Putting ourselves out there

 

I well remember how I felt when I saw the cover of my first novel Heléna for the first time, way back in 2007, in the middle of cooking dinner. What a moment! I tried to take in all I saw in that email attachment—the artwork the publisher had chosen, the layout, the back cover blurb, even the spine. But what caught my eye above all else was my own name in large, capital letters across the top of the front cover. Even now, fifteen years later, I still remember the shock I felt at seeing it there and the question I almost blurted out loud.

‘What have I done?’

Of course, I had known my name would be there on that cover. But in that moment, the sheer vulnerability of having a book published finally dawned on me. So many questions tumbled through my mind, one after another. Would anyone want to read this novel I had so loved writing? Would they be able to relate to the storyline? Would they like or hate my characters?

Was it… was it too late to change my mind about the whole idea?

It definitely was, I knew that. Now, eight books later, I am so glad I didn’t. Yet with each new book I launch, I still experience that feeling of deep vulnerability and reluctance to reveal my work in public. And that is why I particularly appreciated the email I recently received from a youngish male friend who had read my latest novel Down by the Water, released in January last year. He had bothered to write a lovely review of it on Goodreads and, because I knew him, I wrote to thank him. Here is part of his response:

It occurs to me that authors like you show great vulnerability to offer your work to the general public where anyone can say whatever they like in a public forum like Goodreads. So, I honour the risk you take in publishing your work, and not just your ‘work’ but your treasured baby that you have poured yourself into for months and even years. I try to honour that risk in my reviews…. I hope you find publishing is worth that risk—because, if you didn’t publish, so many of us would miss out on enjoying your gift.

I share these gentle, thoughtful words of his here to encourage us all that there are those out there who appreciate the risk we take in being published and cheer us on. From my own experience too, I would say that walking this vulnerable path is so worth it. If God has given us stories to share, we need to work hard to refine them, then put them out there. There will be those who criticise and point out flaws in our writing, some of which may well be justified. This is, after all, how we learn. But even if that criticism is unfair, does it really matter? After all, as Christians, we follow the one who made himself so vulnerable, walked the humble road and endured so much for our sakes. So, let’s all take courage, keep writing and keep putting ourselves out there!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney and is the author of seven published novels and two non-fiction works, Soul Friend and Becoming Me. 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.

www.jo-anneberthelsen.com

www.joanneberthelsen.wordpress.com

The fine art of being a fool

 

For a blog due on April Fools’ Day, how could my mind not turn to some interesting occasions in my writing journey when I have felt so foolish and so far out of my comfort zone? Perhaps you can recall similar times too when all you wanted to do was run away and hide. Yet, as I look back, I’m glad I experienced these challenging situations, because I learnt so much in the process.

I have always thought being an author is one of the most humbling, vulnerable occupations ever. We know we cannot please everyone, yet when those honest but critical editorial comments arrive, we often feel like curling up in a ball in a corner, don’t we? And when we are finally published, then comes the challenge of book promotion. And that can leave us feeling even more foolish, depending on what ventures we tackle.

Soon after my first novel was released, I remember sitting at a writers’ centre book fair behind a table on which I had placed a hopeful number of those lovely, new copies I was so proud of. Beside me was another author with his pile of books. And beside him was another … and another … and another. We looked at one another’s books—and waited for those hordes of interested readers who never came. In the end, after buying my neighbour’s book and selling him mine, we all slunk off home, feeling more than a little foolish.

On another occasion, I sat at my book table in the hot sun for hours at a church fete where no one much turned up—and certainly no one interested in buying books. That day, I went home feeling both foolish and exhausted, vowing never to do anything like that again.

Then there have been those customers at in-store book signings who, when offered a free promotional bookmark, have looked at me as if I were some weird, alien being and bluntly rejected me. And I remember others too who, when I have shown them one of my novels, have turned their noses up and said in a disparaging tone, ‘Oh, I don’t read novels!’

I could go on.

So … what have I learnt through such experiences? I have learnt perseverance. I have learnt patience. I have learnt not to take things too personally. I have learnt to smile and hopefully not judge others so readily. But above all, I have learnt to ask God for the strength I need to tackle such situations. So earlier this year, when faced with the daunting challenge of holding a Facebook Live book launch for my latest novel, Down by the Water, I decided I would try it. After all, what was the worst that could happen? Only that I would look and sound a fool! Besides, there were some decided advantages to an online launch—and perhaps God might be able to use it in ways I could never have imagined. And that is what happened, despite the poor sound quality on the day and despite my not knowing what I was doing.

I’m so glad we have a powerful, loving God who knows our foolish ways and our weaknesses, yet still chooses to speak through those words we write, aren’t you? See 1 Corinthians 1:27-29!