Do you feel like you’re getting some clarity about your writing? A few weeks ago we talked about the importance of beginning this whole process with prayer. As you’ve pondered and prayed, pondered and prayed some more – I’m sure the Lord has brought to mind the things you’re passionate about.

As you move forward, think about carving out time in your schedule to pursue your craft. Whether you’re working an 8-to-5 job outside the home, or are more flexible with your time, it’s important for you to have a scheduled time to write. If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get distracted by the immediate and never get to the important. Block off writing on your calendar as if it is a meeting. And stick to it!

This scheduled time should also include the opportunity for you to learn and grow at the craft. What type of writing are you doing? Fiction? Non-fiction? Here are a few suggestions:

Look for on-line tools to help hone your skills (check out free writing tools and resources here

Attend a workshop/conference (She Speaks, Tribe Conference 2017, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, Re:write Conference; American Christian Fiction Writers Conference – check your area, these can range from a day to several days – budget accordingly)

Join a writer’s group in your area (you can look at Christian writer’s groups by state here)

(Note – this is not an endorsement of these particular tools/resources/conferences/or writer’s groups)

Before you can connect with your audience, you need to know who you’re writing to. Describe the type of person you’re writing to in as much detail as possible.

Maybe it’s a middle-aged mom with young children. This gal is frustrated because she’s constantly busy and has a hard time getting into God’s Word on a daily basis. She wants to grow in her relationship with Christ and has thought about doing a neighborhood Bible study, but doesn’t know where to begin. How can you come alongside this woman and offer her help and hope?

You’ve scheduled your writing time, and identified who you’re writing to, now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start writing. But before you do, consider a timeless truth:

I love what Christian blogger, Arabah Joy, has to say about being a successful blogger (it applies to all writers, not just bloggers): “If we want to be “great” bloggers, it starts with being a servant.”

She goes on to define how we can serve:

“Is there a message He’s given you to share? You can serve others with it. Is there a passion He’s placed in your heart? You can serve others with it. Is there a hard thing you’ve gone through that God has promised you a spiritual harvest from? You can serve others with it.

Here’s the thing: If you focus on serving your readers, you WILL stand out in the sea of bloggers (writers).” (word in parentheses mine)

You might be wondering what the big deal is about serving your readers. In Arabah’s words:

“Serving others: builds trust with your readers; sets you apart from the majority of other bloggers (writers); positions you as a leader; increases the “share” value of your content” (word in parentheses mine)

And isn’t serving others the example we see in the life of Jesus Christ? And He is the One who entrusted us with the gift of writing.