Ask me to write about any subject and I will happily oblige. But writing about myself is a different matter. Everything I say about myself sounds boring or self-serving. I study other author bios, and they are self-serving but interesting. I have an interesting life because I have interesting friends. But if I write about them it sounds as if I am name-dropping, which of course brings me back to self-serving. What’s a girl to do? Would someone give me a clue?
I finally finished a bio for my Amazon author page. This is what I wrote:
Julie Ackerman Link grew up in a small town near the Lake Michigan shoreline. After high school she attended a private college before transferring to Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in English and an M.A. in journalism. She met her husband, Jay, while in graduate school and they settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Julie started her career at Zondervan Publishing House and was blessed to have colleagues who helped her develop her editorial skills. One of her first (and favorite) jobs was to review the slush pile. This was like taking a crash course in what not to do if you want to get your book published. She learned to recognize good writing, determine whether or not mediocre writing could be salvaged, and tactfully reject what had little chance of commercial success. For Julie, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an editor is helping writers develop ideas and communicate them with clarity and creativity.
In 1987, she and two colleagues founded Blue Water Ink, a company that provides writing, editing, designing, typesetting, and consulting services for publishers and authors.
In 2000, Julie began writing for the popular devotional Our Daily Bread, and in 2008 she published her first full-length book, Above All, Love: Reflections on the Greatest Commandment.
Julie has taught college writing, presented workshops at writer’s conferences, led writer’s groups, edited newsletters, and coached writers. She divides her time between writing, editing, and helping other writers take the next step on the road to publication.
Julie Ackerman Link 
I have found that God has a history of giving His messengers personal “horn tooters.” I recommend that you retain a competent writer to write your bio and then leave it alone until it needs updating. Just like a good Forward helps set up a book for its reader, a good bio helps the speaker’s audience prepare to receive their message and to make some helpful associations (if you want them to) to build trust and credibility.
I agree with you entirely. If someone asks me what I do or have done for a particular organisation I just say “ask someone else what I have done for this organisation”, which is very hard when you have to promote yourself
Hello Julie, I have not seen you for decades. We were at the same Bible College years ago and I have so enjoyed reading your devotions through the years. I found your website because I wanted to know a little more about what you have been doing. So, I think you should write your own autobiography. You have touched the lives of so many through the years and in some way we are connected to you already. To learn a little bit more about someone else’s life is such a privilege. It is so encouraging to see that you are a real person. We have learned some things about you through your devotions. For instance we know you are from a very small town where people knew each other and cared about each other. We, your readers, care about you as well. A life well lived, and lived for our Lord, could never be boring. Please write about yourself, and please continue writing what God puts in your heart to share with others about our daily walk in this journey called life. God bless, Jan (Saylor) Cuddy.
Dear Julie: I don’t have the same depth of you that Jan Cuddy speaks of, but I totally agree with her assessment. I know you only through your writings for ODB, and they have touched a place in my heart for the Lord. These are the true realities of what a brother or sister in the Lord go through…they are always pointed to Him who gives strength, mercy,grace and love to all of us. Please continue on the journey God has given you. You have blessed. Thank you.
I posted a slightly more expanded bio on my Amazon author page.
Hi Julie,
Every time I have read your message in the Daily Bread, I enjoyed it, and wonder if you are related to Jack and Eunice Link in Michigan.Eunice is my cousin.
Jeanette Heinrichs
Hi, Jeanette,
Thanks for contacting me. It’s always nice to hear from people who read ODB. My husband’s family (the Links) are from Pennsylvania, and we are the only ones we know of who live in Michigan. Could be a distant relative. You could ask Jack if he has relatives in the Pittsburgh area.
Julie
RE: ODB: The “parable of Shrek” was marvelous! Thank you! You continue to overwhelm us with relevance!
Thank you, Gary, for taking the time to comment. Hearing from happy readers is always an encouragement because writing is so solitary. May you be blessed today for taking the time to bless someone else. —Julie
Julie Ackerman Link….
Our Daily Bread has been a spiritual staple of mine since being “Born Again”, September 24, 1991.
In reality, cave-dwelling, 6-year lost Shrek (with allegedly a 60# weight of sheared fleece accumulated over the 6 years of wayward neglect) would normally have died as a “cast-down sheep”….one that has voluntarily turned over on its back and cannot get up on its own….a pathetic sight, feet in the air with legs flailing away, helplessly, as “gasses build up in the rumen. As these expand they tend to retard and cut off blood circulation to extremities of the body especially the legs. If the weather is very hot and sunny the cast-down sheep can die in a few hours. If it is cool and cloudy and rainy, it may survive in that position for several days”, this according to Pastor and former shepherd, Phillip Keller, in his publication: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23; pages 60-62….a book every Christian should access and read for proximal spiritual enlightenment, shepherd to sheep, Jesus to us….the analogous symbolism thereof.
Your devotional point, however, was well made, as always. Initially, Shrek on his back, if a real sheep, was most probably not cooperative….in time, more so….even gleeful when “enlightened” by shear fate, as providential in nature….pun intended.
Thank you for your dedicated offerings in O.D.B.
May His blessings of grace and tender mercies be yours in abundance………………..William Forsyth
William,
Thanks for taking the time to write. I remember reading the Keller book years ago. He provided great insights about the sheep/shepherd metaphor. Your response indicates that you have some doubts as to the reality of Shrek’s story. Here’s a link to a video that might help relieve your doubt. 🙂
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/archive-video-shrek-sheep-gets-shorn-9-41-4207609
An internet search will also turn up numerous references to the story.
All the best . . .
Julie
Julie….
Thank you very much for the validating Shrek video link….fascinating even to the reported reason for manual versus machine sheering methodology….a question of mine while viewing.
At the end Shrek appeared unsteady when standing….no doubt contributed to by the smooth slippery flooring. Nevertheless, this animal was very fortunate to avoid the “cast down” sheep syndrome, especially with the thick cushion of fleece that would preclude standing once down and on his back.
Again, thank you for your educating response….much appreciated..
Bill
Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
I am regular reader of Our Daily Bread
I am from India
Wwhen are you visiting to our country?
May God guide you in his ministry
Sam Suresh Babu