It seems like the word for this season in my life is Branding. Those teaching some of the classes at Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference threw it around as if it were a simple thing—and for some, that might be true. Even if you’ve never heard of someone branding themselves, you know brands. Just Do It! Got Milk? Zoom Zoom (Mazda in case that one is a little old). Apple needs nothing more than a symbol as its brand.
So, how does a fiction author brand herself? I’m finding that it’s more than an idea—it’s a core message. For years, my tagline has been Where Crisis & Christ Collide. That tagline came about because I was writing stories that were inspired by tragic events—mine and those of people I loved. And once I was on the other side, I saw the redemption story that gave me hope. Not just hope, but exceedingly, abundantly more than I could have imagined. But there is an ingredient required to find this abundance. Christ.
I recently took a webinar class called Becoming Your Own Publicist. In a time when marketing and promoting is mostly left to the author (even with a traditional publisher) it’s imperative that we are proactive. But what I discovered in this class is that it’s not books I’m selling, it’s a message—that core message that comes from my heart through my own experiences. That core message that I wouldn’t have if not for the tough stuff I’ve been through or walked someone else through.
I find that the majority of women tend to do one of two things when dealing with heartache—they ignore the emotional repercussions and push on (which will later come back and bite them) or they get so bogged down in them that they become dysfunctional. Tess O’Shay, the main character in my novel Surrendered, does both. Her story is my core message, as is the story of the main characters in my next two books in the series. My prayer is that women connect with these characters and find some comfort in the knowledge that we’re not that different from each other. Whatever we’re struggling with, God can (and I believe He will) redeem it. That’s the hope I want to share with my readers.
As I muddle my way to my brand, I will be seeking stories of real women who have walked through fire and came out stronger in their faith knowing that there is healing from the pain. If you are one such woman (willing to share your story) please contact me. I’d love to interview you for my blog.
