An article on Writing: Does It Pay?

Some responses to June's article on Verbal Abuse

News 'n Notes

Writing: Does It Pay?

Many writers feel they are on the River of NO RETURN, or at best are getting a meager return on the time and effort they put into writing.

At what point does one give up? I sometimes offer as encouragement at writers conferences these words attributed to Mark Twain: "Write without pay until somebody offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence that sawing wood is what he was intended for."

One conferee responded, "Three years! I've been at it much longer than that already!"

Should she quit? Should you?

We live in a time when good Christian writers are legion in America, though the same cannot be said for many countries. A generation ago, when I started, it was comparatively easy for a good writer to get published and hard for a publisher to find good material. Through writer associations, conferences, training, and critique groups, we have drastically changed that situation. Members of the writer community are now victims of our own success.

At a recent conference, I asked writer/humorist Bob Hansen why God seems to have gifted and called more people to write than the marketplace needs. Bob pointed out that we Christians are in this thing for the long haul--ETERNITY. He suggested that we might use writing beyond this earthly life, that we may well take with us the skills and talents we have nurtured, and use them in ways we can't even imagine.

Later he wrote to suggest that the seeming excess of talent among Christian writers may be used in the plan of God for some unforeseen revival, when demand for good reading material will be greater. Or God may use such writers to "retake the ground" forfeited by the Christian community when it largely abandoned secular media to the world.

Maybe. Meanwhile do we keep writing? Keep working to polish our craft?

Some say they do, simply because they are writers. That is what writers do--they write, whether they make any money or not, whether they are even published or not.

Should you write? Perhaps the advice applies that an older pastor once gave a young man thinking of becoming a preacher. "If you don't have to, don't."

Jeremiah was once a discouraged writer. (Little wonder when you read what was done with his dictated work. King Jehoiakim cut his manuscript to pieces and fed it to the fire--see Jeremiah 36:20-32). Yet, God's message was like a fire in his bones, and even when he purposed to stop speaking it, he could not (Jeremiah 20:9).

If not quite as on fire as Jeremiah, I can say that most of my writing has flowed from a conviction that I have learned from God certain truths and insights people need. Elizabeth Baker, in her first book, published after years of frustration and rejection, wrote, "The only reason I have persisted in this foolhardy venture is that I have discovered something wonderful . . . and I want with a fervent want to share these things with you." That's it. That's why we write. However, it is also true that people write for a variety of other valid reasons, some of which are:

~Writing is an art form. Just as a painter or a sculptor works to create a thing of beauty out of ordinary materials such as pigment and stone, so a writer works with words.

~Writing is a means of self-education and enlightenment. We hammer out our thoughts on an anvil of paper until they take satisfactory shape and we nod in recognition of the truth.

~Writing is therapy. We gain understanding and healing by writing about what life has brought into our experience.

Sometimes we may write for dubious reasons as well. Martin Luther said, "There is no measure or limit to this fever for writing. Everyone must be an author, some out of vanity to acquire celebrity and raise up a name, others for the sake of lucre and gain."

Why do you write? Are there reasons to write that I have omitted? If you'd like to contribute to a dialog on the question, e-mail me.

Responses to the June article

David Alan Faber

Thank you for your essay on speaking respectfully, writing with a Christ- like spirit. What you wrote so eloquently has been my heartcry and heartburden for many, many years. When I have spoken to other believers about not 'badmouthing,' I usually get excuses or 'eye-rolling' or worse, or nothing. I don't speak about it much anymore ... just seek, under God, to follow our dear Savior's example, "... who when he was reviled, reviled not again ..." (I Peter 2). Again, thank you for writing out my heart, as well as yours.

(David Alan Faber is a poet residing at Friendly Orchard, Salem, Oregon)

Neil Winegarden

A hearty amen to what you say about us Christians writing (or speaking, or for that matter even thinking) in terms that are un-Christlike. Your essay is well timed to the contemporary bashing of peope with whom there is a personal disagreement about "whatever." You said it well, too. God bless you, and keep up the good work.

(Neil Winegarden, a former college president, was professor of homiletics and pastoral theology.)

Joyce Tomanek

Thank you for the essay; I am in full agreement with you. I am troubled by name calling that I read and also hear on Christian radio. The subject matter may well be justified, but there are ways of bringing issues to light and informing Christians of what is happening in the world without resorting to those tactics. What you wrote needs to be said and heeded.

(Joyce Tomanek is Coordinator of ICW Prayer Fellowship.)

Maxine Marsolini

Thank you for your well-said comments. Respect is quickly becoming a word that gets no respect in our culture. Ditto for your thoughts on Dr. Laura. Whatever truth she speaks is overshadowed by her spoken attitude.

(Maxine Marsolini is a speaker, a pastor's wife, and author of BLENDED FAMILIES, new from Moody Press.)

Susie Voith

It was refreshing to read your message. I've been wondering why some of my Christian friends love Dr. Laura's show. I have to turn it off. The verbal abuse undermines her sometimes excellent advice. I continue to pray for the compassion of Christ in my own "cutting edge" convictions. (Susie Voith of Carmel, Indiana says she has "no claim to fame but loves to write.")

Betty Egbert

Just want to say, "Good for you!" I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said about verbal abuse by Christians. God bless, and continue with the good word. Love, your cousin Betty.

(Betty Egbert is an established children's writer and poet.)

Debbie Hedstrom

I agree with your article dealing with the cutting way we can write about those who do not believe as we do. I often read this kind of harsh writing from my freshman writing classes at the Christian college where I teach. When I cover persuasive writing, I have them analyze Paul's talk on Mars Hill. Even though Athens was full of offensive statues, when he addressed the men, he began, "I perceive you are very religious." My students begin with a "C" if they miss this.

(Debbie Hedstrom is president of OCW and teaches writing at the college level.)

News 'n Notes

The GOSPEL in the NEWSPAPER: Mars Hill Media is currently running full page gospel ads in major newspapers including "USA Today." Some cities where the ads have appeared are Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Washington, Hartford, Boulder, Atlanta, New York, and Boston. I have not had time personally to check out this ministry. Perhaps you can, and will let the rest of us know. (I will forward this Report to Mars Media also, and invite their response.)

Here are addresses: Tom Lehman (tom@marshillmedia.org), Tim Finley (tim@marshillmedia.org). Check out their ads at www.marshillmedia.org. They also offer a book to those responding to ads. It is entitled "Good News for the Religiously Tired." Sounds good.

LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD announces a new free e-zine for women who minister to women. These include speakers, authors, and church workers. For information go to: www righttotheheart.org

Sue Miholer offers the following "Mikey's Thot for the Day:" "I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done."

Thanks to those who responded to July's Report with messages of encouragement and with financial support. You are appreciated.

Stanley C. Baldwin, Director

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