Mistakes Learned & Lessons Learned by Emily Wickham

When I embarked on my writing journey 13+ years ago, I didn’t realize where God would guide my steps. I’ve attempted to walk this road with excellence, yet I’ve made mistakes along the way. However, God has grown me through those experiences, and I pray He uses the lessons I’ve learned to help you.

MISTAKE #1: Seeing the Publication Path as a Sprint Rather than a Marathon

Writing is hard work. Building a platform can be even harder work. Then there’s the art of marketing before and after your book is published—a requirement if you desire to sell books. Did I mention that God’s call to write involves hard work? It often requires years, too.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).

LESSON #1: Success as a writer includes patience and diligence.

MISTAKE #2: Being Unprepared

I once followed some well-meaning but incorrect advice when I met with a conference faculty member. Instead of taking a book proposal with me, I simply presented a one sheet. It looked fabulous. It got the agent’s attention. But then he wanted to read a writing sample, which I didn’t have. The agent peered at me over the top of his reading glasses while I fumbled for words, quickly concluding our time was complete since I couldn’t produce anything for him to read. And that was that. I’ve never forgotten.

“Go to the ant ... Observe her ways and be wise, which... prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8, NASB).

LESSON #2: Always be prepared.

MISTAKE #3: Lagging Behind on Conference Requests

About two years ago, a VP and associate publisher expressed interest in two of my manuscripts. She requested proposals for both, and I was thrilled.

I returned home from the conference fully intending to submit my proposals. However, I didn’t sense any urgency because professionals prefer quality submissions over hastily sent material. After revising one proposal, I e-mailed it almost five months later.

Perhaps it would have turned out great except the industry professional I’d met no longer worked for the publisher. I contacted the company directly and explained the situation, but they never replied once they discovered I lack agent representation.

I’ll never know what might have been.

“Be careful how you walk ... making the most of your time” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

LESSON #3: Submit requested materials in a timely manner.

God always helps us when we ask because He cares about our needs. Let’s learn from the past and move forward with the Lord. His timing is perfect, He equips those He calls, and He entrusts us with writing opportunities.

Learn from one writer’s mistakes and the lessons she’s learned. #WritersLife #WritingCommunity via @emilywickhamPH @MaryAFelkins

Note: This article is adapted from a longer version first posted at www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com

EMILY WICKHAM seeks to stir hearts toward Jesus. She writes for Journey Magazine, a LifeWay publication, speaks at ladies’ events, and shares “Devotions for Women” videos on social media. Emily encourages Christian women plus equips Christian writers on her blog, www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com. She is the author of one Bible study, which was translated into Spanish in 2016. Emily, a resident of North Carolina, is Mark’s wife of 29+ years. They are the blessed parents of four children and one daughter-in-love. God’s faithfulness and love inspire Emily on her journey through life as she purposes to exalt Christ through written and spoken words.

Connect with Emily:
Website: www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author
Twitter: www.twitter.com/emilywickhamPH
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/estherstudy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilywickham.author

Book Blurb:
Whether you’re a Spanish-speaking sister who longs to grow closer to Christ, or you’re looking for a Spanish Bible study to use for outreach in your community, please consider using Alcanzando la Justicia. It guides women through the book of Esther, challenging them to grow in righteous behavior—to make God-honoring choices each day. Daily prayers, Scripture readings, observation sections, author reflections, and application questions are included. This workbook is designed for individual or group use and contains instructions for following a one month, ten week, or thirty-one week schedule.

See Emily’s website for special offers or purchase her book on Amazon.

Three Things Writing Has Taught Me by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Kimberly Rose Johnson

When I began my writing journey in 2006, I knew I needed to learn the craft of writing, but I didn’t expect some of the other lessons I’ve learned along the way. Here are three things writing has taught me.

1. Patience

There have been many lessons learned over the past eight years, but the biggest lesson for me was patience. By nature I am not a patient person, but I had to change or lose my mind because the publishing industry’s philosophy seems to be hurry up and wait and wait and wait. LOL

When my first book, The Christmas Promise, was contracted in the summer of 2012, I had to wait until November of 2013 to see it in print. It seemed like an eternity. In reality it was relatively quick compared to what some writers experience.

2. God is in Control

I learned that God is in control—not me. That lesson took me too many years to grasp.

I am a take-charge kind of person and I have to hold myself back often. I tend to run ahead of the Lord if I’m not careful. I wonder if that has anything to do with patience. Anyway, once I finally grasped that God is my manager and nothing is going to happen unless He says so, then I finally let go and stopped stressing over my lack of a contract.

The funny thing was once I stopped trying to do it on my own, I was offered that elusive contract and not just for one book, but three.

3. It’s not about me

I write because I love the process, and I am happiest when writing. I judge whether a day was good by how much writing I accomplished, but when all is said and done it’s not about me. It’s about the story, the craft, and for me, the ministry.

Remembering that it’s not about me is key to all the other things I’ve learned. I cannot focus on me, but I must focus on Him. When I do that everything else falls into place.

In conclusion, my journey has been one of ups and downs. There were times when I wondered if I was wasting my time, even though there was nothing else I’d rather be doing than write. I’ve developed wonderful friendships through this process and have expanded my world considerably.
I’m not the same person I was eight years ago when as a stay-at-home-mom/piano teacher I started writing. I’ve traveled to several states for writer’s conferences, learned to use the Internet and email, learned a craft I was clueless about, became bold in my faith, and I’m more open to people and new experiences than I used to be.

I’m thankful that I didn’t receive a book contract soon after I started writing, but instead had small successes I could hold onto that encouraged me to keep growing and learning. The process gave me time to be molded into a person who can handle the stresses of writing professionally. God knew what He was doing.

I’m still on the journey and look forward to what ever the Lord has for me.

What lessons have you learned on your writing journey? Share with us by leaving a comment below.

About the Author

MEGHAN BLACK HAS FINALLY MET HER MATCH

A Match for Meghan
by Kimberly Rose Johnson

The veterinary assistant never backs down from a dare…and what greater challenge than finding die-hard bachelor Ben Young his ideal mate? But what's an incurable Cupid to do when the handsome vet turns the tables and asks her out?

Ben is perfectly content with his single life. And he figures there's only one way to get the petite dynamo to quit her matchmaking—date her himself! But his plan backfires when he realizes that Meghan could be The One. Can he convince a woman who believes in happy endings for everyone but herself that he's her Mr. Right?

Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, teenage son, and their yellow lab. She writes heartwarming Christian romance for Heartsong Presents and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends.

You may contact Kimberly via her website at http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh

Available at: Amazon, Christianbooks.com and Barnes and Noble

What I Learned in My First Year as a Published Writer by Morgan L. Busse

Morgan L. Busse

Since this post was scheduled, I am so pleased to add that Morgan L. Busse's book, Daughter of Light, has been nominated for the Christy Award in the Visionary category. Please join us in congratulating Morgan on this awesome achievement! 

~ Angie

Three things I have learned my first year as a published writer

It’s hard to believe I’m approaching my first year as a published writer. This journey has felt like a roller coaster: with a lot of ups and downs, moments of panic, and wondering if the world will stop spinning. Looking back, here are three things I learned during the ride:

1. Not everyone is going to like your book. Ouch. I knew that, but it is different when you experience it. It took some time to get over the fact that not everyone would enjoy my work, whether because of style differences, genre differences, etc. But I learned to move on. After all, I don’t enjoy everything I read either, and I should allow people their differences.
2. Don’t read your reviews. That was a hard one for me to learn. I could have 12 positive reviews and one negative one and guess which one I would focus on? Yep. It’s like having a stain on your favorite shirt. No matter how much you try to ignore it and not let it get under your skin, your eyes keep coming back to it. Finally after a couple months, I decided not to look at my reviews at all. I figured reviews were there for the readers anyway, not for me. I had written the book to the best of my ability. That’s about all a person can do. Once I stopped looking at my reviews, I found peace.
3. It’s not so much about developing tough skin as it is about guarding your heart. I never liked the idea of developing tough skin. It felt like that I was hardening my heart as well. And since I write from my heart, I couldn’t let that grow hard or the soul of my writing would suffer. But in letting my heart remain soft, I allowed it to be hurt.

After months of hurting, I finally asked my husband how did he deal with all the negativity in his life? As a pastor he receives a lot of criticism and yet I hardly ever saw it affect him. So he shared with me how he guarded his heart.

He imagines his heart is a castle. He only allows two voices into that castle: God and me (since I am his wife). Then there is a wall, and within the courtyard he allows the voices of his most trusted friends. Then there is a moat and there he allows friends and acquaintances.

When he shared this with me, I realized how many voices I was allowing into the very heart of me, voices that really had no business being there. And by listening to all those voices, I wasn’t hearing the ones I needed to hear.

So I put his idea into action. One day I had someone tell me I wasn’t good at grammar. I’m not. It is one of the weakest areas in my writing. But then I imagined my heart. Her voice had no business inside my castle. Yes, she was right, but I already knew that. What I didn’t need is her voice echoing around inside my heart, reminding me over and over again of that fact. Instead, I needed to acknowledge the truth of her words, but not let her over the moat.

My heart remained soft, but not damaged.

Being a writer is the hardest thing I have ever done (apart from being a parent). I will confess that if I knew it would be this hard, I would have probably given up a long time ago. But I would have also missed the joy of being creative, of sharing my heart with people, and seeing a dream come true.

How about you? If you are a writer, what have you learned on your journey? What were the struggles? How did you overcome them?

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse writes speculative fiction for the adult market. She is the author of Daughter of Light and Son of Truth, the first two books in a series from Marcher Lord Press. Morgan lives in the Midwest with her husband and four children. You can find out more about Morgan at www.morganlbusse.com

Website: www.morganlbusse.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morganlbusseauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorganLBusse (@MorganLBusse)

Son of Truth

Son of Truth
by Morgan L. Busse

The war in the north is over, but the war for all the Lands has just begun. As the Shadonae solidify their hold on the city of Thyra, Rowen Mar, the last Eldaran and savior of the White City, awakens to find herself hunted by those she has saved. Meanwhile, the assassin Caleb Tala finds himself in the presence of the Word. The time of reckoning has come and he must pay the price for all the lives he has taken. But in his moment of judgment, Caleb is given a second chance to change his life. (Speculative Fiction from Marcher Lord Press).

Daughter of Light
What if with one touch you could see inside the soul?

Daughter of Light
by Morgan L. Busse

Rowen Mar finds a strange mark on her hand, and she is banished from her village as a witch. She covers the mark with a leather glove and seeks sanctuary in the White City. She lives in fear that if she touches another person, the power inside her will trigger again, a terrifying power that allows her to see the darkness inside the human heart . . .

But the mark is a summons, and those called cannot hide forever. For the salvation of her people lies within her hand. (Speculative Fiction from Marcher Lord Press).