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On Terrible Advice from Really Successful People

Wed, 2015-09-30 09:18 -- Jocelyn Green

Recently I sat down with a really, really successful publishing editor who gave me some advice for my writing career. It was terrible advice. The worst ever. If I didn't already have ten books published and several national awards, I would have been crushed. As it was, however, I was just stunned. So stunned in fact, she cocked her head at me and said, "Are you OK?"

I wasn't, at the moment. What she had told me to do went against my entire purpose, and against my nature, and against my integrity. She told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to add a certain degree of smut to the book I'm writing right now so that it will make a lot of money. "That's where the money is," she said, "so that's where you want to go!" Did I mention this appointment took place at a Christian conference for Christian writers?

Maybe you, too, have been surprised by bad advice from someone you thought you could trust. It's jarring, isn't it?

This wasn't the first time I'd received terrible advice from a really successful person. A few years ago, I paid for a phone call with a bestselling author who sold her time to authors like me who wanted a little help brainstorming plots and characters. After I'd been sharing with her for a while, she stopped me and said this: "You keep talking about history. Your book is not about the history. It's about your story. Don't do so much research. I write my stories first and then check the research to make sure it fits." Well, dear reader, if you have read any of my novels, you know that my stories are, in fact, about the history. My stories are born from the history, my characters reflect the lives of people who really lived. Needless to say, though this author was helpful in other ways, that was one piece of advice I didn't take.

It can feel weird to disagree with someone who is really successful. It's easy to think that whatever they say must be true because it's worked for them. But if their words don't ring true in your spirit, if they don't resonate, forget it. My children's violin teacher taught them how to tell if their instruments are in tune with this concept of resonance. When you play a note that has the same name as one of the strings, after your bow leaves the string, the open string with the same note name should vibrate, or ring. That's resonance. This guy in the video clip explains it a little better:

You probably weren't able to hear the ringing through the video, but if you hear it live, it is so cool. I think the Holy Spirit works the same way with us. When we are in tune with Him--by spending consistent time in the Word and in prayer--if we hear something that resonates with us, we can feel good about that. But if it doesn't resonate with what we know to be true, we know it's not in line with what God wants for us. We hear a lot of voices in our culture, don't we? Some we invite to speak into our lives, like the examples I mentioned. Some are just constantly bombarding us--facebook, twitter, television, radio, even well-meaning people, be they strangers or otherwise. We need to train our ears to hear one voice over all the rest. Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." ~John 10:14-16

We need to be listening for the voice of Christ in our lives. Very often, God uses people to speak truth into our circumstances (There is wisdom in the counsel of many, right?) but we need to be discerning as we sort through all the advice. In John 10:14, Jesus makes a point of saying that He and His sheep know each other. The worst advice I've received in life has been from people who don't know me at all. For example, the editor who told me sexualize my novel didn't know I'm a mother trying to raise my children to be modest, respectful and pure, and that I care deeply about not tempting my readers to impure thoughts. The bestselling author who told me to not care about the history so much was a contemporary romance novelist* who didn't know that our fascinating history is the very reason I write fiction in the first place. Thankfully, our Good Shepherd will never steer us wrong. What about you? Have you ever received advice that didn't resonate with you? Was it easy or difficult to decide whether to follow it? *I have nothing against contemporary romance novelists. Just saying we had different goals with our writing. :)

About the Author: 

Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

Comments

Oh my GOSH, Jocelyn. I'm interchangeably miffed on your behalf and inspired. LOL Thank you for writing about writing/standing firm in what you believe in, staying true to your heart for your books. I love that your books are born out of real history--I almost envy it sometimes if I'm honest, there's just SO much rich, detailed history within your pages... Thank you for this post. Always need a reminder to be discerning w/critiques and advice...though in my recent-ish experience it's been dead on what I didn't want to hear, but ended up being the best thing for my novel. :)

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Hi Meghan, yes it was quite the experience! Thanks for kind words here. It's true, we need to be discerning with what we hear from our critique partners, too. So glad to hear what you've gleaned recently has been dead on. I think it really helps when our CPs know us and our vision for our work!

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Thank you for reading, Peter!

Submitted by Jacki G. on
Jocelyn, your writing is wonderful just the way it is. Please keep doing what you're doing...... you definitely don't need to seek advice from these so-called "experts". I love your books. As a matter of fact, I'm ordering another one as soon as I send this message.

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Jacki, thank you so much! Thanks for your encouragement and for ordering my books. :) Publishing is a hard industry, for sure. I appreciate your support!

Submitted by Bettina Dowell on
Great article Jocelyn. Love your encouragement to stay closeto Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit. Thanks!

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Thank you dear friend!

Yes! Just this past weekend I was at the AACC World Conference and had a chance to speak with a nationally known author and speaker. While what he said would probably apply very well to the civilian world, it was so outside the military mindset that it would be counterproductive to try it. I was (still am) disappointed, but easily shook off the advice.

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Aw, shoot. I'm sorry that meeting wasn't helpful! How very disappointing. I believe God honors you shaking off that advice as you seek to further your ministry to the military community!(It really is a different world from civilian, isn't it?)

Submitted by Jill on
Reading this makes me respect you and your writing even more- although I didn't know that was possible. Thank you for staying true to who you are, to Whom you belong, and to the reason that God has called you to write in the first place. People say the darndest things. ;)

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Isn't that the truth--that people say the darndest things! Haha! Well, I considered it a giant red flag when I thought to myself, "If I followed this woman's advice, I would hate myself. And all my readers would feel betrayed." Hmmm! There really is no better place to be than in the center of God's will for my life. When we do that, we are "successful" indeed. Not that money and fame come along with it, but gosh, sometimes that's more of a curse than a blessing, anyway. Thanks for your encouragement today!

Submitted by Jill on
Absolutely true. And when you were told "Don't do so much research," that made me LOL! WHAT?!? I would have been thinking, "Don't sigh. Don't raise my eyebrows. Don't be disrespectful." I love the historical aspect of your books that I know you take seriously and are based on real events. Keep doing what you are doing and I'm grateful you are so discerning and desire to honor God in your writing. People are funny!

Submitted by Jenny Leo on
Powerful post, Jocelyn. I wouldn't expect to hear such advice at a Christian writers conference--good reminder that we can't let ourselves be lulled into complacency no matter where we are. I'm disturbed by the advice you received, but encouraged by your discernment and conviction to stand by what the Lord has called you to do. As I launch off on my own fledgling writing and publishing journey, I hope I will have similar discernment and courage when these kinds of situations arise (as I'm sure they will).

Submitted by Jocelyn on
So true, Jenny. "Disturbing" is the right word for it! I wish you all the best as you pursue writing and publishing! Thanks for your encouragement today, and I pray you'll be able to discern God's guidance with your own writing, too. Stories are so powerful. "In the beginning was the Word..." It just gives me goosebumps! :)

Submitted by Mary on
This newsletter means more to me than you could imagine. I'm not an author, just a very avid reader of Christian fiction. My recent experience comes from the reader/fan point of view. About two or three months ago I read a new publication by one of my very favorite Christian authors. The historical story was excellent and very well written. However, in the second half of the book were some graphic and uncomfortable scenes that left me stunned that they were in this particular Christian author's book. Published by a very well known and highly respected Christian publisher. This was followed a couple weeks later by yet another Christian fiction author including unnecessary smut in her latest publication. As you so well described, I felt uncomfortable in my spirit about these books and every time I thought about buying a new Christian fiction book. I now read all the reviews before buying a book. I'm also very concerned by the high percentage of reviewers who give these books five stars and never mention this newest addition to the content. I haven't posted a review for either of these books yet because it literally grieves me to put in writing anything negative about two authors I have admired and enjoyed for several years. Before I run out of word count I must add I have read all your books, loved them all and they are physically (in paper) on my "read again" bookcase. I have to say I was concerned what direction our beloved Christian fiction would take when I began watching giant secular publishers buy up our most trusted Christian publishing houses. I have been reading Christian fiction for decades and always has publishers I trusted completely. It was easy to try a new author if they were published by a trusted publisher. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Sorry this is so long but my heart has been very heavy and troubled about this very issue. I have not even discussed this with my best Christian reading buddies. Sad times. Thank you for this forum and for staying true to what is Christ honoring.

Submitted by Jocelyn on
Oh, Mary, I understand completely what you mean. I'm so sorry that your trust was betrayed more than once when you came across content that went against your sensibilities. It really is a strange and challenging time for Christian fiction. I hope when things shake out (whenever that will be!) the genre will stay true to our loyal readers like you, and to Christ. Thanks so much for your encouragement.

Submitted by Laure on
I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the heroines behind the lines and think they have the right amount of romance in a great historical setting. I'm ordering the next two in the series. I recently went to Gettysburg and purchased a signed copy of wedded to war and I can say the details brought me right back to that period of time and Widow of Gettysburg put me back on vacation! Can't wait to continue the series. Stay true to yourself!

Submitted by Martha Artyomenko on
It is so interesting when people that have been in the business for awhile, tend to almost feel jaded from it. They see all the issues and lack hope, so encourage seeking something outside what they are supposed to be recommending. I am glad you did not take their advice.

Thanks so much, Martha. I'm glad too. :)

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