When I was a romance novelist, a few authors who weren’t published looked down on me. They didn’t think I belonged in rarified air with authors consistently writing larger books. Interesting fact: I never felt slighted by those known as “big” authors when I was writing category romance. They understood the difficulty and work in being published. At. All.
One of the best sayings attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, is, “Comparisons are odious.” Since I have been found wanting at times, I try not to compare. When I’m on top by the world’s standards, I’m even less likely to compare myself to others. I have better things to do with my time, starting with trying to draw closer to Christ to reduce my faults.
As a reader, I don’t like every book published. I don’t have to. I also don’t have to denigrate and dismiss other Christians with sound teaching who are called to a writing ministry. That’s like saying missionaries to China are superior to missionaries in Virginia. Oh really? Why is that? Yes, for an American, being a missionary in China poses a different set of challenges and difficulties than being a missionary in Virginia. But who says reaching other Americans for Christ is easy? My pastor often preaches that the body of Christ is made of many different parts, that no part is superior to another (1 Corinthians 12:20-27). Likewise, we should acknowledge the same about our fellow Christian authors, whether or not we enjoy their books.
Authors criticizing other authors are:
- As explained above, saying that author’s ministry is less worthwhile than others.
- Opining that the writers are not using their time wisely.
- In the case of traditionally published authors, declaring that the publisher has low status and/or is wrong to publish the book.
- Proclaiming the authors’ editors are not discerning.
- Stating that the authors’ readers are making poor use of their time and should instead be reading what the world calls “great literature” that often was not written by Christians. By the way, our readers are already studying truly great literature. It’s called the Bible.
As a reader, you can say, “I enjoyed Book A more than I did Book B.” You can share your opinion to edify others without dismissing brothers and sisters in Christ who are called to write books you don’t prefer.
Let us always be mindful of those who toil for the Kingdom with us. Let us uplift one another.
