Christian writers with creative ideas sometimes find it difficult to decide which writing project to focus on first. Quite likely, all of your ideas have potential to strengthen the Body of Christ, draw readers to God, and/or help other people in general, so you won’t go wrong with any Bible-based theme or treatment. Nevertheless, one manuscript might be well-timed and another not. Or, one idea might fill you with enthusiasm (a word rooted in “en theos” – in God), whereas another project might leave you feeling ho-hum or put you into a panic or quandary. Regardless, here’s the thing:
When you ask God to direct your work, expect that to happen.
Since the Holy Spirit promises to give every Christian one or more Spiritual Ministry Gifts, recognizing those gifts will guide you and give you insights into yourself, your work, and the writing to which you have been called at this particular time and place.
We talked about this a little in a previous article on your “Writing talent and spiritual gifts,” so you might want to re-read that short discussion. Since then though, I had an opportunity to take a Spiritual Ministry Gifts test that differs from one I took years ago, and the current results confirmed the very projects to which I am now drawn.
Most likely, you have some ideas that interest you more than others too, but just in case you have not yet taken a test to discern your God-given gifts and confirm your next project, I did an Internet search to see which Spiritual Ministry Gifts test to recommend. As it turned out, I found several! So this morning I took them all, and here’s what I found:
This excellent site provided by Ken Ellis not only has a Spiritual Gifts Test with online analysis but also a separate test for new Christians and another for youth. Since you’re encouraged to respond quickly and not over-think, the main test takes 15 to 20 minutes with immediate results and hotlinks that explain each gift and give you relevant scriptures and ideas for use. The results felt right-on, even though I initially had trouble responding to “Always” for areas that interested me.
Spiritual Gifts tested on this website clarify tasks often needed within the church. The analysis did not include such obvious gifts as healing and miracles, but I wish it had discussed a gift of prophecy since Christian poets and writers may receive a prophetic word but need affirmation to speak with confidence and love.
This Spiritual Gifts Self-Evaluation Test is shorter than most but produced the same results. To respond to each of the 55 questions, you click the numbers from 0 to 5 to show your least to greatest amount of interest. Then the online program immediately gives you the test results but no additional information for gifts of Evangelism, Knowledge, Wisdom, Prophecy, Teaching, Exhortation, Helps, Giving, Administration, Mercy, and Faith.
However, another site I highly recommend does not give a test but offers insights and information relating to your Spiritual Gifts and Leadership and includes definitions, scriptural references, and practical instructions.
Similarly, a site on Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts has no test but lists practical ways to put your God-given gifts to good use.
The Spiritual Gifts Inventory by Paulist Fathers also provides a test, which, like the others, encourages you to respond spontaneously and honestly to get the most accurate results. The site also includes helpful information and instruction for using your ministry gifts.
As you take a Spiritual Ministry test, remember, there are no right or wrong answers!
Also, this may not be true of other sites, but the hotlinks above give you and only you an analysis, so no one else needs to know the results. What you do with that information is up to you and God and the type of writing ministry to which you have been called.
~~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
http://www.marysayler.com
August 24, 2011
July 13, 2011
Christian writers write in all genres - just like in the Bible
Some people think that Christian writing has to be nonfiction to be true, but that’s not true! In any genre, our writings cannot make a decision to follow Christ. Therefore, “Christian writing” is a misnomer, but, as Christian writers, we can make that choice and do. Then we have as many styles, literary genres, and ways of writing as anyone else.
So the big difference in our work in particular and in the Christian writing life in general comes as we gain and give a godly perspective. How?
Start with the Bible. To get a sweeping view of how God interacts with all peoples and creation, read the Bible cover to cover.
Pray for God to guide your reading. Consider what other students of the Bible say and what you think, too, but stay open to a fresh view as the Holy Spirit aids comprehension and deepens your insight into spiritual matters.
Compare translations. Many old and new versions of the Bible can be found in full on the Internet, but you might not find them all in one location. For instance, a translation approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops can be found in full (with excellent footnotes) on the USCCB website, while most Protestant versions are posted on Bible Gateway and other sites. Also, a commercial website (the ChristianBooksBibles online store) with which I have no tie, offers a comprehensive list of translations available for Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish readers.
Look up place names. Use a Bible dictionary and Bible atlas, and compare maps showing ancient and contemporary geographical boundaries.
Research your main topic with the key word and also peripheral wording. After using a concordance or searching various translations on the Internet to see what the Bible says about your subject, look up related words or topics in church documents and statements of faith, which can be found on most denominational websites.
Read footnotes and fine print. Allegedly, study Bible were once used to promote a particular perspective or denominational interpretation, whereas new study editions are more likely to bring together information and insights from diverse scholars who have devoted their whole lives to Bible study. In general, newer study editions clarify information, define unusual words or colloquial phrases, and put factual data into cultural context. Some editions include numbers in a tiny font to show cross-referencing as a topic threads through one book of the Bible to another.
Study the Bible as literature. This excerpt from a new study edition discusses literary aspects of the Bible that can broaden our understanding of genres and also increase our awareness of our unique work and individual calling as a Christian poet, editor, or writer.
Practice each genre. Experiment! Find out which type of writing comes to you most readily. Remove preconceived thoughts of “Christian writing,” too, and begin to see yourself as a Christian who writes in all genres, knowing the biblical writers did too.
~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
~
So the big difference in our work in particular and in the Christian writing life in general comes as we gain and give a godly perspective. How?
Start with the Bible. To get a sweeping view of how God interacts with all peoples and creation, read the Bible cover to cover.
Pray for God to guide your reading. Consider what other students of the Bible say and what you think, too, but stay open to a fresh view as the Holy Spirit aids comprehension and deepens your insight into spiritual matters.
Compare translations. Many old and new versions of the Bible can be found in full on the Internet, but you might not find them all in one location. For instance, a translation approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops can be found in full (with excellent footnotes) on the USCCB website, while most Protestant versions are posted on Bible Gateway and other sites. Also, a commercial website (the ChristianBooksBibles online store) with which I have no tie, offers a comprehensive list of translations available for Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish readers.
Look up place names. Use a Bible dictionary and Bible atlas, and compare maps showing ancient and contemporary geographical boundaries.
Research your main topic with the key word and also peripheral wording. After using a concordance or searching various translations on the Internet to see what the Bible says about your subject, look up related words or topics in church documents and statements of faith, which can be found on most denominational websites.
Read footnotes and fine print. Allegedly, study Bible were once used to promote a particular perspective or denominational interpretation, whereas new study editions are more likely to bring together information and insights from diverse scholars who have devoted their whole lives to Bible study. In general, newer study editions clarify information, define unusual words or colloquial phrases, and put factual data into cultural context. Some editions include numbers in a tiny font to show cross-referencing as a topic threads through one book of the Bible to another.
Study the Bible as literature. This excerpt from a new study edition discusses literary aspects of the Bible that can broaden our understanding of genres and also increase our awareness of our unique work and individual calling as a Christian poet, editor, or writer.
Practice each genre. Experiment! Find out which type of writing comes to you most readily. Remove preconceived thoughts of “Christian writing,” too, and begin to see yourself as a Christian who writes in all genres, knowing the biblical writers did too.
~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
~
June 25, 2011
Interview with Christian writer Elaine Wright Colvin, founder of Writers Information Network
Elaine Wright Colvin, founder and director of Writers Information Network and WIN Communications, published the WIN Informer magazine for 25 years. Her poetry appears in the bestselling book Treasury of God’s Virtues, which she co-authored with Elaine Creasman of Publications International. Find her on Facebook and read the articles for Christian writers she posts on her Writers Info Network blog.
Elaine, what do you most want to say to Christians who write?
Identify the big players in your genre. See what they are doing well. Ask God what He wants you to do. God did not make you a clone of someone else. The dream He put in your heart is yours alone. Identify it. Test it. Refine it. No one else can “claim the call” God has placed on your life.
What changes do you see in Christian publishing?
Everything has changed in the 25 years I’ve been a writers consultant. Gone are the days when an acquisitions editor alone chose good writing and determined what should be published. Today everything is market-driven. And there are many more channels for getting our writing “out there.”
How do conferences or workshops help poets and writers?
It’s all about networking, learning from the best, and rubbing elbows with those you want to learn from. Go to the conference where the agent, editor, and writers you want to meet are teaching. This is where people talk your language and people like you gather. There is always something to learn.
How can poets and writers improve their writing?
Do what writers and poets do: read good writing; write lots, throw the bad stuff away. Participate in readings, presentations, and poetry slams; learn what works and what doesn’t. “Get your hands dirty for Jesus”—then people will want to hear what you have to say.
Yes! And just to be sure that readers hear this important word, please explain a bit.
"Get your hands dirty for Jesus" is a way of saying, do something newsworthy, much like CNN's Heroes with ordinary people changing their world. Be a volunteer; help the homeless; somehow make a difference that is worth talking about. If you couldn't make your local newspaper, how would people around the country ever hear about you, your writing, or your book?
Thanks, Elaine – and good thinking! You’ve given us an excellent example of how we can reflect Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light shine, so people can see the good you do and give praise to our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16.)
~~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
http://www.marysayler.com
~~
Elaine, what do you most want to say to Christians who write?
Identify the big players in your genre. See what they are doing well. Ask God what He wants you to do. God did not make you a clone of someone else. The dream He put in your heart is yours alone. Identify it. Test it. Refine it. No one else can “claim the call” God has placed on your life.
What changes do you see in Christian publishing?
Everything has changed in the 25 years I’ve been a writers consultant. Gone are the days when an acquisitions editor alone chose good writing and determined what should be published. Today everything is market-driven. And there are many more channels for getting our writing “out there.”
How do conferences or workshops help poets and writers?
It’s all about networking, learning from the best, and rubbing elbows with those you want to learn from. Go to the conference where the agent, editor, and writers you want to meet are teaching. This is where people talk your language and people like you gather. There is always something to learn.
How can poets and writers improve their writing?
Do what writers and poets do: read good writing; write lots, throw the bad stuff away. Participate in readings, presentations, and poetry slams; learn what works and what doesn’t. “Get your hands dirty for Jesus”—then people will want to hear what you have to say.
Yes! And just to be sure that readers hear this important word, please explain a bit.
"Get your hands dirty for Jesus" is a way of saying, do something newsworthy, much like CNN's Heroes with ordinary people changing their world. Be a volunteer; help the homeless; somehow make a difference that is worth talking about. If you couldn't make your local newspaper, how would people around the country ever hear about you, your writing, or your book?
Thanks, Elaine – and good thinking! You’ve given us an excellent example of how we can reflect Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light shine, so people can see the good you do and give praise to our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16.)
~~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
http://www.marysayler.com
~~
June 8, 2011
Interview with Dana Cassell, the founder of Writers-Editors Network
Dana Cassell, the founder of Writers-Editors Network, has been a full-time freelancer for 35 years. In addition to writing and editing manuscripts for numerous business clients, she has traditionally published more than 2,000 articles and ghosted or authored nearly a dozen books for educational publishers and other secular markets.
Dana, what do you most want to say to writers in all genres who plan to make writing a career?
Recognize that it is a business, and treat it as such. Magazine editors need articles that will keep their readers renewing or buying newsstand issues, so the publisher can sell ads that keep the magazines in business. This means researching magazines' targeted audiences and coming up with ideas the editors need to reach those audiences.
It also means seeking out editorial calendars to see what topics they repeat every year and will be covering during the upcoming year. Said another way, writing (and suggesting) what the readers and editors want, not what the writer wants to write. (When the writer has a favorite topic and can find a paying magazine receptive to that topic and the writer's slant on it, that's a bonus. It happens once in a while but is usually not enough to build a career.)
This is ditto for websites that will pay for articles. Instead of subscriptions, they may be looking at visitors and "hits," but the premise is about the same. Also, the successful writer will learn how to reuse their research in multiple articles, books, and columns to make that research investment pay off.
Writers who want to write for the corporate market on a freelance basis would do well to become adept at and known for some editorial service that can directly affect a client's bottom line -- such as ad copy, direct mail packages, white papers, marketing e-letters.
Recognizing that writing is a business means regularly scheduling time for marketing, admin tasks, and study along with time for production.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in publishing over the last few years?
The obvious would be the Internet, which has changed the way writers can research and also adds the electronic publishing element. Magazines have always stopped publishing because of over-saturated markets or poor management, but now publishers have to figure out whether to be print or electronic or both -- and how to make that work, so the publishing business is even riskier. People are still trying to figure it all out. For writers, there are tons more potential places to get published, and they are easier to research because of Web information, but drilling down to those that pay a decent rate is more of a challenge.
Novels have changed because of the shorter attention span of readers who have grown up watching TV and reading Internet screens. Compare a novel published today with one a generation ago -- paragraphs are shorter; chapters are shorter. And that's what mainstream editors/publishers want -- because that's what sells.
In what ways can conferences and workshops help writers?
They mainly help through inspiration and motivation. Being around and talking to other poets and writers can help us realize that what we're up against (finding the time, dealing with writer's block, getting published, finding better paying markets) is not our challenge alone. Everyone faces the same problems at one time or another. It can help us to keep rowing when we know others are in the same boat with us. And talking to other attendees who do not appear to be any smarter or more creative than we are, but who are more successful, can send us home thinking, "I can do that, too!"
The information we absorb from the speakers can certainly be helpful, but we can get that from the hundreds of books and articles on writing for publication. I think that touching elbows with other writers and with the speakers has a more motivational aspect.
Thanks, Dana, for giving Christian writers a clearer picture of writing for markets in general. Thank you, too, for the level of professionalism you encourage and show as you address the needs of writers and editors on Writers-Editors.com.
~~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
Dana, what do you most want to say to writers in all genres who plan to make writing a career?
Recognize that it is a business, and treat it as such. Magazine editors need articles that will keep their readers renewing or buying newsstand issues, so the publisher can sell ads that keep the magazines in business. This means researching magazines' targeted audiences and coming up with ideas the editors need to reach those audiences.
It also means seeking out editorial calendars to see what topics they repeat every year and will be covering during the upcoming year. Said another way, writing (and suggesting) what the readers and editors want, not what the writer wants to write. (When the writer has a favorite topic and can find a paying magazine receptive to that topic and the writer's slant on it, that's a bonus. It happens once in a while but is usually not enough to build a career.)
This is ditto for websites that will pay for articles. Instead of subscriptions, they may be looking at visitors and "hits," but the premise is about the same. Also, the successful writer will learn how to reuse their research in multiple articles, books, and columns to make that research investment pay off.
Writers who want to write for the corporate market on a freelance basis would do well to become adept at and known for some editorial service that can directly affect a client's bottom line -- such as ad copy, direct mail packages, white papers, marketing e-letters.
Recognizing that writing is a business means regularly scheduling time for marketing, admin tasks, and study along with time for production.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in publishing over the last few years?
The obvious would be the Internet, which has changed the way writers can research and also adds the electronic publishing element. Magazines have always stopped publishing because of over-saturated markets or poor management, but now publishers have to figure out whether to be print or electronic or both -- and how to make that work, so the publishing business is even riskier. People are still trying to figure it all out. For writers, there are tons more potential places to get published, and they are easier to research because of Web information, but drilling down to those that pay a decent rate is more of a challenge.
Novels have changed because of the shorter attention span of readers who have grown up watching TV and reading Internet screens. Compare a novel published today with one a generation ago -- paragraphs are shorter; chapters are shorter. And that's what mainstream editors/publishers want -- because that's what sells.
In what ways can conferences and workshops help writers?
They mainly help through inspiration and motivation. Being around and talking to other poets and writers can help us realize that what we're up against (finding the time, dealing with writer's block, getting published, finding better paying markets) is not our challenge alone. Everyone faces the same problems at one time or another. It can help us to keep rowing when we know others are in the same boat with us. And talking to other attendees who do not appear to be any smarter or more creative than we are, but who are more successful, can send us home thinking, "I can do that, too!"
The information we absorb from the speakers can certainly be helpful, but we can get that from the hundreds of books and articles on writing for publication. I think that touching elbows with other writers and with the speakers has a more motivational aspect.
Thanks, Dana, for giving Christian writers a clearer picture of writing for markets in general. Thank you, too, for the level of professionalism you encourage and show as you address the needs of writers and editors on Writers-Editors.com.
~~
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
June 1, 2011
Interview with Sally Stuart -- the expert in Christian writing markets
Sally Stuart, a prolific writer in her own right, has been helping other poets and writers for over 30 years with writing workshops, keynote speaking, and information-gathering for the annual Christian Writers’ Market Guide – the primary resource for Christians who want to get their work published. For ongoing info and updates, visit her Christian Writers’ Marketplace blog.
Sally, what do you most want to say to Christians who write?
If you believe God has called you to be a writer, you need to determine what that means for you. It may simply mean you need to write for your own healing or write for your church newsletter or write an inspirational column for your local newspaper. But if He has called you to write for publication, then you need to commit to being the best writer you can be -- and BE PERSISTENT in finding a publisher for that writing.
What recent changes have you noticed in Christian publishing?
Because the periodical market continues to shrink, it is harder for writers to get a start there. Book publishers take longer to commit to publishing a book. And publishers are more insistent that writers follow their guidelines exactly.
Do writing conferences and workshops actually help Christian poets and writers? If so, how?
Conferences give the writer a broader understanding of the publishing industry and their particular genre and a chance to meet with agents and editors, as well as building a network of writing colleagues and friends.
How can poets and writers continue to improve their writing?
Read and write! Read A LOT of the poetry or genre you want to write. Read the current Christian bestsellers and the general market bestsellers. And write--write--write! In today's competitive market, ultimately it is excellent writing that gets published.
Excellent advice, Sally. Thanks! God bless you and your work.
~~~
If you would like Sally's evaluation of your fiction or nonfiction manuscript, visit her website for her current fees. For feedback on your poems, devotionals, or children’s picture book, contact me through my website.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
~~
Sally, what do you most want to say to Christians who write?
If you believe God has called you to be a writer, you need to determine what that means for you. It may simply mean you need to write for your own healing or write for your church newsletter or write an inspirational column for your local newspaper. But if He has called you to write for publication, then you need to commit to being the best writer you can be -- and BE PERSISTENT in finding a publisher for that writing.
What recent changes have you noticed in Christian publishing?
Because the periodical market continues to shrink, it is harder for writers to get a start there. Book publishers take longer to commit to publishing a book. And publishers are more insistent that writers follow their guidelines exactly.
Do writing conferences and workshops actually help Christian poets and writers? If so, how?
Conferences give the writer a broader understanding of the publishing industry and their particular genre and a chance to meet with agents and editors, as well as building a network of writing colleagues and friends.
How can poets and writers continue to improve their writing?
Read and write! Read A LOT of the poetry or genre you want to write. Read the current Christian bestsellers and the general market bestsellers. And write--write--write! In today's competitive market, ultimately it is excellent writing that gets published.
Excellent advice, Sally. Thanks! God bless you and your work.
~~~
If you would like Sally's evaluation of your fiction or nonfiction manuscript, visit her website for her current fees. For feedback on your poems, devotionals, or children’s picture book, contact me through my website.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
~~
May 24, 2011
Interview with Christian writer Diana Wallis Taylor
Award-winning Christian novelist and poet Diana Wallis Taylor has been writing since she was twelve – poetry, short stories, and articles – and is now working on her fourth book of Biblical fiction for Revell. She and her husband have six grown children and ten grandchildren between them and enjoy such activities as fishing in Alaska, traveling to other fun places with Elderhostel, and spending time with the grandchildren. To order her books or find out more about her writing life, visit her website.
What do you most want to say to Christians who write?
Diana: Be true to your faith. To quote the founder of our San Diego Christian Writer's Guild, Dr. Sherwood Wirt, "The world doesn't need more Christian writers. It needs more Christians who write." Let your writing, even for the secular market, reflect the values you hold.
What changes do you see in Christian publishing?
Diana: More e-publishing and self-publishing are prevalent. Traditional publishers are depending more on sites like Writer's Edge and on agents to screen submissions for them. Secular publishers are buying Christian publishing houses because of the lucrative Christian market.
How do writing conferences or workshops help Christian poets and writers?
Diana: Pay your dues. If you are a beginning writer, go to the workshops, get in a critique group, read the books on writing and keep honing your skills. It will pay off in the end.
How can poets and writers improve their writing?
Diana: Get in a critique group and get feedback on your work. Even if you feel God gave you the poem, story or ___? He doesn't have poor grammar. Even with poetry, be prepared to write and re-write. Be gracious about accepting criticism as these fellow writers represent a cross section of readers who might read your work. Edit. Edit. Edit.
Thank you, Diana, for giving us the benefit of your experience and a glimpse into your Christian writer’s life. May God continue to bless you and your work.
~~
If you need professional feedback for a minimal fee on your poems, devotionals, children’s picture book or book proposal of a full-length novel or nonfiction book, contact me through my website.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
What do you most want to say to Christians who write?
Diana: Be true to your faith. To quote the founder of our San Diego Christian Writer's Guild, Dr. Sherwood Wirt, "The world doesn't need more Christian writers. It needs more Christians who write." Let your writing, even for the secular market, reflect the values you hold.
What changes do you see in Christian publishing?
Diana: More e-publishing and self-publishing are prevalent. Traditional publishers are depending more on sites like Writer's Edge and on agents to screen submissions for them. Secular publishers are buying Christian publishing houses because of the lucrative Christian market.
How do writing conferences or workshops help Christian poets and writers?
Diana: Pay your dues. If you are a beginning writer, go to the workshops, get in a critique group, read the books on writing and keep honing your skills. It will pay off in the end.
How can poets and writers improve their writing?
Diana: Get in a critique group and get feedback on your work. Even if you feel God gave you the poem, story or ___? He doesn't have poor grammar. Even with poetry, be prepared to write and re-write. Be gracious about accepting criticism as these fellow writers represent a cross section of readers who might read your work. Edit. Edit. Edit.
Thank you, Diana, for giving us the benefit of your experience and a glimpse into your Christian writer’s life. May God continue to bless you and your work.
~~
If you need professional feedback for a minimal fee on your poems, devotionals, children’s picture book or book proposal of a full-length novel or nonfiction book, contact me through my website.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
May 16, 2011
Writing talent and spiritual gifts
You probably weren’t too surprised by the name change of this blog, but discovering spiritual gifts can be very surprising! I’m not talking about your natural writing ability or God-given talent as a writer, but more:
The people of God have spiritual gifts specifically for strengthening the people of God.
What gifts? According to I Corinthians 12, the Holy Spirit gives a whole list of gifts you might want to check out in a wide variety of translations to get a full view of what God has in mind.
Once you have identified the spiritual gift(s) you have been given, you will most likely see ways to use those gifts in your writing life. For example, a spirit of wisdom might lead you to write insightful Bible study materials, prayer-poems, devotionals, or an advice column for teens, young marrieds, or other readers with whom you identify.
A spiritual gift can also help you to identify your most likely readers. For instance, a gift of evangelism lets you know to focus on non-Christian readers in your genre of choice, depending on your personal interests. Years ago, for example, I read romance novels by the box-load then wrote inspirational romances, not with the typical plot toward a “conversion experience,” but with story people whose faith or closeness to God had ebbed then flowed back before The End.
As you use your ministry gifts to encourage and up-build God’s people, your writing may gain a new sense of purpose. This can be exciting! So feel free to tell us about your discoveries in the Comments section below. If you aren’t sure what ministry gift you have been given, Comment on that too.
May the Holy Spirit guide you as you discern your spiritual gift(s) and use your writing for the common good of all good peoples of God.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
The people of God have spiritual gifts specifically for strengthening the people of God.
What gifts? According to I Corinthians 12, the Holy Spirit gives a whole list of gifts you might want to check out in a wide variety of translations to get a full view of what God has in mind.
Once you have identified the spiritual gift(s) you have been given, you will most likely see ways to use those gifts in your writing life. For example, a spirit of wisdom might lead you to write insightful Bible study materials, prayer-poems, devotionals, or an advice column for teens, young marrieds, or other readers with whom you identify.
A spiritual gift can also help you to identify your most likely readers. For instance, a gift of evangelism lets you know to focus on non-Christian readers in your genre of choice, depending on your personal interests. Years ago, for example, I read romance novels by the box-load then wrote inspirational romances, not with the typical plot toward a “conversion experience,” but with story people whose faith or closeness to God had ebbed then flowed back before The End.
As you use your ministry gifts to encourage and up-build God’s people, your writing may gain a new sense of purpose. This can be exciting! So feel free to tell us about your discoveries in the Comments section below. If you aren’t sure what ministry gift you have been given, Comment on that too.
May the Holy Spirit guide you as you discern your spiritual gift(s) and use your writing for the common good of all good peoples of God.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
April 6, 2011
Writing children’s picture books
Picture books may seem easy to write, but writing them for actual kids to read and enjoy requires work. Why? There's a lot of competition in this genre, so you not only have to come up with a fresh idea, you have to write about it in the simplest terms, yet keep it lively! To give your manuscript an edge, try these tips:
Study the genre.
Talk to children in the age group that best suits your ideas.
Read stacks of children’s picture books and note your preferences.
Ask the librarian in the children’s section of your public library which books parents and teachers like and, more importantly, which ones kids return to again and again.
Make a list of interesting, kid-appropriate topics that might need to be covered.
Keep an idea file.
Read your manuscript to children in your chosen age group.
Study catalogs and guidelines of publishers whose picture books you like.
Notice how a successful picture book has simple sentences, kid-friendly vocabulary, and only a few words on each page.
Each page needs to be visually-oriented to lend itself to illustration.
The total page length – including front and back matter (title page, copyright page, dedication, bibliography, notes to parents or teachers, etc.) – should be divisible by four since a sheet of paper, folded in half, adds four pages.
For more ideas and information, see these related articles:
Keeping Your #KidLit User-Friendly
Writing Winner Nonfiction for Kids
Writing Children’s Stories With No Pink Fairies Or Old Fads
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler
March 15, 2011
Turning stones into building blocks and bread into bread
A Bible reading for this first week of Lent takes us into the wilderness where Jesus had to decide whether to turn stones into bread. He certainly had the power to do so and would have settled an empty stomach right away, but the temptation for the immediate and expedient had no long-term appeal. Why? Jesus knew where He came from and knew where He was going, so hunger pangs, though uncomfortable, did not throw Him off course or trip Him up.
If we trip over stones, maybe we can write about overcoming obstacles.
If we trip over stones, maybe we can write about making a barbecue pit.
If we even see a stone (in Florida they’re rare!), maybe we can find the kind of flat, round, pita-bread-shaped stones that our readers can use to skip-toss across a pond.
Stones of all shapes and sizes can be great tools. Many have a hefty purpose, but if people need bread, they need stones mainly to grind the corn or wheat.
Jesus knew that stones can be a solid foundation for building, but not for making meals. He fed hundreds of hungry people, for example, by turning fish and bread into more fish, more bread.
If you fish around your Idea File or main areas of interest, what fish do you have to share with other people?
If you have even a little bit of anointing oil or oil used for healing or oil of gladness or oil to stop a squeaking door, might it be enough to lubricate a thought, a worry, a spiritually dry spot your readers have?
What grains of truth can you write about to feed someone who's hungry?
What natural God-given ingredients do you have to make hearty loaves of bread or books or poems or stories?
Thank God, Lent gives us time to give who we are and what we have and where we’re going some time and thought and prayer. No hurry, but just so you’ll know: Our readers may be famished for something wholesome, something nourishing, something they can really sink their teeth into, preferably without breaking their incisors on a stone.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.
If we trip over stones, maybe we can write about overcoming obstacles.
If we trip over stones, maybe we can write about making a barbecue pit.
If we even see a stone (in Florida they’re rare!), maybe we can find the kind of flat, round, pita-bread-shaped stones that our readers can use to skip-toss across a pond.
Stones of all shapes and sizes can be great tools. Many have a hefty purpose, but if people need bread, they need stones mainly to grind the corn or wheat.
Jesus knew that stones can be a solid foundation for building, but not for making meals. He fed hundreds of hungry people, for example, by turning fish and bread into more fish, more bread.
If you fish around your Idea File or main areas of interest, what fish do you have to share with other people?
If you have even a little bit of anointing oil or oil used for healing or oil of gladness or oil to stop a squeaking door, might it be enough to lubricate a thought, a worry, a spiritually dry spot your readers have?
What grains of truth can you write about to feed someone who's hungry?
What natural God-given ingredients do you have to make hearty loaves of bread or books or poems or stories?
Thank God, Lent gives us time to give who we are and what we have and where we’re going some time and thought and prayer. No hurry, but just so you’ll know: Our readers may be famished for something wholesome, something nourishing, something they can really sink their teeth into, preferably without breaking their incisors on a stone.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.
March 11, 2011
Protect your writings, photographs, and valuables before disaster strikes
As disasters fill the news today, prayers undoubtedly fill the air. The first concern, of course, is protecting yourself and your loved ones. If you’re in no immediate danger, though, please take time now to protect the records and valuables in your most valuable life:
Email your poems, writings, and/or works in progress to yourself, so you can retrieve them directly from the website of your Internet service provider.
Scan beloved family photographs and important documents. Save to a DVD and mail to siblings, children, or other family members, including at least one person who lives in another region of the U.S. or in another country.
Upload your prized photographs to a photo website such as Flickr or Picasa, making sure the security settings show as private rather than public.
Investigate free services on such websites as Google Docs and GMX.com that let you privately store your word files with easy retrieval from any computer, assuming you recall the user name and password.
Print out and/or backup copies of your poems and writings on a CD or DVD, and seal in waterproof Ziploc bags.
Seal other valuables too, including important papers, address book, and email contacts in watertight containers. Place them in a large purse, briefcase, or waterproof bag that you keep on your person or close enough to grab.
Although every contingency cannot be covered, consider as soon as you can the type of disaster most likely to occur in your area. In Florida, for example, we often prepare for water-related events, but for some time now, we have experienced drought conditions, so fire poses a threat too, making nonflammable containers a wise choice for storing valuables. If there’s a potential for evacuation, we also try to keep the car gassed up and stocked with water, appropriate clothing, flashlights, and snacks.
At other times, tornadoes and lightning storms have zipped overhead, causing us to stay put with our Ziploc bags, water jug, flashlights, and ourselves in the little basement room beneath our house.
I cannot even imagine what a tsunami must be like, but I have felt the impact of thunderstorms, snowstorms, and a 7.3 earthquake. I’ve seen tornadoes zig-zag overhead and ashes float into my living room from fires thirty miles away, and I’ve been in Hurricane Camille. Thanks be to God, my family and I survived with valuables intact, and, right now, I pray you do too.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.
Email your poems, writings, and/or works in progress to yourself, so you can retrieve them directly from the website of your Internet service provider.
Scan beloved family photographs and important documents. Save to a DVD and mail to siblings, children, or other family members, including at least one person who lives in another region of the U.S. or in another country.
Upload your prized photographs to a photo website such as Flickr or Picasa, making sure the security settings show as private rather than public.
Investigate free services on such websites as Google Docs and GMX.com that let you privately store your word files with easy retrieval from any computer, assuming you recall the user name and password.
Print out and/or backup copies of your poems and writings on a CD or DVD, and seal in waterproof Ziploc bags.
Seal other valuables too, including important papers, address book, and email contacts in watertight containers. Place them in a large purse, briefcase, or waterproof bag that you keep on your person or close enough to grab.
Although every contingency cannot be covered, consider as soon as you can the type of disaster most likely to occur in your area. In Florida, for example, we often prepare for water-related events, but for some time now, we have experienced drought conditions, so fire poses a threat too, making nonflammable containers a wise choice for storing valuables. If there’s a potential for evacuation, we also try to keep the car gassed up and stocked with water, appropriate clothing, flashlights, and snacks.
At other times, tornadoes and lightning storms have zipped overhead, causing us to stay put with our Ziploc bags, water jug, flashlights, and ourselves in the little basement room beneath our house.
I cannot even imagine what a tsunami must be like, but I have felt the impact of thunderstorms, snowstorms, and a 7.3 earthquake. I’ve seen tornadoes zig-zag overhead and ashes float into my living room from fires thirty miles away, and I’ve been in Hurricane Camille. Thanks be to God, my family and I survived with valuables intact, and, right now, I pray you do too.
(c) 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.
February 26, 2011
You are what you read: reading to write well, think well, and have something to say
The old adage, “You are what you eat,” contains many grams of truth for weighing physical health, but when it comes to healthy thinking and the development of writing skill, you are what you read or don’t read.
Think, for example, of the books that have influenced you in some way. Chances are, you would not be a writer if you had never read a book, but writer or not, the books you loved during childhood, teen years, and last week have shaped your mental outlook and, very probably, your character. That’s power!
So let’s think about books that made us think and make us thinkers.
If you’re a guy, some of your choices most likely differ from mine, but as a young reader, The Secret Garden showed me the healing power of honesty and persistent love, while Anne of Green Gables encouraged belief in a creative voice and spirit. Almost before memory, though, The Little Engine That Could laid the tracks for those later books to carry strong beliefs in caring, persistence, and faith. Later still, such inspirational novels as The Robe and Christy put similar values into the forefront of my forehead.
Before we even begin to read by ourselves, book choices shape our thoughts.
Books continue to shape the well-read life.
Books also help us to develop as writers.
From childhood on, the King James Version of the Bible shaped my thinking, first for the content, which I better understood in the many newer translations that followed, but also for the poetry and musicality that still make me want to go for a poetic flow even in writing nonfiction.
To develop my writing skill on purpose, however, my initial choices came from books published by Writers Digest. Their magazine and also Poets & Writers continued to supply useful information and ideas as has my long-time membership in Writers-Editors.com.
Hopefully, you will gain some useful information about writing on this blog and about poetry on the Poetry Editor & Poetry blog. Such resources help writers in general, but our book choices show our individuality as we become what we read. So, let's:
Read ourselves well before choosing books to read.
My writings, for example, went from inspirational romances and devotionals to a picture book for preschoolers and life-health encyclopedias for college students. Sounds nice, but the fun of writing about all sorts of topics in all sorts of genres did not win a consistent readership nor help me to develop a voice that can be heard above the crowd.
Our books influence readers who stop to listen.
Our books help readers become what they read.
Our books also give us what we most want to read.
For years, I devoured novels, but I rarely read them now, so, for now anyway, I no longer write them. Thanks to my grands, I still read children’s books, especially well-written picture books, and I still like to write them. Most often though, I read stacks of poetry and every reputable translation of the Bible, which I also review on the Bible Reviewer blog.
As I put together my love of the Bible and of poetry, I asked myself this question, which may help you to read yourself well too:
What book(s) will be most likely to help me at this particular time in my writing life?
For example, my response led me into studying a classic that combines my particular interests: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. I read it years ago but did not get the literary references, spiritual themes, or political purpose of that book, which is primarily a treatise on the separation of church and state – a division that had not been fully realized in the early 1300's.
When Dante wrote his book, the current title had not been accepted. He did not call his manuscript “divine” since that might have been presumptuous enough to land him in a low level of Purgatory! Within a couple of centuries, however, readers added the word, but the original title was simply The Comedy, which has nothing to do with the comedic laughter of today but, rather, means the opposite of a tragic tale. To define quickly:
A tragedy is a story that starts well but ends badly.
A comedy is a story that starts badly but has a happy ending.
To keep my reading of this classical work from being tragic, I needed help! When I previously read the slender volume, I had somehow missed the heft of its meaning. So to help me “get it” this time, I ordered all three volumes with contemporary free verse translations by Robert M. Durling and heavy-duty footnotes and articles by him and Ronald L. Martinez. Yes, it's a little intimidating – okay, a lot. But reaching the half-way mark has gave me a larger view than I would have noticed on my own, helping me to reassess my biblical values, poetry, and life.
Undoubtedly, my choice of reading material will help to shape my thinking and my approach to future writing projects. And, isn’t it best to think about and assess our dearest beliefs before we sit down to write? It’s not that we want to tell people how to think or what to feel, but our clarified thoughts and beliefs help readers better clarify their own priorities as they continue to become what they read.
(c) 2011 and 2019 revision by Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer
The Divine Comedy of Dante, Vol. 1, paperback
Purgatorio, Dante, Vol. 2, paperback
Paradiso, Dante, Vol. 3, paperback
Dante, three-volume set, hardback
Think, for example, of the books that have influenced you in some way. Chances are, you would not be a writer if you had never read a book, but writer or not, the books you loved during childhood, teen years, and last week have shaped your mental outlook and, very probably, your character. That’s power!
So let’s think about books that made us think and make us thinkers.
If you’re a guy, some of your choices most likely differ from mine, but as a young reader, The Secret Garden showed me the healing power of honesty and persistent love, while Anne of Green Gables encouraged belief in a creative voice and spirit. Almost before memory, though, The Little Engine That Could laid the tracks for those later books to carry strong beliefs in caring, persistence, and faith. Later still, such inspirational novels as The Robe and Christy put similar values into the forefront of my forehead.
Before we even begin to read by ourselves, book choices shape our thoughts.
Books continue to shape the well-read life.
Books also help us to develop as writers.
From childhood on, the King James Version of the Bible shaped my thinking, first for the content, which I better understood in the many newer translations that followed, but also for the poetry and musicality that still make me want to go for a poetic flow even in writing nonfiction.
To develop my writing skill on purpose, however, my initial choices came from books published by Writers Digest. Their magazine and also Poets & Writers continued to supply useful information and ideas as has my long-time membership in Writers-Editors.com.
Hopefully, you will gain some useful information about writing on this blog and about poetry on the Poetry Editor & Poetry blog. Such resources help writers in general, but our book choices show our individuality as we become what we read. So, let's:
Read ourselves well before choosing books to read.
My writings, for example, went from inspirational romances and devotionals to a picture book for preschoolers and life-health encyclopedias for college students. Sounds nice, but the fun of writing about all sorts of topics in all sorts of genres did not win a consistent readership nor help me to develop a voice that can be heard above the crowd.
Our books influence readers who stop to listen.
Our books help readers become what they read.
Our books also give us what we most want to read.
For years, I devoured novels, but I rarely read them now, so, for now anyway, I no longer write them. Thanks to my grands, I still read children’s books, especially well-written picture books, and I still like to write them. Most often though, I read stacks of poetry and every reputable translation of the Bible, which I also review on the Bible Reviewer blog.
As I put together my love of the Bible and of poetry, I asked myself this question, which may help you to read yourself well too:
What book(s) will be most likely to help me at this particular time in my writing life?
For example, my response led me into studying a classic that combines my particular interests: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. I read it years ago but did not get the literary references, spiritual themes, or political purpose of that book, which is primarily a treatise on the separation of church and state – a division that had not been fully realized in the early 1300's.
When Dante wrote his book, the current title had not been accepted. He did not call his manuscript “divine” since that might have been presumptuous enough to land him in a low level of Purgatory! Within a couple of centuries, however, readers added the word, but the original title was simply The Comedy, which has nothing to do with the comedic laughter of today but, rather, means the opposite of a tragic tale. To define quickly:
A tragedy is a story that starts well but ends badly.
A comedy is a story that starts badly but has a happy ending.
To keep my reading of this classical work from being tragic, I needed help! When I previously read the slender volume, I had somehow missed the heft of its meaning. So to help me “get it” this time, I ordered all three volumes with contemporary free verse translations by Robert M. Durling and heavy-duty footnotes and articles by him and Ronald L. Martinez. Yes, it's a little intimidating – okay, a lot. But reaching the half-way mark has gave me a larger view than I would have noticed on my own, helping me to reassess my biblical values, poetry, and life.
Undoubtedly, my choice of reading material will help to shape my thinking and my approach to future writing projects. And, isn’t it best to think about and assess our dearest beliefs before we sit down to write? It’s not that we want to tell people how to think or what to feel, but our clarified thoughts and beliefs help readers better clarify their own priorities as they continue to become what they read.
(c) 2011 and 2019 revision by Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer
The Divine Comedy of Dante, Vol. 1, paperback
Purgatorio, Dante, Vol. 2, paperback
Paradiso, Dante, Vol. 3, paperback
Dante, three-volume set, hardback
December 27, 2010
Your writing success can soar with an honest but kind first reader
You’re your own first reader of course, so, hopefully, you make a habit of reading aloud every word you’ve written, listening closely to what you say and how effectively you say it. If something seems “off,” change it! Then, when your manuscript feels and sounds ready to you, find a good first reader.
If you just want a pat on the back, fine. Pick whoever knows and loves you a lot to read your manuscript and tell you how great it is.
If, however, you want an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses in your work so you can improve your writing as you revise, excellent! This means you’re aiming for professionalism, so your requirements for a first reader now need to be higher too.
But, where do you go or to whom do you turn?
For that important first reader, look for a friend, family member, or writing peer whom you trust to speak truthfully without putting you down.
If you’re fortunate enough to have several people in mind, pick the person who likes and often reads published works in the genre you have chosen.
As you choose your first reader, age will be a factor too. For example, if you write for preschoolers, read your story, poem, or nonfiction picture book text to young children who enjoy being read to in this fun Read-To-Me stage.
You do not even need to know your first reader! For instance, ask your local librarian about reading your work to the appropriate age group who regularly meets in the public library. This may be a weekly story time for preschoolers, a daily after-school program for older kids, or a literary discussion group for adults who get together each month. Regardless, take notes of the feedback you get, writing down exactly what was said, so you can carefully consider each comment later when you’re alone, ready to revise.
If your area offers a writing or critique group, this can provide yet another option for you to find a good first reader. Just give yourself time to get to know the individual members and the quality of their writing as you look for someone with whom you connect.
Look, too, for someone who shows respect for your work. Although you want to find someone you can count on to give you an honest assessment, you certainly do not want or need a first reader whose “honesty” is actually cruelty or jealousy in poor disguise!
Often, a first reader can spot rough spots in a manuscript, pointing them out matter-of-factly, which can help you to see what to do to improve the work. If this doesn’t happen, try putting your manuscript aside long enough to be able to return to it objectively.
If your first reader writes in your genre, s/he will be better equipped to advise you about ways to revise more effectively. If not – or if you know something is not working but do not know what to do to correct the problem, it’s probably time to get a professional critique.
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