Audience of One

As many of you know, I’m an independent author. I’ve written stories since I was a little girl, but only gained the courage to start publishing novels under my former high school English teacher’s imprint when I was 36. Before then, I wrote for small local papers for about 10 years, and while I learned a lot writing business profiles and human-interest stories, I loved when they asked me to write an annual Christmas series the most. My novel Swiftwater came out in 2017, The Emblem was published in 2020, and though it’s taken me longer than intended, my latest is “The Last Culprit.”  

These several hundred pages represent countless hours of writing, revising, and rewriting. Upon receiving a proof of the story, I have 48 hours to read the manuscript through for typos, and once I give the green light, we have 1000 copies printed from Color House Graphics in Michigan.

All the while I’m praying that there isn’t a glaring mistake that will be repeated many times over. When you and your editor are so close to a work, you stop “seeing” words the same way. This letting go process is challenging in that it’s easy to start second guessing yourself. What if I don’t have what it takes? What if the novel isn’t ____________enough (shocking, scary, suspenseful) for today’s modern reader?  

I’ve learned a few things about this letting go process, having done this a few times: my job is to write the story God’s laid on my heart to tell. How the reader receives it isn’t my business.

What is my business is this: listening to initial criticism from other writers who have my best interest in mind and making changes that better suit the story. Listening to my editor as she points out writing tics and habits. Praying about creative decisions. How to cover difficult subject matter in a way that doesn’t diminish the fallen state of humanity, but still honors God. That’s enough responsibility.     

One thing that my teacher told me that stays with me to this day is to “write for an audience of One.” Write a story that’s on your heart, revise, refine, rewrite, pray about it, then let it go. It’s easier said than done, but we can’t please everyone. Not everyone “gets” us, relates to us, is interested in what we have to share, but your ability will resonate with some, and they’ll tell you how much your story/art/music/work means.    

Since I was curious about how prevalent this concept of Audience of One is, I searched online and quickly found that it’s a tagline for an organization called Athletes in Action, which reminds us "we live and move and have our being in Him," and it's His glory we should pursue above all else.

This sentiment carries over not only in my writing, but other pursuits. I decided I wanted to teach a fitness program in part to share how much it's helped me feel stronger, more confident, and less anxious. The irony is that in getting started, it stirs up a lot of self-doubt that I have to push through, even if it means taking tums and drinking more water so my throat doesn't go dry. While my progress hasn't been immediate, I'm reminded to keep at it since I'm not the only one encouraged by pushing through discomfort and fear of failure.

Through subsequent searches on "Audience of One," I was reminded, "you have to decide whose approval you are going to seek--God's approval or other people's approval. Are you going to live for what other people think or what God thinks?" (Pastor Rick's Daily Hope).

"When you're looking for validation from other people, it means you really don't know who you are. You don't understand what God has made you to do or believe He is always with you." I don't know about you, but that's convicting to me.

So even though publishing a novel, teaching students to write well, or leading a workout class might require vulnerability and a dose of courage, it's not ultimately about me. We are all called to use our portion with our gifts and passions, and perhaps you've already figured this out. If not, let me encourage you with the reminder: He's the giver of our creativity and releasing even a little bit of it in the world can only help draw others more to His hope and light.

Blessings as you work before your Audience of One!

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