Into the Fire

If you’re looking for perspective, it’s everywhere. The problem in looking for it in some places is you get a skewed version. Really skewed. And wrong. Terribly wrong.

If you think you can gain true perspective from the opinions of mankind, you can’t. You can often gain insights to the rights and wrongs of our existence. You can even find agreement with your research and pursuits of certain subjects, ideas, philosophies, or religions. And you’ll definitely find those who disagree with your own.

So . . . let’s pick the obvious: publishing. The current perspective, if you read/hear the professionals’ opinions, tells you that the selection for new authors is going to be tightened up because of the shrinking economy and publishing cutbacks. The emphasis on platform continues to play a major part in that selection, and the ability and ideas to effectively market your work really matter.

Gone away (if it existed in its purest form in today’s publishing houses) is the idea that an author can just hide out and be left alone to write their novels. Some are afforded more privacy than others based on their fame and fortune no doubt. The new guy or gal on the block, however, better present an impressive résumé and the moxie (and the money) to make people want to buy their product. I’ll insert right here that there are always exceptions to the rule, but this is a snapshot of what the professionals insist is necessary to land a publishing contract in today’s competitive market.

Plus, they plead with writers to attend at least one writer’s conference, but the two or three major conferences which most of them attend cost several hundred or a couple thousand dollars depending upon how far away from them you live. Save your money and budget for them. Uh-huh. But many writers do just that. And some of them land contracts.

Answer the following questions before you analyze your own perspective:

1.Is this writing gig what God has for me to do?

2.Regardless of anything or anyone else, am I willing to do this for God alone?

3.Is royalty publishing the only acceptable goal?

4.Do I line up with the opinions and processes of the publishing industry?

5.Am I willing to persevere for as long as it takes and jump threw all the hoops to get there?

Perspectives often change with knowledge. They really change for the better with spiritual insight. Wisdom is acquired through a series of revelations, failures, prayer, and . . . the addition of years. Yeah, sorry, but age can bring out the best in people. Some people. Those who choose to grow in the Lord and in His mighty power.

So, has your perspective changed?

Father, I desperately want your perspective in all matters. Matters of the heart, mind, soul, and body. Your perspective for me is all that counts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.