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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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Home » Career » Page 26

Career

Tools from the Front Lines of Life: Authenticity

By Karen Ballon March 25, 2015
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Some things have happened in my life in the last few months that, were I to put them in a novel, readers would say, “That’s just not believable. No way all that happens to one person!”

Yeah. Wouldn’t that be nice?

But here’s the thing: Hard times, good times…struggles, peace…abundance, desperate lack…sorrow, joy…

It’s all gold for writers.

Now, I’m not saying to go out there and experience every terrible thing in life can so you can write about it. But when the terrible things come, when the times of rejoicing arrive…be present. Open your eyes to what God has for you in those moments. Because friends, when we go through the fires, we learn a lot. About ourselves. About faith. About others. And we can use it all as we write.

So for the next few weeks, I want to talk about some of those tools. The first of which is authenticity.

Webster’s defines authenticity this way: the quality of being authentic. (Really, Webster’s? So not helpful. Reminds me of the time Brandilyn Collins, at an ACFW conference, called her mother the doyenne of ACFW. Never having heard that word before, I pulled up Webster’s and searched, only to receive this definition: the feminine form of doyen. Who knew Webster was a comedian?? But I digress.)

The second definition is far more helpful: the quality of being authoritative, valid, true, real, or genuine.

How often have you read a book that handled a deep or difficult issue with a platitude or an easy answer? Or started reading a book only to set it aside thinking, “That author hasn’t got a clue.”? Those who have been in the dark places know when a “poser” steps in. And they have little patience for them or their easy answers.

Authenticity, on the other hand, gives our writing power. When we come from a place of soul-deep understanding…a place of compassion and empathy because we’ve been there…our words will resonate with the readers. Because they’ll know we understand.

Whatever you’re writing, take hold of the tool of authenticity. Be willing to be vulnerable–to share the good, the bad, and the “I-was-stunned-to-realize-I-could-do-something-like-that”—with your readers. Don’t let fear or pride or any other obstacle keep you from offering the best you have to give: words bathed in God and surrendered to the lessons He’s taught you. When we do that, we give our readers more than just good fiction or encouraging nonfiction. We give them our hearts. We give them honesty. And depth. And the knowledge that they’re not alone.

We give them hope.

And it doesn’t get any better than that.

 

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Category: Career, Get Published, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: authenticity, Success, Writing Life

The Trajectory Principle

By Dan Balowon March 3, 2015
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American culture sends mixed messages. On one hand it tells us that we can be “anything we want to be,” but then if we don’t rise to the top of whatever we pursue it tells us we are failures or at best we should be disappointed in ourselves. There are winners and losers and we are either one or the other. But that is simply not true. A great mayor of small town is not a failure when he/she does …

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Category: Art, Career, TheologyTag: Career

My Book is Due and My Life is Falling Apart

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 19, 2015
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Sound familiar? Even most unpublished authors wouldn’t envy the published author this type of pressure. But over the course of a career, the likelihood is great that one or many events will throw off a writer’s schedule. There are times when work has to take a temporary stop. No doubt about it. When major stress hits, be sure to pray and meditate each day. You don’t have time not …

Read moreMy Book is Due and My Life is Falling Apart
Category: Career, Get PublishedTag: Career, Deadlines

Reviews: Friend or Foe?

By Karen Ballon February 18, 2015
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Writers are a fascinating blend of contradictions. Many are introverts who have to do extroverted things—speaking, booksignings, author appearances–and do them well. They are creative, expressive people who, most of the time, live in their heads. And when they are around people, they can seem withdrawn, even remote (mostly because they’re STILL in their heads). They come across as confident …

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Category: Book Business, Book Review, CareerTag: bad reviews, Career

Author Platforms 301 – Part Three – Customer Service

By Dan Balowon February 17, 2015
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This concludes a three part series of posts exploring the issue of author platforms and how to get one.  The Steve Laube agency will offer a downloadable document that will include the three posts plus additional information and resources. The last two weeks we have covered the need for all authors (especially aspiring authors) to develop a “message platform” and some suggestions how to determine …

Read moreAuthor Platforms 301 – Part Three – Customer Service
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Branding, Career, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: Author Platform, Marketing, Platform

Finding Your Readers’ Hot Topic

By Karen Ballon January 14, 2015
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One of the fun things about being an agent is that I get to work with all kinds of books, fiction and nonfiction. I love words, and I’m excited about working with others who love them. I’m passionate about working with books that I believe will have a real impact, both in the here and now and in the eternal sense. Books that encourage, strengthen, and challenge people, and books that share deep, …

Read moreFinding Your Readers’ Hot Topic
Category: Career, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Topics

Start the New Year Right

By Karen Ballon January 7, 2015
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I must have started this blog fifteen times. I’d write a word or a line, then delete it. All because I’m trying to think of something new and clever to say about the fact that we’re facing a new year. But you know what? There isn’t really anything new to say. Sure, publishing has changed, and will continue to change. Yes, books are being published and will continue to be published. How that …

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Category: Art, Career, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: story, The Writing Life

Should I Be Writing This Genre?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 4, 2014
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Often I talk with new authors writing in lots of genres. This is fine if it’s part of your personal writing journey and learning process. I want my authors to enjoy what they’re writing. But when you get serious about publication, know when to choose and what to choose. One mistake is to write strictly to market when you don’t like the genre. I love to tell the story of a friend who said she knew …

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Category: Career, Craft, Creativity

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

By Dan Balowon November 25, 2014
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Everyone is thinking about being thankful this week so it is comforting knowing that I am not alone on this bandwagon. When President Obama said the words, “You didn’t build that,” back in 2012 and drew such ire from opponents, I was troubled. I understood what he was trying to say…that no one does things on their own without help from someone else. He probably could have found better words to …

Read moreGiving Credit Where Credit is Due
Category: Career, Personal, TheologyTag: Personal, thanksgiving, Theology

Heartsong’s Publishing Legacy

By Steve Laubeon November 17, 2014
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Last week, as mentioned in Tamela’s wonderful tribute, Harlequin announced that the Heartsong Presents imprint is going to be shuttered. Heartsong Presents has been primarily a “direct-to-consumer” book club which published romance titles with a specifically Christian message. {And last week I joked about how things can change on Tuesday… This announcement came on …

Read moreHeartsong’s Publishing Legacy
Category: Career, Romance, TrendsTag: Book Business, Heartsong, Romance, Trends
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