Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
I was talking with a wise colleague about the ways people commonly give away their power — in work, in relationships, and life in general. When we give away our power, we lose out on the things we want and need in life. Writers seeking publication are vulnerable to specific ways of giving away their power if they’re not careful. Here are seven ways I’ve observed:
1. Thinking any single outside entity can make or break your career.
It’s truer now than ever before — writers have a multitude of options for getting their work in front of readers. No single agent or publisher or writing teacher need have a disproportionate influence on your writing career. Don’t give any one entity too much power.
2. Being intimidated by “the industry” or anyone in it.
You may feel like people out there (agents, publishers) have a lot of power and let’s be honest, some of them wield it rather arrogantly. But most of us don’t think of it as power at all. We’re just looking for the right authors and books for our needs. Just because it feels like the industry has the power, it doesn’t mean you have to hand over yours. Realize we’re all in this together and we have the same goals. Refuse to be intimidated.
3. Blindly following “expert” advice.
There is a LOT of advice out there, but not all of it is great. Always think carefully about it, run it through your own common sense filters and get multiple opinions when it makes sense. You keep your power by insisting on thinking everything through yourself.
4. Neglecting to work hard at the basics.
Everyone, no matter their career or chosen field, must do the hard work of becoming good at what they do. That’s where a great deal of your power lies — in your ability to study, learn, research, practice, whatever it takes to become the best. Don’t give up this key element of control over your future.
5. Giving up your own passion in favor of someone else’s ideas.
In any business, you’re going to be sensitive to what sells, what the market wants. As a writer, you’re looking at what readers want. But be careful to balance it out with your own ideas. You always want to be looking for the sweet spot where your own passion meets the market. This is true in any career, not just writing.
6. Constantly comparing yourself to others.
Comparison sucks the life out of your soul. Really, it’s a dream stealer and a motivation killer. And it gives away your power to be who you are, to value your own unique journey. Don’t give in to comparison.
7. Holding on to negative feelings.
Some writers have felt humiliated or devastated at the rejection of their writing. Some are resentful or angry at the establishment or the system that is so difficult to crack. I don’t think I need to tell you that holding on to these negatives can be one of the biggest ways to give away your power. You’re allowing yourself to be held hostage by the past, and you’re keeping barriers erected in front of yourself. Do whatever you need to do to let go of the negatives.
Have you given away your power in any of these ways? In any other ways? How did it affect you, and what did you do to change it?
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I think there’s perhaps room for another #1…we give away our power when we allow our will to diverge from that of the Almighty.
Writing’s a gift, and one granted by God – and I believe it’s for a specific purpose, unique to each writer. When we leave that ministry to experiment, or look for a more lucrative genre, we cut ourselves off from the only meaningful source of power we have.
We’re not promised success or recognition…the only real reference that Scripture makes for something like this is that when much is given, much is expected and required.
“Well done” at the end of life may be the sole reward for hundreds of thousands of words bled onto paper, but if we’ve remained true to the Almighty’s intention for our writing, it’ll be more than enough.
Amen, Andrew.
I am tempted to stray from God’s power in two ways: first, by wandering away from his plan, trying to attach my project to the power of popularity or trying to replicate someone else’s path to success. The second error is expecting God to bless my project when I haven’t done the hard work expected of me.
When I give away the power from God, Rachelle, my writing goes flat and is hard work. The joy is gone. I get back on track with God, and my writing follows.
There is a great compelling of God. He directs our destiny and gives us the raw tools and the experiences in which to draw from. Then it is in our court as to what we will do with it. I often see Him as my Audience of One. I love it, Andrew, that you bring us back to purpose and calling. In the big scheme of things, writing a bestseller is not as valuable as the humble act of washing someone else’s dirty feet like the Sisters of Charity do on a daily basis. Being faithful to the task that God has given each one of us to do should bring joy and satisfaction in and of themselves. … I appreciate #6. The whine of complaint can bleed through blog writings and book offerings. I’ve noticed it at times. I agree, Rachelle, we must work hard at ithe craft, do the best we can, learn as much as we can, and then trust our instincts. Not a bad formula.
Andrew,
Thank you so much for this insight. I want to print it out. It’s a valuable reminder to stay true to God’s idea of success and His idea for my writing.
Peggy, you just made my night! Thank you!
QueryShark is right: you’ve got to be one of the nicest agents in the business. Thanks for this!
You’re in for a treat, getting to know Rachelle! She surely is all that…and I’ve heard that she’s even nicer and more gracious in person.
Rachelle was the recipient of the first query I ever sent…and though she passed, she took the time to write me a kind, warm and encouraging note that has sustained me through many of the periods of self-doubt that can plague a writer. She made it clear that she believed in my voice and my ability, and that did more than she will ever know.
It’s something I will never, ever forget, and any success I have achieved in writing, or have yet to see, stems in large part from the few minutes she took to go the extra mile.
Rachelle Gardner…you are indeed a class act, and I thank Laurel for giving me the opportunity to say so.
The legendary NY Yankee catcher Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” In life, we come to many forks in the road, and each time we plunge headlong toward one or the other without giving it thought, we cede power to the unknown. The secret (if there is one) seems to be resolute in sticking with our “plans of our life.” Prayer helps, but don’t expect God to make a decision for us. Ask God for the strength to avoid what seems to be the fork that would compromise our chosen path. Of course, we can adapt to change, but only after thinking it through. My grandfather always cautioned me, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, do don’t use good intentions as a defense for wrongdoing.” Today his saying is called the Law of Unintended Consequences, and it bites many people in their backsides.
Not treating advice as Gospel is a big one. It took me awhile to take everything I could from a critique and make my story better, without making it worse by making the wrong change. Sometimes the person giving you the critique lands on something that is wrong with that section of text, but can’t describe it quite right. They will give you advice to do such and such, but it is not what you should do. Slowly, slowly, I’ve learned to figure out how I can make something better, my way. Listen to the advice and then find out how to improve it in your own voice. Of course sometimes they are spot on and then you just do what they say. That part is much easier.
Great tips, Rachelle. #1 is a point that even we published authors have to remember.
Incredibly helpful post. I might have to print it out and put it on my fridge. Thanks.
I love #6. Enjoying the journey is invaluable.
Thanks! This blog topic was so helpful. It’s a fine line between knowing when to change and when to stay true to oneself. Again, thanks.
Being so new to all this I freely admit to number two being a nemesis. And not so much the “industry” but what a new writer has to do to even wedge a toe in, such as building a platform. I understand the reasoning behind it of course. Foremost it is an industry, and one major purpose of the industry is to generate profits–for the publisher, agent, and writer.
I do wonder how many of our most favorite authors would have made it in today’s publishing world if they didn’t have a platform? Would their talent overcome? I suppose we will never know … but when I look at lists of various famous writers that had their initial offerings rejected, I am afraid that might give me a clue.
But hey, that’s the realist in me. The optimist, passionate about the discovery of the craft, continues to do it each and every day. I tell anyone that hasn’t given it a shot to try it, if for no other reason than for themselves.
I was going to say that “3. Blindly following ‘expert’ advice.,” was the point that would snag me since I’m still in the early years of learning the craft. The opposite is also a problem, however. NOT following expert advice causes me a power drain.
Thanks, Rachelle, for the preventing-the-power-loss points.
Reading back through I especially enjoy six. We each have our own gifts: just like when someone who knows us intimately gives us the perfect thing on a special occasion, we are each given abilities that fit us to a T. To compare those gifts does not honor those gifts
Beautiful, Rachelle, and so true in any endeavor. Thank you for the words of inspiration!