Adam Blumer's Blog, page 26

The Christian Author and Self-Promotion, Part 2

"Whateveryou do, work heartily, as for theLord and not for men" (Col. 3:23 ESV).

"Renderingservice with a good will as to the Lord and not to man" (Eph. 6:7ESV). 

Inlastweek's post, I discussed promotion in general and made a fewobservations. 
Self-promotionis not the same thing as product promotion.    Thewriter's life is not beyond biblical scrutiny.Themotive of everything we do should be to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31).Sowhere do we go from here?

Whatdo the above verses tell us? Everything we do should be done for theLord and not for men. Wow.That's a toughie, isn't it? Don't we all tend to be peoplepleasers?

Butif those verses are true, how do we Christian authors respond to thepressure to please our readers? To write for a certain audience? Towant readers to like our books and buy them? To market our materials toexpand our audience? To speak to groups and do radio interviews tofurther our influence? (And I'm not knocking these things—they are allimportant.)


Ithink the word influence maybe helpful in ourdiscussion here. Otherwise, we might reach the conclusion that weshouldn't do any of these things if we intend to obey these verses. Notso fast. Consider the words of John Piper:

Let'sget rid of the word "self-promotion" and refuse to think that way. Idon't ever wantto be self-promoting. I don't like that language. I'm going to say, "Ifwhat I'm promoting here is myself, then I don't want to do it." . .. What I'm promoting is a truththat, by grace, I believe I have seen. . . .

That'swhat the Bible says to do: "Declare his glory among the nations!"Alright! You've got to open your mouth and say what you've seen withyour eyes about his glory. You've got to say that! The Bible would never callthat self-promotion. You're supposed to die in the process! That's notself-promotion. . . . 

Thevery process of true spreading is a process of self-denying. "He whowould come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross andfollow me," meaning, "Follow me into proclamation, into gospelspreading, into serving people." Of course you're there, and you'reusing your hands, your mouth, your brain; but it's all death if you'redoing it right.Sothe language I use that may bridges the gap is "influence." Is it rightfor a Christian to want to be influential? And the answer is—if whatis influencing people is the truth, the beauty of Christ, the glory ofGod—"Yes, it's right and good." (http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/what-is-the-difference-between-good-and-bad-self-promotion)

Sobased on what Piper is saying, I think we can conclude that if we'rewriting only to promote ourselves and be the next big-shot author, then we are shallow writersindeed. Becausewe have a higher calling. 

Acalling to influence the world with God's truth. To proclaim God'sglory.

Inother words, our writing isn't/shouldn't be about us. In fact,based on Scripture, we are to die to ourselves. Deny ourselves. Take upour crosses. Be humble. That certainly doesn't sound like the rock starmentality the world tells us we should have, does it? In fact, it's quite the reverse.

Sowhen we have a message or story to proclaim in book form (and yes, every bookhas a  message), we need to see ourselves not as promotingourselves but as promoting God and His truth and His glory. After all,we are only his microphones for truth.

After all, weare/should be dead to self. But He is alive.

It'snot about us. It's about something—about Someone—so muchbigger.

Ifwe keep that in mind, we'll forget about the whole fame/ego thing thatcan go along with being a published author. And we'll understand thatmarketing and building a platform and doing radio interviews—evenwriting books that are appealing to our readers—are things that aren't really aboutus.

They're about something—about Someone—so much bigger.

"It'sall death if you're doing it right" (Piper). Something to ponder. Untilnext time.   

Fuel Your Critique Group With Google+ | Author Media

Fuel Your Critique Group With Google+ | Author Media

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

January 12, Evening


"I have yet to speak on God's behalf." --Job 36:2 

We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but "a city set upon a hill;" he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one's self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of Him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee." By Sychar's well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all Thy children's tongue.

The Christian Author and Self-Promotion, Part 1

As you can tell by the title, I plan to tackle a topic sure to raise the blood pressure and perhaps even cause some discussion. The topic of self-promotion is one I've wrestled with for some time, especially as I constantly read posts in writing forums about how we authors must brand, market, build our platforms, etc. It's all self-promotion, isn't it? Or is it?

Is promotion itself wrong? Of course not.

Naturally, as authors, we want customers to buy our books. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. In a sense, we are Christian businessmen and women. We work hard, produce a product, and hope others see its value enough to buy it. The same could be true of a Christian car salesman. We work hard. We support our families. In that sense, no, I don't believe selling a product is wrong, nor do I believe it's wrong to promote a product.

But is that the same thing as self-promotion? I see a subtle but important difference between promoting a product and promoting ourselves.

So what about promoting ourselves? I think a lot of this question points to the heart of our motives.

So what does the Bible say about this topic? As I see it, some of this issue boils down to whether we seek to please men or seek to please God, and the Bible is certainly not silent on that issue.

A foundational truth, as I see it, is that if we are writers who believe the Bible and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then our writing cannot exist in a compartment that is separate from that. In fact, Scripture is clear that every part of our lives must be dedicated to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). God's glory. Not our glory. I think most believers and Christian authors would agree with me on that point.

So we have established two foundation truths: The writer's life is not beyond biblical scrutiny. And everything we do should be motivated to glorify God.

So now where do we go with this? Until next time . . .

Barnes-Hecker Tragedy

Very cool! I was able to speak on the phone today with the author of "No Tears in Heaven," the basis for this video. This true story factors into my next novel, but that's all I'm saying for now.

Fifty-one men went to work one cold November day, never to return home. In 1926, Michigan's worst iron ore mining disaster occurred in western Marquette County. The men were working in the Barnes-Hecker Mine when it caved in. They were fathers, brothers and sons. Now hear their stories through their descendants. You'll also hear stories of the widows who went on to raise their families and an account of how one man managed to make it out alive.

Based on the book "No Tears in Heaven" by Thomas G. Friggens, director of the Michigan Iron Ore Industry Museum in Negaunee, Michigan.
http://wnmutv.nmu.edu/barnes-hecker.php

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Captive Heart Bethany House (January 1, 2012) by Dale Cramer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired.

After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings and a hard-rock mining operation.

Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels.


When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later.

In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write.

Using an online writer's forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first book, Sutter's Cross, in 2003.

Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2004 and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender's family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm's way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter's obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Captive Heart, go HERE

Divine Sovereignty & Human Responsibility | Challies Dot Com

This goes along with my last article. Worth thinking about.
Divine Sovereignty & Human Responsibility | Challies Dot Com

Why Do We Pursue a Certain Life's Direction?

While so many others are writing about new year's resolutions, I've chosen not to. Instead, today's question is this: why do I write? Or—here's a broader question that includes everyone—why do we do what we do, or why do we pursue a certain life's direction?

Because of some rare gene? Early childhood exposure? Ancestry?

Why was my father an engineer for GM? And why didn't I become an engineer like him?

The truth is, from a human perspective, none of us can explain why we go after certain pursuits other than what we heard as children: "Your mommy is really musical, so you'll probably be musical too." The Bible sheds some light on this question when it says that we're "fearfully and wonderfully made" and that this careful planning occurred long before our first breath—in fact, before anybody had any idea what time even was.

The bottom line is that God decides the type of interest we'll pursue. The Bible says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." God gives us both interest and aptitude for what He wants us to do in life. It's silly of me to think I could be the next big recording artist if I can't carry a tune. If I faint at the sight of blood, I probably won't be a renowned surgeon either.

But there is something God wants me to do. Remember what the New Testament says about the church. We can't all be hands and feet or eyes or noses.

But we are some part, and that part is valuable to God.

I believe God leads us into certain interests, and usually (but not always) we gravitate toward a life's pursuit because of those interests. (Interest+aptitude=direction, right?) It is true, however, that many work a job they don't like because they have a family to support and know no other way to put food on the table. But they still have dreams, don't they? Sometimes dreams stay only dreams, but sometimes God allows those dreams to come true.

And I think those dreams—note, when they match God's dreams—are what give us a worthwhile direction in life.

For me the interest to work with words began at an early age. I had no idea why other than that perhaps my mom read a lot of books and, because of her influence, I became a lover of words and stories too. Later, being a published novelist was something I dreamed about but didn't take too seriously.

Therefore, God leads us to become the people He means us to be, whether a teacher or mechanic or banker. But does that mean we are robots? Does that mean we have no say in the matter? I don't think so. Without getting into a big discussion of Calvinism, I believe Scripture is clear that God won't drag us kicking and screaming to do something we loathe. (If we're robots, then there is no personal responsibility, but the Bible is clear that we are responsible for our actions.)

But God will give us interests that harmonize with His purposes, and somehow (in a way I don't believe anyone can fully understand this side of heaven) our free will meshes with His will. And because He created us and knows us better than anyone else ever could, He guides us along the path we're meant to take. Consider these words from Charles Spurgeon (whom I've been reading a lot lately):

It is but little that we know of Jesus compared with what he knows of us. We have but begun to study him, but he knoweth us altogether. It is a blessed circumstance that the ignorance is not on his side, for then it would be a hopeless case for us. 

But our case isn't hopeless because God knows us well enough to lead us along the right path based on the unique DNA He implanted deep within.

So.

Nothing overly eloquent here, but this is a topic I've been mulling over lately.

What about you? What do you think about your path in life?

Do you think we follow certain interests because God decrees them? Or because they're in our genes? Do we have any say in the matter?

Do you ever feel like a robot with the control in God's hands? (I confess that I do sometimes.) Or do you think there's another way to look at it? Go ahead and chime in.

Building Hooks in Your Story | ACFW Blog

Building Hooks in Your Story | ACFW Blog

10 Ways to Harness Fear and Fuel Your Writing | WritersDigest.com

10 Ways to Harness Fear and Fuel Your Writing | WritersDigest.com