Multiply Your Writing Efforts

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells


I wrote a winsome piece about a brave mother whose child was swept out of the delivery room at birth.

“There are problems with the baby,” the doctor said, and advised the new mom to place the infant in an institution.

“I want to see my son,” she insisted.

The new bundle of babe was brought and placed in his mother’s arms. Nelma smelled the sweet new baby smell of him; she cooed to the little boy and cradled him to her heart. Then, ever so carefully, she unwrapped his blanket. There lay her infant, born without legs, his hands and arms not fully developed. Nelma took it all in, caressed his soft new skin, and smiled into his trusting eyes.

“Oh,” she said softly, “is that all?”

And so Jerry went home where he was raised as the beloved middle child in his family of siblings. Despite his ‘birth blessings,’ Jerry became a school teacher, an elder in his church, devoted husband to a charming wife, and father of five above average children. Now that’s a tale to tell.

And I did. This encouraging story first appeared in Focus on the Family’s magazine. Later, the story was included in a book on prayer for moms, in a volume of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and in my book, Rediscovering Your Happily Ever After.

• Once an article has been published, unless your contract states otherwise, you can submit the piece to other publications that are a fit for the same project and accept reprints. There is always some tweaking necessary to make an article comply with a second publication’s style, but it is worth the work.
• Does your article or book have a line or two of prose? Sentences that surprise, make us laugh, or touch the heart are candidates to submit to greeting card publishers. 
• If there is an element of inspiration or encouragement, weave that aspect into a devotion. 
• Include the story or information in a speech or interview. 

Writers that earn income from their craft don’t necessarily write lots of stories. More often we write good stories and sell them to lots of outlets. Some projects are specific for a single purpose and a single publisher. Others are a gift that you can keep giving. 

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Multiply your #writing efforts - @PeggySueWells on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Writers who earn a living must learn how to repurpose them for different outlets - @PeggySueWells on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tropical island votary and history buff, PeggySue Wells parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Writing from the 100-Acre wood in Indiana, Wells is the bestselling author of twenty-eight books including The Slave Across the Street, Slavery in the Land of the Free, Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries, Homeless for the Holidays, and Chasing Sunrise. Optimistic dream-driver, PeggySue is named for the Buddy Holly song with the great drumbeat. At school author visits, she teaches students the secrets to writing, and speaks at events and conferences. Connect with her at www.PeggySueWells.com, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and Twitter @PeggySueWells.