3 Tips for Authors

 As you scan the books on the shelves at your local library, your eyes fall on a book called “101 Tips for Authors”. “That’s a lot of tips!”, you think to yourself. “How would I ever have time to read all of that?!” Okay, I know that those books do help, but they’re not for everyone. So, below I have not 101, not 384, but 3 simple tips that will (hopefully!) help you as an author, or just someone who likes to write. Here they are below:

1. Carry a Small Notebook with You Wherever You Go

Seriously, this helps so much. If you’re anything like me, then you get some of your best ideas at not so convenient times. Trust me, you will relax more once you get those great ideas out of your head. Otherwise, you could forget them. One idea that could’ve glorified God so much if you made it a reality, didn’t happen, because you didn’t have a small notebook with you to write your idea down. All you need to do is get a small notebook and grab a pen, and stick them into your purse, the backseat pocket of your car, or even in your pocket!

    2.   Read a Lot of Good Books

When you read a lot of good, well written, uplifting books, then your brain knows how to write good, well written, uplifting books or pieces because you know all the different techniques, skills, and styles that other people use for that kind of a book. Yes, even read books about getting better at becoming an author. Even though I mentioned above that that kind of a book isn’t meant for everyone, I would still recommend  them. If you’re wanting to write a fictional book about medieval times, then read a lot of medieval books. If you want to write a non-fiction book, then read a bunch of non-fiction books. You get the point. Reading a lot of good, uplifting, well written books will help you, but don’t copy them. That’s not what Jesus would do!

    3.  Experiment with Different Writing Styles

Whether it’s writing something first-person because you’ve never done that before, or writing a background story that you made up for a character from a favorite book of yours, get creative! Printing out a list of writing prompts is a good idea. Or, you could write a chapter of a book, then let a friend of yours continue it, then you continue it, then back to your friend to continue, etc. You could even write about your day in a fun way, making it sound like it’s in a fiction book. One of the best tips I can give you is to write, write, write. But, mix it up. You could find out that you like writing in first person rather than third person! 

I hope these tips help you! Also, through all of this, pray! Pray that God would give you ideas, pray that He would bless the people who read your work, and pray that God would guide your hands as you write. 

God bless you!