If you have had a book in the back of your mind—fiction or nonfiction—and/or you believe God has called you to write a book, don’t let fear or intimidation stop you from making it happen. There are a multitude of books, courses, and organizations that can help hone your craft and get you started. Take advantage of them and seek out seasoned professionals who can advise you along the way. Every successful writer I know continually seeks ways to grow their craft by reading books on improving their skills, searching out advice from other writers and professionals, attending courses and workshops, and reading other authors in their genre. Below are some of the resources I suggest:
Books on My Bookshelf
- Writing Deep Viewpoint by Kathy Tyers
- Deep Point of View by Marcy Kennedy
- Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
- Save the Cat! By Blake Snyder
- Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King (2nd Edition)
- The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass
- Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas
- The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
- Writers Market
Professional Networking Organizations
- American Christian Fiction Writers
- Romance Writers of America
- Regional and Local Writers Networks
Courses I’ve Taken
- Immersion Master Class, Deep Editing Power by Margie Lawson
- American Christian Fiction Writers Conference Workshops
- The Creative Way by Ted Dekker
- Colorado Christian Writers Conference Workshops
- Christian Writers Guild, Jerry Jenkins
- Screenwriting by Trai Cartwright
- How to Succeed in Hollywood Without Losing Your Soul—Dr. Ted Baehr founder of Movieguide.org and the Christian Film and Television Commission®
Resources Other Writers Have Recommended
- Susan May Warren’s Writers Coaching and Novel Academy
Advice From Seasoned Professionals
- To be a writer, you must write. Even if you have a busy schedule, make time every day to practice your craft, even if you can only find ten or fifteen minutes. At the end of the week, ten minutes turns into 70 minutes and fifteen turn into almost two hours.
- Take the time to read authors in the genre you write often. You can only gain a wealth of understanding of your genre if you see it on the written page by well-known and respected authors.
- Write in the genre you love. If you like to read historicals, perhaps that’s the best genre for you to write in. If you love a cozy mystery, write a cozy mystery. Many writers think they have to write what’s currently hot on the market. Truth is that what is hot on the market today, will die a cold death tomorrow. So, let the words on the page draw readers to you rather than trying to fit yourself into skin that doesn’t fit you.