Five Things I Wish I Knew Earlier

Twenty five years ago I signed my first official publishing contract. I knew very little about publishing and even less about what to expect personally. I was in my early forties, a ministry leader in a large mega-church when contacted by a publisher who was interested in a Bible Study that I wrote for our local women. The acquisitions editor told me it wasn’t feasible to publish me (only my own church knew my name) so instead of one book, they offered me a three book deal. Crazy! Three books would give me name recognition, a section in catalogs and fill an end-cap at the local Christian stores. I was launched into the world of Christian publishing, not knowing what to expect, completely ill equipped and suffering greatly with imposter syndrome.

I was recently asked what I have learned along the way in my publishing career. Though there are many things I wished I knew earlier, I will start with five things that stand out to me today.

1. Our name on the cover of a book doesn’t magically change our life or make us more significant.

If we are honest, perhaps we would admit that being published is not just about woven words, but the secret hope of being recognized. As long as we chase recognition, we will always be looking for the next applause or next opportunity. We will only be as valuable as our last book success. And if you believe you are more significant as a published writer, the enemy will keep you in a cycle of insecurity, competition, and discontent. Your significance is not determined by a book contract. The truth is your significance has already been sealed by God. The day your book comes out will be a celebration, but the same insecurities that you had prior will resurface pushing you into a cycle of striving for more significance. Even if you are rejected repeatedly by publishers, the truth remains the same—you are significant because the signature of the Almighty is on your life. Follow Jesus into your calling not for recognition or significance, but out of a heart to do His will and help others.

2.  A Christian author is in ministry and also in business.

I have spent the bulk of my adult life in vocational ministry. Churches have budgets, accountants and bottom lines—so do publishers. Once your words are published there is a responsibility to the publisher who made a commitment to stand behind your ministry and calling. This is why marketing, platform, speaking and all the other avenues to get your book into more hands is important. There is always a bottom line and laws that govern sales, taxes and rules relating to the business of writing. I didn’t have a clue, naively I just wanted to write and help people, but I had to learn to accept not only the ministry but the business side of being a Christian author. It was a steep learning curve that I initially resisted.

3. There is no room for comparisons or competition with other writers.

If it is God’s will for you to be published, no one is going to take your spot. Striving for a seat at the table will cause you to view other writers as competitors. Scripture warns about this, “ If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:14-16) When we see others as competition, it is clearly not God but from the devil. The enemy will use striving and competition to lead us to unspiritual places emotionally. We must not give the enemy any room but rather stop our jealous or competitive thoughts, resisting their sway and committing our own path to God, knowing He has a plan for us. Focus on God’s will for you and let that spill over into encouraging other writers in God’s plan for them. Be careful when splashing your own success on social platforms. In many cases you might be taking a spot that another writer was hoping to get. Be sensitive. Be humble and be wise in what you share publicly that shines light on you while possibly dimming another’s hope.

4. Less is more.

A good edit is part of a writer’s life. While we can fill pages with many words, the most important thing to learn is ruthless self-editing that takes our writing from clunky to a smooth rhythm. This has taken me a long time, and I will forever be learning how to trim, cut, paste and make things shorter. Writing a 365 devotional this past year changed me as a writer. I had only 350 words a day to convey a message. It was like putting a puzzle together. It was frustrating and hard until I found the rhythm in it. Then it was a game to see how many extra words were written that could be erased. This was another part of writing that I originally resisted. I recall having the mentality that I wrote what God led me to write, period. Sadly, I now realize that was over spiritualizing the art and craft of writing.

5. To write well, you must read often.

You’ve heard it— the best writers are readers. It’s true. Read often in the genre that you are interested writing in. Pay attention not only to messaging and storyline but to the flow of the writing. Read portions out loud, listen on audio, read silently—just read. Being a frequent reader will serve you well in determining outlines and flow for your own work when the time comes.

 

I am grateful for my years as a published author. I have had the gift of opportunity, the challenge of learning and an amazing vehicle for personal growth. But more than anything, I have had an up close and personal encounter with watching God work in humbling me, changing me and filling me with more and more of himself.

Today’s a great time to weave words together because the world needs the light and life of Christ more than ever. The best thing you can do as a writer is fully submit your gifts and desires to God–loving Him and learning to love others. Find the healing you need, so you can bring healing to others. To the best of your ability align your thoughts and principles with God’s word, honoring Him will bring honor to Him. Most importantly remember that you are significant and an important part of God’s story for such a time as this.

Do you resonate with any of these five?