Jen, as a mother of five young children who often wrestles with how to validate my need to write, I'm grateful for your writing this. I do wish there was more space for it. I struggle to explain it, and even to my incredibly supportive husband, I occasionally try to explain the deep sense of being lost in our church tradition, with limited success. Why did God give me these gifts, and what do I do with them? I am ambitious and driven, but also committed to prioritizing my family. But I do not want to lose the thing that makes me myself in the midst of that. In those rare moments of feeling like I've found a balance, the writing is what makes the day to day drudgery of homeschool, endless diaper changes and sleep deprivation worth it. It makes me feel like a real person with fully formed thoughts. And I think it's important, but it also makes me feel somehow like I'm taking too much. But I want my boys to know that I write for other people to read, that I have a hobby, that sometimes I'm a person who exists as other things than a mother and wife. But it's not that I don't want to be a mother and wife! I love those identities. I just am me, too.
"Here's the thing: especially in evangelical spaces, women often have fewer in-roads to the professional credibility that sells books in the Christian market. They often lack the institutional affiliation that many men enjoy because they lack the academic and pastoral positions of their male counterparts. In many cases, they don’t pursue these positions because they’re either explicitly restricted (because of theological and biblical convictions) or implicitly discouraged (because of their domestic roles and responsibilities)."
This is such a good observation. Women in this space are expected to "build platforms" as a sort of social proof to offset expert credentials, degrees, etc. As an agent, I look for credentials and I look for platforms, yes, but not exclusively. I'm also looking for unique concept and quality writing. Unfortunately, though, there is such limited space in traditional publishing for excellent writers, even with great concepts, if they aren't credentialed or platformed in traditionally acceptable ways---and so many women writing for a Christian audience fall into this space. I know because I pitch these projects to Christian editors every week. Even though my work is with authors who traditionally publish, I would personally love to see more traditionally published authors and readers do more to champion and support and endorse the women writers in their spheres who are choosing non-traditional pathways to publishing.
Thanks Jen. Your writing is illuminating and challenging, while maintaining a spirit of graciousness. I too long for the day when we (members of the Body of Christ) can see each first as "made in God's image" and worthy of love and honor because of God's creative will and Christ's completed works on our behalf.
I have been blessed by many women through their writing and teaching.
I am going to make sure I give women the same credibility I give men.
I really appreciate this, Jen. I feel the same lack of institutional support. And hearing you name the rally of not pursuing my gifts and desires for that season of child rearing? It’s exactly true.
Thank you for diving into this, Jen. Something else I’ve noticed is a pressure or temptation (definitely internal, but also external at times), for Christian women to pivot their writing toward themes of marriage and motherhood once/if they enter those seasons. It seems for a variety of reasons, likely connected to complementarianism and conceptions of “biblical womanhood”, that platforms are easier to build via these topics. I know I’ve had to be very intentional to keep writing about theology and culture through lenses other than motherhood. I love being a mom, but I’m not just writing for moms (or even just women)!
Thank you for this Jen. This, with all Lore's post, makes me feel like maybe I can be a writer simply because I do the work. And I don't need an excuse to hone that craft. I find that surprisingly hard to believe though.
Bringing it home, there, with Madeleine! Thank you for this.
I'm a Christian woman who, at twenty, thought she'd someday publish books of narrative non-fiction in the Christian publishing world (right outside her front door in Nashville). At thirty, fresh off the birth of my second child and not writing at all -- save blog posts for my photography clients and captions on IG -- I knew that if I was ever going to write, I had to let go of work that was good but not His great for me (while remaining at home with our growing family). Now, almost forty, I'm as surprised as everyone else in my life to have written one and a half novels (one of those a few times over) with a horizon that includes traditional publishing outside of the "Christian world" (while also unexpectedly homeschooling her three kids!).
"But this reminds us to get clear and firm about our purpose and to heed the call to persevere in doing good because no labor in the Lord is in vain." -- THIS was the word I needed, today.
I appreciate this so much, Jen. You pinpoint several discouraging realities I’ve felt before and after having a book published. It’s high time we (Christian writers, publishers, & readers) reckon with the beauty pageantry coded within platform building. Also, I’d be curious to hear the perspective of a male writer who lacks the institutional benefits of academia or a pastoral role. He might not feel pressure to look a certain way, but perhaps to be funny or athletic or have some other shtick.
Another great post! Thank you! Two things really stood out for me. 1 - That there are choices and conditions and 2 - the regret that no one acknowledged your God-given gifts.
While we have lived very different lives, I can tell you that our paths to our calling are very similar. A few years ago when I was beyond frustrated that despite the thousands I put into marketing, book sales were dismal, I was reminded about conditions getting in the way. That helped alleviate some of the blame I was casting upon myself.
I was also steered into a life that wasn't what I felt my calling was about and was 50 when I took the steps to fulfill it. It's a tough go because you are correct - the world wants short, dopamine-driven digital content and we are offering something much more than that.
However, I believe that God doesn't make mistakes and that He wouldn't call to us if He didn't have a plan. I have to remind myself every day to trust His guidance and have faith in His plan.
I’ll be thinking about this article for a long time. As someone who is stages behind you, in a season of writing and teaching with young children but feeling the “unnecessary” self-doubt, I so appreciate you putting this into words. Thank you!
This is everything I hoped it would be. Thank you for saying it all.
Jen, as a mother of five young children who often wrestles with how to validate my need to write, I'm grateful for your writing this. I do wish there was more space for it. I struggle to explain it, and even to my incredibly supportive husband, I occasionally try to explain the deep sense of being lost in our church tradition, with limited success. Why did God give me these gifts, and what do I do with them? I am ambitious and driven, but also committed to prioritizing my family. But I do not want to lose the thing that makes me myself in the midst of that. In those rare moments of feeling like I've found a balance, the writing is what makes the day to day drudgery of homeschool, endless diaper changes and sleep deprivation worth it. It makes me feel like a real person with fully formed thoughts. And I think it's important, but it also makes me feel somehow like I'm taking too much. But I want my boys to know that I write for other people to read, that I have a hobby, that sometimes I'm a person who exists as other things than a mother and wife. But it's not that I don't want to be a mother and wife! I love those identities. I just am me, too.
"Here's the thing: especially in evangelical spaces, women often have fewer in-roads to the professional credibility that sells books in the Christian market. They often lack the institutional affiliation that many men enjoy because they lack the academic and pastoral positions of their male counterparts. In many cases, they don’t pursue these positions because they’re either explicitly restricted (because of theological and biblical convictions) or implicitly discouraged (because of their domestic roles and responsibilities)."
This is such a good observation. Women in this space are expected to "build platforms" as a sort of social proof to offset expert credentials, degrees, etc. As an agent, I look for credentials and I look for platforms, yes, but not exclusively. I'm also looking for unique concept and quality writing. Unfortunately, though, there is such limited space in traditional publishing for excellent writers, even with great concepts, if they aren't credentialed or platformed in traditionally acceptable ways---and so many women writing for a Christian audience fall into this space. I know because I pitch these projects to Christian editors every week. Even though my work is with authors who traditionally publish, I would personally love to see more traditionally published authors and readers do more to champion and support and endorse the women writers in their spheres who are choosing non-traditional pathways to publishing.
Jen, thank you. I could highlight, underline and star every sentence.
Thanks Jen. Your writing is illuminating and challenging, while maintaining a spirit of graciousness. I too long for the day when we (members of the Body of Christ) can see each first as "made in God's image" and worthy of love and honor because of God's creative will and Christ's completed works on our behalf.
I have been blessed by many women through their writing and teaching.
I am going to make sure I give women the same credibility I give men.
Peace of Christ,
David
I really appreciate this, Jen. I feel the same lack of institutional support. And hearing you name the rally of not pursuing my gifts and desires for that season of child rearing? It’s exactly true.
Thank you for diving into this, Jen. Something else I’ve noticed is a pressure or temptation (definitely internal, but also external at times), for Christian women to pivot their writing toward themes of marriage and motherhood once/if they enter those seasons. It seems for a variety of reasons, likely connected to complementarianism and conceptions of “biblical womanhood”, that platforms are easier to build via these topics. I know I’ve had to be very intentional to keep writing about theology and culture through lenses other than motherhood. I love being a mom, but I’m not just writing for moms (or even just women)!
Thank you for this Jen. This, with all Lore's post, makes me feel like maybe I can be a writer simply because I do the work. And I don't need an excuse to hone that craft. I find that surprisingly hard to believe though.
Bringing it home, there, with Madeleine! Thank you for this.
I'm a Christian woman who, at twenty, thought she'd someday publish books of narrative non-fiction in the Christian publishing world (right outside her front door in Nashville). At thirty, fresh off the birth of my second child and not writing at all -- save blog posts for my photography clients and captions on IG -- I knew that if I was ever going to write, I had to let go of work that was good but not His great for me (while remaining at home with our growing family). Now, almost forty, I'm as surprised as everyone else in my life to have written one and a half novels (one of those a few times over) with a horizon that includes traditional publishing outside of the "Christian world" (while also unexpectedly homeschooling her three kids!).
"But this reminds us to get clear and firm about our purpose and to heed the call to persevere in doing good because no labor in the Lord is in vain." -- THIS was the word I needed, today.
I remember you as a very careful and intentional person (and writer). I like that you ditched careful in this piece.
I appreciate this so much, Jen. You pinpoint several discouraging realities I’ve felt before and after having a book published. It’s high time we (Christian writers, publishers, & readers) reckon with the beauty pageantry coded within platform building. Also, I’d be curious to hear the perspective of a male writer who lacks the institutional benefits of academia or a pastoral role. He might not feel pressure to look a certain way, but perhaps to be funny or athletic or have some other shtick.
The issue I worry about more is "the women's market".
Another great post! Thank you! Two things really stood out for me. 1 - That there are choices and conditions and 2 - the regret that no one acknowledged your God-given gifts.
While we have lived very different lives, I can tell you that our paths to our calling are very similar. A few years ago when I was beyond frustrated that despite the thousands I put into marketing, book sales were dismal, I was reminded about conditions getting in the way. That helped alleviate some of the blame I was casting upon myself.
I was also steered into a life that wasn't what I felt my calling was about and was 50 when I took the steps to fulfill it. It's a tough go because you are correct - the world wants short, dopamine-driven digital content and we are offering something much more than that.
However, I believe that God doesn't make mistakes and that He wouldn't call to us if He didn't have a plan. I have to remind myself every day to trust His guidance and have faith in His plan.
Thank you for this. All of it.
You have painted a very accurate picture of the realities we face. Thank you for this.
I’ll be thinking about this article for a long time. As someone who is stages behind you, in a season of writing and teaching with young children but feeling the “unnecessary” self-doubt, I so appreciate you putting this into words. Thank you!