Be My Guest!

Today it gives me great pleasure to present my special guest Donna Fleisher. Donna is a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, an author of three novels published by Zondervan under the label of "The Homeland Hero series": Wounded Healer (2005), Warrior's Heart (2005), and Valiant Hope (2006). These novels fall into contemporary relational drama and focus on the friendship of two women who meet in the army during Operation Desert Shield.

Donna has also run her own editing business called "I'll read it!" which features a series of CDs, (Bringing Fiction to Life), to guide a writer through the process of creating a novel. You might recall I quoted her comments on the rules of writing in a previous post.
(http://www.donnafleisher.com/editorialservices.html)

Please enjoy the reality of this poignant post to all writers. Heeerrrreee's Donna!

It’s all about the journey. Spread out along the journey are a variety of adventures—some good, some not so good. Different tasks, different callings, different routes our lives take. But nothing is wasted. Nothing is lost or insignificant or coincidental.

I believe this. With all my heart. And yet …

If it’s all about the journey—what journey? The journey that leads us … where?

I’ve once heard it said that if we don’t create our own definition of success for ourselves, someone else will. And then we’ll be locked into their definition, expected to conform to their desires for our lives. Of course, it’s true. But what happens when our own definition of success falls short of what is normally considered to be success in our world? (Let’s be more specific: in our industry.)

What is the definition of success in our industry? Of course, it’s to be an award-winning, best-selling author of numerous books, every one earning out its advance, every one flooding the author with copious royalties and the publisher with exorbitant profits. Such authors are adored by their editors, marketers, and agents. All profits received from the sales of successful products keep everyone funded to continue to spread the Word. Successful authors carry the ever-growing host of not-so-successful authors (who have yet to win an award or arrive on any best-seller list) until they too can become successful.

It’s all about lists: A-List Authors, B-List Authors, Mid-List Authors. A-Listers carry the (mostly unsuccessful) Mid-Listers. Mid-Listers long and sweat (and pray) to move up the List.

It’s all about writing powerful stories.

Nah.

It’s all about selling a story to the right market. One person’s “powerful!” is another person’s “bored me to tears".

Can we, as writers, control any of this?

Say you are a writer new to the industry. You write the most powerful story you can. Your agent adores it. Editors love it (and you). Sales and Marketing are ecstatic. They find ways to get even the booksellers excited. Initial print runs are relatively huge. Initial sales are good. And then? And then??

Will your book be a best-seller? No one knows. Even with all that abundant adoration and goodwill, there is absolutely no guarantee your book (or you) will be a success.

I’ve once heard it said that if we don’t create our own definition of success for ourselves, someone else will. And then we’ll be locked into their definition, expected to conform to their desires for our lives.

It’s true.

Lord Jesus? In each of our lives, as we are open to You and willing, please create Your definition of success for us. To be locked in to Your definition, to conform to Your desires, to be considered a success in Your eyes … how can anything be sweeter than that? It’s all about our journey with You, a journey that will take us on one adventure after another—maybe even the adventure of being a successful author. But unless our journey takes us ever closer, ever nearer to You, in Your eyes, what will it matter?

Thank you, Donna. Wise words.

Father, I know Donna looks forward to each step of the journey along the ordained steps you've set apart for her to experience. Thank you for her heart after you. Thank you for her many skills, gifts, and talents. I pray you would continue to use her in all of them. Lord, give her joy as she experiences all the things you have just for her. Bless her in every way, I ask. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Comments

[dayle]

As usual, Donna, well said.

For me, my goal is to write for a living.

However, my definition of success is to get my current novel published.

In other words, if I don't reach my goal, that's okay-I won't consider myself a failure, but if I don't get published-well...I might.

However, my real definition of success is to complete the tasks God assigns me. And I'm sure God will let me know if I stray.

Which is probably why, contrary to my usual m.o., I've been incredibly patient through this whole process.

Because if I complain about the process or timing then I'm in actuality complaining about God's process and timing.

I hope this makes sense - I'm still sick and my mind isn't working too well.

[donna]

Makes perfect sense, Dayle. Goals and hopes and dreams are so important - and God loves to see that our dreams come true. So often it's the waiting that just kills us, and He knows that too. But then, after that dream comes true, when our patience is rewarded, even then, after it all fades away again (and it will), He's still there, and we're so much better off than when we started.

How's that for a convoluted sentence??

Anyway, that's the journey. I'm grateful to be on it with brothers and sisters like you and Nicole.

Thanks again, Nicole, for the opportunity to spout off a bit on your blog. : )

[Nicole]

Anytime, Donna. In fact, I hope you'll consider another guest spot soon.

[donna]

To be honest ... I think I've run out of things to say. : )

[Nicole]

Your wisdom is much needed. I'm praying the Lord will fill you up and refresh you.