Ami McConnell is Thomas Nelson Fiction’s Senior Acquisitions Editor. I invited her to share a post based on a recent seminar she led at ACFW. Enjoy.
Writers, why do you want to be read/heard? I hope it’s to be in relationship with your readers. To love and be loved.
To treat someone with love, you need to lead with:
Respect. If you love someone, you don’t do all the talking. You listen closely. Let them talk to you. Get to know who you’re talking to. Acknowledge them. Affirm them.
Kindness. Don’t lead others to stumble—that’s what Scripture says. My own personal rule is to never put something in their minds’ eye that they’ll regret having “seen.” Consider their plight! Life is tough. So ask yourself: are you giving them more burdens to carry? Or showing them meaning in suffering, in life? That’s a deep kindness.
Generosity. Be the light of Christ. Steep yourself in the Word and try to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Resist the urge to downplay your work, falsely thinking self-deprecation is giving Glory to God. It’s not. Pointing to HIM is.
Courage. Have the candor to risk your pride for a greater purpose. Be ready to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit. If something is bothering you and you’re prompted to work it out in your art, try it! It could be that God wants you to share that with others.
Do your readers feel the love?
