Step *Write* Up!
In The Girl Is Mine, Michael Jackson informed Paul McCartney, “I’m a lover, not a fighter.” Well, the king of pop was onto something. It’s a lesson the King of kings has been driving home: I’m a lover, as a Christian writer.
Once upon a time, Robin the Introvert dreamed of a very different writerlife. I saw myself pounding out pages and pages of masterpieces and stuffing them under my door so the literary world could devour them—and leave me to myself. But there’s been more than a few days since I lolled on the carpet after lunch, listening to my elementary-school teacher read aloud Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. The typewriter became the laptop, and folks became less satisfied with merely seeing an author’s bio on a book jacket and imagining why Judy Blume named the dog Turtle.
Today’s writers and readers want to get up close and personal (gulp!)–which can overwhelm someone like me who’s used to working and living in the shadows. But the believer’s authorlife isn’t solely about selling signed copies: It’s sharing the faith within the fiction; revealing the very real person wielding the pen; telling the life stories behind the written ones; warming people with the smile that inspired a favorite character’s laugh; swapping memories and relatable experiences.
When God gives you a calling, hiding behind a social media profile won’t do.
So, Saturday, Hubby and I packed up some of my novels and goodies and headed to the coziest-ever bookery, So Much More to the Story. By the end of my time, I came away with a few tales to tell.
I am so NOT a salesperson, but Robin the People Person learned that the writer next to me also teaches. While I homeschool, she works with academically gifted students in the public schools. (And we both have college-aged little people!
Some people need to hear your story as much as they want to buy your story. Once he heard about my decades-long publishing journey, this gentleman invited me to speak at a writers’ group. I hope I can encourage the group to keep pressing!
One visitor preferred audiobooks and plans to listen to ‘Til I Want No More on her next roadtrip. During our chat, I found out we have New Jersey in common (and we both returned to our Southern roots). She has also put her engineering degree to use, helping authors read their own stories. Guess what I’m now exploring!
One of my sisters from Bible study popped in. We loved talking about what it’s like having young adult peeps. No one warned us what to expect—but talk about inspiration! And how fun was it to sign her books!
The scripture I include in my email signature and in my newsletter header speaks to my “why.” God called me to love others through what He writes on my heart and on the page. He’s led me to spread the Gospel in how I live as much as by what I say. That’s the story I left behind at the bookstore and in the lessons I carried home with me.
“Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.'” (Habakkuk 2:2)
What is your “why” and how does it impact your daily life? Please comment below.
in Him, Robin W. Pearson
Discover more from Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
What a great bookstore (and I love the term “bookery!”
I’m in the camp of preferring to sit in my cozy office with a cup of coffee and scoot my pages under the door, but once I arrive at an event, I DO have fun. Still, I’m always glad to get back home.
It’s such a sweet store. My MC would love it. And home is always sweeter upon our return, isn’t it?
Great post, Robin! How I wish I could’ve popped in to see you, too. I so look forward to our paths crossing—and I love all those God-appointed meetings at that charming bookery. As far as the why…mine is found one chapter over from yours in 3:2–to spread God’s fame and deeds!
I would LOVE to see you—definitely something to look forward to! That little book of Habakkuk is chock-full of wisdom, isn’t it? Glory to His name!
What a fun day you had! I love all those stories about people. People, for me, are both the why and the hardest part of writing. I prefer being alone with my laptop, and yet when I write, I want the Lord to change people using my stories the way He has used other people’s stories to change me!
It was a fun time, and a great way to dip my toes back in the writing/reading life after this “interesting” season. Blessings and burdens do tend to balance the weight on our shoulders.
Hi, Robin. Fellow introvert here! It’s hard to get out there and mingle with readers but it’s such a blessing when we do!
Part of my why is my writer theme verse, Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I pray my books bring people hope, joy, and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit as He gives me words to share.
Hey, friend and fellow introvert. I love how God shows us that our calling is more—or rather, all—of Him and less of us. That’s a perfect verse for our writing life and particularly for your novel, Stronger Than the Storm. It certainly spoke to my heart. (And congratulations on your recent award!)
Thank you for sharing this experience! I’ve been feeling a quiet nudge in my heart to start preparing and looking into in-person events for the first time, but to be honest, the idea scares me to death. But hearing stories like these and being reminded of why I write is slowly helping me bolster my courage. I want my stories to be a light shining God’s grace into readers’ lives, but I know He can use my presence and my life in the same way if I let Him!
I have always felt sick to my stomach when it comes to writing events—whether it was in-person, virtual, small, or large. My fear and dread have nearly ruined some amazing experiences! But God knows our hearts and His plans for our ministry. Trust He will lead you and hold your hand. Thanks for reading and responding.
Such a powerful reminder! You’ve helped me feel a little less alone in that fear, but I also needed that reminder! Thank you!
“God called me to love others through what He writes on my heart and on the page.” YES!! Me, too, Robin. 🙂
I love that we share a mission, Becky. Writing sisters! 🧡