God has called for his people to put in writing since, well, the start of Scripture. Although the biblical canon has closed, God still calls Christian creatives to put in writing fiction and nonfiction books that help to encourage believers and spread the Gospel.
Perhaps you might be one among the hundreds of thousands of Christians who heed this call. If you’ve ever felt the tug in your heart to put in writing a book as a Christian, what do you do next?
As someone who has been within the publishing business for 10 years, I’ll walk you thru navigate this calling, and what to do next.
How Do You Know You’re Called to Write a Christian Book?
Calling is a curious thing, that may show itself in lots of forms (try Charles Stanley’s advice at the tip of this text to know calling higher).
Any author will inform you that after they feel the tug on their heart, the concept won’t go away.
Sometimes God uses our stories (testimonies) to fire up the hearts of others. Sometimes he gives us an allegorical story—just like that of the Chronicles of Narnia—to convey Gospel truths via modern-day parables. Sometimes he gives us a nudge to put in writing something that may communicate Gospel truths in a subtle way—just like The Lord of the Rings.
Whatever form it takes, we all know that God loves stories.
Jesus would tell parables, and God put his own story into 66 books. We know this because the Bible.
Seeing that God is an innate storyteller, it is sensible that some Christians can be, too—seeing that this creative gift comes from above.
If you’re feeling the creative tug, the concept won’t go away, you’ve had confirmation from believers to put in writing your story, and you are feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit…you likely have a calling to put in writing that book.
So where do you start?
No one writing journey is similar. As Richard Doster observes in his article in regards to the Christian author’s calling, the decision to put in writing can take many forms. But regardless of what form your writing journey takes, you need to take the next steps when getting began.
What to Do When God Calls You to Write?
Perhaps you will have already followed this calling and intend to publish. We will get to that in a moment. But all Christians who intend to put in writing a book should analyze the next steps. After all, if tons of of 1000’s (if not hundreds of thousands) of believers feel the decision to put in writing, saying, “God told me to put in writing,” simply isn’t enough.
We must be sure that we write well. Otherwise, we’ll fail to speak Gospel truths effectively.
With that in mind, listed here are some steps to take.
Read Well and Read in Your Market
Good writing starts with good reading. There are loads of authors in your genre, especially within the Christian market.
Find books which have been published within the last five years (to offer you a way of what’s current) and skim voraciously. Mentor texts (good examples of quality work which you can study) are by far the most effective solution to know your market. Absorb good writing, to get a way of what quality work looks and feels like. Having worked in Christian publishing for years, I actually have unfortunately witnessed many authors who don’t read.
If you possibly can’t afford to purchase too many books, have your local library stock some titles you’d prefer to peruse. Remember, Christian writers deserve fair compensation too, so do your best to be sure that they earn a living (and don’t use a pirating site. Stealing is against the Bible).
Master Your Craft
Take online classes or creative writing classes at a neighborhood college. Work with a Christian writing coach. Join a Christian critique group, equivalent to Word Weavers. Attend Christian publishing and writing conferences.
Some writers will take years to hone their craft, so know this can take loads of time to get right. Some Christians prefer to work with a ghostwriter, having one other author handle the “craft” part. There’s nothing fallacious with this, just be prepared to pay the ghostwriter a good wage for his or her time.
Invest in Editing
All books need edits. Whether you select to self-publish or go the standard route, your book will have to be edited.
Once you’ve mastered your craft and worked with a critique group, you’re ready for the editing stage.
I help authors with edits, but there are several other Christian editors on the market within the marketplace.
Similar to ghostwriting, prepare for this to be an investment. However, editors will help to shape your story, in order that your message may be communicated effectively.
Decide Whether to Submit or Self-Publish
Depending on your chosen route, you possibly can either publish the book yourself or seek a publisher to do it for you.
Although there are several types of publishers and models—hybrid versus traditional—expect a protracted wait time in case you decide to go the standard route. Traditional publishers often schedule books years prematurely and expect an honest ROI. It may be tough to get into the standard market.
Many Christian writers go for self-publishing. This is a very good route for a lot of, but be sure that to do good work, regardless of what path you’re taking.
It Doesn’t End Here
Whether you go traditional or self-publish, your work won’t end after the editing stage.
Doing good work involves hiring designers, text formatters, book cover creators. It involves purchasing things to make the book look skilled, equivalent to ISBNs. Remember that whether you’re employed with a publisher or do it on your personal, to do good work. That comes with the calling.
Readers won’t pick up a book if it has a sloppy cover or loads of typos. We must represent Christ well in our work.
Why Is it so Important to Do Good Work as a Creative?
Unfortunately, loads of Christian media has earned a nasty fame for being “cheaply made and looking out.”
This applies to the messages and appearances of Christian books. Although we do need to be the salt and light-weight that’s within the marketplace, we cannot discount the importance of doing good work.
For instance, we see the temple artists doing good work within the Old Testament. They don’t just slap a haphazard mural on the partitions. They design all the things meticulously.
If God’s temple deserved good work, surely the books he calls us to put in writing should follow the identical structure.
As you will have surmised from the article, good writing takes an investment. And before I get pushback on this, now we have to think about what it takes to enter some other field. Christian doctors must pursue years of medical degrees.
Christian teachers must receive a diploma for classroom management.
You get the purpose.
Although you don’t need a level to be a very good Christian author, you do need to speculate in resources to be the highest you possibly can be at your craft.
As one famous quote puts it, “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is enthusiastic about good craftsmanship.”
If all this information has not scared you away yet, chances are you’ll be able to start in your writing journey. Pray for God’s direction, do good work, and persevere. I’m cheering you on from over here, and would like to enable you in that journey!
What Does It Mean to Receive a Calling from God?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “the decision of God,” but perhaps you don’t know exactly what it means. Is the Lord still calling people, or was that something He did only in Bible times? Does He speak only to a selected few or to everyone? Although He may not use an audible voice, He’s still within the business of in search of followers.
Called to Salvation—Because sin has created a barrier between us and God, He first reaches out to determine a relationship with us by offering salvation through Christ.
Called to Sanctification—Once now we have been reconciled to the Lord, He then calls us to sanctification or holiness. This signifies that He sets us apart for His purposes. It’s not an ideal life, but one which is bent toward righteousness and obedience. Although that is an act of God that begins in the meanwhile of salvation and continues until our physical death, it also requires a commitment from us. If we elect to not cooperate with the Lord on this process, our growth in Christlikeness will probably be hindered.
Called to Service—God has chosen to perform His work on this planet through those that are saved. He has determined the tasks He wants each of us to do; our job is to serve Him by accomplishing what He’s planned for us.
How are you responding to the Lord’s various calls? Remember that someday we’ll all stand before Him and provides an account of our lives. Habitually saying no to His voice will end in loss, but those that have lived for Him as an alternative of themselves will probably be richly rewarded.
Taken from “The Call of God” by In Touch Finding Ministries (utilized by permission).
Great Resources on Christian Writing and Writers:
How Can We Avoid Making Bad Christian Art?
How Can Christians Succeed in Pop Culture?
9 Christian Authors You Should Know
Evangelical Tracts and Real Art
Do Our Worlds Have Creative Power?
50 Great Christian Books on Creativity
In and of the World: How Culture is Transforming Protestants
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/YakobchukOlena
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the creator of virtually 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and children. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to seek out out about hiring her on your next book project.
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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and don’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
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