To Whom Shall I Speak?: Part 1

Hello, Fellow Nudgees. I have a dilemma I want to run by you. It has to do with that question, stated inimically by Jeremiah (6:10) "To whom shall I speak?"

I've always asked it, and      God has always been generous with the answer. I’ve written for tweens, teens, parents, and grown-ups-who-like-novels – a big ol’ group of readers.

But since I was nudged to write The Reluctant Prophet trilogy, I'm thinking that God has narrowed the group. A lot. Here's what I mean:

            I was recently in a Christian bookstore where Unexpected Dismounts was displayed with other new releases – a historical romance, some sunny contemporary fiction, and a few Amish titles. I stayed incognito (not that anybody recognizes me by sight, mind you!) and watched a female customer in the major demographic for Christian fiction pick up my book, stare at the cover with the Harley and the torn jeans and the row of ramshackle houses in the background, and literally shake her head before she returned it to the shelf.

And it wasn’t the first time I’d seen a reader choose the bonnet over the motorcycle helmet.

Now, before I go on, let me be clear that I do NOT put down the kind of fiction I just mentioned. I really don't. Most of it is beautifully written and uplifting and encouraging, and it validates our core Christian beliefs. It is obviously great stuff because the bookstores can’t keep the bonnets on the shelves.

  Not so much with the Harley helmets.

When I was writing Unexpected Dismounts, (the second book in the trilogy,) I kept asking God: Y'know, The Reluctant Prophet hasn't sold all that well. To whom shall I speak, then?

Seriously, what if I wrote more comforting books, instead of making people UNcomfortable? There IS a place for books that cheer and soothe us and keep us curled up in a chair by a fire. Why can't I write those, God?

All I get in response is a Nudge -- that isn't what you're called to write.

Fine. But where IS my audience? To whom shall I speak? Because, bottom line, my career as a novelist is over if my books don't sell better than they are right now.

I do have to speak. I feel like Jeremiah in the next verse (6:11) -- and trust me, I don't often feel like Jeremiah! He says, "I am weary of holding it in."

God gives Jeremiah a pretty clear (and thorough!) answer. He goes on for about the whole rest of the chapter, agreeing with Jeremiah. Then, finally, in Chapter 7, God says he'll tell him what to do, how to reach the audience with the message he's given him -- Yes -- drum roll, please!

       "Stand in the gate of the Lord's house and proclaim there this word --" and that word basically is, 'Tell them the church doesn't make them safe.'

Okay, so far so good. That's what I'm doing.

Then God says to Jeremiah (7:27) "You will speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you."

Oh. Wonderful. If no one is going to listen, then why the Sam Hill am I writing it?

And as if that weren't bad enough, God adds, "Cut off your hair and throw it away." Y'know what, I might actually DO that if it would get Unexpected Dismounts into more hands and hearts.

As I continued to move through Jeremiah (all in one sitting -- that's how much I long to know) I did get some answers, and I'm going to spend blog time this week sharing them with you.

And then I'd love to hear what you think.

Meanwhile, if you have a dilemma about to whom YOU are supposed to speak, write, teach or minister to, do share. Because I'm thinking we're all being nudged in the same direction.

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

 

Comments

[Janelle Schneider]

I'm still trying to figure that one out, myself. :-)

I think I'm called to speak to those who, for whatever reason, can't hear what's being proclaimed in traditionally Christian settings.

Not sure how I need to go about getting the message out there, though, other than through personal contact.

[Melody]

I think I'm called to speak to people who say they're Christians but just don't get it and all the people I see around me who don't know Christ and seem so hopeless. In other words, most of my friends (especially at my dance studio). I want to start a bible study at my church, but I just don't know when I would do it or who would come or whether they would actually get it. Plus that won't help the people at my studio unless I specifically invite them, and I don't think that's gonna work.

[Mocha with Linda]

As you know, Allison wasn't real popular at church either.

Come to think of it, neither was Jesus. :-)

I have noticed that the more convicted I am about certain things, the lonelier I become. For me, it's simply a matter of staying true to what God tells me. But I don't have things like publishers and sales data depending on me.

Love you my friend.

[Victoria Bylin]

Yes! Yes! Our book club just read Reluctant Prophet and now we're passing around Unexpected Dismounts. There's a place for comfort reads, but oh! I so much prefer a story that makes me stretch, even wince, because I see myself in oh-so-human situations.

I hear you on sales. God will make a way, and it'll be exciting to see what he does.

[Kimmie]

As a writer, I've been where you are. Can I ever do this? Will I ever be able to write as well as ___? The writer's life is so very hard, because we pour our souls into our work, and we get so little feedback. When I sit down to write, I pray, God please bless the works of my hands... In the midst of discouragement, I get a letter, or two, from a reader affected by what I wrote. So I think, if I affect only one person, it's worth it. But then again, that doesn't put food on the table. Yet when I edit, I get such joy and blessing in helping others create the best books possible, and I feel God's hand in my work. I too felt the nudge, and chose to turn from my writing for a season and focus on helping others with their works. And I am just as fulfilled. I read continuously in the meantime, and my mind still goes back to those stories in my heart, knowing one day, I will go back there. In the meantime, I edit. Whatever path your nudge pushes you along, I can say that you are an extremely talented writer. I can also say that I've worked and am currently working with other writers who express how much you have helped them. Do not be discouraged! Focus on what is before you, doing the best job you can do, and trust that God has his hand on you. I hope you are encouraged this day.

[Kellie Duncan]

I saw your book in my Harley store. I picked it up at Borders over my normal historical christian fiction, because it had a bike on the cover (I ride). The number of women who ride is rising and maybe that's who you are needing to reach. Maybe these women are the ones who need to take action. I passed the book on to my friend (who doesn't ride) and said this is a must read. She wouldn't have picked it up on her own but said it was a great book and passed it on.

[Word Lily]

Just as God provides the words, I have to believe that he'll provide the right platform, too.

[Kay Day]

I don't read comfort reads.
I'm part of the small audience of several fabulous writers like you. Athol Dickson, Lisa Samson, and a few others. People who aren't afraid to write deep, stretching, truth. Pot Roast, I call it. A person can only eat so much pudding. I'm done with pudding. Where's the beef?
But I know that doesn't help much when publishers look at the bottom line. I echo what was said above. God will make a way for His word to get out. Fortunately these days, there's more than one way to publish a book..... ???