The apostle Paul raced across Asia Minor seeking Titus, even bypassing towns where the opportunity for the gospel was great. He was unable to sleep; he was anxious; his spirit was not at rest within him.
Paul’s source of anxiety? He wanted to hear how the Corinthians had received his letter. Titus was coming to tell him.
Authors write for specific audiences. The needs and wants of our readers direct our words and the stories we choose to tell. Do they need to be uplifted? Do they need humor? Do they need reminders of God’s mercy?
Words on a page often seem effortless to the reader, as if they don’t mark the investment of prayer, time, and thoughtful consideration. Yet our writing is how we speak to our readers.
When they don’t respond, we feel as if we’re speaking into the wind. Paul hurried toward Titus because he couldn’t bear waiting for the Corinthians’ response. He needed to know!
Nowadays text messages, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have spoiled us for patience and waiting to hear how our words have been received. We tweet or text. Someone likes it, retweets, or responds. Dialogue occurs.
Immediate feedback lets the writer know they’ve hit the spot.
The same with conversation. We speak. Someone responds.
This is not always the case with blog posts, and it certainly isn’t with novels. Our readers may not ever share, comment, or review. They may simply walk away impacted and contemplative, maybe mentioning their musings to someone else, or maybe not.
Maybe they’ll just engage with God. Maybe they’ll have questions or arguments they wonder about, but never ask. Weeks, months, or years later, they may engage with us about it, but then again, they may not.
This is one of the things I find most difficult as a writer.
God made me to write. I write to uplift and to encourage my readers. I write to remind them that no matter what they’ve done, God’s arms are open wide and he runs to them.
When I speak I have the privilege of saying these words and seeing on the listeners’ faces the impact of God’s love. I hear it in how they respond.
I long for the same feedback from my readers. There’s nothing more encouraging to a writer. How did the story affect the reader? Did the blog encourage you? Or do you disagree completely?
Writing requires great faith. We write what God has given us. We shoot it off into the void, and then we trust that he is using it, even if we never hear a response. If we don’t continue in faith, we will give up.
It seems like every time I feel like giving up, the Lord prompts many of my faithful readers to comment or dialogue about what I’ve written. Then my heart is uplifted, and I know my words are promoting the love of Jesus and impacting their lives.
Thank you, dear readers, for your responses. These let me know that I’m following the Lord’s leading in what I have written, because it has met your felt need.
I write for you. It’s a conversation.
Today encourage a writer if you want to shore up our faith and uplift our hearts. Hit Like or Share. Comment. Respond. Tell us.
Your feedback keeps writers going.
🙂
Right back atcha, Terri! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this so honestly. Thank you for responding to my blog post so graciously. Feedback is so important.
It has been a tough season for me. Sometimes this book promotion thing feels like death from a thousand cuts. But I think of what you say about faith being the answer, that shield.
It has been so hard and so painful I have questioned my whole call, but God sent people who have affirmed me. One said to work through The Artists Way, so I might…Blessings on you. I hope you sell lots of books this holiday season. I am looking forward to reading Refuge, which is sitting on my table.
Oh, Katie! I know. It is death by a thousand cuts. We never knew it would be so difficult, did we!
I am reading your novel right now (1/4 of the way in), and I am telling you – DON’T GIVE UP! You are a poet. Your voice is mesmerizing. Your fiction has a literary depth to it that touches my soul. You are an excellent writer! Press on, dear author friend. I hope you sell many books while this Koehler sale is on. Keep marketing (cut, cut, cut). Blessings to you!
Melinda, thank you for being you. Real. Honest. Authentic. Articulate. Bold.
Thank you, Stacey! Those descriptors are what I aim for in my writing. I appreciate the feedback. It’s good to know I’m hitting the target. Bless you! 🙂
You know, it is fun to read the responses, but I read this from the FB site and was unable to respond. Then I went to my e-mail and read it again. Still could not respond until I came to this site. Perhaps many more read it than you will ever know because they read it in one of those ways but do not have the time to respond! God is indeed responsible for the results! It He Who called you to be His writer for this generation!
Given the nature of social media, there is no possible way to know why or how that glitch occurred. Thanks for persevering, Mom. 🙂 I’m glad you’re my Number One fan. 🙂
This is a test. Can I comment on this blogpost if I come over from Facebook. Let me see! Looks like I can!
I attempted this response from the Mail Chimp email broadcast of this blog. It looks as if I am able to comment. So, Mom, I’m really confused about your glitch. Love you!
No more than I am!! I guess I was trying to get the comment to appear HERE and no where else!! Silly momma!
The only way to get them to appear here and nowhere else is to come directly to my website, which you did. Thanks for always responding!