Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Hello? Hello?

Are you there? What's your name? What do you love to read? What's going on in your life?

No, I'm not nosey. I'm simply hungering for feedback. Isn't it funny how we need it? Even as an author, even as an adult, I love to see the response in the eyes of those I'm with. I love the one-on-one that comes with friendships. I love to speak and join in with the laughter, the intake of breath, when we talk about life and God.

Then why did I choose to be an author? Working away in my small home office, writing books and listening for the voice of God as I write about issues of faith in a real world? Just me, my cat, and KLOVE playing in the background.

Authors often don't receive feedback. You hope that God is using the books to encourage teens. We watch sales figures, but those don't say a word about the girl (or guy) sitting alone in her/his room reading the book, waiting for God to speak into their heart.

Then occasionally I receive an email like this one:

Suzanne, I was struggling with depression and had began to think that suicide might be an option. Then I read Darrin's story in your book and God showed me that my life wasn't over and that he would help me through this hard time. I just want you to know that I went outside and looked at the stars tonight and for the very first time I realized that God was real and that he loved me. Alicia, Age 14

It's emails like that that keep me writing when I'm all alone. It keeps me writing when I wonder if a "real job" might pay better. But even if there isn't feedback, this is what God has called me to do -- to write about him, to be real about my faith, to tell teens that God loves them passionately and that Christianity is way more than just another religion. It's amazing and life changing.

But that doesn't mean we don't like to hear from you.

So, are you there? Are you reading this blog? : ) We'd love to know your name. We'd love to hear what's happening in your world. We'd love to know what books you love to read (even if they aren't ours). We'd love to say hello.

Suzie Eller (T. Suzanne), author of Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life

3 comments:

Barb Huff said...

Hey, Sam! Glad to see you.

hugs!

~B.

T. Suzanne Eller said...

Hey Samantha, thanks so much. : ) I'm thrilled that Real Teen Faith is on your favorite list. If you ever want to share poetry or your story on RTF, let me know! Suzie

Kim said...

I'm not a teen. ;) I'm 25 and I linked in from Sarah's site. Suzanne, that email gave me tingles. That's so awesome! Keep it up, God is using you. :)