Many times people ask how to get started as a writer. Well, I've got some very practical suggestions. Remember that it isn't lack of talent that defeats most writers. It's lack of perseverance. I wish you well.
Subscribe to a good writers' magazine like WRITER'S DIGEST, THE WRITER, or THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR.
Get a copy of Sally Stuart's CHRISTIAN WRITERS MARKET GUIDE (Shaw Publishers) for a listing of all the possible Christian markets for books and magazines.
Attend at least one writers conference every year. They are listed in the back of Sally Stuart's book and come in all sizes and times of year. I've sold at least 90% of my work through contacts made at writers conferences.
Contact American Christian Writers (1-800-21-WRITE) and ask for their tape catalogue. ACW has been holding conferences for years, and they tape everything. You can have your own private conference at home for only a few dollars a tape.
Read lots of books in your genre or field. Then study the how-to books. Look at the wealth of how-to books through Writers Digest Book CLub. Suggestions for novelists: SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS, King and Browne, STEIN ON WRITING, Sol Stein, and WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, Donald Maass. For non-ficiton read Zinzer's ON WRITING WELL.
If you're interested in a correspondence course, consider Jerry Jenkin's CHRISTIAN WRITERS GUILD for excellent teaching and mentoring.
