In God's Time: The Rhythm of a Writer’s Journey

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

When I started writing novels, I was already a published playwright. I knew … uh, learned how to write realistic dialogue. I had a good idea for Biblical novel. I was absolutely sure it would be published. After all, what's not to love about a good Biblical novel?

A lot apparently. I learned that dialogue isn't all I needed to know, and at that time, Biblical novels weren't selling—or being picked up by publishers.

So, I settled in to learn. Along the way, I developed a library of writing books. I read them and applied what I learned. I developed relationships with other writers, some of whom became close friends and critique partners. One has been a CP since the early 2000s. 

As my writing improved, I began to submit to publishers. I studied the Christian Writers Market Guide and followed each publisher's guidelines for submissions. I got a lot of rejection then I began to get interest. 

During this time, I started going to writers conferences, too. I met25 agents and editors and formed relationships. I built a platform during these years. 

But even with all that—doing everything right—I was always the proverbial bridesmaid. What was wrong? 

Finally, and I've told this story before, I got past editorial committee. My book went to pub board—where the marketing people scrutinize your and your book's marketability. How big is your platform? Was the book one that would sell? It was! The editor emailed me, telling me they were slating my book for the following quarter, since they already had one by one of their established authors for this quarter. 

I didn't care. I was being offered a contract! But the following week, the editor retired, and the company wiped her hard drive clean. 

The hard drive with my book on it.

And that's when I realized God was saying, "No. Not now. Not there."

Even when my writing was good enough, I had the platform and marketability, and all the publishing relationships, I forgot God's timing. I finally saw it. 

I relaxed and continued to write. Another six years would pass before I actually signed a contract. But by that time, I had three books in the series completed, and the fourth well underway. 

There's something to be said about not having a tight deadline. 

The thing is, if I had published early, I might have missed all the great relationships I've built over the years. 

Don't forget to include God's timetable in your plans for your writing journey. Especially now when Indie publishing is available to us. If you put your work out there too soon, you won't get the results you hoped for.

My advice? 

Pray for God to show you His timing

• Build relationships

• Pray for God's timetable to be fulfilled

• Join a professional writer's organization

• Pray over your writing

• Go to writers conferences

• Pray for those who your writing will reach

• Learn and apply what you learn

If you publish before God's time for you, the people your work is supposed to reach and help may not be ready to receive it. Remember: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

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In God's Time: The Rhythm of a Writer's Journey from @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Ane Mulligan lives life from a director’s chair, both in theatre and at her desk creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist emerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, The Write Conversation, and Blue Ridge Conference Blog.