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This is the second post in a series based on keynote addresses by author Grace Fox at InScribe’s Fall Conference, 2022 called “A Time to Evaluate Success.” (The conference theme was “Write in Season”.)
If we use the standard definition of success, we will be disappointed. Statistics show that it is very difficult to “make it” big in the writing industry. However, success is “doing what God has called us to do with an attitude that makes Him smile”.
Attitude matters! 2 Chronicles 16:9a says, “For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Attitudes for Success:
Like Isaiah, we need to say, “Here I am Lord. Send me!” God doesn’t give us a detailed map. Instead, he says, “Start here and hold My hand.” When we make ourselves available it must be with no strings attached. It might be uncomfortable. It might not even be your passion. We might be inconvenienced. Being truly available means we accept whatever the assignment is, no matter what.
2. Vulnerability
People can’t connect to people who are perfect. There is pressure, especially on Social Media, to portray perfection when that is actually a myth, no matter who you are! Be honest with people. (This is not the same as sharing all your dirty laundry. Some things are better left private!) But being vulnerable and honest makes others feel safe. They know you are relatable and trustworthy because you have “been there”.
3. Teachability
Work with those who are there to help you! Editors, publishers, critique partners… God has put them in your path. If you are working with traditional publishers, play by their rules! Follow their guidelines. Learn from industry standards if you are self-published. There is nothing worse than a writer telling a publisher, “God told me to write it this way.” We must always seek to improve our skills because o one knows it all.
4. Humility
C.S. Lewis said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Humility requires being a servant. Serve your readers (your editors, publisher, bookstore owners etc.) Acknowledge that your success takes a team.
1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 29″ “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” (NASB)
5. “Un-offendability”
Choose NOT to be offended. You WILL face critique, criticism, disapproval, and even rejection. Learn from these things if there is something to be learned. (Refer back to “teachability”.) Otherwise, shake them off and move forward. Not everyone is going to love you or agree with what you are doing and that’s okay. Ultimately, you are accountable to God.
6. “Stick-ability”
Persevere! Don’t give up! Don’t listen to the negative voices—especially in your own head. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
Push through the negative voices. What God has created us to do he will enable us to do.
Learn to set priorities. Writing is also about those mundane tasks that we might not enjoy. (Like marketing.)
With these attitudes in place, our success will make God smile!
