Audience of One

Guest post by Ronie Kendig

Angst and uncertainty can strangle an aspiring—or even a multi-published—author. In a world that defines success in terms of the most toys won and/or the size of an advance, it’s easy to get caught up in seeking the next big thing. I, too, have been guilty of this. But each time, God brings me back to a point of transformation in my life: The Audience of One.

That term is thrown around a lot in Christian circles. Write for an Audience of One. Sing for an Audience of One. Edit for an Audience of One.

Yeah, yeah. I get it.

Actually, no I didn’t. Not in the way I should. The concept God wanted me to understand and embrace was not in terms of earthly success, which is where I’d pinned the value of that phrase. Not in terms of getting that first (or second, third . . . ) contract. Scoring that first contract is satisfying, but then there’s hurdle of marketing and launching the book, then it’s the hope of successful sales followed closely by another contract. And the cycle repeats itself, leaving the author feeling dissatisfied—or worse: empty—and grasping once again for the elusive threads of success to find meaning in writing.

A question rumbled through my mind: When you write, why  are you writing?

“I’m writing so the book will get published so it will reach those who need it.”

Great. Valiant, noble motive. But what about God?

“Oh, sure. I’m writing so He can touch their hearts.”

Yeah? What else?

“Huh? What do you mean, what else? Isn’t writing so those who hurt can find healing right and just? So that those who search can find God? Isn’t that what it’s all about?”

It’s not the main point. That should come later. This question tumbled through my mind for months. I avoided it. The question returned, until late one night, while up and reading a friend’s manuscript, I was also Instant Messaging with a dear friend of mine. I bemoaned the stagnate state of my career (that’s how I saw it), and she had the audacity (and I love her for it) to remind me of the Audience of One. Gratefully, she was one of the few people who understands me, so I admitted: “I don’t get it. Honestly, I don’t.”

At that exact point, I glanced at the Word window I had open—and at the words of a friend’s manuscript. In it he had written a pivotal line. It went something like this: God does not give us our gifts so that we can find meaning in success or power, but for the sheer pleasure of seeing His child use that gift.

That was it. The greatest gift is not the contract or success (although they’re both very nice), but the true prize is the gift itself. That’s where I found freedom!

~

Ronie Kendig has a BS in Psychology and is a wife, mother of four, and avid writer. Her espionage thriller, Dead Reckoning, (Abingdon Press, March 2010), and the first in a military thriller series, Nightshade, released July 2010 from Barbour Publishing. In addition to speaking engagements, Ronie serves as the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year coordinator, assistant to the appointment coordinator for the national conference, and volunteers on the conference planning committee. Ronie is a monthly columnist at Novel Journey and she can be found online at www.roniekendig.com.