Navigating the Literary World as a Female Christian Writer by Peculiar Medinus

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Michael Korda's book, Male Chauvinism, captivated me some time ago. It revealed how men often treated women as inferior beings, creating elaborate justifications for their behavior.

I have encountered men who were healthy enough to recognise and appreciate women's expertise, demonstrating humility by learning from them. Yet, Korda’s observations have also rung true in my professional life. As a senior correspondent, my male colleagues were very unsettled about sharing the same title with me.

The notion of male superiority over women, unfortunately, persists. Heather McGregor’s book, Mrs. Moneypenny’s Advice for Ambitious Women, bluntly advises women to be as strong as men to secure the pay rises they deserve.

This blog is not an attack on men but rather a guide for female writers, including Christian female writers, navigating a male-dominated literary world. Navigating the literary world as a female Christian writer can be challenging, especially when encountering deeply entrenched notions of male superiority. However, your faith, talent, and perseverance are your strongest allies. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you succeed:

Embrace Your Unique Voice

Embrace it fully and let it shine through your writing. Understand that your perspective as a female Christian writer is unique and valuable.

Surround yourself with a community

Networking with other female writers and Christian communities can provide encouragement and opportunities.

Empower Yourself Through Knowledge

Stay updated with the latest trends in the publishing industry and continuously refine your craft. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can help level the playing field.

Trust in Your Faith

Let your faith be your guide. Trust that God has a plan for you, and allow your faith to be the cornerstone of your perseverance and resilience. Here are some steps to deepen your trust in your faith:

  • Pray for Guidance: Seek God’s guidance in your writing journey through prayer.
  • Read Inspirational Scriptures: Turn to the Bible for inspiration and strength. Verses such as Philippians 4:13 and Proverbs 3:5–6 can be particularly uplifting.
  • Join Faith-Based Writing Groups: Connect with other Christian writers who share your values and can offer spiritual support.

Remember, your words have the power to inspire, uplift, and bring about change. Keep writing, keep believing, and keep shining.

 


Comments

  1. Olusola Sophia Anyanwu11 June 2024 at 07:09

    Lovely post, Peculiar. Thank you. I like your views on women empowerment irrespective of male chauvinism. This is so important. One can unknowingly and unconsciously reflect women to be inferior to men through the characters and roles given to either gender in writing. Thanks for the guides and advice given. Very helpful and interesting. Blessings.

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  2. Peculiar Medinus11 June 2024 at 13:32

    Good point, Sophia 🤗 Thank you.

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  3. Roland Thorne11 June 2024 at 14:48

    What?! Everyone is the same before God.

    I write as a second job so I'm not in this world, yet, but be careful not to allow this possible paranoia to color the world around you.

    Tell me - are you loving those men around you?

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  4. Peculiar Medinus11 June 2024 at 15:14

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Peculiar Medinus11 June 2024 at 15:54

    Thanks Roland. Yes, there's no gender spiritually, but that's not what the blog is about. Any need to be careful when blogging the truth? Of course! everyone, including male chauvinists needs love, so we should love "those men".

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  6. John Stevens17 June 2024 at 14:36

    Your observation that we live in a 'male-dominated literary world' spurred at least one of my eyebrows into action. My perception, mainly from the ACW perspective, contradicts your observation...but my knowledge of the literary world is pretty limited! In terms of Christian authors, my bookshelf is currently running at 26 male and 6 female authors. I'm just not sure whether 'more men' necessarily equates with notions of 'male superiority' or whether 'male-dominated' equates to 'male domineering'? My five daughters may have more to say!!

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  7. Peculiar Medinus7 July 2024 at 13:38

    Thanks for your insightful comment. I am thrilled to see my blog post prompting such a thoughtful response. We blog on the ACW platform, but our blogging extends beyond the ACW platform. As explicitly stated, my purpose is not to criticise men but rather to provide a supportive guide for female writers, who may face challenges in a traditionally male-dominated literary world. Of course! More men do not equal male superiority. It's fantastic to hear about your diverse bookshelf and the influence of your five daughters. I'm hopeful they will bring a great perspective! Thank you again for engaging with my content. I appreciate your views.

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