This is the month my first novel arrives on store shelves. Or in the shopping carts of online stores, of course. And here is one of the most important things I’ve learned from the long journey. People are not planks.
The word platform has become a dagger in the heart of many aspiring authors. Publishing houses insist a writer must have a good platform. Which is exactly what it sounds like. A stage. A soap box. A high place from whence we can shout out the news of our forthcoming book to the tens of thousands of people who read our blog, follow us on twitter, or friend us on Facebook.
For most writers, such a platform does not exist. So, we spend hours learning how to grow our following. How to build our crowd. How to get more planks of wood to broaden our stage. And we forget the most important thing.
What we really need is a circle of friends. A few faithful friends who are like the ones Paul mentioned in his letter to the Corinthians. “Epistles written on our heart.” Then each of our friends has another circle of friends. And each of them has a circle of friends. And suddenly relationship spreads the word about a new book on the market. (If it is any good. Please don’t feel obligated to spread news about mine if it bores you.)
So, I’m writing to you today, Dear Reader, to thank you for being my friend. For walking with me on the journey. For encouraging me when I wanted to quit. For cheering with me when things went well. You are much more than a plank in my platform. And I am grateful.
Kathy, we are all so proud of you (and personally I’m a bit jealous!) and we’re glad to be part of this season in your life. I have an idea up my sleeve that might help add some more planks to your platform or at least nail them more firmly in place. I’ll be ready to reveal the details next week. 🙂 You’ll just have to wait until then to see what I’m up to.
Carol! Next week????? That’s like waiting for Christmas. And I have a great idea for helping you get over the sort-of-jealous thing. I’ll encourage you to write!
Just think of it as one more stepping stone in waiting for the book-release date. By the time you wait for several mini-milestones, the 25th won’t seem so far away!!
Anyone who knows you can attest that this post really is true of you — your life is about PEOPLE. I am reminded of the tabernacle, where the pieces were “fitly joined” together. In Ephesians we realize it wasn’t just planks God had in mind, but people. “15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
I’m so glad to be one of the planks fitly joined to you.
Oh, Anna! Thank you for that. You are such an encouraging plank!!!