![[typewriter.jpg]] >[!note] Description: >A response to those who ask me for advice on "breaking into" the writing space. I'm often asked how to (1) get a book published, (2) start a successful website, or (3) get published on larger websites. >[!caution] Note in Progress: I've quickly jotted down my initial thoughts here and have yet to finish the idea. You'll notice it gets less polished as you read to the bottom. Hopefully, there is more to come on this topic. I get this question a lot (so does [my wife](https://meredithcook.net), who has published a [children's book](https://amzn.to/4i7gKSP)). I do write and have done so regularly for over 15 years at this point. I have my own website (you're presently looking at it). I've written some for larger publications, and I did, of course, complete my dissertation. I also work at a seminary. As you can imagine, any number of students studying in higher education have an itch to write. So, the question comes up enough that it made sense for me to write out my thoughts to share with people. ## There is no shortage of advice on this topic: I am not the first, nor will I be the last to write down my thoughts for aspiring writers. In fact, writing about how to write is its own genre. **Here are some easy examples:** My wife, who gets asked this question more than I do, has written multiple pieces on this topic at her website: - *[What is Christian Writing?](https://www.meredithcook.net/what-is-christian-writing)* - *[How can Christians begin writing?](https://www.meredithcook.net/how-to-begin-writing)* Another solid piece of advice comes from [Trevin Wax](). Trevin counsels as both an author (he's written a number of books and keeps a regular column) and as a publisher (he worked for Lifeway in publishing for several years). Trevin wrote the following Facebook post: <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftrevinwax%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0dtSN3X3sp4EVNZZpMAotm6RN36KHH8SfonikKChsJL5Qt34HU3gTvrvxxuByWb2Xl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="298" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> I think each of these answer important pieces of the question, and there may be enough said between the two of them on the issue. However, as writers do, I'm going to provide my own thoughts as well. The following are statements I find myself making every time someone asks this question. ## Examine your motives for writing. - If your questions are about how to "succeed" and by that you usually mean (1) land a book contract, (2) get thousands of people to read my own website (or monetize it), or (3) get TGC to "notice me," then I would gently suggest you examine your motives. - Some people think they want to be well known as an expert or a "thought leader." That term is one I wish would mostly die in Christian circles. If this is your case, then I'd suggest attempting some stunts on TikTok, not attempting to build a body of serious writing. Controversy is what fuels notoriety today, so if you are after some form of influence on the social web, you are far better off going for shock value today than trying to write thoughtful pieces that contribute to the well-being of the church. Good luck to you. - Others are perhaps less concerned about notoriety and instead think they have "it" figured out (whatever it is). They've been breathing and part of God's church just long enough to look around and realize that everyone is doing *fill-in-the-blank* wrong, and they are convinced they have the answer the church has overlooked. If this is your motive, then the tone of your work will mostly likely be polemic in nature. You will find yourself writing about the wrong-headed methods or motives of this group or that group within the church. You will contribute to the critical spirit that permeates so much Christian writing on the internet today. I am not suggesting it is never right, to critique. Often times, critique is needed, and there are times I feel the need to do so as well. However, if your base motive is correcting the [wrongs of the "Church in America"](https://keelancook.com/the-end-of-the-church-in-america), that will lead to your body of writing being critical in spirit. You likely don't want to look back on your life and see that as its product. - Some people think they want to make a living writing, and that's fine and good. But, that is quite a ways down the road for most, and it may never happen even if you're good at it. Unfortunately, financial success writing is not guaranteed. You may actually be a better writer than that other guy, but that does not mean you ever get paid to do it. That's true in so many veins of life. It may be because you simply cannot convince others of the need to publish your thoughts. Unfortunately, it may be because your thoughts won't actually sell. I wish that were not so, but it is. And, before one gets bitter at the injustice of it all, it is wise to remember that the Lord controls the affairs of men. He often has us in unfair situations for our good, for our own development, and perhaps that is what he is after in you. - Be more concerned about what you produce than what your writing does for your wallet or platform. - *Here note the quotes about the making of many books. Note the exponential increase in writing in the internet age. Note the coming wave of AI generated writing that will drown out writing simply done to get clicks.* - Be more concerned about what your writing does *in you* than what it does *for you*. - Write to build a body of writing. Write to benefit the church. Write to benefit your own development. ## If you ever want someone to pay you to write, you usually have to write for free, a lot. ## Consistency is more important than you think.