Promoting Self But Remaining Humble

[DannyVK]

As a Christian writer I find it difficult to promote myself and my writing and not feel guilty. We are to not be self seeking but if our writing is to be read by others we must maintain a presence that says look at me and my work. Does anyone else struggle with this? what do you think? Sometimes I get sick of looking at my web page, listing my credentials, and promoting my experience as a writer.

[dctilak]

Public Relations is indispensable in today's' world. It seems that it is not who we are or what we can do but what we get others to think we are and can do that appears to be more important to survive. Though as Christians we need not agree with that, we need to make healthy self-projections to survive and thrive. For writers it is often we ourselves who need to do our PR work. Yes, it can be almost embarrassing - are we trying to blow our own trumpets? But we may have to be shameless at times.

Danny, your questions made me wonder about the temptations that I may have as a writer with relation to the questions that you asked. I am no writer with a capital 'W' but here is my response.

Temptation I: To feel proud
It is rare that there are people like you who are conscious that they might be crossing the limit. Today we are filled with pride and yet feel no guilt. I can be shameless when it comes to self-promotion but I need to feel shame when I have been proud.

Temptation II: To allow unnecessary guilt to affect my self-promotion
But self-promotion can result in feeling guilty - both the good guilt and the bad guilt. Feeling a bit proud is inevitable. Who can look at one's own credentials and not feel a bit bloated at least? But may that not stop me from 'indulging' in a healthy self-promotion which is for our good, the good of publishers and as a result the good of readers as well. For above all, self-promotion serves the purpose of providing information as a result of which the publishers and the readers and enlightened and equipped to decide - be it to choose us or to reject us.

Temptation III: To provide wrong information
But I need to be true in providing the right information. Which means that I need not hesitate to give positive information as well as negative information about myself. For people with high self-esteem it is a temptation to provide the former while it is a temptation for those with low self-esteem to provide the latter. Neither do I have to lure them nor do I have to scare them away. My self-projection should lead them in the right direction - be it to or away from me or my work. To be democratic, I need to concentrate on giving them the information based on which they will have to decide.

All said, it is still bound to be a struggle, as I will continue to wrestle with pride and guilt till I'm at heaven's door. But your questions have made me think.

[DannyVK]

Tilak,

Thanks for your comments. Every Christian writer will always struggle with this issue.

Danny Von Kanel