Do you have what’s needed to be a successful writer? I think you do!
- A teachable spirit. As a naive beginning writer, I wanted to make an impact by being different. But my story structure and plots were too divergent for the genre to which I aspired. For instance, an early draft of a novel that later went on to be published in a new form showed the character falling into sin at a party. Please note that the details about the party were scant, and I didn’t take the novel beyond a clean read. In her rejection letter, the editor kindly let me know, to paraphrase, that Christian readers don’t want to encounter scenes devoted to transgressions. As a new writer, I felt the transgression was the inciting incident. As a more mature reader and agent, I see the wisdom in not including sin incidents. We can all go to a dark place in the character’s past without reading about it in a novel meant to show God’s goodness and light. In large part, because I listened to sound advice, my career blossomed.
- A willingness to persist. I don’t want to give anyone false hope by saying that every single solitary writer who writes and writes and writes will eventually become traditionally published. Sometimes, we pursue a dream that isn’t meant to come to fruition, and that’s okay. The act of writing helps the writer grow. When we’re writing for the Lord, wordsmithing helps us grow closer to Him. As for becoming a traditionally published author, listen and discern feedback. If you receive more than a form letter from any agent or editor, consider their advice with the greatest care. Always follow up when the door is left open. Encouragement from industry professionals is huge in deciding when and how to persist.
- A healthy response to feedback. When readers contact writers or post online, negative feedback seems to appear more often than positive feedback. Perhaps this is because readers who love your work figure everyone else does, too, and they don’t want to impose on your time; but people who become angered by your books feel you must know about their reaction. They think you need to learn from them so you can change your ways! Sometimes, the more successful an author becomes, the more negative feedback she receives. Praise the Lord for His guidance in revealing who is and is not your supporter. And yes, I struggle to follow my own advice here because sometimes people I feel should be my supporters prove they are not.
Discouragement is inevitable. Ask authors at any stage of their careers. Writers must decide when to counter well-meaning criticism and when to edit, even if they feel like grumbling a bit. Deciding when to persist in writing and when to take a break is part of most writers’ paths. Even the most successful authors find unwarranted criticism and must deal with the envy of others. Regardless of where you are today, keep in touch with and focus on the Lord we serve. His plan for you will become evident.
