To My Writer-Friends

Writer friends, here’s something you need to know…

If you are looking for approval, understanding or adoring fans, you are in the wrong field. In fact, you may want to stop writing right now.

If I have learned anything in the past 6 years of my writing ministry, it’s that every time I write, it will be read by 3 distinct kinds of people: someone who loves me; someone who has heard something about me; and someone who flat out doesn’t like me at all. In fact, the more I write, the more I find group # three grows.

When the critics increase, the tendency is to want to hold back the musings of our heart. Within the beauty of honesty comes the possibility of being misunderstood, judged or criticized. Sometimes the fear of that becomes a writer’s greatest obstacle and they loose the grasp of the raw feelings that made their writing real and relatable in the first place. Sadly, the noise of the critics has gotten into their head, causing them to hold back or doubt their gift.

But then there are those who push through and continue on. They are the ones who write with a purpose beyond needing to get their feelings off their chest. They are the ones driven by their passion for a cause or belief and the desire to help people live better; they are the ones who don’t write to have someone remember their name.

Those in this group are keenly aware that the words they use should be weighed and considered before using them. If they can’t own a word or explain it after it’s become visible, it has to be ditched.

Those who press on understand that the impact of their writing comes when people relate to them as real people with real struggles and real feelings. Wearing the role of a robot doesn’t require vulnerability and could prevent some hurt, but no one I know of has ever been inspired by a cold, pretend person with no soul.

So my writer friends…keep writing. Keep sharing your heart. Don’t be afraid of the critics. Understand that having people agree with you all the time is not the goal. If you have only fans, it is likely you are not as effective as you think you are.

Stir up your reader’s hearts, minds and souls and then show them what to do with that stirring. That's when your writing becomes relevant.

Thicken your skin without hardening your heart. {Tough, but vital.}

Keep your head down and your heart humble. The rest you can’t control.

Your gift is unique and special. Share it freely and don't be afraid of the risk.