Do you ever have those days or weeks when you wonder if all the effort you’re putting into something is worth it? I’m sure this could apply in so many situations other than writing – we all get tired and discouraged at times, don’t we? But often authors seem to be a prime target in this regard. We pour ourselves into some novel or work of non-fiction, editing and rewriting and searching for a publisher. Yet even then, the journey is not over by a long shot. In Australia at least, and in Christian circles in particular, the author has to expend a lot of energy on promotional work and speaking. Publishers are too small and too under-resourced to help greatly in this regard. Book promotion can be a fascinating and fulfilling experience – but it can also contain considerable challenges and discouragement. After all, not everyone might be as enthusiastic about your book as you are and, in particular, grasp how it might be relevant or helpful or challenging for the kingdom of God.
Recently, someone asked me straight out whether my books were ‘selling well’. I smiled but stifled a sigh. Over the four years since my first novel was published, I have never been able to find a satisfactory answer to this question – and now my fifth novel Heléna’s Legacy has just been released, I am still no wiser. After all, where is the benchmark with which to compare my sales? I know how many I have sold myself of each title and have at least some idea how many the bookstores have purchased. But can I really compare those figures with sales of other Christian novels here in Australia, even if I knew them? After all, I write general fiction, while others might write romantic or historical fiction or both – one genre might well be more popular than another.
Now I understand such questions might be asked with my wellbeing in mind. Yet I wondered from this person’s facial expression and her slightly incredulous tone of voice whether she might not be such a fan of my books and was at a loss to know who could possibly enjoy them enough to continue buying them! Or was she coming from the same place as someone else who told me recently she was in the process of reading one of my novels and was enjoying it. However, she was having difficulty, she said, in reconciling herself to the fact that I had written it! Hmm.
But for all this, I know I’m doing what God wants me to at this stage of my life. And if I was in any doubt about that, some words of Jesus I read this morning in John 15:16 soon fixed that:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.
By God’s grace, these words reminded me yet again that this whole crazy writing journey isn’t just my idea. I know God clearly called me to begin writing almost eight years ago now and challenged me to ‘bear fruit’ through both writing and speaking. And I can still rest in that fact – even on days when I am a little low on energy. I can approach my current writing project at peace with God, myself and the world, knowing the ‘success’ or otherwise of my books is ultimately in God’s hands.
And that’s the best antidote for discouragement any author can have, don’t you think?
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
You’re doing great Jo! Love it when God gives us a Rhema word – would never have thought of this particular Scripture in this particular context, but now you have pointed it out, I will treasure it also!
Totally agree about the ‘rhema word’, Janet! Such encouragements from God have been my ‘lifesavers’ on many occasions. Thanks so much for your lovely encouraging comment too. God bless!
I am new to blogging yet for over half my life, I have been encouraged to write and speak. Thank you for being transparent.
God does call us to be fruitful and He guides us in the orchard/garden He wishes us to plant. He provides the increase. Our hands may get dirty and our backs may grow weary in the process, however.
Thanks so much for your comment, Debbie. I’ve learnt in both my writing and speaking that it’s good to be prepared to be transparent when God wants you to, which is lots!
I hope you can take up that writing and speaking challenge – I think there’s a right time in our lives to take up such things. I was 59 when my first novel was published, so it’s never too late!
Once again, I can totally relate and understand to your feelings, Jo-Anne.
Another thing I find is that people use what they know of American best sellers as a benchmark for us and automatically assume that we aren’t selling well. I was 30 when my first novel was published and sometimes feel so over it all and jaded. Thanks for your wise perspective.
Hang in there, Paula! And a big well done to you for keeping on going with your novels when there was even less support for Aussie Christian authors around than there is now. Yes, it’s difficult to be compared with American best sellers for sure – while they might well count their sales by the hundreds of thousands, we may be doing really well in Australia by hitting just the one thousand mark.
Another thing too is that while we do have to be concerned about sales and promotion, that’s not the whole story for me at least. Last week I spoke at a little meeting with only about a dozen younger women present – but God was there and some lovely things happened, with deep connections being made that will be ongoing.
So God bless you in your own journey – and great to see you’ll be part of the new Aussie authors’ blog that is beginning to happen.
As a declared heathen I must say that THIS is a truly inspirational piece you’ve written. I can ID w/all you’ve said and it gives me hope that someone as well spoken as yourself is still moving forward. I’m glad I passed by your blog, it was a much needed glass of water during a drought. Thanks and keep doing what you do.
Thanks for your honest response. I hope you can keep finding those glasses of water just when you need them – God bless and encourage you.