Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
I was corresponding with a client whose book contains a message that’s fairly edgy and in some ways, counter-cultural. He knows I totally believe in him and his book, but in this particular email I used some cautious language. I told him we were “walking a tricky line” trying to find the right publisher for the book—one who was both liberal enough for the subject matter, yet not objecting to the underlying Christian message.
My client wrote back with a gentle reminder to let go of the fear of failure, and to stop thinking small.
He had a good point. I don’t think small. If I were thinking small, I wouldn’t take on a book that’s somewhat risky and definitely challenging—for me, as well as for his eventual readers. I’m thinking this book could be huge, and could definitely change lives. That’s why I took it on. So I appreciated the reminder to keep thinking big and not worry about failing.
And yet…
I think it’s crucially important that we all keep our expectations somewhat in line with reality. It’s easy to get caught up in big dreams, which can lead to disappointment when your book deal isn’t as huge as you’d like, and your advance won’t buy you a new house. So I’m always advising writers to be optimistic, yet realistic.
It’s a tightrope, isn’t it? Trying to balance realistic expectations with big dreams? Yet somehow, we all need to walk it.
How do you manage your expectations, yet “think big” about your writing career? How do you hold fast to your belief, yet not allow it to cripple you in the event the reality is not quite as big as your dream?
Tweetables
Agent @RachelleGardner discusses walking the tightrope between big dreams and realistic expectations. Click to Tweet.
“How do you think big about your writing career, yet manage your expectations?” Click to Tweet.
Amelia Rhodes
I keep taking things back to God and holding my hands open rather than clenching my dreams tightly in my fist. I keep asking Him to show me what to do next and give me the courage to go forward, and I never assume that I have it all figured out. I keep myself open to His redirection.
Michelle Ule
Amen
Lori Benton
Amen.
And I try to keep my priorities straight. I’m doing this primarily for the joy of writing/creation, second for the enrichment of readers. Money comes farther down that list for me and that’s the way I want it to stay, which means constantly doing what Amelia just said.
Rachelle Gardner (@RachelleGardner)
Yes, focusing on your priorities would be an important part of this delicate balance.
Jennifer Major
And Amen.
Rachelle Gardner (@RachelleGardner)
Very wise, Amelia.
Jeanne T
I love your perspective, Amelia. I won’t repeat what’s already been said. Just, well spoken.
Meghan Carver
Amen, Amelia! Keeping my focus on the Lord’s will for my life, whatever it may be.
Sue Harrison
I love that, “I don’t assume that I have it all figured out,” Amelia. I need to tattoo that on my . . . computer screen! Great comment!
Amelia Rhodes
Tattoo on your computer screen, love it! Me too. It’s something I have to continually keep in front of me.
Linda
Excellent reply.
Steve
While I believe the sky is the limit, I am also constantly reminding myself that it is in God’s hands. I am just starting out, writing and refining my first novel. I’ll begin the querry process later this year. I believe God has given me the talent to compose a story that conveys a Christian message, and if He wants that message to get out He’ll ensure it does. This does not relieve me of my responsibility to do my best work and diligently seek out an agent and publisher. But once it reaches that stage, I have done what I can and will leave the rest to God. Success is not selling 100,000 copies, success is reaching someone who needed that message.
Amelia Rhodes
Ooh, I like that line that success isn’t selling 100,000 copies but in reaching someone who needed that message. I needed that today.
Shawn Smucker
Work hard. Stay hopeful.
Scott Smith
I’m absolutely a ‘count your chickens before they hatch’ kind of guy. Always have been. I’ve learned that I can let my hopes soar as high as I want as long as I balance them by putting my all into NOW. Right now, my book doesn’t even have an agent, much less a publisher or big advance. So I dream of being the John Green of speculative fiction, I enjoy everything that right now has to offer.
Emily Parnell
Oooh, I’d love to read your client’s book. I worry about the same thing with mine – and I at times consider taming my gritty story, or watering down my Christian message. But I believe God gave me a story to tell and He must have a place for it. As a Christian writer, I feel like letting God use my work is more important than pocketing some moolah. Although that would be nice too!
Jennifer Major
Good morning, Rachelle, what a challenge for Christian writers to face!
I read this and before I got to the question, an old hymn popped into my (very vacant) brain.
“My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
I’ve had some very, VERY smart pubbed writer friends give me some fantastic advice, (cough, Lori B, Beth V cough).
And I sponge up all the wisdom I can.
I have a reality that is made up of my family and friends. I’m fairly certain they know the real Jennifer (feel free at this time to take a moment and send up a prayer for them) and they’ll still be here when my book is in the sale bin….but there’s 3 more on the M shelf! 😀
I am not fixed on my career, but I work hard. The thing is, I have written a book, several, in fact, and I’m pretty proud of myself.
I have a saying I use…”The worst that could happen is they say ‘yes’!”
I need to be ready in season, and out.
Steve
Love that song you quoted, Jennifer!
Jeanne T
Great words, Jennifer. And I’m with Steve. I love that song! 🙂
Lisa
I truly enjoy reading your posts, Rachelle. Your material is so poignant and in-keeping with what every writer thinks and stews over.
As a young girl, I was raised as a “PK”. It wasn’t fun or easy, but I found that God calls each individual to his or her calling; mine happens to be writing.
My first work is a medical memoir. Yes, God is great. Enough said. However, my dream grew and blossomed. I now write Commercial Women’s Fiction. My big dream is to first be published, and secondly, to make it to film (easy breezy…not). But I found myself holding back during the first draft. I knew the story needed something, but felt uncomfortable writing those certain needed scenes.
After much worry and silent pleads to God I wrote the one scene I procrastinated with for quite a while. Was it easy? No. But, I waited for God’s leadership – He so humbles me. He reminded me that we all live this life and we all face the same challenges. His gentle guidance gave me the courage to walk that thin rope you wrote about today. And, now, as I wait for the ms to be edited, I have begun writing my second novel. And, again, I shall wait for His voice to whisper in my heart and plead for His hand to guide mine.
Thank you, again, for your posts. I have learned so much. You are appreciated.
Lisa Bernstein
Alise
I like to let myself dream about the potential for big, exciting things. But to help keep perspective, I think about other big, exciting things that have happened to me, and then think about what it actually did to change my life, and most of the time, it’s not much. It’s still great, but it’s almost never as huge as I think it’s going to be.
This helps me remember that while I may be disappointed if the big thing doesn’t happen, I wasn’t as elated as I thought I would be when previous big things did happen, so the disappointment is tempered.
Additionally, I allow myself to celebrate the little victories along the way. Hooray, I finished a proposal! Hooray, I got an agent! Hooray, I had a successful blog post! Hooray, I brewed a really amazing cup of coffee! If I get to celebrate little stuff, that also helps me keep the big stuff in perspective.
Jenni Brummett
Celebrating the little things nudges into the monotony of the day to day stuff, and then gives us greater courage for the big steps.
Jeanne T
In all honesty, I still have a hard time dreaming big with writing. I guess being too much of a pragmatist, is something I need to be careful about. God has a way of surprising me with encouragements when I become negative about writing. I think His dreams are bigger than mine now, and I need to give Him more freedom to work in my heart in this regard. I don’t know if this makes sense. Up until this spring, I think I’ve lived on the “realistic side” to the detriment of the “dream big—trust God” side.
I’m learning how to trust that He has good plans for the writing, the stories He’s given me to write. I don’t know if this all makes sense. 🙂
I guess, similar to what Amelia shared, I take my hopes, my disappointments, my dreams, everything to God, leave them in His hands, and seek HIs leading in each scene I write. I want to write well, and bring Him pleasure, whether it’s in a big, nationally acclaimed way, or a smaller way. He’s in charge. 🙂
Jenni Brummett
Jeanne, I understand where you’re coming from. Sometimes when I think about my definition of success, the pragmatist in me says, “Nah.” The real kicker is that the Lord’s definition of success is surprisingly contrary to mine. This is where the communication and listening to Him part comes in.
After some positive feedback at Mount Hermon this year I felt like I’d been given permission to do what I’ve always loved to do; put pen to paper, and allow the Lord to breath eloquence into my words. But I need to remember that I’m writing for the Lord rather than for people.
Jeanne T
I love your words, Jenni. 🙂 It’s been positive feedback from surprising places that has encouraged me to begin dreaming bigger than myself, if that makes sense. I also think God confirmed that He has called me to write. I’m with you. God gave me the stories. I want to write them in a way that brings Him pleasure, and hopefully draws others to Him. 🙂
Jessica Smits
Optimistic, yet realistic.
Love it.
Brad
Prophets are seldom appreciated in their time. Is that the direction your writer is going? Then he or she may be a voice crying in the wilderness. That’s not bad, and may be very good. But his or her publisher will need to join in this possibility. Write, publish, and prepare for the possibility that the book won’t sell.
DelSheree
I think you do have to dream big and not be afraid to fail, but along with that, you have to be very active about your writing. Word of mouth is no doubt the biggest factor in selling books, but getting out there and making sure you do everything you can to get your book into more hands so more people an talk about it so important. Do everything you can do to make sure your are successful and then have faith in your work.
Sarah Thomas
I remind myself that no matter how big I dream, God can go WAY bigger. And what he has for me is the best dream of all–even if it doesn’t look quite the way I thought it would.
Jennifer Major
God’s plans blow my away, quite often!!
Whether it’s seeing clover in the fall where it shouldn’t be, or having friends do something completely unexpected, God is in the “Oh, just you wait and see, my child” business.
Jeanne T
I LOVE your perspective, Sarah. 🙂
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
If you’re jumping from one rooftop to another, and think, maybe I won’t make it, you won’t.
Same thing with dreams and expectations. Never pare them back, never accept a limitation on your potential. If you do, your horizon will shrink to the size of the footprints you’re standing on.
You’ll get criticism, but no one ever built a monument to a critic, and your job doesn’t include making your detractors happy.
Go hard, never look back, and never, ever take counsel of your fears.
You’re going to win.
Jennifer Major
Oh my word! SO well said, Andrew!!
I might just print this whole comment out and stick it on my computer!
Jeanne T
I love your words, Andrew. Talk about powerful! Thanks for the reminder on how I need to be thinking. 🙂
Amanda Dykes
What a great post, Rachelle. It is a hard balance to strike, that’s for sure! Here’s where I rest– I’m quoting myself from an old blog post of mine, but I think this applies here, and is a good reminder for my heart:
I believe God dreams big for us. I’m not talking about tiny-moment dreams vs. big-picture dreams. I am proposing that those tiny moments? They’re not tiny. They’re part of His big dreams for us.
Will we pay Him heed just as much when He calls us to do something we perceive as a small act, as we do when He begins to tug on our hearts to do something we think is huge?
Will we listen when He tells us to close the laptop and open His word, just as much as we’ll pay attention when He tells us to go write that book, go move to that foreign city or country, go ____(insert other drastic calling/huge life dream here)____?
…altering my view of “big dreams” to see each moment as a big dream, simply because He’s called us to it, helps give the freedom to dream big and live God’s big dreams for us.
Still, it scares me at times to dream big for my writing… so instead, I’ll rest in knowing just what Sarah said above: What He has for me is the best dream of all. And truly, the biggest dream of all, too. 🙂
Kiersti
That’s really good, Amanda–thanks for sharing!
Amanda Dykes
Ooh, I just read this: “…the thrill is in the trying what doesn’t seem possible. Isn’t that always the place where fear meets faith and the face of God?” (Ann Voskamp, 1,000 Gifts Devotional p. 23)
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
To add a PS to my super-moto comment, I’d like to say this – that the bulk of making a dream come true will take place over many dark nights of the soul, unrelieved by the smallest flicker or glow, and in which the only comfort is that somehow, somewhere, God cares.
But if you can see a light at the end of the tunnel, then it really isn’t faith, is it?
There is a short poem by Henry Lee that speaks to this, I think.
“I see no gleam of victory alluring,
no hope of splendid booty or of gain.
If I endure – I must go on enduring, and my sole reward for bearing pain – is pain.
Yet though the thrill, the zest, and the hope are gone
something within me keeps me fighting on.”
Gabrielle Meyer
My husband always cautions me: Be hopeful, but don’t get your hopes up. I’m wildly hopeful that God will give me the desires of my heart. But I’m also mindful that not all the desires resting there came from Him. With each step of faith I take, I believe He will bring about the best outcome–and because of that, I have peace knowing it’s all in his hands. His plans for me far surpass my own, even if I don’t know what they are right now.
Christina Kaylor
Rachelle,
Why would you think “liberal” and “Christian” wouldn’t go together? I do understand that “Christian Market books” are probably aimed at a different branch of Christianity from mine, but the terms shouldn’t be mutually exclusive! Let the Great World Spin comes to mind as an example that melds the two.
Heather Day Gilbert
I hear you loud and clear, Rachelle. I’ve always been an expect-the-utmost-worst kinda gal (glass half empty…Jennifer Major is laughing since she knows this is so true). And yet, after five years, three books, and three agents, imagining every possible failure outcome, I’m finally wildly hopeful. Because God finally brought me to the point where I’m ready to give up the dream of getting my Viking novel traditionally published. I’m ready to go hybrid! And for the first time in years, I am SO HAPPY that I can control one little piece of my career–my cover art, my marketing strategy, everything. And I’ve met so many great future readers who have slogged with me through the trenches and are ready to have a book in their hands. All this to say, I’m finally hopeful. Yes, I have a book out on submission with traditional pubs. But once you get the go-ahead from God to branch out and explore new options, the sky is the limit. I have all kinds of hopes for this book…all the while, expecting low sales, as my indie author friends have advised me to do. I’m just happy someone will get to read this baby! And I’m ready!
Finally dreaming bigger than what I can understand, and it feels great!
Jenni Brummett
Heather, this news is fantastic!
Heather Day Gilbert
Thank you, Jenni! I do feel such fresh freedom with this! I vlogged a little more about it on my blog…but it’s just a refreshing change in ye olde waiting game.
Jennifer Major
Who me? LAUGH?? At you and your glass ?
NoooOOOOooooo….t very loud.
Heather Day Gilbert
Ha…like I said, today it just needed a refill, Jennifer…hee.
Jeanne T
Yea, Heather! Keep dreaming bigger than what you can understand. I’m going to join you in that arena. 🙂
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
Dream boldly, Heather, and mighty forces will come to your aid.
Heather Day Gilbert
Thank you all! Sometimes I think all authors have to have a bit of the dreamer in them to conceive of entire book worlds and characters…but it is easy to get squashed along the way by setbacks.
Beth MacKinney
I would say rather than trying to second guess what the publishers will take, just submit and let them decide, as long as you’re in the ballpark of what they do. When the skill is there, it always comes down to personal preference of whoever reads the manuscript that day. Just submit and see. Don’t prepare yourself for disappointment, because I think it’s a pointless exercise.
donnie nelson
My passion for writing “trumps” all material gains that I may receive from what I write.
Lynn Hare
I’ve written out a verse from the Bible that I consider my life verse. It’s Hebrews 10:35,36. I wrote a crafted prayer that personalizes it. I speak this prayer often.
As each of us learns God’s plan for us, we persevere and seek His rich rewards. In times of lack, there are always unparalleled rewards – including new relationships – in which God is giving major upgrades in our spiritual growth.
Gerald Trimmer
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6.
You can’t go wrong when you put the Lord first.