Author Interview ~ Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) in Washington, DC. NCC was recognized as one of the Most Innovative and Most Influential Churches in America by Outreach Magazine in 2008. One church with eight services in four locations, NCC is focused on reaching emerging generations. Seventy percent of NCCers are single, twenty-somethings.

The vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the DC area. NCC also owns and operates the largest coffeehouse on Capitol Hill. In 2008, Ebenezers was recognized as the #1 coffeehouse in the metro DC area by AOL CityGuide.

Mark has two Masters Degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of a best-selling book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. And he is a daily blogger @ www.markbatterson.com.

Mark is married to Lora and they live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.

Mark, welcome to Novel Journey. Tell us a little about your writing journey, first book contract including "the call" or e-mail, or your most memorable rejection.

I feel as called to write as I do to pastor. But it took more than a decade to achieve the goal. I actually self-published my first book, ID: The True You, just to prove to myself that I could do it. My first published book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, released in October of 2006.

Like most writers, I got a few rejections first. But that is when you need to know that you are called to write. In fact, I tell aspiring writers that they need to be willing to write and no one read! If they would still write even if no one reads then they are probably called to write. It’s a good litmus test!

If you could boil down your message or plant one seed of truth in your readers -- what would it be?

Take a deep breath. Now let it out. That simple action has a recalibrating effect physiologically. I’m hoping Wild Goose Chase has that effect on readers! I want readers to walk away celebrating the Sovereignty of God. I want them to walk away with a sense of destiny. I want them to walk away knowing that God wants them to get where God wants them to go more than they want to get where God wants them to go!

The basic premise of the book is that most of us won’t know where we’re going most of the time. Such is life. And we don’t like that circumstantial uncertainty. But it also goes by another name: adventure!

What's more important to your message -- education or personal experience? Why?

While I did several graduate programs, I think personal experience is what helps us internalize and personalize truth. It’s the difference between head knowledge and a core conviction. I try to weave some educational metaphors into the book, but there is also lots of personal experience. I want readers to be able to see truth with skin on it!

What helped you the most when attempting to clarify your call or platform?

One of the themes of Wild Goose Chase is that “signs follow.” You’ve got to step out in faith and then see what happens. Too many of us are waiting for God while God is waiting for us! We want signs to precede our actions, but the last two words of Mark’s Gospel say it all: signs following. You’ve got to act.

All of that to say this: I’m still finding my voice. But the way you clarify your call is by action. I’m a big believer in baptism by immersion. The best way to learn is by doing.

Do you struggle with the inner critic or the voice that calls you a fraud? How do you silence or muffle it?

I struggled writing wild goose chase because it’s my “sophomore album” so to speak. My first book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, was successful way beyond our expectations. It’s on it’s seventh printing. But that success creates an expectation. So I really struggled writing a sequel. I’ve had to come to terms with that fact that some people will like my first book better and some people will like my second book better. It’s inevitable. So I’ve tried to embrace that.

Why is what you say different than what the others are putting out there?

My communication motto is: say old things in new ways. I am insatiably curious. My bookshelf is full of books on everything from neurology to theology to physics. One of the things I do is try to combine truth from a variety of fields. I think it helps readers “turn the kaleidoscope” and see things in new patterns.

How have you handled criticism over your subject matter? Will you change the way your write your next book because of any controversy? Why or why not?

I’ve learned not to play defense! Write what you feel called to write. And let the chips fall where they may. I’ve gotten very little criticism from readers. But I have a folder with hundreds and hundreds of emails. I definitely try to process criticism and to see if it’s true. And whether it is or not, it can help me be a better writer. If the goal is to be the best writer you can be then it helps you process things in an constructive way!
Do you have a sure fire way of dealing with criticism?

I quote Abraham Lincoln all the time: you can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time!

What surprising blessing has come out of being criticized?

I think it’s made be a better writer, better thinker, and better speaker. It has also helped me cultivate the gift of encouragement. I want to be the person who is always slapping people on the back. Not in the face J

Where would you be, what would you do if you weren't writing?

I’d still be pastoring a church. I just wouldn’t get up as early in the morning. Pastoring and writing is definitely like having two jobs. But I love both of them. And they synergize one another.

Has any event or person changed the way you write? How or why?

When I graduated from college I started reading about 150-200 books per year. I don’t read at that pace now. But I think the love of reading is what fueled my love of writing! My shelves are full of books that have shaped my life. I consider the authors I’ve read, dead or alive, as my personal mentors.

As a writer I know that one page, one paragraph, or one phrase can change a life! That is what I pray for.

What writing frustrations or challenges have you faced and overcome? How?

I have half a dozen unfinished manuscripts on my computer. The toughest challenge for me is my perfectionism. I have a hard time tying off the umbilical cord. I can spend an hour on one phrase. I’ve had to view my writing as a rough draft. My editor and I came up with a little benchmark. When I feel like I’m 80% of the way there I let him look at it. That gives me some margin for error. What advice would you give the "beginning" as he/she begins his/her writing journey?

Be yourself. I think the best writers are comfortable with their personality. And they have a way of letting that personality come through in the way they write. You need to find your voice. And you need to find your style. I’m a blogger (www.markbatterson.com) so my writing style sometimes reflects shorter sentences or maxims. I think that is ok. You’ve got to find your rhythm as well.

Any books or classes that you'd suggest to other writers?

Love to recommend, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, the prequel to Wild Goose Chase. Doesn’t really matter which order they are read it. Same DNA. Different content. But both of them will challenge and encourage readers.

What kind of marketing avenues have you pursued? Are there any you'd recommend trying or avoiding altogether?

My blog is my primary avenue for personal marketing. I get 1.5+ million hits each month. I think writers need to keep it “organic.” I talk about the books at conferences I’m speaking at. I blog about it. I facebook about it. But you don’t want to cross over in the land of self-promotion. Huge turn-off for readers when they detect selfish motivation. If you really believe in your book, it’ll help you keep it real.

For what it’s worth, I’ve learned to love book signings. It was awkward at first, but I love the personal touch!

Parting words...words of wisdom...random thoughts....the answer to the question you wish I had asked.

Write for intrinsic reasons! If you write for the money or the lists forget it. You’ve got to write because you have something to say. Get in touch with that core message and let it rip!