Finding the Magic Bullet

Bad news...there is no magic bullet. There are no shortcuts or quick tips to making it in the writing world. First, I believe a writer needs passion. If God intended you to write, He will guide you little by little in your craft.

Find what triggers that yearning to knit together words on a page and then take steps to pursue and perfect your chosen career. Persistence and patience are essential character traits in the kit of a writer who is worthy. Take courses. Find writer friends. Join a writer's group. Read books on writing. Read the kind of books you would like to write. Read them again and do so for logical reasons. Then read them again, paying attention to what appeals and what doesn't. Research. Write and rewrite. Pray. Then pray some more. Make sure your motivation is in line with God's plan. Are you trying to write for the big bucks? Or are you writing what you know (or would like to know?)

Know your publisher's or editor's target market and then ask yourself what do these readers want and need to know? What is missing from the wealth of information out there and then fill in the blanks.

Be professional but be natural. When your fingers move with abandon and words appear almost miraculously on the page, your heart is taking over and you are writing right.

I think one of the best pieces of advice I was given as I started out in my writing career was when an editor told me to write from the heart.

"If you do this," she said," then you will touch other hearts."

How very true. This was my encouragement to write with passion and purpose. When I get a little down and dejected because I have become too task oriented, I remember those great words and I get inspired all over again. Just remember there are no quick fixes in this profession but there are amazing results when you write from the heart.