Writing from a Man's Perspective
Mary Alt, Contributing Editor
I’m a published author (counting my now three blogs on CWGSB’s website), but I don’t have any good writing advice for anyone yet. Trying to find advice from other writers has been challenging. Although many of the great writers who are now deceased (Jack Kerouac, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and, of course, the Great Bard himself, William Shakespeare) have offered advice in the past, they do not have websites to offer current writing tips for those of us who are still here.
However, I found Jerry B. Jenkins most helpful and he was happy to provide us with advice. He has 185 books in print with 70 million copies, including the famed Left Behind series. Since closing down the Christian Writers Guild and establishing the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, he’s still out there educating the masses and sharing his pearls of wisdom. So, without further ado, heeere’s Jerry! (sorry, just wanted to toss in a little corn).
_________________________________________________________________
In five decades of writing, I’ve learned a few things that might boost your chances for success:
1. Have something to say
Boil your book’s message down to one sentence. As you write — then as you edit — that will keep you on point.
2. Know your reader
When I sit at the keyboard, I keep one reader in mind. Not a room full of people, but one person. I write to an individual, “you,” not “some of you,” or “those of you,” or “many of you.” “You.”
3. Say it simply
I never try to impress with my choice of words. Writers who show off their vocabularies are like girls using make-up for the first time. Less is more. Unless you’re a gifted literary stylist, let the power of your story speak for itself.
4. Practice your skills
I don’t say this just because I train writers. Fifty years since earning my first dollar for writing, I’m still polishing my skills. I belong to writers groups, subscribe to magazines for writers, and read every book I can find about the craft.
5. Polish your prose
Every writer needs an editor. At writers workshops I often condense the first pages of people’s stories by two-thirds. I do the same to my own work. Dare to cut, replace, and polish until every word counts.
6. Publish the right way
It’s never been easier to publish a book. But beware. Many companies prey on would-be authors, promising success in exchange for expensive packages. Before you invest, investigate. Know what you’re buying and how a company defines its promises, particularly in terms of quality editing, marketing, distribution, and sales.
7. Plan to sell your book
If you take the responsibilities of self-publishing, that includes your book’s sales and marketing. Here’s a link to a great article on this topic – thebookdesigner.com. Don’t wait to make these decisions until your copies are delivered.
8. Start small
To get copies of your book at an economical price, you no longer have to order hundreds of copies. Thanks to print-on-demand technology, you can now order just a handful of books, then order more as you need them. Paying less for inventory means you can invest your up-front dollars in editing and design, as well as in help with marketing.
This can be a great time to publish your first book —if you commit to doing it right.
Which of the above steps are you lacking? What can you do to change that?
- See more at: http://jerry-jenkins.com/2014/01/15/so-you-want-to-write-a-christian-book/
_________________________________________________________________
So, my writer colleagues, does this make sense? I tend to jump right into something feet-first, then I go back and read the directions. Or check out websites that I should have read and absorbed first. Or start baking a cake, then realize I’d left out an ingredient. This info is great for us impulsive types but is it good for everyone? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
Mary Alt, Contributing Editor
I’m a published author (counting my now three blogs on CWGSB’s website), but I don’t have any good writing advice for anyone yet. Trying to find advice from other writers has been challenging. Although many of the great writers who are now deceased (Jack Kerouac, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and, of course, the Great Bard himself, William Shakespeare) have offered advice in the past, they do not have websites to offer current writing tips for those of us who are still here.
However, I found Jerry B. Jenkins most helpful and he was happy to provide us with advice. He has 185 books in print with 70 million copies, including the famed Left Behind series. Since closing down the Christian Writers Guild and establishing the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, he’s still out there educating the masses and sharing his pearls of wisdom. So, without further ado, heeere’s Jerry! (sorry, just wanted to toss in a little corn).
_________________________________________________________________
In five decades of writing, I’ve learned a few things that might boost your chances for success:
1. Have something to say
Boil your book’s message down to one sentence. As you write — then as you edit — that will keep you on point.
2. Know your reader
When I sit at the keyboard, I keep one reader in mind. Not a room full of people, but one person. I write to an individual, “you,” not “some of you,” or “those of you,” or “many of you.” “You.”
3. Say it simply
I never try to impress with my choice of words. Writers who show off their vocabularies are like girls using make-up for the first time. Less is more. Unless you’re a gifted literary stylist, let the power of your story speak for itself.
4. Practice your skills
I don’t say this just because I train writers. Fifty years since earning my first dollar for writing, I’m still polishing my skills. I belong to writers groups, subscribe to magazines for writers, and read every book I can find about the craft.
5. Polish your prose
Every writer needs an editor. At writers workshops I often condense the first pages of people’s stories by two-thirds. I do the same to my own work. Dare to cut, replace, and polish until every word counts.
6. Publish the right way
It’s never been easier to publish a book. But beware. Many companies prey on would-be authors, promising success in exchange for expensive packages. Before you invest, investigate. Know what you’re buying and how a company defines its promises, particularly in terms of quality editing, marketing, distribution, and sales.
7. Plan to sell your book
If you take the responsibilities of self-publishing, that includes your book’s sales and marketing. Here’s a link to a great article on this topic – thebookdesigner.com. Don’t wait to make these decisions until your copies are delivered.
8. Start small
To get copies of your book at an economical price, you no longer have to order hundreds of copies. Thanks to print-on-demand technology, you can now order just a handful of books, then order more as you need them. Paying less for inventory means you can invest your up-front dollars in editing and design, as well as in help with marketing.
This can be a great time to publish your first book —if you commit to doing it right.
Which of the above steps are you lacking? What can you do to change that?
- See more at: http://jerry-jenkins.com/2014/01/15/so-you-want-to-write-a-christian-book/
_________________________________________________________________
So, my writer colleagues, does this make sense? I tend to jump right into something feet-first, then I go back and read the directions. Or check out websites that I should have read and absorbed first. Or start baking a cake, then realize I’d left out an ingredient. This info is great for us impulsive types but is it good for everyone? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
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