Three Keys to Successful Writing

These are not all you need, but without these keys, you may never open the door to successful writing.

If you are new to this blog, let me review the three-fold subjects I try to include from time to time:

1. Encouraging Devotion/Inspiration
2. Relationships
3. Writing

The overall umbrella purpose of every devotional or blog post of mine is to bring encouragement to you, the reader. Until now, I’ve not addressed the subject of writing in my blogs. Today, and in future posts, I’m adding the third subject, writing, into my posts. But I hope you’ll find the principles in all of my blogs can apply to a variety of needs–no matter who you are or what you do. Ultimately, my desire is to encourage you in your relationship with God and with others–and to help you discover purposeful and joyful Christian living.

What Are the Three Keys to Successful Writing?

Key #1 – Patience

Just as in life, writing includes seasons. Most of us crave Springtime: when ideas bloom; editors love your writing; you sign contracts; and readers buy your work. You may think “paying your dues” applies to newbies, not a creative genius like yourself. After all, won’t social media and/or a good agent push your first-time creation to the top?

Maybe, maybe not. (Probably not). Patience includes waiting (and sometimes wading) through all the seasons of writing: Fall, a time for change and reflection, “breathing in,” so you can experience the harvesting of ideas and “breathing out” later. Writing also includes Winter, a season to let your ideas simmer, and maybe even die, so they can spring up later with “new life.” And Summer, a time for resting, or even celebrating the successes God has given.

Then what is the season of actual writing? It’s always the season of writing–whether you’re thinking, praying, journaling, working another job, or raising a family. Writing is not just pounding out 1000 words a day to reach a goal. Successful writing involves all of the above “seasons.” Pause. Rest. Reflect. Breathe in. Breathe Out. Write. Rewrite. Celebrate. Pause, Rest….Writers with no patience may try to circumvent a season, but few realize the fruits of their labor without them.

Key #2 – Persistence

Persistence is similar to patience, yet different. Waiting sounds more passive. But persistence infers action. Instead of papering your wall (or filling your inbox) with rejection notices, keep writing. Write something new, or rewrite what you’ve already written. Learn when to “hold em’” and when to “fold em.’” Never give up on a good idea, always editing, reorganizing, changing it in some way until it’s marketable–if possible. But when your creation needs a funeral, bury it and move on.

I know a little about persistence in writing. Early in my attempts at writing greeting cards, I netted 1000 rejections–in one year. I learned the hardest way–through trial and terror–which I don’t necessarily recommend. But I loved writing so much, I kept accepting new challenges and attempted to write whatever product an editor needed.

In time, God graciously allowed me to write the passion of my heart through hundreds of greeting cards and numerous other inspirational pieces, including 11 published books, one which made the CBA Bestseller list, one that was rejected 11 times, and two that sold over 100,000 copies. God has been faithful and has given me persistence. And I’m still learning.

Ask any successful writer about persistence. Novelist Gina Holmes has tasted its fruit, as have many others. For those whom God truly calls to write, giving up is not an option. Listen to God and learn from others. And then follow Winston Churchill’s advice: “Never, never, never, never give up!”

Key #3 – Perspiration

Some writers wait for the perfect idea to hit before writing. I’ve talked to some of those writers. They’re still waiting. That’s not the kind of patience I referred to in Key #1. I believe every truly good idea is God-inspired. We can do nothing of ourselves. But God usually gives us ideas in their raw form–like a lump of clay waiting to be shaped into something beautiful and usable–along with the skills or the help to accomplish that. Successful writers must work hard at their craft like anyone else. Like most creative work, successful writing is more like 10% inspiration, and 90% perspiration.

So write. When? Write now. Write with patience. Write with persistence. And write with perspiration.

What About Passion?

Notice I didn’t include passion as a key. That’s because in writing, passion is a given.  I know of few successful writers who lack passion of some kind. It may be the passion to express themselves, the desire to be heard, or the dream of becoming famous. Anyone can express themselves in some way; some will be heard; and a few will taste fame.

But those who write with “fire in their bones,” like the passion of Jeremiah, are the ones who “can’t not write” no matter how many rejections they receive. Fueled by a cause, a message, the sheer beauty of creating, and the Supreme Author Himself–to these, passion is not an option or a key. It’s their motive. These are the ones who believe in the three keys above as well. They may not achieve stardom, but they understand that true success is simply hearing God’s “Well Done.”

And after all, isn’t that what really matters?

“Do not neglect your gift…Be diligent…give yourself wholly…so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life…closely. Persevere…” I Timothy 4:14-16 NIV

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What about you? Share your thoughts below about the keys to successful writing, and help encourage another writer!

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