WRITING:
Q. How do you decide what to write about?
A.
Often the themes that I write about relate to topics that I am teaching at the time. They might vary from truth to obedience to faith to relationships. The important thing, I believe, is for us as authors to write out of our own lives. If I am in the Bible and learning for myself, I am then ready to share what I learn with others. I teach (and write about) what I have been taught and what I am attempting to put into practice day by day.
Q. How do you find a publisher?
A.
This is the question of the century! There are many writers with manuscripts in hand who have yet to find the link to a publisher. I was very fortunate with GodSense because a small local publisher gave me a hearing and was willing to take time with the manuscript I provided. FaithWalk believed in the message and helped me with format and design to rewrite the book into a devotional format. Without their creative input, I might still be searching for a publisher. If you are not fortunate enough to have a small town publisher in your backyard, your bedside reading should include Writer’s Market. In it you will find publishers listed along with the types of books they are looking for, and you will find guidelines for writing book proposals, query letters, and cover letters. It sometimes happens quickly and sometimes takes a long time, but if you have a good product, you will eventually find a match with a publisher. If that does not happen soon enough for you, self publishing is another route that many writers take today. Just do a Google search on publishing and you will find on-line information about a number of self-publishing companies.
Q. I want to write, but how do I get started?
A. Begin writing what comes naturally. Sometimes the hardest part to write, whether it’s an article, book, or speech, is the beginning. So start in the middle if that’s what it takes to get the creative juices flowing. Then, as much as it is possible, write every day. It may mean getting up early or giving up some relaxation time, but try to get in a certain amount of writing daily. Don’t set your goals too high. Many prolific writers demand of themselves only 500 decent words a day. What often happens is that when you sit down to write only 500 words, a lot more come and, before you know it, you have spewed forth 1,500 words and you may just be getting started!
SPIRITUAL LIFE:
Q. How can I, a mere human being, get to know God better?
A. God has made himself available to us in a number of ways. Most of the time, we just have to be aware – seeing him in the creation around us, reading his word and really opening our hearts to understanding how it applies to us, praying in expectation that he will respond, and learning to listen with practiced ear to the messages the Holy Spirit gives us every day.
Q. Is it important to have a devotional time every day?
A. For me, it is. I want to give to God the gift of time every day. But God wants our hearts more than he wants anything else, including our time. I think it is important not to be legalistic about a time of devotions. You are not a good Christian because you have quiet time every day. Nor are you a bad Christian if you don’t. I do believe, however, that if you are walking with God, the desire will be there and you will find yourself spending more and more time with him—not because you must, but because you can.
Q. What is the theme of GodSense?
A.
God is real and he wants us to know him.
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