Into the Fire

Of course you did . . . know. Readers make writers' lives "successful". Books are "made" by readers driving their favorite stories' rise to popularity from the accolades paid to them by – you guessed it – readers.

The more readers acknowledge a book that gave them something more than just an okay feeling, the more a book climbs up that tottering ladder of popularity. Among millions of novels only a small percentage get noticed. 

Let's face it: there have been some gargantuan bestsellers that from a writing standpoint were less than stellar. But something about those particular stories hit a chord that played out in literally millions of purchases. Who knew that vampires to sexual bondage stories would ring that bell in the minds of enough readers to sell crazy amounts of books worldwide and result in more than one movie each? 

What that proves is there are a massive amount of readers out there waiting to devour stories, and some of those stories certainly don't suit a great number of other readers. What it doesn't address is there are some very good novels that never get noticed, never sell many copies, and/or get only a few reviews.

So: Readers, do your part to rave on about the good stories you've read. Tell friends, write reviews – a couple of sentences is all it takes – anywhere you can, and give them as gifts. If you don't care for a story you read, that's okay. Not every novel will be a favorite or even one that you can like. But know this: the author of your favorite stories needs to know how much you loved their work. 

Good reading to you! 

Father, thank you for your writers/authors. Every good and perfect gift comes down from you. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.