Whether we’re just beginning our journey to publication, or
have reached one destination and are moving on to the next, we may still
encounter similar challenges. Author Lisa
T. Bergren shares her thoughts and experiences on one that can make us
stumble along the way. ~ Dawn
Conquering
Professional Jealousies
by Lisa
T. Bergren
I recently ran across this photo, from the first couple of
years I was published, about twenty years ago. That year, God opened a door and
I ran through it, deliriously happy to not only able to write, but also to
publish. Those early years were amazing…Refuge
did well enough to spawn a whole line of sister-books, called Palisades
Romances, and I was put in charge of it. Not only did I get to write, but I got
to edit too! Within two years, I had
five books out. I didn’t think I could be happier.
Until that day when I decided I could be happier. If I could sell as many copies as my fellow
authors did. Or have their kind of following. I fell into some niggling
jealousies over my friends’ successes, and I was reminded that no matter what
we accomplish, either published or unpublished, there’s always that next level we so want to reach.
As the unpublished, we cry…If only someone would answer my query with a “send your proposal”; If
only an editor would respond to my proposal with a “send your whole
manuscript”; If only a publisher would say, “We want to publish your book.”
As the published, we cry…If
only I could get as good a cover as she has; If only they would market my book
better; If only the sales team could get me in there; If only I could make the
best-seller list; If only I won that award…
Whine, whine, whine. I want to shake myself sometimes, for
submitting to the If-Onlys rather than appreciating the What Is. I’ve been so
blessed to write all I have, and see so many books published. And
really…despite my best efforts to the contrary, so much of it is out of my
hands. I’ve watched books I thought would go nowhere, skyrocket in sales, and
books I thought had all the signs of hitting the bestseller lists go flat as a
popped balloon. As much as I want to manage and manipulate it all, I cannot.
We are so privileged to take part in anything in life that
God holds—which is everything. And even our craft is within His hands. Whether
it’s simply the creation of a story (that no one but our mom might ever see) or
seeing that story reach millions. The only control we truly have is in choosing
to submit to our Lord and bow our heads and say, “Your will, Father, not mine.
I choose to thank You for what I do have, rather than get frustrated over what
I do not.” Then do it again the next day. And the next.
In doing so, we free ourselves to truly enjoy every part of
the journey. The hopes and dreams. The security that He sees us and holds us in
His arms, regardless of what happens. The peace in celebrating our friends’
successes, regardless of what happens for us. This makes for not only a happier
journey as an author; it makes for a happier life. It’s not always easy, but
it’s definitely what I’m after.
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Lisa T. Bergren is
the best-selling, award-winning journeyman (meaning midlist) author of over
forty books. Her latest is called Glamorous
Illusions, the first in the Grand Tour Series. Her upcoming titles
include Upside-Down Prayers for Parents and God Gave Us Easter. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, three kids,
and a fluffy white dog named Talisker Beatrice (don’t ask).
To find out more
about her, see her site, LisaBergren.com,
or follow her on Twitter @LisaTBergren.
