by Lisa Larsen Hill
I wrote my biblical novel during the pandemic. Looking back at my journey, I wish I could’ve told myself, “Don’t worry. Don’t lose sleep (unless your characters are talking to you), and you’re about to start an amazing journey better than you could’ve planned. God will guide you.”
Here are my biggest lessons.
Learn from your mistakes:
I’d written about 100 pages and loved my characters and how the story was developing. I Googled a Christian writer I liked, found she was speaking at an upcoming conference, and signed up to meet with her. Outlining my novel, I mentioned my thirteen points of view (POV) characters. After a kind laugh, she gently advised me to learn about POVs and narrow my focus to two or three. She further suggested writing in the first person. Yikes, after deleting entire scenes, I had to figure out how to convey the plot differently. Save yourself the trouble and first determine who will tell your story. Learn the choices you have and how each perspective will influence it. I followed the advice, choosing first-person with three main characters, alternating POV by chapter.
You don’t need to do this alone.
Joining a critique group is an invaluable asset to writers. My three partners’ Christian fiction genres could not be more different, which is an asset. The terms I was using were less familiar than I thought. A minor character they liked, I wasn’t going to develop. But the most significant support was learning to show, don’t tell, suggestions that hook your reader into a scene or emotion. Reading about it is helpful, but doing it well takes practice. Critique groups shine a light on your blind spots and encourage your growth.
Continual learning is key to development.
Attending conferences is an invaluable way to learn and connect. At my first writer’s retreat, a well-known author asked me about my writing. After my description, she offered to read it. I was stunned. My book wasn’t ready, but I sent her my draft a year later. She came back with excellent recommendations. At other conferences, I had an opportunity to submit devotionals and became a twice-published author. One speaker offered a terrific resource book list.
Here are a few of my favorites:
* Any of Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi’s books, especially The Emotion Thesaurus.
*The Synonym Finder by J. I Rodale.
*Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: Renni Browne and Dave King.
*Plot and Structure: James Scott Bell
Find the right tools:
ProWritingAid and Grammarly will correct simple grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and spacing errors with the free version. Each program can help your manuscript focus on the story instead of errors agents notice. After making the same mistakes, I improved my skills. The paid version offers more editing features. Look for their discount sales throughout the year.
My favorite free online writing blogs are Edie Melson’s The Write Conversation, The Steve Laube Agency, and K. W. Weiland’s Helping Writers Become Authors.
Savor the Journey:
When you feel overwhelmed by all the elements of writing a book, doubts can creep in, and you ask yourself, “Can I really do this?” You can. Remember your why. Value the time and lessons with God as you pray for guidance. I treasure the Christian writers’ cloud of witness that surrounds us. People you meet become friends and mentors. You learn more about yourself and your beliefs as they reflect in your writing. You are on a journey of discovery. Savor and celebrate each step of the journey God has planned for you. I promise it’s more than you could have dreamed.
Lisa Larsen Hill is President of The Network of Biblical Storytellers International and founder of Seeds of Faith for Women Inc. She is a contributing writer for Courage to Write & The Kitchen Devotional and is pursuing publishing her first biblical fiction. You can connect with her at lisalarsenhill.com.
Comments 4
Thank you, Lisa, for the helpful advice!
Thank you Priscilla! Happy Writing!
Thanks, Lisa. I can’t seem to be reminded enough about who I’m writing for: Him.
I learned this idea from Edie Melson. All her training starts with “What is your why?” I’m glad to hear it hit a chord with you.