There I was, chatting away to some people who I thought knew me. At least, they already knew I was an author. But when I
mentioned something about one of my recent experiences of speaking at a
particular venue, they appeared quite puzzled. Eventually, one of them asked a
question I have heard several times before.
‘But ... well ... what would you speak
about at these places?’
More often than not, this is meant as nothing
more than a polite enquiry about the sort of topics I am comfortable speaking
on, in which case I am happy to fill them in. Yet sometimes I feel there is
more behind such a question. Sometimes these people seem incredulous that I as an
author—and particularly a novelist—might have anything to say that could
interest or encourage or challenge others.
Now one might well (and perhaps rightly!) put
this defensive response of mine down to pride and self-doubt and that slight ‘chip
on the shoulder’ attitude some authors seem to display at times. But such a
question disturbs me for a different reason as well—and that is that it shows
how easily we can pigeonhole people. Fiction writers, these people seem to
think, just write novels. Yet most novelists I know have thought long and hard
about the themes featured in the fiction they produce and are quite passionate
about them. In my own six published novels, I explore such themes as the love and
grace of God, forgiveness, becoming the person God created us to be, overcoming
rejection, dealing with anger and bitterness, and holding onto our faith in
God. I feel deeply about all these and love talking about them when given the
opportunity.
Beyond that, however, I believe many people
are interested in hearing about how a writer goes about creating a book and
about the challenges and rewards of the writing journey and of being a
published author. I have spoken about such things in both church and secular
settings many times and have learnt to be prepared for all sorts of questions. So
we as authors have the opportunity of sharing about both the process and
content of our writing and of thus being used by God in a unique way.
Now I know some of you might still cringe
at the thought of public speaking. Perhaps you have had bad experiences in the
past with this. Or perhaps you have more of a naturally quiet, retiring
personality. We are all different. I know too that I am blessed to
have had so much experience standing up in front of others and speaking in various
capacities. In the past, I have worked as a high school teacher and also as a
local church minister. But there is no doubt we all have something to say and a
story to share. We would not be writers if we did not.
So I will continue, I suspect, to be disturbed—perhaps
even a tad annoyed—when writers are pigeonholed and regarded as having little to
talk about. But how about you? Have you encountered such questions in your own
writing journey? Do you feel writers have anything to say?
Jo-Anne
Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has
worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local
church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through
both the written and spoken word. She is the author of six published novels and
one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey.
Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and
four grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.
