I was asked recently about the best and worst writing advice I'd ever been given. It reminded me of one of the oddest moments I've had since I seriously started writing novels.
About three years ago, I read a Christian novel and wrote a review of it on Amazon.com. To my surprise, the author actually wrote to thank me for my review and to comment on some of the things I had said. To his credit, this author helped me realize the impact a simple letter could have on a reader. It was really cool to hear from a real writer! Anyway, being an aspiring novelist myself, there were several questions I had. He was more than willing to talk, and even called so we could talk in person. In that "interview", I received writing advice I've been careful never to give another living soul.
During the course of our lengthy conversation, he gave me some great ideas about marketing and the reality of what it cost to write a book. He talked about book signings he'd done that had given him the chance to talk to people about God, and friendships that had formed as a result. Finally, I asked him what advice he could give me as I tried to shop around my novel. "That's easy," he said, "don't do it."
"What?" I asked, unsure of what he meant.
"Don't do it. Don't write Christian fiction. It doesn't sell, and it's not worth the frustration. Write something else--
anything else--but not Christian stuff."
"But...
you write for the Christian market." In case you missed it, I was a little confused.
"Yes, but if I had it to do over with, I wouldn't."
Silence on my end of the line, but I eventually found my voice again. As we were ending the conversation, I asked if he would be willing to give a blurb for my novel (never miss an opportunity, right?). What he said next stunned me and still confuses me to this day.
"No, I don't read Christian fiction."
Again, confusion for me. "But...you
write Christian fiction."
"I know, but I don't read it."
So while this could neither be considered the best writing advice I've ever received nor the worst, it definitely fits in as the oddest and easily most confusing. I saw one of this author's books on the shelf of a local bookstore the other day and it brought a smile to my face.
Just goes to show, even established authors can miss it from time to time. Not everyone has that gold nugget of advice you need to hear. Listen, but don't let anyone destroy your dreams.
