Into the Fire

It's obvious, you say. Honesty at all costs! When is it ever that simple?

Let me clarify: I'm not going to discuss anything terribly important here, but for writers and reviewers it's a valid topic.

As Christians we profess the necessity of honesty. However, we qualify that principle with the biblical instruction which directs us to "Speak the truth in love." It's ridiculous and degrading for us as people who love the Lord Jesus Christ to speak hateful criticisms. We can passionately disagree and speak against the evil practices of some, and we can explain our dislikes of anything we please, but it's not only to our benefit to do it respectfully, it speaks to the witness of how we live our lives seeking to serve the higher Authority. I confess it's never easy when politics play a role in conversation. I've been de-friended on Facebook twice by a liberal friend and a cousin of my husband's for respectfully disagreeing with their political posturing. Oh well.

But let's get back to the matter at hand: writing reviews. Those of us who've chosen to do this must either find a way to be honest with our dislikes of those books we specifically receive for our reviews or we must gloss over our personal opinions of a book we don't like and give a static review of "acceptable" and mind-numbing allegiance to . . . well, dishonesty. I cannot do this. With those novels I dislike, I do my best to point out that others will no doubt appreciate what I do not. I attempt to explain my dislikes in order for other readers to decide whether or not they might have similar tendencies. It's not complicated.

As an author, I take it hard when someone rejects my writing. So when I decide I don't like an author's novel and/or his/her writing, I keep in mind how I feel when I face criticism. As writers, we all know we can't please everyone. Sometimes we're fortunate to please our target audience, let alone those who happened to pick up our work when it was never meant for them. And this is key I think when reviewing. Are you as the reviewer the right audience for the particular novel? If not, make that clear.

And also as an author, we must take our lumps – even if they feel like punches. But we don't have to be the ones administering the pugilistic reviews. But we can be those reviewers who speak the truth in love. Be it only one opinion, it can still be honestly stated pro or con.

Father, help us to listen to your Spirit when we must be controversial, contrary, or complimentary. Help us to speak the truth in love, heeding your direction for our words. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.