Friday, February 28, 2014

Keys to Success by Christina Rich



Christina Rich
Whether published or on the way to being published, I think most writers want to know how others obtain certain achievements. Then once reached, how are they maintained? Today on Seriously Write, author Christina Rich shares experiences on her personal journey to publication and offers insight on success. 
~ Dawn



Keys to Success
by Christina Rich

So, you want to be an author, and not just any author but a published author. Well, let me tell you, it’s a lot easier said than done. No, really. Of course, that’s not what you want to hear, is it? Do you remember reading that book; the one with the sagging middle and the less than satisfying ending? Yeah, the one you really wanted to toss against the wall but out of respect for the paper it was printed on you decided against it. I’m here to tell you that you can write a much better book. Seriously. I know you can, but it takes work. A lot of work. And the hardest part of that work is actually sitting down in your chair and writing.

I’ve come across people who’ve been working on the same book for years, some up to over twenty years. Hearing that freaked me out a little bit. I mean really, did I have what it took to chase my dream for that long? Did my support system? Because let’s face it after a while we writers start perceiving the eye roll when we talk about our stories.

I quickly learned it didn’t matter how long my journey to publication was to be; that was in God’s hands. And it didn’t matter what other people thought, or what I thought other people thought. All that mattered was my obedience to what God had asked me to do. But hey, I’m human, right? I was bound to lose focus and become disappointed, especially when I received those rejection letters.

Speaking of rejections, I once queried the same agent three times. Not because I’m a glutton for punishment, but because she wanted changes and she offered me hope. After that fourth non-acceptance letter I decided to move on. I also decided to start praising God for each rejection. After all, Scripture says we are to be thankful in all things.
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).

And more rejections I did receive. But that’s okay, they gave me the opportunity to practice praising God in the midst of my disappointment.

I’m going to let you in on a few secrets to success where this writing journey is concerned.

Foremost, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). I might be guilty of overkill, but I try to pray for my story line, my characters and the message God would have me weave onto the pages before I write.

Secondly, if you fear failure, as I suspect many writers do, you have to know you’re guaranteed to fail if you don’t even try. You have to be more than a talker, you have to be a doer, which means sitting down and writing words, even when you don’t feel like it.

Yeah, I know these tips may not lead to a writing contract, but success isn’t always what we think it is. Sometimes it’s learning to lean on God more and more as we pursue this crazy journey.



Tweetables:

Rejections are opportunities to praise God in the midst of disappointment. Click to tweet.

In order to succeed, you must be a doer, not just a talker. Click to tweet.

You’re guaranteed to fail if you don’t even try. Click to tweet.

Success isn’t always what we think it is. Click to tweet.




An evil queen and her royal guards will stop at nothing to find—and kill—the rightful heir to the throne of Judah. When their pursuit leads them to Mira's village, only her father's bond servant, Ari, a man shrouded in secrets, can keep Mira safe.

Abandoning his life as a temple guard and becoming an indentured servant was the only way Ari could protect young Joash, the true King of Judah, from Queen Athaliah. But his sacred duty prevents him from confessing his feelings for his master's daughter. With the future of their nation on the line, Ari and Mira will risk everything to save their people.


Born and raised in Kansas, where she currently lives with her husband and children, Christina Rich loves to talk about Jesus, read, research, history, photography, knitting, ancestry, and writing stories with happily ever afters.

You can learn more and connect with Christina here: