similar books are out there already, but God is quite able to guide us in all that and show us the unique contribution we can make through our own writing.

I am so grateful as I look back on my writing and speaking journey of around twenty years and remember God’s encouragement and provision through it all – and God’s continued strengthening as I keep writing in 2026. Whatever unique writing journey God has called you to take, may you too know that same encouragement and provision, now and for many years to come.

Jo-Anne Berthelsen is a Sydney-based author of seven novels and four non-fiction works. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked in teaching, editing and local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word and is a keen blogger. Jo-Anne’s latest book, God Moments, is available via her website, Koorong Books and Amazon