Into the Fire

"So what makes up those 'unique selling points'? Professional marketers and publicists will no doubt agree on many things and dispute others. Exposure is a must and not always tenable. But stripped down, bare naked? The unique selling point is you."

(http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/2014/09/selling-points.html)

Your voice is yours alone. Your concept belongs to you, no matter how borrowed, tried-and-true, or even if it's failed a thousand times. If you think you can do it better, you own it. You might sound similar to another writer and write in the same genre/storylines, but you are the one who must produce that tiny or huge difference which singles you out or separates you from all who've done it before or since. Only you can do it.

Some of us writers/authors operate in the shadows.We have virtually no audience outside of those who've willingly read or dared to read our work. Whether trusted friends or valued strangers, we need their responses to affirm our writing and encourage us to keep the writing gig from sinking even further into oblivion. We may have attempted to slink out of the shadows by attending conferences, engaging other authors, or whatever the publicist gurus have suggested, but it seems we remain obscure. We are, after all, who we are. And that something "unique" about us isn't selling much.

So. Do we change our dynamic? Do we get more aggressive with our efforts to force through invisible barriers? Do we embrace the platitudes of professionals which suggest "only the best get published"? And decide we're certainly not one of those "best"?

I can only speak for me, and this writer/author knows my "success" depends on God's intent. That can but doesn't necessarily mean I keep hanging around, do nothing to forward my "position", or just wait. I practiced "the plan" suggested by most publishing professionals, and I elected to go the do-it-yourself route when things didn't seem to be working. But that's me. Now? Now I occasionally work on my three unfinished novels, access feedback, and know that I must finish the work assigned to me. Beyond that I will admit there is only a ragtag plan to do ebooks for my novels.

What about you? Are you inspired to follow a plan, set a goal, write through the frustrations and/or demands, keep banging on doors until one opens for you? Or are you content to write and wait it out, come "success" or "failure", have the confidence to allow the Lord to do the construction of the road ahead for you?  

Whatever you decide for yourself, you are the selling point, the unique individual with something of value to offer to whomever will take a chance on you. You are designed by a magnificent God who put you together with loving hands. Your talents were His gifts to you, and how He desires to use them will be the best. Admittedly, sometimes, accepting that is hard to do. But well worth it.

Father, thank you for all you've given me. I'm blessed. And once again thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.