So you want to be a writer?  I think that’s fantastic!  If the Lord’s gifted you with the ability and the desire to write, don’t delay.  There’s no better time than the present to honor the Lord through the prayerful pursuit of your dreams!!!  As the Bible says, “do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you … meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:14-16)

The following are questions that I’ve been asked by readers.  The answers are just my opinions and are derived from my experiences.  But I feel it’s important to note that writing is an incredibly unique and personal process.  Don’t conform to anyone’s preconceived notion of the writing process and what it should mean or represent to you.  That’s no one’s job, but God’s. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.  How do I write a novel?  Where do I begin?

A.  The first step in writing a novel is to write!  Sounds basic, right?  I thought so too, but of all the people who email me and claim to want to be authors, only a few sit down daily and actually write.  No matter how poignant or thoughtful your ideas, they don’t do anyone any good if you don’t get them out of your head and onto paper.  My suggestion is to write two pages everyday.  They don’t have to be good pages, they just have to be pages.  If you write two pages, single-spaced (four double-spaced) Monday through Friday and then edit those ten pages on Saturday and Sunday, you could have a fully edited 240-page novel (480 pages double-spaced, which is the only way most publishers accept manuscripts) in just six months.  Again, this is just a way to get you started.  Writing doesn’t have to be this regimented.  Some days I write seven pages, others I barely manage one.  The key is to write something everyday, even if it’s just a chapter outline or a dialogue.  This will ensure that you get into the habit of writing and that you stay connected with your story and your characters.

Q.  Every time I sit down to write, I hit a blank wall.  What should I do?

A.  When this happens to me (and it does all the time!), I find it helpful to focus my attention on one, specific setting or character.  An entire chapter can be overwhelming, so try concentrating on a scene within a chapter (that’s all a book really is, anyway – a compilation of scenes).  You can cut, attach and shuffle the scenes as you see fit later.

 I’ve also found that it’s exponentially easier to start a chapter or a scene with dialogue.  Description and thought can become difficult to wrangle if you aren’t in the right mindset, but lively discussions and debates have the ability to suck people into a story – even the person who’s writing them.

Also, try reading.  Read anything and everything; magazines, newspapers, the Bible, fiction, non-fiction, shampoo bottles, etc.  Like my favorite author says, “get the rhythm of good writing in your ears.”  The more you read and observe, the more you glean.

If none of those suggestions work, you might try taking a creative writing course at a local university or college.  The right professor or workshop could easily fill in the blanks and get you started in the right direction.

Q.   How do I get published?

A.  The first step is to find a publishing house that you would like to represent your work.  Take a look at the back or the spine of some of your favorite books to see who published them.  The next step is to visit those publisher’s websites and find their “manuscript submission guidelines.”  Some want proposals or query letters, some require a SASE, some want the first five chapters while others only want the first three, etc.  It’s very important to follow each publishers guidelines; it could mean the difference between a contract and a returned manuscript.  The process isn’t easy and it definitely isn’t for the faint of heart.  This is the part, I think, that requires a bit of a tough skin.  Keep plugging away at it and, of course, never take a step without praying first.  Be patient and stay faithful.  If God has a message that He wants to convey through your writing, He will – in His perfect time.  

Q.  What do publishing houses mean when they say they don’t accept “unagented” or “unsolicited” manuscripts?

A.  Unfortunately, the term “no unsolicited manuscripts” is probably a would-be author’s toughest roadblock.  Most publishers don’t accept manuscripts that they don’t ask for (solicit) or that aren’t brought to them through a literary agent.  That is especially true for the “big” publishing houses, such as Random House, Simon and Schuster, Tyndale, Multnomah etc.  They receive so many manuscripts that they just don’t have the time or resources to sift through them all.  Literary agents act as filters.  However “open door” publishers do still exist.  You just have to search for them.  Walk Worthy Press (walkworthypress.com), Destiny Image (destinyimage.com), and the inspirational division of BET books (bet.com) all accept unsolicited and unagented manuscripts (for now!).

Q.  How do I get a literary agent?

A.  First, finish your manuscript.  Very few agents will even consider an incomplete manuscript.  Then, thumb through some of your favorite books.  Oftentimes, authors will thank and name their literary agents in their “Acknowledgements.”  With the internet and/or the aid of directory assistance, you might be able to find that person and his/her business.  There are also several books, the Literary Marketplace being the most popular, that list the name, addresses, websites and requirements of thousands of literary agents.  Some books even go so far as to provide the agents’ rejection rates (they usually hover somewhere between 97% and 99%).  Again, don’t be easily discouraged.  If your heart is set on an agent, keep plugging away at it. 

But also, never factor without God.  It’s my experience that He often takes the non-traditional route.  Israel wanted a king to represent them because all of the other nations had kings, and they wanted an army with horses and chariots to protect them.  But their request offended God because He was their King; He represented them, He protected them.  In the end, the Lord granted their requests and they paid the consequences (1 Samuel).  Make sure a literary agent is what God wants for you.

I tell people that Jesus is my agent.  And He does it free of charge!  Many literary agents take fifteen percent.  Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against literary agents.  They work hard to represent their clients and their clients’ work.  I just encourage you to remain receptive to God’s will for your life and your writing career. 

Q.   How do authors get paid?

A.  I don’t know how other author’s get paid, but I get paid quarterly (once every three months).  I get paid “royalties,” which is a percentage of what the publisher makes.  I’m sure the percentages range, and rise as you publish more books and become better known.  Some author’s receive “advances,” which is payment before the book is even published, however it’s important to keep in mind that an advance must be paid back to the publisher out of your future royalties.  My personal opinion: if you’re writing for the sole purpose of getting rich, you’re likely to be sorely disappointed!

If you have additional question, feel free to e-mail me!