by Cindy Ervin Huff @Cindyhuff11Huff
Christian writers, like secular writers, have a plethora of help available to them as they craft their books. Classes, conferences, webinars, coaches, to name a few. But Christian writers whose heart is to follow His guidance as we write have five essential tools to help us succeed.
1. Prayer
It is easy to wake up with a plotline running through our brain. We grab our laptop and get it down, then move on to other writerly things that need to be done and forget to lay the whole wonderful plotline at His feet. (I’ve done it too often.) We forget to thank Him for the idea and ask Him for clarity. Setting prayer as a priority before we begin opens our minds to the Holy Spirit’s power when we shape our storyline. And when we wake up with no ideas at all, He can direct our thoughts and bring us creativity.
2. Time in the Word
Reading the Bible and meditating on it pushes aside the anxiety and self-doubt. Whether we are reading about the people of faith throughout the Bible or the poetic lines in Psalms, we find the assurance God will use us. The confidence to continue in our calling.
I love 2 Corinthians 12: 9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me,’” (NIV).
3. Times of Service
Writing is a solitary activity, but we can’t survive as believers or Christian writers all alone. We not only need one another, but we need to find that place where we can serve outside of our writing. Find a ministry within your church or community that brings you joy. Whether it is working at a homeless shelter, teaching Bible studies, working with teens, community theater, serving on city-wide committees, animal rescue center, the important thing is to get out there and be His light. And while you serve, you’ll find interesting characters, unusual settings and heart changing lessons that will bring realism to the novels you write. Not to mention possible new fans for your novels.
4. Prayer Team
Reach out to those who respect you as a writer and are prayer warriors and form a prayer team. Ask them to cover you in prayer as you write your novel. Let them know when you’re struggling and what your needs are. Have them pray over your marketing, and sales. Having others praying over every aspect of your process is a wonderful thing.
5. Other like-minded authors
Find other authors who write in your genre, or avid readers of your genre, to be Beta Readers. Also, find a critique group to exchange manuscripts to find those weak places and typos you don’t see. ACFW has critique groups you can join. These fellow-authors are one of the best investments you can make.
As you work through your present WIP, add any of these five you are not currently employing and see what a difference they make in your writing process.
Do you have any other must-haves to add to my list?
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Cindy Ervin Huff is a multi-published award winning author. A 2018 Selah Finalist. She has a passion to encourage other writers on their journey. When she isn’t writing she feeds her addiction to reading and enjoys her retirement with her husband of 50 plus years, Charles. Visit her at www.cindyervinhuff.com.