"Stories that proclaim His marvelous work"
Tips for Writers
One question that I hear often is, "How did you get started as a writer?" This usually comes from those who want to pursue writing themselves. Maybe you are one of those people. You have an idea for an epic novel, or have a lifetime of experiences to share through articles, personal experience stories, or a non-fiction book.
On this page you'll find a variety of tips, on getting started, submitting work, and balance the writing life with things like parenting.
I plan to add to this page regularly. Let's start with the most important first step:
Jump-Starting a Writing Career
Regardless of the romantic image the writers provoke, the path the publication is long, and full of twists and turns. But for those who are willing to stick it out through the storms of loneliness, writer's block, rejection, and criticism, the rewards are well worth the pain.
Usually the biggest hurdle is finding an answer to the question "where should I start?" Here are a few hints that helped me in the beginning stages.
Start small Ask any writer and most will say that their first published piece was not a book, but an article, short story, or devotional.
My first publishing credit was an article for the magazine called Young and Alive--a publication for visually impaired young adults. After that I wrote short stories for Sunday school take-home papers, articles, and devotionals. In 2001, about seven years after I submitted my first story, I got an opportunity to write a book for Focus on the Family.
Those years of writing articles and stories gave me plenty of practice in discipline, submitting to guidelines, handling rejection, meeting deadlines, and working with editors.
Instead of beginning with something as huge as a book start with a personal experience story or some other short piece.
Discipline In my opinion, one of the top killers of a successful writing life is lack so discipline. You may have the entire plot for a sweeping best-seller tucked away in corner of your brain, but unless you actually sit down and write it, what good is it really?
Set aside a block of time that is specifically for writing. If you work, have kids, or both, this may only be an hour a week (For more on writing around children click here. But a little time is better than none!
Look for time-wasters that eat up your day, such as television, Internet and e-mail use, and chatting on the phone. Use that time for writing instead.
When your designated writing time comes, write even if you don't feel like it. If getting motivated is a constant struggle, click here.
Have confidence Facing the possibility of rejection is never fun. But if you have something to say then someone out there probably needs to hear it. Shake off the old insecurities, insensitive comments, and self-doubt and write from your heart. Then send it off, knowing that, if it is rejected (better yet, consider it redirection), you can always send it somewhere else.
Take time to learn I wouldn't have gotten far at all if it hadn't been for the amazing workshops, mentors, and professional connections that I found at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference (www.mounthermon.org).
Attend writer's conferences like Mount Hermon, the Castro Valley Christian Writer's Seminar (www.christianwriter.org) or one of the many great conferences that are out there.
Read books on writing. Here are some of my favorites.
- Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
- Getting Into Character by Bradilyn Collins
- The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
- An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr (a must for beginners who wish to write for the Christian market)
- Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
- The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes
- Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
- Invitations to the World: Teaching and Writing for the Young by Richard Peck (if you hope to writer for teens or preteens)
- The Christian Writer's Market Guide by Sally Stuart (published yearly)
You'll learn very quickly that the publishing world has its own language, so take time to learn the terms. For some common publishing lingo click here.
When it's time to submit, do it correctly. Click here for tips on submitting your work to a publisher or magazine.
Keep Writing! I heard a great line a couple of years ago at a writer's conference: "Writers don't fail--they quit" (I believe it was Ted Dekker). Whatever you do don't be a writer who quits.
Accept right now that you will be rejected over and over again, get discouraged and occasionally feel like throwing your manuscript over a bridge. It's normal. But will you let it stop you? Remember that you will never regret trying. What you don't want is to look back and think "what if I had stuck with it?"
The important thing isn't whether you publish a best seller, but did you use the gifts you were given? Enjoy using your talent of writing and see what comes from it!
About Critique Groups
One of the first foreign words that I learned at a writer's conference was critique group. Every other writer that I talked to suggested that I join one.
There are two camps when it comes to opinions on whether or not a writer should belong to a critique groups. One group swears by them, claiming "I wouldn't be a published author if not for my wonderful critique group." The other sees them as a waste of time that would be better spent writing.
Personally, I highly recommend critique groups. A good one provides regular contact with other writers, for feedback on your work, sharing of ideas of much-needed encouragement.
Take the time to find one that meets your individual writing needs. Some groups take only published authors others accept writers at all levels. You'll find groups for fiction writers, mystery writers and Christian writers. So shop around.
If you can't find a critique group in your area start one of your own. All you need is one other writer, a meeting time, and a place to read each other's work. When you meet another writer, invite him or her to join. Before you know it, you'll have a critique group.
Whether you search for one or start a group of your own, I recommend the following guidelines.
Members that know the difference between criticism and critique
The purpose of a critique is to help a writer reach his or her full potential and for a piece of writing to become the best that it can be. It is not a time to tear an author's work to threads based on personal opinion and preference.
A good critique always begins with a positive comment before gently and graciously moving into suggestions for improvement.
Leadership
A leader doesn't need to be a boss-type figure, but every group needs one specific member to make sure that meetings begin on time and that everyone stays focused on the purpose for meeting in the first place. It's also important to have a contact person if you can't make a meeting or a meeting needs to be canceled. A good leader has a good mix of confidence and humility, with a desire to see each group member reach his or her full potential.
Consistency
Make sure the group has consistent meeting times and guidelines for how time will be spent. It's also helpful (to me anyway) when members don't come and go--showing up for one month, dropping out for three, then returning for a week or two before disappearing again.
Guidelines
I've found that a critique group is most affective when it has a few guidelines. For example, in my group we prefer that writers be Christians, have a specific project going and share work at least every other meeting. If a member doesn't bring a manuscript to share she is still expected to comment on the work of members who did bring something. We ask writers to bring copies of their work (at least one for every other person) so comments can be written down on the paper as the writer reads her work out loud.
Trust
To me this is the most important thing. In my group we have a policy that our group be a safe place for writers to share their work without fear of having ideas stolen or personal information spread around town. Writing is extremely personal and often we open our souls through our stories. Some groups go so far as to have a confidentiality contract. Whether yours does or doesn't make sure that you are with a group of writers that you can trust and where you know you are trusted.
Good use of time
The amount of time allotted for meetings isn't nearly as important as how it is spent. Make sure that, after a brief period of catching up on how everyone is doing, the meetings are being used to share and evaluate one another's work. It's easy to get caught up in discussing why one person didn't write that week or the frustrations of getting published. Before you know it the time is gone and nothing has been accomplished. If your group spends more time chatting than working it may be time to find another one.
REMEMBER THAT A GOOD CRITIQUE GROUP IS NOT . . .
About competition
One member may have several book published while another is still praying for that first article acceptance. If egos are tearing a group down, find one where members celebrate one another's successes and offer support when rejection comes, a place where experience is shared and new writers are nurtured.
A mutual admiration society
A writer cannot grow if he or she only hears "good job!" Honest feedback, given with a gracious approach, usually includes some tips for improvement. Remember you aren't doing a writer any favors if you say a story is great when it really needs work. You haven't been helped if all you see on your manuscript are smiley faces. Face it you know your story needs improvement!
A therapy group
While members may occasionally arrive with a burden, or struggle with on-going problems, it is important to not let that monopolize group time.
A book club or discussion group
Many groups waste time discussing books, politics, current events and all that is wrong in the publishing world. Make sure that meetings are used for critiquing. People can always go out for coffee to chit chat.
Find a group that will encourage you to write more and better. To find one, search the web, local libraries and churches. Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide lists many writers groups by state.
There are more tips to come, so check back in!