Welcome back to the party! Come on in. The Literary Lodge is a bit crowded, but we can always fit in a few more. Oh, and there’s ice cream in the kitchen. And popsicles.
Today we are going to be sharing some writing advice with you. There is so much writing advice. Everyone has something to say, often more than one something. But don’t worry, we’ll only have 2 pieces of advice at each Conference room. We wouldn’t want to completely overwhelm you.
And don’t forget the Quote Search and the giveaway. And, if you haven’t downloaded your free gift, you can do it by clicking the image.
Write for God’s glory,
Not for man’s praise.
While this bit of advise may seem a given, it is easy to forget it. We, as authors, want our books to sell. (No problem there.) We want reviews and ratings. (Yep, it helps the sales.) We want to be as popular as some other authors. But if we focus on man’s praise (what sells), we are not focusing on God’s glory. Now this doesn’t mean that you must write “preachy” stories, dull and boring stories, or ones where the good people are perfect and the bad guys are absolutely evil. But it does mean that our stories must tell our reader that we have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, and it’s not just a “Sunday thing” but an everyday relationship. Don’t add the Christianity as an afterthought so you can call a book “Christian.” It isn’t about adding a few Bible verses or mentioning a few prayers. It’s about a story that is Christ honoring at its core. That is what needs to be written.
Don’t compromise!
This sort of goes along with the other advice, but it goes beyond that. Perhaps you think that it won’t matter if you get right up next to “the line” of evil, be it in romance leading to sensual, evil leading into defiling, humor leading into stupidity, language leading into swearing, or whatever else you can think of that separates a Christ honoring story to a flesh pleasing one. Now before you get started, I know others do. I’ve seen it. I’ve read it, and I’ve cringed over it. Don’t go there! A few extra sales, or the sales of hundreds is not worth the risk of defiling readers. If you have doubts, don’t. If you would blush to read it aloud in mixed company, don’t write it. Don’t compromise your high standards for the world’s applause. Don’t even get close to the line. Not only could you defile some readers, you could make them so used to whatever line you are pushing, that they go beyond your stories to the world’s filth when yours no longer thrills.
Quote Search/Trial/Game time!
Rules: Follow the blog trail by clicking on the blog button below and then on the button featured on the next blog and so on. Each blog will have a few bold, colorful words. (They probably will stick out The two most and not fit in with the post. See what I mean?) Collect all these words from each blog. (And yes, those are your first words.) Together they will form a quote about writing. Once you have completed the quote, type it into the giveaway space and get your extra entries. There will be a new quote each day. Have fun!
Giveaway!
What’s a party without a giveaway? We have an exciting Grand Prize for you writers out there, so be sure you enter. And, if we get 30 40 different people entered in the giveaway, we will add a 2nd 3rd place prize!
You must actually complete the entries you mark as completed. Any winning entry will be verified and any entries that weren’t actually completed will be disqualified.
Grand Prize:
Paper copy of The Emotion Thesaurus- $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
- Free Cover Design by Victoria Lynn
- $30 Blog Tour Orchestration by Faith Blum
- Free Edit of up to 5000 words by Erika Mathews
2nd Place Prize:
- $10.00 Amazon Gift Card
Yes! Always write for God’s glory first. And this doesn’t mean being preachy. Preaching to readers can drive them away rather than wrap them into the story and drive the truth home.
Amen. You have to weave the truth in as part of the story. It has to be real and living as much as the rest of the story does.
Thanks for commenting, Hope.
What an exciting giveaway. Thanks.
Marilyn
Thanks for coming to the party, Marilyn!
Great advice Rebekah! I love your bit about “don’t compromise” I am so thankful to be a part of a community like you Christian ladies who are on my side on issues like this. So pleased and thankful to have met you and the other writing ladies! Such a blessing!
Thanks, Victoria. It is hard not to compromise sometimes when you want everyone to love your book. I’ve been saddened many times by the compromises some authors have made. Thank you for sticking to the high ground away from the moving lines!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Those are both great pieces of advice. How can we encourage people in a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ if our stories contain elements that grieve Him? My writing theme verse is “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” ~ Jesus Christ (John 10:10b) I like for my stories to show that life that Jesus is willing to give us. =)
Question: If I’m already subscribed to blogs/newsletters, do I just skip those entries in the giveaway, or enter anyway?
Thanks!
~ Liberty Bluebelle
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
II Corinthians 3:17
If you’ve already subscribed to blogs/newsletters, you can just enter those without having to do anything except give whatever information it asks for. 🙂
That’s a great verse for writing! It is so true, including elements that are not right gives a mixed message to the readers. How can you have both Truth and lies? And if they aren’t quite “lies” so close that it might as well be.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
I love your advice!!! Thanks so much for sharing. 😉 Great reminders!
You’re welcome. It’s easy to forget those things when you get caught up in your story.