112 Christian Authors and Publishing Professionals Share Their Best Advice for Novelists

Tweet

I'm particularly excited this Cyber Monday because I have something pretty special to share. I've just released my first nonfiction ebook for writers! 112 Christian Authors and Publishing Professionals Share Their Best Advice for Novelists is available for your Kindle or Nook for only $2.99 (a deal all year long!)

If you're an aspiring novelist, or if you know one, this ebook could make a great Christmas present. (It's easy to gift an ebook, btw.) But even if you're a seasoned writer, there's information in the advice these professionals shared that'll encourage and inspire all year long. I know I got a ton out of reading them myself.

Imagine a coffee shop packed with award-winning Christian novelists, top editors, literary agents, and publicists. Each one is taking turns sitting down with you, giving you their best writing advice. Sort of like speed dating for writers.

Within these pages the most recognized names in Christian publishing share their personal answers to the question, “If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?”

In the ever-changing publishing world, you must stay on top of your game to succeed. This book will give you a leg up, with practical tips and advice you can use on your novel writing journey.

Includes advice from Karen Kingsbury, Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Jerry B. Jenkins, Josh McDowell, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, James Scott Bell, Terri Blackstock, Randy Alcorn, Melody Carlson, and many more!

But bonus just for my blog readers! Here's an extra piece of advice for novelists from Michael Landon Jr. that didn't make it into the book:

Write about what you’re passionate. Not necessarily what you know, but what you’re passionate about. You can always learn what you don’t know. But you can’t create passion.

Debbie Fuller Thomas (Advice for Novelists, Part 113)

Tweet

Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

I would stress the importance of meeting with a group of like-minded writers to stay encouraged, to read the best books on writing that they can find and to find a way to attend writer’s conferences each year.

--Debbie Fuller Thomas, author of Raising Rain & Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon. Visit her website for more info.

DiAnn Mills (Advice for Novelists, Part 112)

Tweet

Today we enjoy another piece of advice from a bestselling author in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question. Take it away DiAnn:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Don’t give up.
Write everyday.
Read the books written in your genre.
Read and reread how-to books.
Attend conferences - yes, spend the money and work the conference
Actively participate in a writer’s group
Share what you know with other aspiring novelists
Pray!

--Diann Mills, author of Breach of Trust, Sworn to Protect, A Woman Called Sage, and more. Visit her website.

James Pence (Advice for Novelists, Part 111)

Tweet

Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Learn your craft. The overwhelming weakness of most fiction manuscripts I see is that the writer hasn't taken time to learn the craft of writing fiction.

When I decided I wanted to write novels I began reading books on the craft of fiction. I've lost count of how many books I read. I read and studied novels. I marked them up like you would mark your Bible. I took notes. I listened to audio books. I did everything I could to help me learn the art of writing fiction. So take time to learn your craft. From the time I started studying fiction to the time my first novel was published was close to 12 years. I'm not saying you should take that long, but don't rush things either.

--James Pence, author of Terror by Night (w/ Terry Caffey), Blind Sight, and more. Visit his website.

Susan Meissner (Advice for Novelists, Part 110)

Tweet

And you thought I forgot about this series! :) No, my friends, here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Writing in anonymity is like swimming laps in a pool while no one is watching. It doesn’t seem like you are getting anywhere. But you are. You are strengthening your writing muscle. You are becoming a better writer just like someone who swims twenty laps a day becomes a better swimmer. I am sure Michael Phelps started out like everyone else who swims competitively. In a pool. No one cheering. Putting one arm ahead of the other and kicking relentlessly. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Keep swimming.

--Susan Meissner, author of White Picket Fences, The Shape of Mercy, and other books. Visit her website.

Neta Jackson (Advice for Novelists, Part 109)

Tweet

Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Don’t wait for inspiration. Sit down and apply perspiration. Discipline yourself to write. It’s a job (as well as a joy).

--Neta Jackson, author of the Yada Yada Prayer group series, and many more. Visit her website.

Christina Berry (Advice for Novelists, Part 108)

Tweet

Did you think I forgot this series? :) Never fear. Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

If you've been writing for years and have yet to get published, this is especially for you: Start a new novel.

I'm a stubborn girl—just ask my parents. My mother and I reworked and reworked a co-authored story for eight years, each time putting our newly acquired writing knowledge/skills to use. We were determined that it woudn't end up in a box in the closet or shoved under the bed. I still love that manuscript, and it's actually very close to selling as I write this, but it wasn't until I took the advice of others far wiser and more experienced to start a new novel that I finally made my first sale.

--Christina Berry, author of The Familiar Stranger. Visit her website.

Janet Kobobel Grant (Advice for Novelists, Part 107)

Tweet

Here's another post in my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

This time around, agent Janet Kobobel Grant gives us a poignant piece entitled "Begin at the Beginning".

I love that the Bible begins in just the right spot: “In the beginning God created.” Chaos succumbs to order. It’s the ultimate conflict! Genesis’s beginning makes so much sense to us; I can’t imagine a better opening.

Unfortunately, the choices aren’t so obvious when it comes to our own writing. I remember hosting a dinner table at the Writing for the Soul Conference a couple of years ago and asking each person what he or she was working on.

One woman recounted her novel’s storyline and then asked me if I thought she should cut the first couple of pages, which some of her critique partners had suggested. She was having trouble murdering those darling paragraphs that she had labored over for months.

I do believe a hush fell over the table as I said, “I think you should start the story in the middle of the manuscript. Everything before that point is backstory.”

Everyone at the table, including me, wondered how the writer would respond to such a radical concept. She chewed on the idea, and as she did, her expression lightened, and she exclaimed, “That’s perfect! Why didn’t I see it before?” Then she rattled off how that would open up new vistas in the novel.

Now, I wish I could proclaim myself some sort of genius for having made the suggestion, but the truth of the matter is that I’ve read enough manuscripts that I know starting in the wrong place is a common malady.

I’ve been pondering why that’s the case, and I’ve come up with this premise: The writer is so immersed in the story, has done so much research, and knows the characters so well, that she is tempted to do a brain dump in the book’s opening. So much detail is clogging the writer’s mind that she wants to bring the reader up to speed right off.

What the novelist forgets is that the reader isn’t ready to discover the complex underlying motivations for the protagonist’s first actions. Rather than introducing the character to us, the author in essence pulls out the character’s entire psychological profile. I’m so not ready for that! Why, I’m not even on a first-name basis with the character yet. Ease me into the relationship with a gentle introduction.

I also don’t need the complete physical description. Don’t provide me with any until it naturally fits in the story.

In addition to wanting to provide too many details about the character (or characters), writers are tempted to start with the backstory. I just finished reading a manuscript in which the story began with a woman calling a restaurant to make a reservation. The next thing I knew, I was being told the restaurant owner’s life history. Totally backstory stuff. I didn’t care yet. I hadn’t even met that character; I’d only been introduced to the woman phoning the restaurant, which made the backstory material all the more confusing for me. I wasn’t sure who the novel’s key character was.

The more complex the story, the more tempting to provide too much information too soon. The political atmosphere, the setting, and the main characters all demand to be front and center on the first pages, which quickly turn into a traffic jam, with the poor reader overwhelmed by all the detail.

As a reader, what I look for are “anchors” that settle me into the story and keep me from being carried off by strong winds. I want to care about the protagonist; give me reason to do so. I want to know the elemental details about the story’s setting. And I want to know what conflict the character is facing right now. Drop the anchors in the middle of a pensive moment. Fill in details later.

How do you know where to start your novel? Often it’s in the middle of the story as you’ve outlined it. Go ahead, be daring, give it a try.

I’m currently reading Leif Enger’s So Brave, Young and Handsome. The story had me from the get-go. The protagonist is sitting on the porch of his home, trying to write a novel. He hates his character. Then a man, standing up in his boat, rows past on the foggy river, and the author hears the Siren call of doing something besides write his novel. Two straightforward conflicts are introduced: the writing isn’t going well; the man in the boat refuses to stop and talk.

Every author’s challenge is to begin at the beginning, if he only can figure out where that is! The point to remember is that often the beginning isn’t where the writer wants to start. Therein lies the challenge.

--Janet Kobobel Grant understands the inside scoop on publishing both as an author, publishing insider, and literary agent. She has written numerous books, helped to launch Here's Life Publisher, managed her own imprint with Zondervan, and served as managing editor of books for Focus on the Family. She established Books & Such Literary Agency in 1996 after working in the book publishing industry for more than twenty years.

Andrew Peterson (Advice for Novelists, Part 106)

Tweet

Welcome to another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Here's musician and author Andrew Peterson's response:

“Don’t write bad books.” Which is to say, don’t settle. Aspire to be an excellent writer, or don’t write at all.

--Andrew Peterson, author of the YA fantasy series The Wingfeather Saga. Visit his website to learn more about his books and music.

Kevin Kaiser (Advice for Novelists, Part 105)

Tweet

Welcome to another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Finish things. The notebook you have on your desk that's crammed with story ideas, the meticulously plotted Dramatica Pro storyboard, the color coded index cards--none of it matters if you can't finish. Like most things worth doing, writing is an act of the will that's initially set in motion by the nudge of inspiration. The rest is hard work.

--Kevin Kaiser, writer and literary brand manager for Ted Dekker. Visit his website (KevinSKaiser.com) for more info.

Kaci Hill (Advice for Novelists, Part 104)

Tweet

Next up in our Advice for Novelists series is new author Kaci Hill. Here's her short but sweet response to my question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

I’d say, one, keep your head down. Two, people are your friends. Three, be steadfast.

--Kaci Hill, co-author of Elyon and Lunatic with Ted Dekker. Visit her website.

Michael Snyder (Advice for Novelists, Part 103)

Tweet

Welcome to another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Michael Snyder shares with us today:

Remember the second half of the two great commandments: Love your neighbor as yourself.

This obviously applies to your readers, but more importantly to your characters. I believe God has endowed writers with a tremendous capacity to love the characters we create. If we don’t love our characters, our readers won’t either. I tell any writer who will listen to stop writing for markets or to please anyone but themselves. Write to amuse yourself first. Trust your instincts. Love your characters. If you do, the truth and beauty parts will take care of themselves.

--Michael Snyder, author of Return Policy and My Name is Russell Fink. Visit his website for more info.

Rene Gutteridge (Advice for Novelists, Part 102)

Tweet

Next up in our Advice for Novelists series is multi-published author Rene Gutteridge. Here's her response to my question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Write when inspiration is nowhere to be found. That’s the fastest way to becoming a professional, because inspiration is fleeting, and also cleverly disguised at times within discouragement and trials. You’ll be amazed, looking back, how much you accomplish writing in times that you feel the least inspired.

--Rene Gutteridge, co-author of Never the Bride (with Cheryl McKay), the Boo series, the Occupational Hazards series, and more. Visit her website to catch the latest.

Cheryl McKay (Advice for Novelists, Part 101)

Tweet

Here's another informative entry in our Advice for Novelists series. I've asked authors, agents, editors and publicists their response to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Write from a place of personal experience and passion, and even from an area of pain. Your story will stand out over a story you can’t relate to.

--Cheryl McKay, screenwriter and co-author of Never the Bride (w/ Rene Gutteridge). Visit Cheryl's website for more info.

Tom Davis (Advice for Novelists, Part 100)

Tweet

Here's a new entry in our Advice for Novelists series. I've asked authors, agents, editors and publicists their response to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Always believe in your ability to write. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t be published. Ignore the pundits who say you can’t do it, you’re not talented enough, or you don’t have a platform. Those statements are dream killers. If God has put writing in your heart, be faithful to write consistently and do whatever you can to get in front of agents and publishers. He’ll take care of the rest.

--Tom Davis, author of Scared, Fields of the Fatherless, and more. Visit him online at his website/blog.

Donita K. Paul (Advice for Novelists, Part 99)

Tweet

Here's today's entry in our Advice for Novelists series. I've asked authors, agents, editors and publicists their response to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Donita's advice is short and sweet, but that doesn't make it any less poignant:

Love what you are doing, not what you hope to achieve.

--Donita K. Paul, author of The Vanishing Sculptor, The Dragonkeeper Chronicles, etc. Visit her website to learn more about her Appreciate A Dragon Day and more.

Candace Calvert (Advice for Novelists, Part 98)

Tweet

Welcome to another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

This week the advice is short and sweet. Says Candace:

Enjoy the journey—make that your biggest goal. Everything else that comes is frosting.

--Candace Calvert, author of Critical Care. Visit her online at her website.

Renee Riva (Advice for Novelists, Part 97)

Tweet

Here's another entry in our ongoing Advice for Novelists series. I've asked editors, authors, agents and publicists their response to the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Go to the writing conferences. Get to know the people in the industry, show your work, take workshops, develop your skill, network, eat good food, and laugh! I tried to go to the same good conferences each year, networked with some of the same editors and agents who were interested in my work before. Each time I got a little closer to the goal, until it finally happened. The Christian conferences have people who are so willing to help you get to the next step, direct you to the next person to show your work to, and give you encouragement. As authors, we all know what it took for us to get published and we want to give others the same encouragement.

--Renee Riva, author of Taking Tuscany & Saving Sailor. Visit her online at her website.

William Carmichael (Advice for Novelists, Part 96)

Tweet

Here's another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Don’t give up. Write something everyday. Keep at it, even if it is only for your own joy. If you have set a goal to publish a book, do it, even if it is a self-published work. So was The Shack self-published after being turned down by several publishers, which has now been number one on the New York Times bestseller list for 46 straight weeks!

--William "Bill" Carmichael, co-author with Dave Lambert of The Missionary, as well as several nonfiction titles. Visit him online at The Missionary website.

Deonne Beron (Advice for Novelists, Part 95)

Tweet

Welcome to another edition of my Advice for Novelists series in which editors, authors, agents and publicists answer the question:

"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"

Today a publicist chimes in with some great advice:

Know that you are your book's own best publicist. Approach your book like that from the very beginning and invite your publishing team to join you. It begins with a proposal that shows you've been thinking about how you can promote your book. But it doesn't end there. In terms of publicity once your book is published, there are three key things to keep in mind:

1) Audience- Start early by cultivating an audience of readers interested in books like yours and ways to communicate them--facebook, twitter, blogs--all those things are free or available to you at a very low cost.

2) Hook- Promoting a fiction novel is much more than just delivering a book report. Whether talking to a member of the media or an interested reader, they want to know what makes this book interesting and worth their time to read. If your book has a strong tie to current news or trends, it widens the number of media who will be interested in that hook. A good hook also provides multiple ways to enter into the content of the book. I've seen a number of fiction novels with great hooks for media interviews that help draw readers in. For example, one author's spent 25 years researching the biblical and historical world of a Bible character before writing her first novel, while another author had a character who used advances in a specific field of science to solve crimes, so in both cases, having these hooks added to the story of the novel and made good material for an interview.

3) Timing- Beginning to understand the timeline of a book's life will be critical. For PR, we begin working with your book at some level around 6 months before the book's release. Some blog tour reservations and media opportunities need to have a book in their pipeline that far in advance. But having buzz or media too far out can also hurt the book. For example, if someone you know offers to do an interview or review of the book earlier than the month of release, this can backfire, something many authors I've talked with don't understand. If the book is not out in stores when people are alerted to it and go looking for it, they will often forget about it and the impulse purchase you worked so hard for is lost. It's far better to try and cluster as much media as possible in first month or at most two after release.

--Deonne Beron, publicity manager, Baker Publishing Group. Visit Baker online at their website.