What is your Motivation?

By Del Duduit

What motivates you to become better?

For some, it might be carrying on a family tradition. It could mean you are the first in your household to achieve a major milestone.

Others view fear as a motivating factor in life. No one wants to fail.

Last year, my literary agent and friend, Cyle, and I stepped outside the boundaries of “Christian” writing and will be published in the general market this year.

A few within our writing world may consider it going against the grain or falling into the traps of the world.

Hogwash.

We have an opportunity to spread a message of hope and encouragement to a population who needs inspiration.

Granted, the book is close to being a devotional, without the scriptures.

We teamed up to write Michigan Motivations: A Year of Inspiration with the University of Michigan Wolverines.

The book, published by Indiana University Press, is slated to be out July 7.

I’m already catching heat from my Ohio State followers, who can’t believe I touted the success of their rival up north.

Take it easy folks. Remember that my first published book, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful, was Cyle’s idea.

My agent hails from Ohio, but he played for the Maze and Blue. In fact, when I signed my contract with him, I had to slip on those gaudy rings of his.

But three years later, we have co-authored a book that will go into the general market. That’s exciting, but we also have a responsibility to make sure it’s marketed and purchased.

We pitched the idea at Book Expo America in New York City last year to Ashley. One year later, we will autograph early edition copies in NYC at the same show in May.

I love the Christian writing community, and I know that I have a home there and have made some wonderful friends. But it is a new adventure to enter the general market, at least it is for me.

 

Cyle and I are not “selling out” or moving away from our foundation and responsibility as Christian authors.

This just gives us a larger platform to spread our message, which we conveniently wiggled into some of the chapters.

Two books I released last year, Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best, and First Down Devotions: Inspirations from NFL’s Best, are considered crossover books. This means they are distributed in the Christian world as well as in the general market. And they have done well because the audience was wider, and it showed that the general population wants inspirational books like these.

The point of our adventure is to step out in faith and trust that God will take care of us.

We are excited to see this book released, and we know better things are to come as a result of our faith.

Do you take risks? Are you content to stay where you are and see the same results?

If so, it’s okay. But for me and Cyle, we want to be able to send our message of hope out to everyone, and not to just a certain portion of the market.

And I’ve learned some lessons while putting this book together.

• I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone: I did not do what Moses and Abraham did when they left their country to lead a nation. Although, that does have its appeal. It means I am willing to take my work to more than just a select few. I’m exposing myself to a new audience. With that comes the potential for negative feedback, but that’s okay.
• I’ve made some bold moves: To play with the “big boys” means I am opened up more to failure than ever before. That scares me but motivates me at the same time. I want to prove myself.
• I’ve chosen faith over fear: Cyle and I have put the “comments” behind us and are moving forward with our inspirational messages to everyone. We know God has opened up new avenues for both of us to explore. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56: 3 KJV)
• I’ve maintained my convictions: There are good and bad people everywhere. I will not sell-out or give in to demands that compromise my beliefs. I will have the attitude that I will be a positive influence on a population that cries out for encouragement.

Follow me on Twitter here.

To sing in the choir is easy. To venture out into an unknown territory takes faith. I’m glad our team at Serious Writer, Inc.  is behind us.

Preaching the kingdom of God, teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28: 31 KJV)

Are you ready to step out in faith? Are you motivated to do more? Let me know your thoughts on this post, and just for the record …. O-H. (I’m still a true Buckeye.)

You can order the book before it’s released here.

Watch for more information as the launch date approaches.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

Be sure to join me live on #PJNET every Tuesday at http://PatriotJournalist.com/?meta=2