tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post8926846848865162834..comments2023-05-29T07:15:27.839-07:00Comments on Finding Kat Heckenbach: God is Not My AudienceKat Heckenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-76650753845525324962014-07-13T08:06:57.933-07:002014-07-13T08:06:57.933-07:00Good point, everyone has the right to an opinion, ...Good point, everyone has the right to an opinion, whereas judgmental of others is a poor path to take, counterproductive for anyone who is fighting to get published. Daniel E. Trospernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-73359272977767114212014-07-10T11:11:00.109-07:002014-07-10T11:11:00.109-07:00Daniel, I agree that there is a major problem with...Daniel, I agree that there is a major problem with catering to your audience. Absolutely. I'm not going to write smut just because it sells--which is where I think "God first" comes in. <br /><br />The problem is when someone takes the "audience of One" thing to the other extreme. "Pah! Who cares about reaching readers! I don't care if I ever sell a book!" Often, this comes across as pious and judgmental of authors who are writing for publication, authors who long to reach readers with their work. Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-70633420563034659072014-07-09T18:44:17.077-07:002014-07-09T18:44:17.077-07:00I like Kerry's comment because it is easy to j...I like Kerry's comment because it is easy to just agree with the post. To me the writing for God is an idea that has merit but goes too far. I think the goal of someone with your talent is to tell stories consistent with your beliefs, which as you also have said, is not easy considering the field that is your passion. The easier road is to just cater to your audience, and I think that is where the "writing for God" idea comes from. A good topic, very thought provoking.Daniel Trospernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-45918244292785511202014-06-19T14:45:45.874-07:002014-06-19T14:45:45.874-07:00Kerry, I get that. And maybe it's just semanti...Kerry, I get that. And maybe it's just semantics. I don't have issue at all (of course!) with an author feeling that they are accountable to God in their writing as opposed to man. And I'm not talking about writing in order to be applauded by man either. <br /><br />I think it is the use of the word "audience." If we were talking about a movie, we'd say God is the director, not someone paying admission to see the show. Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-85881981163506084212014-06-19T12:20:07.089-07:002014-06-19T12:20:07.089-07:00You know for me, the Audience of One idea is more ...You know for me, the Audience of One idea is more a reminder that I'm not to seek the admiration of men. <br /><br />Otherwise, there is a danger of being governed by the latest review or comment on Facebook. Seriously, there have been times in the past when a single review (out of dozens, right?) has had me want to chuck the whole thing. That's when I get convicted: What is your motivation? To be applauded by men? <br /><br />It also keeps me from second guessing everything I've ever written. Should that be there? What about that character? Blah, blah, blah.<br /><br />Anyway, I see your point, but I think the Audience of One has merit, as well.Kerry Nietzhttp://www.kerrynietz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-71220507132374113292014-06-18T11:10:17.431-07:002014-06-18T11:10:17.431-07:00Thanks, everyone! I was kinda nervous about dumpin...Thanks, everyone! I was kinda nervous about dumping my feelings out there on this topic, and I'm so glad I did now :). Nice to know I'm not the only with with thoughts like this.Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-10676168115387212222014-06-18T11:08:09.561-07:002014-06-18T11:08:09.561-07:00Wow, you read my mail. This "audience of One&...Wow, you read my mail. This "audience of One" idea always seems so narrow and pious but I've never known how to give a proper retort (maybe because I wasn't sure why I disliked it so), without sounding like a heathen :)<br /><br />Thanks for putting this out there!Heather FitzGeraldhttp://tetheredtogetherblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-12954962200914596762014-06-18T01:01:33.553-07:002014-06-18T01:01:33.553-07:00Great post! I am reminded of scriptures about our ...Great post! I am reminded of scriptures about our talents and how we are all gifted in different ways. Then the verse about letting our light shine ... The thought of how a single candle can bring so much light! As a Christian writer, my audience is everyone...certainly God focused. I write because of God and what we are called to do. We need to embrace and encourage ALL Christian writers! Thank you for sharing your gift with us! RickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-46719008768878350432014-06-17T21:24:31.012-07:002014-06-17T21:24:31.012-07:00Kat, this is thoughtful and thought-provoking, and...Kat, this is thoughtful and thought-provoking, and I agree with you and your commenters. God expects us to use the gifts and talents and passions He placed in our hearts, hands and minds. I'm thankful you are using yours and I'm certain many other readers are, too! The knowing only gets better with age.Words as Worshiphttp://cheryljohnston.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-51260645582082443072014-06-17T20:16:56.307-07:002014-06-17T20:16:56.307-07:00Wonderful, wonderful post!Wonderful, wonderful post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-56046113139938381142014-06-17T11:21:59.764-07:002014-06-17T11:21:59.764-07:00Jessica--what you say makes sense, and I think mos...Jessica--what you say makes sense, and I think most Christian authors want to honor God with their writing--or at least, would not write things they feel would be dishonoring Him. But the way I've heard the "audience of One" thing used too many times is a way of justifying NOT SELLING BOOKS. "Oh, it doesn't matter if no one ever reads or buys what I write! I'm writing 'for' God." Which is why I agree with everything Caprice wrote in her comment above--God can go right into my brain, so why bother putting it on paper? Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-80617797488883065392014-06-17T11:21:56.937-07:002014-06-17T11:21:56.937-07:00Jessica--what you say makes sense, and I think mos...Jessica--what you say makes sense, and I think most Christian authors want to honor God with their writing--or at least, would not write things they feel would be dishonoring Him. But the way I've heard the "audience of One" thing used too many times is a way of justifying NOT SELLING BOOKS. "Oh, it doesn't matter if no one ever reads or buys what I write! I'm writing 'for' God." Which is why I agree with everything Caprice wrote in her comment above--God can go right into my brain, so why bother putting it on paper? Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-25862334988741949362014-06-17T10:47:17.151-07:002014-06-17T10:47:17.151-07:00I guess I just don't get it. If it's "...I guess I just don't get it. If it's "just for God" why bother with all the typing? God has this thing called omniscience. He can retrieve the whole story out of my brain, fully finished, even before I know what the ending will be. If it's "just for God" then there is no point to wasting time at a keyboard, and wow, it would be great not to have to bother with revisions or cover designs or any of the other hassles involved in trying to actually make money. Oh wait. We shouldn't want money, because there's absolutely nothing in the Bible about a workman being worthy of his wages.Caprice Hokstadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10625997639466258510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-21351629452445342682014-06-17T09:31:39.586-07:002014-06-17T09:31:39.586-07:00I feel the need to clarify. My intuition isn't...I feel the need to clarify. My intuition isn't a random emotion or "thing", it's based on my current understanding of God's word (the Bible) and promptings of the Holy Spirit. I say "current understanding" because there's always room to grow in my knowledge of the Bible (understatement) and I'm no doubt harboring some misunderstandings and misconceptions about what God's word truly means. But hey, I'm a fallible human being. I do my best within the moment. (Thank you God for your grace and mercy!)Jessica E. Thomashttp://www.provisionbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-77163003108197670442014-06-17T09:23:50.226-07:002014-06-17T09:23:50.226-07:00I think people mean different things when they say...I think people mean different things when they say the "audience of one" thing. I've never been irritated by it myself, although I have seen people use it to escape criticism. If I were to say I write for an "audience of one" I would mean I write to honor and glorify him, not man. When I look at my writing, especially when I'm dealing with difficult topics, and decide what should go in and what should be omitted, I ultimately put the question in front of God and let Him "answer" it for me. No, He doesn't say audibly "yes include it", or "no don't", it's more of an intuitive thing, definitely not black and white. What I *don't* want to do is include something to please man (because I know it will equal sales) when I know it's dishonoring to God. Maybe I should rephrase it to, "I write for an editor of one." :)Jessica E. Thomashttp://www.provisionbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-79281635789070903722014-06-17T09:18:31.104-07:002014-06-17T09:18:31.104-07:00I'm writing what comes out of my connection wi...<i>I'm writing what comes out of my connection with God. I'm writing the result of opening up my heart and soul to Him, not what comes out of seeing God as an audience of One, and the rest of the world as incidental.<br /><br />I do, in fact, believe God uses my writing for me--which is what inspired this post. My Sunday school teacher was talking about how preparing lessons for the class benefits him by making him get into the Bible more deeply. My writing does the same for me--it makes me step closer to God, makes me read the Bible more so I can find that connection I so need in order to write.</i><br /><br />I like this insight. In some ways, I think, writing is akin to prayer, and prayer is about changing us--not manipulating God, but conforming us to His image. And writing, like prayer, can be joyous and uplifting, but it can also be anguished, and angry, and even ugly at times, if we're honest.Fred Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15212505978520827462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-68063407759959715472014-06-17T08:59:14.473-07:002014-06-17T08:59:14.473-07:00I started writing about 15 years ago and as a Chri...I started writing about 15 years ago and as a Christian felt it necessary to join certain groups. I quit after a couple of years because, man I don't fit in the audience-of-One crowd, the safe-for-the-whole-family crowd, or the anything-different-from-the-safe-for-the-whole-family crowd. I don't see my writing as a "ministry." It's just what I do. Plumbers plumb and I write. I remind myself that entertaining people is not a bad thing. I also remind myself how readers have shown me passages and themes in my writing that remind me God uses everything we do to His glory.Susan Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16599394499288052327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-3838633981068329032014-06-17T07:40:16.267-07:002014-06-17T07:40:16.267-07:00Thanks for all the comments, ya'll. So glad th...Thanks for all the comments, ya'll. So glad this post is being taken well by readers :). Love the ideas you are all expressing here!<br /><br />Kessie--my kids have not read my books. My daughter isn't ready yet, and her brother is being a typical 14 yr old boy and refusing to read them, even though I have told him I have plenty of guy readers. Sigh--not gonna force him. Someday his curiosity will win out ;).Kat Heckenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690721679155795038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-36948529790515926542014-06-17T07:10:30.977-07:002014-06-17T07:10:30.977-07:00Yay, somebody's taking on the audience of one ...Yay, somebody's taking on the audience of one thing! I'd never heard that until I started circulating in Christian circles. Before then, I'd read about the Ideal Reader--the person who you want to read your book first, and whose crits you value the most.<br /><br />God doesn't give crits. However, I've found that He'll provide critique partners. :-)<br /><br />Off topic, but do your kids read your books? I'll bet their feedback would be really valuable. My kids aren't old enough yet. :-)Kessiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15019626781634777336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-32618491887249901492014-06-17T07:09:59.255-07:002014-06-17T07:09:59.255-07:00Excellent post!
Sometimes I write God into my sto...Excellent post!<br /><br />Sometimes I write God into my stories as a character Himself.<br /><br />There is nothing I (we) can say that would impress God. I believe that He puts a message in our hearts, not for His entertainment, but so we can be salt and light to others.Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14493805128069922325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-7569804299858865882014-06-17T06:40:32.732-07:002014-06-17T06:40:32.732-07:00Love it!
I find that some writers claiming to wri...Love it!<br /><br />I find that some writers claiming to write for God border on arrogance. Writing "for God" becomes an excuse for refusing to be teachable.<br /><br />Some also use it as a crutch to avoid taking a risk. "God's not done with this yet."<br /><br />The creepiest are the ones who claim to have direct revelation from God about their stories.<br /><br />I also find that some Christian writers become militant about removing any and all references to God in the work. These sorts waste no opportunities to take a hammer to the head of anyone "insensitive" enough to include mention of God in a book.<br /><br />Both extremes are a mistake, I think.CKoepphttp://ckoepp.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036843894999783533.post-28101935762471889112014-06-17T06:39:32.662-07:002014-06-17T06:39:32.662-07:00To only write for God as your audience seems, to m...To only write for God as your audience seems, to me, to skip over the biblical admonition to be salt and light to the world. Now, what that means in terms of content in an individual author's writing is another topic that has been hotly debated, and much better expounded upon than I hope to do here. But doesn't "my writing is just between God and me, and it doesn't matter if anyone else ever sees it," an awful lot like "My faith is just between God and me, and it doesn't matter if anyone else ever sees it?" Sure, what God is working out with me, using writing as the vehicle, is one thing, but I personally don't think he would have given me writing as a passion if he thought it shouldn't matter to me whether that writing ever saw a bigger world than my hard drive or the inside of a drawer. I truly think God wants us to take our passions into the world for the sake of magnifying him.<br /><br />Now, as for me, I see my writing as (hopefully) an opportunity to connect with people I would never meet otherwise if it weren't for our shared love of things fantasy. But I also think it's what they get to know about ME as a person that will expound upon the reality of my relationship with Christ. I see fiction as just a connecting point...the same as golf or knitting or pets are for other folks.<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts here, Kat--this is a point that I wrestle with every time I hear it as well.RebeccaPMinorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06433599770860270767noreply@blogger.com