How to Become a Spiritual Writer
Perhaps you feel a calling to be a spiritual writer, it is a desire you just cannot ignore. Being a writer, spiritual or otherwise requires preparation and dedication. Overheard at a Christian writer's workshop, "Writing is easy; just stare at a blank screen until great drops of blood pour from your forehead." It involves inspiration and perspiration to be a good spiritual writer. Second rate writing is not an option for the spiritual writer. Careful preparation will improve your skills and increase your chances of being published.
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Instructions
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Before you write
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Take a class. Jerry B. Jenkins, the author of the "Left Behind" series suggests enrolling in writing classes at a university or online. Learn your craft by attending conferences and workshops. Spiritual writers must never settle for second rate work whether for pay or for pleasure.
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2
Examine your motives. Bodie and Brock Thoene, award winning authors warn that writing is difficult and often disappointing. Before you begin writing, examine your motives and what you want to accomplish. Your primary motivation for writing spiritual material must be an act of service. Pay and recognition have to be secondary to encouraging and mentoring your readers.
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3
Visit a bookstore. Spend a few hours in a bookstore and see what is on the shelves. Look at the magazine racks as well for article ideas you can pitch. Examine the cover designs and book layouts to see what is involved in publishing in the spiritual market.
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Go online. See what books are popular in the inspirational or Christian markets. Visit the Christian Writers Market Guide and conduct a personal survey of magazines that accept queries and start coming up with articles you can pitch to editors.
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5
Start a list of ideas. Gather article and book ideas in a computer file. Formulate queries (ways to pitch your ideas) to editors or publishers. You will most likely start your spiritual writing career online and in magazines before you write your first book.
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6
Write everyday. Write online, write for print, write for pay, write for free - just write every day in every way. Improve your skills by writing and rewriting. A good way to write daily is to write a blog or on a social media site. Write with excellence. Your blogs may become the chapters of your book.
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Tips & Warnings
You are a spiritual writer, indicating that you have a relationship with God. If you want to write from that perspective, pray and ask your Creator to guide you as you prepare to write. Draw on the resources of your faith.
Scripture is important for a spiritual writer as the standard reference. Make certain that it is not your only reference. To be a credible writer, use other resources in addition to Scripture.
