how to be a writer Archives

Do you have a book that you’ve been wanting to write? Do you think it’s a great idea, but it’s been hard to convince a publisher the same? Do you feel discouraged and want to quit? Today I want to talk to writers and encourage you: writers, do not give up on the book of your heart!

Writers, Do Not Give Up On The Book Of Your Heart!

In 1999 I had an idea for a book for young people called Prayers that Changed History. As a homeschooling mom, I kept coming upon these GREAT stories of prayer such as:

Governor William Bradford praying for rain for the failing crops in the New World, and nine hours later clouds rolling in after a severe drought.
John Newton (who penned the hymn Amazing Grace) nearly sinking in a storm on his slave ship and crying out to God for mercy. God saved the ship and John’s soul that night.
And Florence Nightingale who, at sixteen years old, feeling called into God’s service. She prayed and committed herself to God and years later she became the “Mother of Nursing.” Nursing practices around the world have been transformed because of Florence.

As a homeschooling mom, I knew that Prayers that Changes History was exactly the type of book I would buy for my kids. After all, I want my kids to know about heroes of the faith. I want them to understand the power of prayer.

This book was finally published in 2015 … sixteen years after I first got the idea and pitched it to a publisher. I LOVE getting feedback from parents and kids who are so excited about this book. I love that kids are learning about historical people and answered prayers. I love that they’re learning how to pray.

I’m so thankful that I did not give up on the book of my heart. And I encourage you too. Writers do not give up on the book of YOUR dreams!

To encourage you to keep going, here are a few things you need to know:

What you need to know …

1. Know that writing is a challenge.

It is hard work, and a great idea doesn’t automatically translate into a great book. Every writer struggles! Don’t feel as if you’re not the only one. Everyone has fears about not being good enough. No one writes ‘great stuff’ in their first draft. Writing is supposed to be hard. Overcome those fears one word at a time on the blank page.

2. Understand that not everyone will get what you’re doing.

There are some agents, editors, and publishers who will not like your idea or your writing. But then again, there will be someone who does. I happened to connect with an editor who immediately understood and loved my idea for Prayers that Changed History, but before that, there were many editors who turned it down. Not every idea is a good fit for every editor or publisher. But, take heart, writers; do not give up!

3. Know that some projects take time to flesh out.

Sometimes a manuscript needs to be rethought or reshaped. When it came to writing the final manuscript of Prayers that Changed History, I spent more time teaching children how to pray than I’d originally planned. My book idea changed for the better, and I’m excited that it did!

4. Know that sometimes God needs to mold you to make the message mean more.

I personally learned a lot about prayer from 1999 to 2015. I know that my book is different (and better) because of what God taught me.

5. Know that God’s timing is perfect.

God knows when a book is needed. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Prayers that Changed History was released around the same time as the movie The War Room. There is a theme that was happening that year. God is bringing people to His knees, and it’s amazing that He desires for children to learn about prayer, too!

To encourage you to keep going, there are also a few things that you need to do:

Writers, do not give up. Here is what you need to do …

1. Keep writing, researching, and praying.

I started a filing drawer filled with stories about answered prayer. Whenever I’d come upon a story, I’d photocopy it and put it in a file. Then, when the time was right, I had all the material that I needed. Even as I worked on other projects, I kept this one in the back of my mind.

2. Keep studying the writing craft.

Like any career, writing takes time, effort, and knowledge. The more you study the craft of writing, the better you become as a writer.

3. Consider self-publishing.

When I first came up with this book idea in 1999, self-publishing was an expensive venture. You had to hire an editor and a printer, and the end result was 1,000 copies of your paperback book in your garage. Today, self-publishing is altogether different. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it’s a great way to get your book published and in the hands of readers.

If you have a book that you’ve been wanting to write … keep going.
If you have a great idea … trust your gut.

During this time in history, we have amazing opportunities to share our words around the globe. If you have a book on your heart, don’t give up!

Resources on Prayer:

Resources on Publishing on Kindle:

Kindle Direct Publishing

Resource on Self-Publishing

TheCreativePenn.com

Happy Writing!

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Your Prayers Do Impact Generations

Do your prayers matter—not just for today or this year—but for generations? Can the prayers you pray today and the faith steps you take this week impact your descendants 100 years from now? Yes, they can! Your prayers do impact GENERATIONS!

I’m sure all my fiction writer friends agree that one of the questions we get asked the most is, “How do you write a novel?” First, because readers are curious as to how a story that is fresh and exciting and filled with true-to-life characters comes out of an author’s mind. Second, because they have an inkling to do it themselves.

The truth is that almost anyone can write a novel . . . but (did you guess that was coming?) it takes a lot of time, persistence, and skill. Much more than I thought when I first started writing.

Writing takes time, persistence, & skill! @TriciaGoyer #amwriting

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I sat down to work on my first novel in 1994. I had a notion for a story, and the first three chapters came pretty fast—fast enough for me to submit it at the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference. I was worried when I attended because, “What if more than one publisher wants my story?!” The story was fresh in my mind, and the writing was exciting. I thought I was well on my way. (I laugh at myself now, but at least I did it. I put the words on the paper!)

The truth is, I was dipping my toes in a tide pool when the ocean of publication awaited. I had a lot to learn, and it took me almost ten years to learn it. The advice I would give to my younger writer is this: you have to start. If you’re waiting for permission, here it is: Sit down and begin that book, even if you don’t know much about fiction writing. The best thing you can do is to start getting words onto paper. 1) You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it, and 2) you’ll also be surprised by how much you need to learn.

If you are interested in being a writer but don’t know where to start, here is an excellent list of tips from my writer friends on Facebook on what writing advice they would give their younger selves!

I’d tell myself to make a daily habit of writing, just a little every day, rather than thinking that those big days of super-creativity will happen often. Slow and steady gets more done than sporadic big word-count days. —Tracy Higley
I would say write because you love it, never to make money. Money is so evasive in this world, so write for the love and hope the money comes. —Erin MacPherson
I just heard this from Andy Crouch on public speaking, “Do your homework, love your audience, be yourself.” I’d say the same goes for writing. That love your audience part is key. —Alexandra Kuykendall
Writing is a marathon not a sprint. —Nichole Hartsell Hall
Write down great quotes AND the attribution! —Joanna Weaver
Just write. No matter how tired or what is going on. Write SOMETHING everyday. —Janet Spoon
Don’t write because you are expected to. Write because you want to. —Laura J. Davis
Keep it simple and too the point, don’t stress over it God will give you the words, and the more you write the better you get with it. —Heather Fryfogle Strickland
Discipline yourself to a daily routine. Once per week does not work. —Ken Carfagno
Stop procrastinating and allowing yourself to be distracted and focus, focus focus! —Carolyn Davis
From E.L. Doctorow (I actually have this posted in my office) — “Planning to write is not writing. Outlining a book is not writing. Researching is not writing. Talking to people about what you’re doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.” —Stephanie Whitson
An oldie but goodie: Apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair. —Joyce Starr Macias
Have more discipline and don’t believe the first correspondence writing course instructor that your novel is ready to be pitched and will be published! For most publication doesn’t come that easy and you have to work hard and learn the craft well. —Pamela Meyers
Don’t push yourself to start too soon. Live the life God puts in front of you. The writing is an outgrowth of that life. You’ll have a lot more to say at 42 than you did at 22. But there’s a part 2 to this . . . When you *do* start writing seriously, go for it with everything you’ve got. Get up at 4:00 a.m.. Study the craft. Be brave. Write BIG. —Victoria Bylin
Don’t give up. Keep learning. Don’t let others opinions affect how you view your writing ability. —Cindy Ervin Huff
Take a fiction-writing course first. —Gay Louise Balliet-Perkins
Stop waiting until you “want” to write and don’t have anything else going on. Just sit down and do it. Someday you will have small children and learn this skill the hard way. —Laura Weymouth

Hindsight it 20/20. Writers share tips they would give their younger-selves here:

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