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I loved it in the Ratatouille movie when the famous food reviewer wiggled his long fingers at the waitress and said, “After reading a lot of overheated puffery about your new cook, you know what I’m craving? A little perspective. That’s it. I’d like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective.”

That’s what I needed last week: Perspective—A measured or objective assessment of a situation, giving all aspects their comparative importance.

I imagine many writers could use some perspective as well.

You see, I had a special free promotion for my new book, Imagine the Future You, a motivational Bible study. When I had a similar promotion for my book, Swallowed by Life: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal, 634 people downloaded the book. So, disappointment wrapped itself around me when the total last week stopped at 187.

A novelist friend of mine had 10,000 copies of her free book grabbed the same day. I was turning the color of Kermit the frog when I remembered she is a marketing expert, and it seems more people go for novels than a Bible study that digs around in their faith.

But, I imagine you Christian writers have had the Lord motion you aside and bring you close enough to give you some perspective, too.

Assessing the free days from a distance and several angles, I realized two important things. One, if I’d had a speaking engagement with 187 in attendance and every person in house got a book, I’d be overwhelmed with joy, and thanking the Lord! Ah. And if even one person was helped spiritually, I’d know it was a success and worth the exhausting blog tour and other marketing.

From now on, I’ll sit down occasionally at the Lord’s table, smile, and say, “I’d like a little perspective.”

ADA BROWNELL is a free lance writer who has sold articles to 45 publications. She is retired journalist who spent most of her career at The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado.Her books:

Imagine the Future You http://goo.gl/23C33a

Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult http://buff.ly/XeqTvH

Swallowed by LIFE: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal: http://amzn.to/Jnc1rW

Confessions of a Pentecostal: http://goo.gl/eVBpqI

Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com