I meet a lot of gifted writers in my travels as I speak and teach at quality writers conferences from east to west (not to mention north and south, though I just did mention it, so I’ve already lowered my grade on this homework assignment. You didn’t know Steve Laube—He Who Must Be Obeyed—assigns homework? Psssht. Don’t be naïve.)

Anyhoo (more points off for the slang, doggone it), I often find myself saying the same thing to many of those fine writers: “Don’t quit your day job,” “Buy my books,” and “Stop saying ‘begs the question’ when you mean ‘prompts the question’!” And also this: “The problem with being multitalented is that you can do any number of things well.”

Does that not sound like a problem to you? Well, in writing for publication, it can be. Just because you can do many things doesn’t mean you should. Especially when it comes to pitching your work to an agent or editor.

Yes, you can write both nonfiction and fiction. Or both political thrillers and historical fiction. Or devotionals and personal finance.

But as I often explain to aspiring writers, “Let’s say an editor likes your idea for, say, a devotional but in your proposal you also mention that you have a completed novel available. That editor might wonder, ‘Well, now wait a minute. If I take the risk of committing our publishing resources to this person’s nonfiction book, will she go off and write novels instead of sending me a perfect follow-up to this? Is she a devotional writer or a novelist? Does she even know who she is?’”

Yes, I know many of us think in terms of I’ll do either! Just give me my big break and that’s who I’ll be!

But a novelist’s brand is usually not a nonfiction author’s brand. And all the work you’ve put into building, say, an outstanding platform for a nonfiction writer won’t easily transfer to a great platform for a novelist. Or vice versa.

I also know this is frustrating for a multitalented writer. Like me. I’ve had some success in many different genres as an author of 50+ books (thanks to my great agent, who I’m required to credit for all of my publishing success … or I’ll get even more homework).

But Christian publishing has never been more competitive, and publishing a debut book in any genre is such a challenge that both editors and agents (because as agents we take our cue from editors, who are really smart people, which I’m also required to say) often advise, “Pick a lane.” That means to become an expert in your genre and keep at it, month after month, year after year, book after bestselling book.

When you’re famous, of course, then everyone will want to buy your every thought, every word, even your cookbook. Maybe.

But until then, the multitalented writer will probably do best to focus in an area of great passion and skill and show a pattern of producing irresistible content in that area.

And one more thing: “Buy my books.”