Friday, April 5, 2013

Erin Healy: Enjoying The Gifts Of Others

Everyone's Story welcomes author and editor Erin Healy. I became familiar with Erin by reading her novels, and thus became aware that she was also an editor, one that has worked with some pretty amazing authors! But I have come to admire her even more by her candid and heartfelt essay that she shares below, something I believe that writers, readers, and just about everyone can relate to. Plus, there's a short interview. And, Erin is offering a Giveaway of her upcoming release, AFLAOT, a fascinating twist to a survival story. Erin looks forward to seeing your comments.


Book Giveaway:
Erin is offering 1 copy of her upcoming release of AFLOAT (the winner can choose to wait for the May release or an Advanced Reader's Copy) to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced between 4-6 PM EST on April 12th. Please leave your email address within the body of the comment. Thanks.
Click here to read an excerpt of AFLOAT.



Feel the Thrill of Someone Else’s Success by Erin Healy

A few weeks ago I was reading a novel that I had to set aside for a while. I just couldn’t keep reading it. Maybe this has happened to you. You turn your back on a book because the subject matter is dark, or you don’t want to spend time with the characters, or it’s poorly written, or you just can’t get into it.

I wish I could say that was why I couldn’t keep going this time. But no. My excuse falls into a far more primitive category. I was jealous.

I envied the writer’s impressive talent, the epic concept, the richness and depth of the story, which—wouldn’t you know—kept reducing me to a tear-soaked, snotty mess of spiritual yearning. I admired the artistry, this lovely turn of phrase and that surprising way of seeing. I felt a bit green when I saw the well-deserved accolades and endorsements and media attention.

How could such a spectacular book bring out such an ugly side of me?

I correspond regularly with a friend who is a musician and a children’s book illustrator. She lives thousands of miles away, but she has known me since I was a child, which means she knows me so well that she might as well live in my house. In recommending this book to her (even before I had finished reading it), I told her how envious I felt. The author had accomplished more than I could dream to with my own work. My friend wrote back:

“Me thinks all artists self-examine too closely, compare too often, and resultantly, are sad. Mistake! Enjoy your gift! Enjoy that author’s! Enjoy mine! As we all enjoy each other's gifts, well, would it be silly to say that—dare I say it?—pleasure happens.”

Of course it does! And with that thought in mind, I was able to finish a magnificent book, tell the author how much I sincerely loved it, and purchase an extra copy to give away. (Why am I not naming the title here? Because I don’t want the point of this post to be about whether the book is really a great novel, but whether you’ve ever let jealousy get in the way of the sheer pleasure of someone else’s art. Please tell me I’m not the only one!)

Whether you’re a writer or an artist of another color, fear and insecurity come with the territory. I’ve seen it in my years as a writer; I’ve seen it in my decades as an editor. “If making art gives substance to your sense of self,” write Bayles and Orlund in their (also excellent) book Art and Fear, “the corresponding fear is that you’re not up to the task—that you can’t do it, or can’t do it well, or can’t do it again; or that you’re not a real artist, or not a good artist, or have no talent, or have nothing to say.”

We artists crave affirmation for our work. Sometimes we get it. Sometimes we don’t. But when fear is our prevailing emotion we are at our most vulnerable. I believe this is true to the point that when someone else receives what we want, we might (as I did) perceive their success as our failure. Why else would we begrudge them their success?

This experience returned me to Philippians 2, which I hadn’t read for a while. While in search of a familiar verse (#3), I came to one I’d forgotten but now read with new eyes (#4):



“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”


We artists are in a unique position to encourage other artists. Who else knows better about the fear, the hope, the vulnerability of making art? The moment I stopped reading the aforementioned novel as a rival that shamed my own work, something wonderful happened: I was able to become a colleague instead of a selfish dork. It became very important to me to tell the author exactly how the book had moved me. I wanted to give the author the very thing I hoped for—praise, encouragement, and gratitude. I wanted to give the author courage to go out and do it again and again and again. Because wow, the world will be a better place with more books like that one in it.

And as if the benefit were all mine, my own artistic fears faded with my envy, and I had a thoroughly fantastic time reading a fabulous book. For a moment I was granted a reborn thrill of reading and writing that’s so hard to come by when it’s a profession rather than a pastime.

If you can, tell your fears to hush up for a bit so you can listen to what other artists are telling you through their work. And may you take great pleasure in the sharing.

Three Questions for Erin:
You write "supernatural suspense novels from a Christian worldview." What should a reader picking up one of your novels for the first time expect to find?

All of my stories use high-stakes supernatural elements to explore the ways God works in us and through us. Every once in a while I have to explain that my stories are metaphors rather than literal interpretations of life. For example, Afloat is a supernatural-disaster story that challenges the notion of what it means to survive catastrophe not just physically, but spiritually as well. So a reader can expect some out-of-the-box weirdness that might not appear to be Christian on the surface—some of the tales are more covert than others—but if one engages in reading between the lines, the messages should stand up to sound biblical doctrine.

As an editor, are you your own best friend or worst enemy when it comes to writing your first draft?

The editor’s side of my brain is my best friend when it comes to writing all the drafts after my first. That particular skill set has taken all the fear out of revisions. To be sure, I prefer revising to filling a blank page. It’s easier to tinker or slash-and-burn than to create something out of nothing. But when it comes to the first draft, Editor Erin is pretty easy to relegate to the corner. “Just be quiet,” I tell her. “I haven’t written anything you’re allowed to comment on yet.”

Do you have any amusing stories to share on your path to publication that may encourage writers?

My path to my editorial career (and subsequently, to publication) began at a writers conference that a friend sent me to while I was in college. I attended after an invasive surgery that left my face extremely swollen. I was still in braces. Between the two things, drooling and spitting was an occasional problem. I scheduled one appointment with an editor thinking I would have him read this cathartic journal entry I had written (I thought of it as a “short story”) about a recent breakup with my boyfriend. It is possibly the worst thing I have ever written. And did I mention this editor was acquiring nonfiction material about parenting? I think I picked him because he was the only one with an available slot.

By the grace of God the editor was running late and didn’t have time to read my dreck. So instead of talking about that I decided I would ask him about careers in the field. I managed not to spit when I spoke. He gave me some leads that I followed up on, we stayed in touch, and a year later he invited me to apply to an entry-level position in his company.

To this day I believe that if he had read that disastrous piece I would be in a different, far less fulfilling career. So, by way of encouragement: Sometimes missed opportunities are, in fact, quite the opposite.

Erin's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

“Whether you’re a writer or an artist of another color, fear and insecurity come with the territory.” (Click To Tweet)

“We artists are in a unique position to encourage other artists.” (Click To Tweet)

“…tell your fears to hush up for a bit so you can listen to what other artists are telling you…” (Click To Tweet)




Author Bio:
Erin Healy is an award-winning fiction editor who has worked with talented novelists. With began working with author Ted Dekker in 2002 and edited twelve of his heart-pounding stories before their collaboration on Kiss, the first novel to seat her on “the other side of the desk.” Erin is the owner of WordWright Editorial Services, a consulting firm specializing in fiction book development. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Academy of Christian Editors. She lives with her family in Colorado.

You can connect with Erin at:


42 comments:

  1. Hi Erin & Elaine

    Wonderfully revealing post, Erin. It's funny I was only thinking last night how I marvel at your craftsmanship. I wish I had your turn of phrase and ability to capture the right word for communicating what your characters are feeling in their heart.

    It is amazing how our heart can change so quickly when we choose to give rather than receive. The miracle of love. I sometimes even feel a physical release, like chains have fallen off.

    Looking forward to reading Afloat, I've already placed my pre-order.

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    1. Hi Ian! The human heart can be its own fascinating critter sometime! Thanks for the visit.

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    2. "It is amazing how our heart can change so quickly when we choose to give rather than receive." Amen to that, Ian. You are so kind. (And I have Angelguard on my Kindle!) Blessings to you.

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  2. I have often read works that made me want to quit--I could never be THAT good. But then I'd lend a book I wasn't as crazy about to a friend and that friend told me how much they LOVED it and were inspired by it. I no longer expect to like what others like, or be loved by every reader. God gives me stories for a particular audience--no more no less. I am grateful for this knowledge, because it helps me rejoice in other's successes. When I can do that, I have more reason to rejoice more often.

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    1. It's always a joy to see you, Connie. So well said.

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    2. Connie, wow. This response is loaded with wisdom. I think I'll carry it away with me. Thank you.

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  3. We are all on different paths, and another writer's success doesn't take away our uniqueness or talent. Even so, when we want something so badly that others are gaining, sometimes it hurts.

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    1. Oh, Pat, I so know what you mean. Drats--we are all human, after all, huh? What I've been learning is that despite our varying paths, God has many lessons that He wants us to share with each other. Pretty fascinating stuff, how this God biz works!

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    2. Sometimes envy causes us to question whether we're doing God's will, or whether we've done something to displease him. Of course, we are living our own story, not theirs. Maybe this is the reason for the commandment that we not covet, and for Christ's admonition that we not compare our journey to others'.

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  4. I loved this post! I know the feeling of reading on person's work and thinking "WOW! I don't know if I could ever do that!" It's easy to think you are less than perfect, but it's so beautiful that everyone has different stories.

    I also really love this statement:

    "We artists crave affirmation for our work. Sometimes we get it. Sometimes we don’t. But when fear is our prevailing emotion we are at our most vulnerable."

    I totally know the feeling. It can be hard when you write something and it can be scary letting it out there into the world.

    Thank you Elaine and Erin!! :)

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    1. Devin, thanks for your visit at Everyone's Story. I agree with you about Erin's statement about writers craving affirmation. So true! While I don't set New Year's resolutions, I found myself back in January focusing more on what God wants for me and not so much on what others think. Gotta tell you, it isn't easy but I'm moving forward. Erin's advice to help and appreciate others is so spot on right :)

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    2. It's comforting to know I'm not alone! Thanks, Devin. And Elain, I think you touch on another difficulty--it's hard not to care what others think, especially when a writer's "success" is so often defined by reviews and sales numbers.

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  5. Erin, I have experienced that same feeling of jealousy when it comes to my photography, writing... you name it! My pendulum swings between pride and jealousy. It occasionally stays where it belongs - in the middle with a good balance of joy in my work and enjoyment of the work of others.

    I think you are a fabulous author; your writing connects at a heart level for me. Thank you for pushing past the fear of what others will think and writing your heart out!

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    1. Josie, thanks for visiting with Erin and me on Everyone's Story. Thanks too for sharing your honest experiences. Hope to see you again!

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    2. Thanks Elaine! I forgot to put my e-mail address, it's josie.siler@gmail.com :)

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    3. I accept your encouragement, Josie! Thank you!

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  6. Erin,
    Keep up the great, work. I have really enjoyed reading your books, your talent is real. Don't get discouraged, your books have an impact greater than you know. Thank you for what you have written, I look forward to more in the future!

    Thanks!

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    1. Caleb, I'm thankful for you visit today. Glad to know that you enjoy Erin's novels.

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    2. Thanks for this kindness. Encouragement is sweet water to drink.

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  7. Erin,
    Interestingly enough one of the times I experienced just what you shared was when I read your book, Never Let You Go. It was one of those, "Oh, man, why didn't I write that?" kind of moments that I tend to have more when reading non-fiction, but it happened with your novel.
    Thank you for sharing openly on the subject and for giving us a practical and encouraging solution.
    Don't know if you would send it down here to Chile (which is where I live and work as a missionary), but I would love to win your drawing!!
    Thank you for fighting the good fight when it comes to writing fiction from a Christian Worldview.
    My email is colleenshine@gmail.com

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    1. Colleen, thank you so much for visiting Everyone's Story from Chile. Blessings on your mission work.

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    2. Thank you, Elaine, I am so glad I saw this and intend to continue to follow.

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    3. Thanks! Do check back later for Erin's comments. Have a great day.

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    4. Colleen, that is interesting. When I was talking about this subject with my sister, she gave me a gentle scolding: "It's possible others read YOUR books and have the same reaction," she said. "You'll never know." Except in cases like this. Thank you.

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  8. Your book sound terrific. I haven't had the privilege of reading any of your works yet, but I can't wait to join those who have. Thank you for this opportunity.

    I am not published yet, so I read lots of books where I say, "wow - I wish I was that talented." God is working with me on remembering to focus on the talents and gifts I have to give to Him and trust that He is pleased with my offering. Humanly speaking though, it's easy to wish I was as talented as many others out there. Makes me work harder to keep refining the gifts I do have. Thank you for your honesty. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels that way sometimes.

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  9. I'm sorry - I forgot to include my email address:

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    Thanks again for this opportunity.

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    1. Thanks, Cheri, for your return visit and for sharing some very human thoughts that we all struggle with.

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    2. You have a great attitude, Cheri. Other successful writers can be worthy models for us to follow--but not at the expense of your own gifts. You make me think it would be a great exercise for artist to be able name his or her own gifts specifically, and to write them down so they won't be overshadowed.

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  10. Thanks for sharing your heart so openly Erin :-) I've often needed that Philippians 2 reminder to in humility consider others better than ourselves. Thanks for that reminder. I really like your friends words to enjoy other artists' gifts ...so true, and sometimes takes a switch in perspective to truly do(that's what I've discovered in myself). Would love to read your book...love stories with supernatural elements!

    lornafaith at gmail dot com

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    1. Nice to see you again, Lorna. I'm thankful we writers can share so openly with each other!

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    2. The friend I quoted is so full of wisdom--she is a model to me of how one artist can humbly and generously encourage another. It is a selfless perspective, which definitely requires a "switch," as you say!

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  11. I'm looking forward to reading AFLOAT. I can't wait until its released. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Katie
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Katie, I appreciate your visit. Hope to see you again on Everyone's Story.

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  12. Thanks for dropping by, Katie!

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    1. Fabulous post! It's something that hits all of us, I think. Thank you for your transparency, Erin.

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    2. Shannon, I appreciate your visit to Everyone's Story. Hope to see you again :)

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    3. Hi, Shannon, thanks for dropping by with such a kind word.

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  13. Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate the honesty that uplifts and models better ways to be. Great attitude. Great post.

    Dekker? I'm blown away. Amazing writing.

    Please enter me in the AFLOAT giveaway. sequoiajoy@gmail.com

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    1. Connie, thanks for visiting with Erin and me. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

      You'll definitely be entered in the Giveaway!

      Do check back later for Erin's reply.

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  14. Connie, thanks for YOUR encouraging words as well. It's catching.

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    1. P. S. Are you asking if it was a Dekker book? Not this time ... but yes, Ted is amazing, and so are his stories.

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  15. This has been one of the most active weeks on Everyone's Story and I have both my wonderful guest, Erin Healy, and extraordinary viewers to thank. Erin, thank you for sharing such intimate thoughts and guiding us through some common feelings that writers, readers, and just about anyone, experience. We need to support each other and this is one wonderful way to do it! Erin, thanks too for your book giveaway of AFLOAT...

    And the winner of Erin Healy's about-to-be released novel, AFLOAT, is Pat Bradley. Congratulations, Pat! Both Erin and I will contact you directly.

    Blessings to all. Hope to see you again.

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