Two Things that Control Your Writer’s Superpower

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Superpower! Wow. Imagine that. As a writer, you’re superhuman—sorta. Writers do have power. Sometimes, we don’t realize how much.

Words are strong, and one reason we’re told in scripture to control the tongue. The things we say and write, wielded incorrectly, can be devastating. This power is especially strong on social media. As we approach the 2024 presidential election, strong voices will rise on social media, driving chaos and division, but you have the power to be different.

Because you are a writer, there are several things to consider before you begin to wield that sword. 

Consider these two things before you write.

How do I want my readers to perceive me as an author? Of course, the obvious answer is “well.” We all want our readers to love and continue following us. We want their support, and more so, we want them to buy our books. But—there’s always a but, isn’t there? How do we express our opinions, especially when we are passionate about trending hot topics, and how do we protect the integrity of who we are? The answer is discretion. Even on high-profile subjects, pray for discernment and discretion. 

If you want to protect your integrity, then err on the side of caution. There is nothing wrong with silence—especially on social media. Choose to make your social media platform a safe place for readers to retreat. Instead of fueling the fires of hot topics, offer your readers a respite. Let them look to your page as the one spot they find a change of tone. The most-read social media posts include pets, children, and fun things. These aren’t surprising since most of these chosen posts contain laughter, which transports us to a different place. Choose discretion when you post. Keep the harsh things off your social media.

I write honest reviews—even if they hurt. My readers expect honesty—That’s well and good, but does honesty include tearing someone else down? If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a scathing review, how did it make you feel? Usually, one of two things—angry or broken. Let me begin by saying to the recipient that a review is an opinion. It’s not gospel. Everyone has one, so let it go. You can’t please everyone. To the reviewer: you hold the power to either uplift or break another author, so ask yourself, how can I give an honest opinion but be kind? The answer is to be kind. In writing a review, there is no need to shred another author. 

There’s no need to attack an author’s faith or integrity. If the book is something you don’t care about, state that it is not a book you agreed with and cannot recommend. Again, there is no need to slash and dice the book or author into pieces. No one likes bad reviews, but we all get them. When an author is professional and kind in their review, it makes the disappointment easier to swallow and validates the reviewer’s opinion. My point is you can choose kindness and still get the point across.

The truth remains that you control the picture painted of you as an author by your personal responses. You can paint a picture of kindness or taint that painting with things that give your readers a sour taste. Whether you are a writer or just a Joe on the street, you set the parameters of how others see you. The question becomes, what do you choose for them to see?

As writers, we have great power in the words we write. We can choose to use those words with a higher integrity or not. I encourage you to consider your choice of words in everything you write. Our world is bombarded with rhetoric and chaos. Choose to use your words as a light in the darkness.

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Two Things that Control Your Writer’s Superpower from @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and she is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and WWW.CHRISTIANDEVOTIONS.US, as well as WWW.INSPIREAFIRE.COM. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at WWW.CINDYSPROLES.COM or www.wramsforwriters.com.