I knew it wasn’t wise, but I did it anyway. This week, I took on board two facts about other authors and their books and promptly compared their efforts to mine. Yes, I believe I can learn from how other authors go about promoting their books. But is it a good idea to take their excellent sales figures to heart, without recognising the differences in our situations, personalities, style of books and calling from God? I don’t think so.
Comparison Number One happened in the course of a conversation with my husband about a friend’s book.
‘Oh, I think he’s sold about five thousand copies,’ I commented.
‘No, it’s about seven thousand now,’ my husband told me.
Instead of being happy for this particular author, my heart sank a little. Never mind that this person is with a large, overseas publisher. Never mind that his book is entirely different from mine. All I heard was that seven thousand number. And that was enough to cause me to feel more than a little downhearted.
Comparison Number Two occurred as I was idly flipping through Facebook. There I noted how another author is managing to sell her books by the hundreds as she travels around the country. How does she do it, I wondered grumpily. Again, instead of being pleased for her, I began to feel inadequate, wondering if my feeble efforts at selling my books and speaking here and there are enough. And again, I completely lost sight of the fact that her personality and her books are entirely different from mine.
As I sat wallowing in self-pity, I managed to think clearly enough to realise one fact at least. I am doing all I can, to the best of my ability right now, to honour God with my writing and speaking. I am continuing to promote my non-fiction book Soul Friend that was released last year and my novels as well. I have a good number of speaking engagements in the next two months and have spent hours and hours in recent weeks, preparing for these. My sixth novel is being released in September. I write my own weekly blogs and comment regularly on other blogs and on Facebook. I am trying hard. I believe I am listening to and doing what God wants me to do. I cannot do more.
Then I managed to keep thinking clearly enough to do the most sensible thing of all. I reached for my Bible, where I was up to Philippians 2. And sure enough, God had something very pertinent to say to me about the whole situation. In verses 3 and 4, I read:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Hmm. Yes, Lord, I hear you. Why focus so much on my desires and ambitions for my own books? Why not cheer my fellow authors on, rejoicing at their success? Surely this is what is meant by putting their interests above my own? How about cultivating a little more humility, just as Jesus did? It wouldn’t go astray.
I’m hoping I don’t fall into that silly trap again—for a while at least!
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
Great message Jo-Anne – it so easy to look at others and see their successes. When Peter asked about John ““What about him, Lord?”” Jesus replied “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” One day, I hope to be have five published novels and another about to be released – or nine or fifteen selling thousands. One day that might happen – but regardless I too will follow my Lord where ever (and to whatever success) he may lead me.
Thanks, Jeanette. And thanks for reminding me too about what Jesus said to Peter–I have spoken on that quite a few times as I think it’s such a strong message to us to do what God’s calling us to do and not worry about anyone else. God bless you in your own writing journey.
Great blog Jo-Anne. An encouraging reminder that we all have to run our own race and it can be so easy to compare another’s journey with our own. God bless you, especially in the preparation for your speaking engagements in the coming months.
Thanks so much, Andrea–lovely to hear from you. Yes, next week we head to Victoria for a mentoring forum but also for me to speak in a couple of places and sign books in Koorong at Blackburn. Then for some odd reason I have TEN talks to give in May! I love preparing and giving these, so am looking forward to them, but I almost can’t remember right now what it’s like to be a writer! I’m sure it will come back to me when it needs to though. I hope everything’s go well for you with your writing, Andrea. God bless!
Hi Jo-Anne, Thanks again for being so honest and transparent, I found myself in the same predicament today wondering what was going on in me so I am so glad to hear that you have been tempted in the same way. It distracted me for a little while but I will go on rejoicing in my sisters’ gifts and callings which are different to mine. I won’t be able to attend the Bookstore when you are down here in Melbourne because we are away on a Retreat that weekend. God bless, keep doing what you are doing because you are a real blessing to me, Love Therese
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2013 21:16:37 +0000 To: theresecondron@hotmail.com
Thanks so much, Therese. I think it’s worth being honest and transparent when it helps others, as this blog seems to have. And I hope I get to meet you one day! Maybe next time we’re in Melbourne. Have a great retreat!
Hi Jo- Anne I have been blogging in America for the past two years but did visit you last year, it was about this time, although I didn’t remember that but I had saved your link of one of your Posts as I have done with other Bloggers it was called ” Amazed all over again ” although I didn’t know this till I clicked on but right now I am amazed all over again to know just how Loving and compassionate our God is.
My heart is breaking, I have been hurt again so badly recently and I can’t come to terms with it, yes I have forgiven but the pain is great and my tears come and go, sometimes I’m coping, I’m myself again, I can even joke but then the pain returns and the tears flow and I feel of no value, yes I’m in grief. I talked to God today and asked Him for a word of comfort from someone who understands, who cares and has His Love and compassion.
I had been thinking about Blogging in Australia again and so half-heartedly I clicked on a link and it was yours, as I said I’m amazed, do you know Jo- Anne you have my name in your name, if you read my comment on your Post last year you will understand why I’m so amazed but it was your message that comforted me so much and your reply, I felt you were talking to me now, thank you my dear Sister in The Lord, you may never be the most famous Author in the world but you are indeed God’s chosen vessel which is so very much more wonderful.
Christian Love – Anne
P.S Yes Jo-Anne I heard Him – Thank you for being you.
Hi Anne
Good to hear from you again, although I’m really sorry you have been having such a sad, hard time lately. You know, it’s at such times as what you have been going through that I usually turn to the Psalms, where David just cried out to God from the deep pits he found himself in. I will pray you will receive such comfort from God in those Psalms too, Anne. I know God is there, even in the deepest pit–and he has said he will never leave us or forsake us. And keep on writing and blogging too–I think that can be very healing for us as we work through our pain and grief.
I remember when you visited my blog last time, Anne. And I know my lovely older mentor and friend would say to you at this time to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to come to terms with the hurt you have received. Sometimes forgiveness takes a few goes ‘around the mountain’, I’ve found. So don’t be in any rush, but just listen to God and move forward in his time and his way.
God bless and watch over you and bring you much healing and comfort. And thank you for your beautiful encouragement to me, in the very midst of your pain. I know God will honour the way you have reached out and bring you encouragement too.
Christian love
Jo-Anne
Hi Jo-Anne, thank you for your comforting words yesterday,I sent time thinking through all that had happened and I realised just forgiving her was not enough, I had to seek to restore our realationship, so I phoned and resured her that I Loved her and always will but I did ask her why would she want to hurt me like she had done, she said she wasen’t thinking right and in her own way she said sorry, I know it may happen again but I will not take it to heart and I will remember her age and fears and seek to reasure her again.
Thank you again Jo-Anne – Christian Love – Anne
I’m Amazed again Jo- Anne, I don’t know why but I kept thinking what was the exact date last year that I visited you, so I went back and checked …. Oh how He Loves you and me.
I’m glad I’m not the only writer who does that. Sometimes it so hard to be happy for someone when they’ve done something that seems impossible for me to achieve. Re-evaluation is needed in those moments.
Lynne, the older I get the easier that becomes, I think–although obviously I’m still learning! I think for me what makes the difference is knowing who God has called me to be and how he wants me to write. Then I can be at peace and enjoy others’ successes–as well as my own, hopefully!
Hi Jo-Anne, thank you for your comforting words yesterday,I spent time thinking through all that had happened and I realised just forgiving her was not enough, I had to seek to restore our realationship, so I phoned and resured her that I Loved her and always will but I did ask her why would she want to hurt me like she had done, she said she wasen’t thinking right and in her own way she said sorry, I know it may happen again but I will not take it to heart and I will remember her age and fears and seek to reasure her again.
Thank you again Jo-Anne – Christian Love – Anne
Well done, Anne! I love it when people are up front and honest and are prepared to confront in a caring, loving way. God bless your ongoing relationship with this person and keep your own heart soft and close to himself.