Writing for an Audience of One
“Would you write this book if you knew you were writing it only for me?”
That’s the question I heard—twice—back in 2002 at the outset of my writing journey. I’d just returned from the American Christian Romance Writers conference (now American Christian Fiction Writers), and was in church that Sunday morning. I was on the praise team, and we’d just finished leading worship—the last song having been The Potter’s Hand (remember that one?)—and I was headed to my seat when the pastor started to pray.
Now mind you, at the ACRW conference I’d just attended, I’d met with an editor from Tyndale House Publishers who had liked my pitch and my first three chapters, and she’d asked for the entire manuscript. I was pumped! I flew back home to Colorado with a fire lit inside me and with fresh determination to finish that book!
Now, back to that Sunday morning . . .
The Question
As the pastor prayed, I paused on one side of the auditorium, waiting, when I heard a whisper within me as clearly as if someone were standing right beside me. “Would you write this book if you knew you were writing it only for me?”
I recognized the Voice and my heart started beating a little faster, my breath came a little quicker. That inaudible voice is not something I hear every day.
Then he asked the question again, “Would you write this book if you knew you were writing it only for me?”
My heartbeat started to slow. My breathing gradually evened. Because I realized what He was asking. Or more rightly, what He was telling me. In that moment, I knew I’d spend the next year writing the book and that Tyndale wouldn’t take it.
But in the same breath, I also knew that the fire lit inside me was not of my own doing. He’d done it. And as disappointing as it would be if the Tyndale editor said no (part of me had still held out hope that I’d heard Him wrong 😉), I knew I would have been obedient.
Writing for an Audience of One
So, I wrote the book over the next year—and, sure enough, Tyndale said no.
God taught me so many things from that experience over time. But the main thing in that moment? To write for an Audience of One. Don’t write for the market. Don’t try to ride the wave of a genre trend. Don’t even write “what I know.” Instead, write what God places on my heart as best as I can with where I am right then.
While that manuscript didn’t find a home at Tyndale, it did find a home with Bethany House, and Rekindled was published in 2006. Followed by Revealed and Remembered.
20 Years Later
But now turn the calendar forward 20 years, and my first book with Tyndale—and my 20th novel—releases next month.
Every no along the way is really part of God’s final yes when His perfect timing is reached. That’s something else I carried with me from that experience. God’s timing is perfect. Always. As is His plan. Not only for writing careers, but for marriages, for children, for every facet of our lives. He is trustworthy beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Robin (Pearson), I have to tell you, woman, I was going to write about something else today, but after reading your wonderful post yesterday, this just poured out. I needed the reminder of God’s faithfulness, and of how important it is to write for an Audience of One. No matter what.
What’s a time in your life that God has spoken so clearly to you? And what did you take from that experience?
Blessings from my corner of Nashville,
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I’ve heard your story before, of course, but it was wonderful to see it all in one place with the “surprise ending” of you now being published by Tyndale, 20 books later! I love how God works, and love that he worked through Robin’s wonderful post yesterday to bring this to the page. What a good and wonderful Audience of One He is!
Thanks, friend. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years! And yes, God is so good. Praying for you and yours this week.
Thank you for the encouragement (and the shoutout). I wrote that in the wee hours, in a dark and lonely office—which pretty much describes the season I’ve been in. So your post is timely! I needed the reminder that my audience may seem limited, but my Author and Finisher writes and reads the words on the page and in my heart. Blessings to you.
Just as God determines the number of our days (Psalm 139:16) so I believe he determines the number of our readers—who they are, where he will meet them in that particular story, why he guided them to read that story at that particular time in their life (whether it’s a new book or a book from 20 years ago). He’s always working. And never doubt that he’s got your incredible talent and career in the palm of his hand, Robin. Thanking God for you, and I love Million Dollar Pie! A friend made that for us not too long ago. Such a treat!
Oh, I needed this post so much today, Tammy! Thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit—both in continuing to write books and for writing this post! Love you, friend!
I needed the reminder too, D’Ann. It’s always a worthy pursuit to remember God’s guiding hand, even his “nos” along the way. Our good (both on this earth and on the new earth to come) is his utmost desire and plan. Love you right back! ; )
Wow! So powerful! I believe in God’s perfect timing and have learned to recognize it more and more. First was when I met and married my husband after a blind date – 57 years we shared. Getting hired as a teacher – right time, right school, students who were needy in a Title I school. Much later after a military career and many other jobs, my husband’s call to the ministry. When he was in high school, he was a Catholic and thought he wanted to enter the priesthood, but his priest said no. Later, he became a Methodist pastor for 12 years, his last career. Yes, God’s timing is always perfect. Thank you for this post.
Oh Betty, as I read through your post twice now, I thanked God for every twist and turn in your story, and how they were all guided by him. At just the right time, as you said. And you can see (now) how He was using every step to prepare you and your husband for the next, even if it might not have made complete sense at the time. He’s so good. So faithful. Bless you for your encouraging comment. Love to you… : )
AMEN!! I can never hear this encouraging reminder enough. 🙂
Bless you, Becky, and thanks. Appreciate you!
Loved this, Tammy. A wonderful example of following His lead and knowing He always works things for our good.
I am sooo excited about this book (yes, I’ve pre-ordered!) 🙂 and know it will be excellent, as all of your past books have been (by the way, REMEMBERED is still my very favorite!).
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Aw, thanks for loving Remembered. I’d still love to someday write a sequel to the Fountain Creek Chronicles series. I still love Veronique & Jack, Kathryn & Larson, and all the rest. Appreciate you! And thanks for the pre-order of In These Hills. Hope you enjoy it!
Looking forward to reading “In These Hills” when it releases! I preordered it from Baker Book House.
Thank you, Elisa! I’m hearing from readers who ordered from Baker that they’re already getting their books! I hope you enjoy Josephine and Dodge’s story. And all the Jack Daniel’s and Miss Mary Bobo’s history too! 🙂
So inspiring Tamera! Thank you for writing from your heart and following your Christian beliefs. I love reading your books and cannot wait for In These Hills.🙏🏻❤️
I loved hearing this part of your writing story. I’ve read Rekindled two or three times, so obviously I really liked it. I love and have copies of all your novels. I preordered In These Hills yesterday and I can’t wait to read it.
I remember those early books well, Tamara. I’m glad God finally said yes. This blog is a good reminder that God has a plan for us. We just don’t always see it in the moment.
Thank you for this! I needed this reminder today as I struggle with sophomore slump following the release of my debut novel in July. I find myself questioning every word I write, wondering if it’s good enough, if this book will find its home, if I’m certain this is what I’m supposed to be writing.
I enjoy all your books and look forward to reading this latest one with Tyndale. Praying God gets it to all those who need to read it.
Blessings,
Sharon Wilharm
I love this, so thankful you shared it and I’ve seen it. 11 years ago God asked me to stop writing altogether…it was temporary I was pretty sure, but I had no idea for how long.
This year I was allowed to go back, even though by now I’d thought it would never happen. I’ve finished my first draft and realised I wrote a lot of it as though someone was reading over my shoulder. I’m about to go into draft 2 and knowing that I have to write it as though the only one reading it is Him. I’ve been stalling, a little scared. I’ve been encouraged by your post, thank you!