Author Ruth Smith Meyer

    WRITE! Canada 2010 has happened—and it happened without me. Each year since I first went, it has been an important event every June. While I always return bodily tired, my mind and my enthusiasm are renewed and invigorated. Of course that tiredness is partly due to not wanting to miss anything, staying up for the night owl sessions and rising for the early bird or prayer sessions.

     Although my publisher again entered my latest book into the contest for an award, this year, because of certain events in my life, I decided I could not attend. My mind didn’t listen, though and from Thursday to Saturday I was conscious of what I was missing.

    Then today, four days after the close of the conference, the TWG letter containing the judge’s remarks came in the mail. I hardly knew if I wanted to know what it said. But curiosity won out and I did tear it open. On a scale of one to five the categories were marked. 2, 3, 3,3,4,1,2,2 5,3. Was it disappointing? Yes, it was, but not devastating.

     After several years of work, editing and redoing, testing it out on children of the ages I had mentioned, with good response, having positive affirmation from the publisher, from my writing group and from people who have purchased the book, read it and benefitted by it, the judge’s feedback didn’t reflect any of that.

    Again, I was thankful for what I have learned at WRITE! Canada and in my writer’s group. We all differ in our likes and dislikes—even fellow writers and the honourable judge. The very thing one person finds the most intriguing or heart-warming just doesn’t do it for another. What charms one reader makes it hard for another to connect. We, as authors, need to seriously weigh what the “experts” say, put to use those suggestions that feel right to ourself,  the author and then extend to us the grace to trust in your own intuition as well. It would be helpful if there were additional judges so that the picture was more complete, but each critique deserves our full attention.

   Is it nice to capture a few awards? Yes, that can be very satisfying. Is it nice to Wow your judge? I surmise it might be. However as Tammy Wiens says “I have found that I've gotten so caught up in trying to please the industry at times that I've forgotten my audience. In the end, they are the ones who buy my books and let me know if they are good or not--not editors or publishers.”

   My biggest and best reward comes from the people who have been helped in facing their own challenges by reading my books. If I have brought understanding, growth or comfort to even a few readers, then my writing has not been in vain. Instead of a sticker on the front cover proclaiming my book to be a finalist, there is a warm spot in my heart, knowing God has used my efforts to bring help, understanding or even enjoyment to my fellow travelers in life.