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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Writing That is Powerful, Not Preachy!

By Karen Ballon April 9, 2014
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dog_forgive_me_face

Thanks to Shirley Buxton for asking in the comments of my blog on writing that sings, “Can someone help me understand how to show spirituality without being preachy?”

Why, yes, Shirley, I can. At least, I can tell you my perspective.

It’s the difference between telling people how they ought to live, and showing them. It’s not spouting Scripture when someone is hurt or struggling, but coming alongside them, sitting with them, holding them, asking how you can help. It’s entering into their struggle and being Christ to them, acting as he would.

Think about it. When Jesus shared spiritual truths with the crowds around him, how did he do it? He showed those truths through a story. He didn’t say, “You faithless fools, God tells us to use our talents for him, not withhold them!” No, he told a story… “A man was going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them…”

Whether you’re writing nonfiction or fiction, the way to communicate spiritual truths is to show it, not tell it.

Consider the following paragraph:

Forgiving in marriage is not an option. It’s a command, straight from Jesus. If your spouse had done or said something that hurt you, forgive them. If you’ve done or said something that hurt your spouse, ask to be forgiven. You don’t have a choice. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” And a verse or so later, he says: ““If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” If you’re a Christian and you aren’t forgiving your spouse, you are in the wrong. And God won’t forgive you. It’s as simple as that.

Okay, feel beat over the head a bit? Yeah, me, too, and I wrote it! That paragraph is preaching. Telling you how you’re supposed to behave, and that you’ll regret it if you don’t. All of which may be true, but not many are drawn to right living by that kind of presentation of truth. Now, try this…

I’d only been married a few days when I made a shattering discovery: the man I married, the man I saw as a knight in shining armor, could do and say things that hurt me! It didn’t matter whether or not he’d intended to hurt me, all that mattered was he’d done so. And then I made an even more shattering discovery: Forgiving your spouse is hard. When I said I do, I knew he’d be there to shelter and protect me, to love me unconditionally. He wasn’t supposed to hurt me!

It’s hard, isn’t it, letting go of expectations, loving someone for who they are, warts and all? But here’s the thing. When we don’t forgive someone, we put them—and ourselves—in a kind of prison. I found that out all those years ago after nursing a hurt for days. I was miserable. Don was miserable. Even the poor dogs were miserable! Life at the Ball household was not much fun. Then, one evening, God tapped me on the shoulder and reminded that—ahem!—Don was not the only imperfect human in the marriage. And that love wasn’t about not hurting each other, it was about forgiving and surrendering my hurts to Him. When I finally did that, oh! the freedom that washed over me! My heart was light, our home was warm again, and I swore I could fly.

Friends, don’t let hurts in marriage fester. Don’t let them weigh you down and imprison you. Let them go. Forgive. And know the beauty of God’s freedom, not just in your marriage, but in your heart.

When you show truth in your writing, you draw people into the experience. They live it with you or with your characters, and they learn alongside you. In the process, they may even change.

So writing with power means you don’t hit people over the head with Scriptures, you don’t give a sermon, you don’t stick in a conversion scene unless it’s a natural outgrowth of the story. Writing with power means you show what’s right, through story or illustration, through your character’s journey.

So that’s my take. Now, how about you all? What do you think makes the difference between preachy writing and powerful writing?

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, show don't tell, Writing Craft

What About Medium Stuff?

By Dan Balowon April 8, 2014
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Today I stand in support of medium stuff. There is no argument that big important things deserve our undivided attention. There seems to be some disagreement over small stuff…do we sweat it or not? According to the Stan Jantz and Bruce Bickel’s book, God is in the Small Stuff, we probably need to be paying close attention to those things. I am concerned with those things in the middle…the medium …

Read moreWhat About Medium Stuff?
Category: Book Business, Career, Dan, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, publishing, The Publishing Life

Fun Fridays – April 4, 2014

By Steve Laubeon April 4, 2014
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I think we have found the way to save the Book Publishing Industry! Watch carefully. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZXUq7Pln3g

Read moreFun Fridays – April 4, 2014
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

The Core of Writing Well

By Karen Ballon April 2, 2014
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A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I’m trying to learn how to make latte art. I’ve got the moves down…kinda. Hey, I’m a racquetball player—was, in fact, one of the top players in college—so I can do wrist action like a pro. But guess what I discovered? Having the moves doesn’t do you any good without the perfect foam. That’s the core of the beauty and creativity in latte art. But foaming milk, my …

Read moreThe Core of Writing Well
Category: Art, Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

Laube Agency Signs Saul of Tarsus

By Dan Balowon April 1, 2014
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(Phoenix, Arizona) Steve Laube, founder of the Steve Laube Agency announced today that the agency has signed Saul of Tarsus to write in various Christian book categories starting with his debut release in Fall 2014.  Saul will be writing under the pen name of Paul, a name with special meaning to the author, given him after a dramatic personal experience several years ago while on an international …

Read moreLaube Agency Signs Saul of Tarsus
Category: Agency, Dan, HumorTag: Agency, Humor

Fun Fridays – March 28, 2014

By Steve Laubeon March 28, 2014
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A delightful performance by a surprise contestant on the Italian version of “The Voice.” To really appreciate what the judges are saying make sure to click the “cc” button (close captioned) for an English translation. (The “cc” button appears after you click play.) The emotional reaction of the first judge and the expression of the singer of why she sings (at …

Read moreFun Fridays – March 28, 2014
Category: Art, Fun Fridays, Steve

Should I Respond to a One-Star Review?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 27, 2014
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    Have you ever received a one-star review? Or do you dread the day that might happen? Or perhaps you are hoping to be published so you can get a review. Any review. When you start receiving reviews, some of them might not be as stellar as you had hoped. So what, if anything, should you do? Good, Bad, Indifferent? When I look at reviews of sites such as Amazon, I think it’s healthy to …

Read moreShould I Respond to a One-Star Review?
Category: Career, Marketing, TamelaTag: Career, reviews

Chapters: How Long is Too Long?

By Karen Ballon March 26, 2014
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I’ve had a number of people ask me lately how long their chapters should be. My answer has been: “As long as they need to be.” Now, it would be nice if I could give folks the “industry-standard” answer: “Chapters should be no less than xx and no longer than xxx,” but the truth is there isn’t a real standard in the industry. And frankly, I think that’s a good thing. I’ve never been one to …

Read moreChapters: How Long is Too Long?
Category: Craft, Editing, Grammar, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Chapters, Craft, Editing, Writing Craft

Don’t Just Do It

By Dan Balowon March 25, 2014
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I don’t like the word “just”. Don’t get me wrong, “just” is a fine word, especially when used in a triple-word space in Scrabble.  It has all sorts of good uses and meanings…even used to fill time when we are thinking, along with the other great words and phrases of our culture, such as “like”, ”um”, “I mean” and ”you know.”  I simply do not like the word “just” when it is used to place limits on …

Read moreDon’t Just Do It
Category: Career, Creativity, Dan, PlatformTag: Attitude, Career

Fun Fridays – March 21, 2014

By Steve Laubeon March 21, 2014
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Enjoy this song once again, but this time with an amazing mimic singing with multiple voices. Put a smile on your face today!

Read moreFun Fridays – March 21, 2014
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve
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