The review was a surprise. I had written an article, and a reader responded that she felt like she’d been “hugged.” That was certainly one of the best reviews I’d ever received.
Yet, when I reread the article, I didn’t see anything that sounded like a hug. The article was a how-to piece, and I thought I’d been a little stern on how Christians often pass judgment and share opinions without first earning that right through a relationship. It wasn’t a touchy-feely article at all.
How Do We Express Love?
I spent considerable time pondering how writers can speak the truth, share hard-to-deliver words, and yet still be seen as loving.
Our greatest example is Jesus, so here are a few things He modeled for us.
- Jesus used stories. Stories disarm our audience and bring them to the truth without calling others out. Think the Parables of The Weeds or The Soils.
- Jesus asked questions. Often, he told a story and then asked the probing question. After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” When they answered, he said, “Go and do likewise.”
- Jesus modeled The Way. In our writing the way we model is we first come beside our reader as a fellow seeker, a sinner, a sojourner with them in this thing called discipleship. We share how we failed or struggled, and the answers we found.
What is the Secret to Abolishing the Preachiness?
One of the earliest critiques I received on my writing was that I tended toward the “preachy.” Although I was a teacher by heart, my tone and word choices made me seem to be above the reader rather than walking beside them. I had one finger pointed at the reader and did not see the four fingers pointed back toward me. For a long time, I wrestled with this until I learned a secret.
Instead of writing to a target audience, I’ve learned to write to a target person. This person represents my target audience, but she is a combination of many in my core group. In my mind, she has a life, a daily routine, and she has hopes, dreams, fears, and faith questions. When I write an article or a book, I’m writing to her and my tone softens, my heart breaks for her, and I have a desire to sit with her and share the truth I’ve learned so she, too, can be set free.
How Can I Know I’ve Succeeded?
When I read that review, I realized I’d finally succeeded. I’d learned from my Jesus to use stories, ask probing questions, and share my own weaknesses. Yet, the biggest win of all was that I’d learn how to see my audience as one person in need of what I’d been given. I had learned how to love her through my writing.
Question: Which one of the tips in this blog will you practice the next time you sit down to write? How will you “love” readers through your writing?
About Cheri Cowell
Cheri Cowell is the Founder/CEO of EABooks Publishing and offers the publishing opportunity for Speak Up attendees. She hopes to see your name on the submission list. For details, here’s the link. For information on EABooks, go to: www.eabookspublishing.com.
The book “Charitable Writing: Cultivating Virtue Through Our Words” encourages writers to dig deep into the meat of their message, rather than slap together something shallow and push it out into the world without further thought. The back-of-the-book blurb starts out with: “Our written words carry weight. Unfortunately, in today’s cultural climate, our writing is too often laced with harsh judgments and vitriol rather than careful consideration and generosity. But might the Christian faith transform how we approach the task of writing?”
The book was written by two professors of English at Wheaton College – Richard Hughes Gibson and James Edward Beitler III – and came out in 2020. I find it a valuable tool and resource, not only as a writer, but also as a thinker.
Thanks for sharing this resource. Sounds like a great way to reinforce this “loving way” in responding to others. Thanks for writing….
As a perpetual storyteller, I was happy to know that’s a good way to get a point across. I like your suggestion of imagining one reader I can identify with who needs to hear the message in my story.
Ann, thanks for writing—this idea of making your target reader a person was shared with me over 15 years ago at a conference. I wish I knew who gave the idea so I could offer credit—all of us stand on the shoulders of giants.
Blessings!
Cheri
I have the same temptations to be a little too preachy. I don’t know what’s in my heart as far as thinking I’m above people. I do know that I’ve walked with the Lord for a long time and he’s taught me a lot. I’m also a person of rights and wrongs black and white, and I hate to see people go astray because of false doctrine. Here’s my strength. I do talk about my own failures and how God has met me. I think my vulnerability proves that I love people.
Gina,
Thanks for that honesty. When we come to God with openness, He can work with that so I expect He will do mighty work in you on this in the coming months. He knows you love people, so now it’s time to let that shine! May God bless you as you write for His glory…
Cheri
This paragraph ‘undoes’ me,
“Instead of writing to a target audience, I’ve learned to write to a target person. This person represents my target audience, but she is a combination of many in my core group. In my mind, she has a life, a daily routine, and she has hopes, dreams, fears, and faith questions. When I write an article or a book, I’m writing to her and my tone softens, my heart breaks for her, and I have a desire to sit with her and share the truth I’ve learned so she, too, can be set free.”
Our heart must break for others, no matter what vehicle God chooses to use us for in his Kingdom purposes. Jesus saw others through “eyes of compassion,” So should we.
Thank you for this word!
Diana,
Thanks for writing—may God use that word to remind all of us to see our readers as He does—worthy of His own life.
Blessings, Cheri
Diana,
Thanks—may God use that word to remind all of us to see our readers as He does—worthy of His own life.
Blessings, Cheri
Diana,
May God use that word to remind all of us to see our readers as He does—worthy of His own life.
Blessings, Cheri