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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Success

Success

Success

By Dan Balowon May 5, 2021
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I am using the 20th year remembrance of the death of Clifton Hillegass as inspiration to make a larger point about the direction an author’s life can take.

Clifton (pictured above is his statue in Kearney, NE) was the creator of CliffsNotes and passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 83 on May 5, 2001.

I assume most of you reading this post are aware of CliffsNotes and also of how much some educators and literature purists hated them and how much their students loved them. But you might be interested to know Clifton Hillegass’s original intent for the summary books was to point out the subtleties and nuances of great literature that might have been lost on a high-school or college student. He was a lover of great literature and plays, with no intention of diminishing them in any way.

To make a long story short, instead of CliffsNotes being used to illuminate, they were used instead of reading the actual book. So the apparent “scourge” of CliffsNotes rampaged over the decades, now consisting of 300+ titles with sales exceeding 100 million copies worldwide. In 1999, a similar type of product, SparkNotes started and is currently owned and sold by Barnes & Noble Bookstores.

By the way, there is a CliffsNotes version of the Old Testament, New Testament, and the complete Bible. Think of the time you can save!

So what’s the point today?

It doesn’t matter what your original purpose was for writing. You will be defined and directed by what you are successful doing. Even mild success has this effect.

In one sense, writing is no different than any other profession or pursuit. You might start out desiring something specific for your life and find a measure of success doing something else. Many people start off doing what they are educated and trained to do; but through success, end up doing something else for their lifework.

If you notice, I am not using theological words like predestined or gifted. Things like this are not always that dramatically spiritual. However, your life journey is never a mystery to God!

You had an idea. But God had a little different idea, involving a bit of Proverbs 16:9:

In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps (NIV).

And also a good dose of Romans 8:28:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV).

There are pastors who started out ministering to their congregation, but found themselves with a fertile ministry in a specific area. Then after focusing their efforts there, they are heretofore known primarily by that fruitful ministry. They held tight to God’s providence, but loose to their plans.

Our future on this earth is driven far more by what God allows to be fruit-bearing than by what we want to be successful doing. Doesn’t mean you don’t have a vision behind what you do. Just don’t be surprised if God does something with your writing and life different than you originally planned.

Keep your mission big and eternal. Keep your plans small and flexible.

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Category: Creativity, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Success

How Do You Measure Success?

By Steve Laubeon December 9, 2019
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by Steve Laube

A few years ago while talking to some editors they described an author who was never satisfied (not revealing the name of course). It this author's latest book had sold 50,000 copies the author wondered why the publisher didn't sell 60,000. And if it sold 60,000 why didn't it sell 75,000? The author was constantly pushing for "more" and was incapable of celebrating any measure of …

Read moreHow Do You Measure Success?
Category: Book Business, Career, TrendsTag: Book Business, Career, Money, Success

Thank You, Authors!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 5, 2018
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Steve Laube and I were discussing recent contracts and that conversation further underscored a thought that led me to write this post. Success is not about us, but about our authors. Thank you, Authors! For laboring over your books. Each day, you must sit in front of a blank white screen and fill it with words. Good words. Words that will touch, inspire, convict, and uplift. Thank you, Authors! …

Read moreThank You, Authors!
Category: The Writing LifeTag: Authors, Success, The Writing Life

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 …

Read moreAmnesia: The Key to Success
Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Failure, Inspiration, Success, The Writing Life

It’s Never One Thing

By Dan Balowon May 3, 2016
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Somewhat of a follow-up to last week’s post on the future being a complex mix of everything rather than one magic solution, today we will focus on authors and what it takes to make a successful writing career. Like everything else in life, it is never one thing. Success is always a result of a variety of things that came together to make it work. The same is true for something considered …

Read moreIt’s Never One Thing
Category: Book Business, CareerTag: Career, Success

A Definition of a Successful Artist

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 30, 2015
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Recently I witnessed an artist (not a writer) put work out to the public that I believe needed some polish. Some of my close family and I agreed that it shouldn’t have been released without being improved first. However, this artist was being cheered by intimate friends and family. I’m not positive all of these people actually like the art itself. I think many of them just want to …

Read moreA Definition of a Successful Artist
Category: Art, Awards, Craft, CreativityTag: Art, Career, Success

4 Conference Success Secrets

By Steve Laubeon March 30, 2015
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I have been on the faculty of more than 150 writers conferences over the years. Some might say that is the definition of insanity… !?! But I would not be where I am today if it were not for the fine people I have met over the years at those events. I am a firm believer in the purpose behind a writers conference and what can be accomplished. After a while it became clear which writers were going to …

Read more4 Conference Success Secrets
Category: Career, Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Success, writers conferences

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 …

Read moreTools from the Front Lines of Life: Authenticity
Category: Career, Get Published, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: authenticity, Success, Writing Life

Publishing Success Can be Fleeting

By Steve Laubeon January 12, 2015
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Tonight is the big college football national championship game. The first one ever decided via a playoff system. Oregon vs. Ohio State. Many could care less. But those who do number in the millions. We have some extended family who are pretty excited. (One used a foam-head Duckbill hat as his Christmas tree topper – see the picture to the right). Be careful if you disparage Ohio State while …

Read morePublishing Success Can be Fleeting
Category: Book Business, CareerTag: Career, Success

The Word Every Writer Desires

By Steve Laubeon October 20, 2014
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Success. It is a word that has a “sweet smell” for some and is the “gold ring” of achievement for others. But in order to appreciate success we must first define it. And there is the rub. Each one of us defines success differently…especially writers. Here are some definitions I’ve heard or seen: Getting an agent My first book contract Selling 20,000 copies of my …

Read moreThe Word Every Writer Desires
Category: Book Business, Career, MoneyTag: Career, Money, Success
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