26 Gold Nuggets of Writing Advice

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

I just returned from one of my favorite writing conferences of the year, Florida Christian Writers Conference. I love learning from wise and seasoned writing professionals. For the past ten years, I’ve captured words of writing wisdom in a notebook I carry to every conference, class, and webinar. Today, I’d like to share 26 gold nuggets of writing advice from my notebook. When I can, I’ve included attribution.

• 1. “Before you begin, ask yourself, ‘What do I want my reader to take away? Why am I writing this book?’ Allow this goal to influence every word you write.” ~Lucinda Secrest McDowell

• 2. Before you begin a book project, determine whether the topic is broad enough to write ten or 12 solid chapters on it. If not, write an article, a series of articles, a devotion, or a blog post.

• 3. “I realized I only write and speak on three things: 
• 1. Do the next thing. 
• 2. Suffering is never for nothing. 
• 3. God is faithful. Whatever message God has given you, stay true to it.” ~Elizabeth Elliot

• 4. “Craft your presentation (or article) with one main point, and support it with three strong PIERs (Point, Instruction, Examples, Reference).” ~Karen Porter

• 5. Meet annually, either in person or virtually, with your agent. Discuss the past, present, and future of your writing career. Ask him/her, “Where do you see me in five years? What can I do now to take me to the next level? How can I best position myself for success?” ~Lori Hatcher

• 6. “You worry too much.” ~Bob Hostetler

• 7. Don’t use an exclamation point unless someone’s hair is on fire. Exclamation points are a sign of lazy writing. Craft the rest of your sentence to convey the proper level of excitement. ~Sue Duffy

• 8. Use the Read Aloud feature on your computer to edit your work. You’ll be amazed at the errors you’ll hear.

• 9. Don’t abbreviate books of the Bible. We now live in a biblically illiterate society. Many of your readers have no idea what Phil. or Hab. stands for.

• 10. “Don’t use an uncommon word twice in the same chapter. Don’t use an unusual word more than once in the same book.” ~Charlie Shedd

• 11. “Keep the verb as close to the beginning of the sentence as possible for maximum impact.” ~Gary Provost, 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing

• 12. “Think cinematically, in terms of a movie scene. Use all six senses.” ~Deb Rainey

• 13. “Never be the hero in your own story. Let someone else’s example drive the story home.” ~Ryan Avery

• 14. “When brainstorming a book, write all your ideas on your topic on notecards. Choose the twelve ideas that will make the strongest chapters and save the other ideas as supporting thoughts for those ideas.” ~Linda Evans Shepherd

• 15, Use books.google.com to track down the source of a quote.

• 16. “Until the writing life is for God, it isn’t a calling from God.” ~John Piper

• 17. “Quit with the guilt. Value your calling. Just because you enjoy it doesn’t lessen the calling.” ~Edie Melson

• 18. “‘Thou shalt not’ reaches the head. ‘Let me tell you a story’ reaches the heart.” ~Phillip Holman via Sally Apokedak.

• 19. “We like to pray for God to send angels. Maybe He’s not sending an angel. Maybe He’s sending you.” ~Mark Hancock

• 20. “Send out 5-10 queries a month. Persistence works.” ~Ramona Pope Richards

• 21. “The real issue behind procrastination is fear.” ~Jerry B. Jenkins

• 22. “Marketing isn’t trying to get someone to buy something they don’t want. As Christians, we have an obligation to get our message out. God has people He wants to reach through us.” ~Rhonda Robinson

• 23. “You can reach more people with one well-written article than you can reach with ten books.” ~Linda Gilden

• 24. “God can’t steer a parked car.” ~Terry Whalin

• 25. “Books don’t change lives. Sentences do. Make every one count.” ~John Piper

• 26. “Ask yourself, ‘Am I giving God my best?’ I will not offer up that which costs me nothing.” ~Eva Marie Everson

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26 Gold Nuggets of Writing Advice from author @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lori Hatcher loves to inspire and equip others through the written and spoken word. A popular women’s ministry speaker and writing/speaking instructor, Lori is an Advanced Communicator Gold and Advanced Leader Bronze with Toastmasters International. She writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. Check out her latest devotional, Refresh Your Hope, 60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart, from Our Daily Bread Publishing. Connect with her at LoriHatcher.com or on FACEBOOK, TWITTER(@lorihatcher2) or PINTEREST(Hungry for God).