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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 » Faith » Page 2

Faith

Unnecessary Worry

By Dan Balowon November 28, 2017
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In the third and final installment of my “unnecessary” series of blog posts, today we will explore the issue of unnecessary worry. (Yes, I am going for the “w” theme with the posts, starting with words, then work. I am a sucker for intentionality and the obvious.)

For followers of Jesus, you cannot venture very far into the issue of worry without bumping into Scripture, as worry is addressed throughout the biblical Gospels. Jesus speaks about it quite sufficiently, so no need for me to review anything he said. You can read his words on your own.

Authors and other people in publishing generate their own brand of worry, stemming from the same issues Jesus spoke about in the Gospels, but related to books. The same cautions, promises and reminders found in Jesus’ words regarding worry still apply, but authors and publishers often seem to consider their brand of worry somehow a different kind.

It is not.

Worry about Writing

Are you using the right words? Is this good enough to be noticed? How am I going to finish this by the end of the year? Did I forget something?

You might be relying too much on your talent and training.

Often, when I am confident about my ability to handle something, I skip the step of humility and submitting myself to God’s leading.

Nothing like competency to replace trust in God. I’d like to think I am following God’s lead naturally, but we all default to our own power and often need to intentionally press the “reset” button to put things back on track.

Write the very best you can, never holding back inspiration and energy for your work, just pray before you start. It places the work in the proper order.

Worry about Publishing

This has less spiritual implications than writing, but I believe it is a universal truth the more we know about something, the less we worry about it.

Knowledge in any field of endeavor decreases anxiety and worry.

When you know what to expect, there are fewer surprises. The guesswork is replaced by “I know how this works.” If you want things to go easier for you, with less worry, learn a little about publishing, especially if you have not yet published.

Seriously, in what career field is willful ignorance of the way things work not frowned upon?

If you spend some time reading about trends, ideas, business facts and best practices, your worry-level will diminish dramatically.

Worry about Impact

This is the big one.

In Christian publishing, a book is not going to change a heart on it’s own. It might be used by God to change a heart, but a Christian book never operates on it’s own power, in the same way a Christ-follower accomplishes little or nothing by themselves.

A book might remind someone or point to something, but the power to change a heart always comes from the Spirit of God at work.

Could it be intense worry, anxiety and eventual writer-burnout is simply a result of an author attempting to take on the responsibility of doing something only God can do?

Yes, sometimes God will use a book or what someone has written to accompany his Spirit in doing all this, but it is never the book alone doing it.

So, relax. God’s got this.

All this is pretty simple. Authors need to put their part of the equation into perspective. In your own creative power and personal energy, you will not be able to write with power, be published well and convince someone to commit their lives to God and grow in faith.

Stop worrying, it’s unnecessary.

You are not alone in this journey.

 

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Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing LifeTag: The Writing Life, Worry

A Writer’s Hope Springs Eternal

By Steve Laubeon November 27, 2017
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Writers can be quietly optimistic amidst their seasons of doubt. It is that hope of success that helps make the daily slog a little easier. I reflected on hope by finding a few inspirational quotes: Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. ― Desmond Tutu Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops …

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Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Hope

The Curse of the Writer

By Steve Laubeon November 20, 2017
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Speaking from an agent's perspective...
I have more conversations with clients about their feelings of anxiety, apprehension or insecurity than almost any other topic. Almost every writer I have ever worked with as an editor or an agent severely doubts themselves at some point in the process.

Doubts occur in the midst of creation.
Doubts occur when the disappointing royalty statement …

Read moreThe Curse of the Writer
Category: Career, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Reviews, The Writing LifeTag: Book Business, Doubt, Editors, Get Published, Pitching, Rejection, Writing Craft, Writing Life

Your First Writing Assignment

By Bob Hostetleron October 25, 2017
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If your writing doesn’t start with this practice, you’re cheating yourself. Lauren Winner, author of the wonderful memoirs, Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath,  tells about an experience she had when a writing student of hers showed her part of a memoir that was astounding, far better than this student’s usual writing. Winner asked the student what had transformed her writing over the course of …

Read moreYour First Writing Assignment
Category: Career, Faith, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Faith, Prayer, The Writing Life

Writing Thoughtful Books

By Dan Balowon August 15, 2017
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There has always been a hierarchy in fiction distinguishing “literary” from “popular” books, with lines drawn between both topics and reading levels.  Authors of each are different, somewhat like actors who work on stage versus those who work on screen. Comparisons of literary vs. popular and stage vs. screen are often done in a derogatory manner. Christian authors describing non-fiction might use …

Read moreWriting Thoughtful Books
Category: Art, Faith, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Faith, fiction, Nonfiction, Theology

Is Your Glass Half Empty?

By Steve Laubeon June 12, 2017
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Over the decades it has been interesting to listen to and read the various pundits regarding the publishing industry. Typically those who spell out doom and gloom get the attention (fortifying the idea that “if it bleeds, it leads”). At the same time there is the optimist position which is often derided for being unrealistic. After awhile I’ve learned to smile and simply get back …

Read moreIs Your Glass Half Empty?
Category: Christian, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Personal, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Encouragement, Faith, The Publishing Life

The Damaged Author

By Dan Balowon May 16, 2017
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Anyone can easily identify a person who has been damaged by life and in need of help. The same is true with damaged authors. If you are in this category, writing about your experiences and the lessons learned can be both cathartic and spiritually fruitful, but taking a damaged-life perspective into the professional world of book publishing will rarely work for anyone. If you know someone who is …

Read moreThe Damaged Author
Category: Book Proposals, Encouragement, Faith, Get Published, PitchingTag: Encouragement, Get Published

Amnesia: The Key to Success

By Dan Balowon February 28, 2017
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At some point, anyone involved in motivational or inspirational communication will touch on the necessity of leaving the past behind and moving on from a painful experience or time of life in order to grow personally or professionally. Millions of people spend billions of dollars each year on counselors helping them overcome past issues in their lives. For Christians, leaving a past behind through …

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Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Failure, Inspiration, Success, The Writing Life

Are Deadlines Killing Your Christmas?

By Karen Ballon December 14, 2016
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Remember the days when all we had to do at Christmas time was sip hot chocolate, trim the tree, and wrap gifts, all while listening to Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole croon out those wonderful old carols? Yeah, me neither. For so many of us, Christmas has become another item on our To-Do list. One that we keep moving as deadlines grow ever more dire. It’s crazy. This time of year, the time when we …

Read moreAre Deadlines Killing Your Christmas?
Category: Faith, The Writing LifeTag: Christmas, Deadlines, Faith, The Writing Life

The Writer’s STEP

By Karen Ballon November 30, 2016
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As some of you know, I have asthma. As does one of my very best friends. And you know what these two…ahem…”seasoned” asthmatics love to do? Hike! Yup. We plod along, coughing and wheezing and laughing (or, to be more accurate, gasping) about how they’ll find our poor deceased selves on the path, but that’s okay, because at least we went out doing what we love. I realize that people who don’t know …

Read moreThe Writer’s STEP
Category: Career, Encouragement, Faith, Get Published, Inspiration, The Writing LifeTag: Encouragement, Faith, The Writing Life
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