Writing My First Christian Book: 5 Things I Learned

by Jheralynne Faith

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed writing. Even as a little girl, I wrote short stories and poetry. If I did not have my notebook with me when a great idea came to mind, I would write my stories on napkins. I also enjoy reading, and I knew that one day I wanted to write my own book. However, I had no clue what I would write about or how the publishing process worked.

Years later, in 2014, I began to sense more strongly that God wanted to use me through my writing. I had a few ideas in mind, but I wasn’t exactly sure what His plan entailed. I prayed diligently about my next steps and in 2015, God placed it in my heart to begin writing my first book.

At the time, I was in college, working a part-time job, and being paid minimum wage. I didn’t know how everything would work out or if I would be able to afford it, but I truly believed that God had asked me to do this. So, I decided to walk by faith and trust Him throughout the entire process. It has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey, and I have grown so much along the way.

Here are some things I’ve learned:

1. Prayer

As a Christian writer, your greatest asset is a genuine relationship with God. He shares wisdom, insight, and creative ideas with those who are willing to listen and learn. God has the ability to reveal something to you in one moment, that may have taken hours to research and learn on your own.

Before and after I wrote anything that would be in my book, I prayed. Not only are we held accountable for our words, but I also wanted to make sure that my words were crafted in a way that was welcoming, genuine and relatable. Pray for your message and the impact it will have on those who read it.

2. Purpose

God has a great purpose for calling you to write. He crafted you with special gifts and unique characteristics. No one else on this earth can do what God has called you to do, quite like you can. It simply won’t be marked by the beauty of your individuality. That idea you can’t stop thinking about, or the story you’ve been working on, will be a blessing to someone else.

However, if you choose not to answer God’s call, He will find someone else to fulfill that specific need in His Kingdom. Life goes on, and so does purpose.

3. Prioritize

God is serious about your writing. Are you? If writing is what you truly believe God has called you to do, are you putting in the time and effort that is necessary to work on your assignment? Even if you don’t write every day, I suggest writing consistently and making it a priority. I have found it extremely helpful to make time to write, as opposed to finding time to write. I knew this was something that God had asked me to do, and I wanted to show Him that I had a serious and willing heart.

4. Preparation

The hard work of a Christian author is not over once the manuscript is written. There are practical aspects to consider when writing a book. If I can be transparent, I could have spent much more time researching the process. There is quite a bit of strategic planning which must take place in regard to editing, formatting, publishing and promoting. When I write, I feel as though I am doing exactly what God has called me to do. However, preparation is just as important as writing.

5. Pressure

You will face trials when you write a book that honors God. Do not allow those trials to discourage you or cause you to quit. They were designed to develop you and make you stronger. Everyone’s story will be different, but the most challenging part of my writing process was overcoming fear and shame. I chose to be vulnerable so that I could reach as many people as possible. That was not an easy thing for me to do, and God was still teaching me many of the things that I was writing about. He brought me to a place where I was comfortable sharing my story, and I began to understand that my writing was not about me, but the people who would be reading it. Again, God has purpose in mind when He calls you to something, and He will equip you with everything you need to fulfill that purpose.

As Christians, we are called to walk by faith. If you believe God is leading you to write a Christian book, go for it! God will bless you with the resources and support you need. He is ready to guide you beyond your comfort zone and into purpose!

Do you need a Christian book editor? If so, just click on the previous link and let us see how we can help. Don’t go out into the marketplace alone!

Called Writers is a Christian publishing house. Find us on Facebook, YouTube, and check out our latest release on Amazon. It’s called, “Speaking in Tongues: Enjoying Intimacy With God Through Tongues and Interpretation.”