Questions and Some Answers :)

On my last post, one of our sweet readers left some really good questions! So, I'm going to attempt to answer them. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts! :)

1. As a Christian writer, how do you handle/get past the feelings of marketing yourself and your writing? (Not sure if that question makes sense, but I wasn't quite sure how to word it.)

If you are talking about a sense of almost guilt (or even unworthiness?), then I hope this answer will help a little bit! A little background info on me - I would be voted the LEAST likely to succeed as a salesperson. I'm pretty quiet until I know someone really well, I don't like to talk about myself or what I do for a living. Sometimes, I'll have known someone a couple of months before they find out that I'm a writer. Actually, I'm the worst marketer in history.

So if this is what you are talking about - then you've come to the right place!! Here's how I've learned how to handle it. I like to think about it like this: I am a writer, yes, but MUCH more important than that, I'm a Christian writer. And I've gotten into several conversations about Christ with people who normally wouldn't bother to talk to me about Him after mentioning that I'm a Christian fiction writer. It's really a fun witnessing tool!

As far as the actual "marketing" goes, all you are really doing is sharing what God has placed on your heart - whether that's with editors, publishers, readers or fellow writers. Start a blog and start writing about what's important to you that day - whether it's the fact that your son just learned something new or you found something in the Bible that really stuck out to you. Marketing doesn't have to be stiff and structured - think outside the box. Build a blog audience by being you. General rule of thumb - if it's important to you, it will most likely be important to others. Are you writing toward moms? single girls? college age? Find your audience and write toward them.

2. I am a full-time working wife & mother of a 4 yr old son. I want to delve into writing as a career, but have some fear that we may not could financially handle it.

:) I'm about to have this problem!! (I'm due in July with my first!) Betsy and Christa are the people to ask about this since they balance writing, kids, husband and life in general on a daily basis (hint, hint, girls!). I've been asking this question for the last several weeks as well - how do you fit writing into a life with a baby/child? Basically, I've heard that if you can find half an hour in the mornings and half an hour at night, maybe that's all the writing you'll get in that day. But what's important is that you are writing. Time is in God's hands and He does know your crazy schedule! Give it to Him. Maybe you can get up an hour earlier and write then? Or stay up an hour later? I used to work full-time at an office and I would write over my lunch break in between bites. I only got a few pages done every day, but I did end up finishing the book.

As far as the financial situation, I don't know what yours is like, but I don't have good news for you. Writing is probably one of the worst jobs ever if you are looking for a steady income (or even any income at all!). There are months where my books seem to do pretty good and there are months where things are very tight.

It's definitely possible to have a full-time job and still find time to write. Things might need to adjust a little bit, but it's possible!!

3. And, related to the above, I also have trouble finding the time to sit down and write and not feel guilty about it. (i.e. during work - since I do work from home but am required to be logged in/available/working on projects during normal business hours, during after work hours - time when I am either exhausted or feel like I need to be spending it with my family, etc.)

In other words, I guess, how do you make the transition from the non-writing career world to the writing career world?

Again, maybe if you get a lunch hour? Or if there is time before or after work that you could work on your writing for a few minutes?

One of the most important things I've learned in regard to writing is time management. I can always find something that needs my attention - it's finding the time to set all of that aside. BUT if that thing is your family (like you mentioned), then I think you might need to set aside your writing and spend time with them. Think of it like this: Can the distraction wait? If it's your husband or son, I don't think they can. But laundry can wait. Dishes can wait. Maybe you could work something out with your husband that he cooks/cleans/does laundry/has dad-son time one day a week so you have time to write.

4. How do you handle the thoughts (insecurity) about how there are so many wonderful Christian authors out there in every genre, that how can/why should I stand out among them?

I hope you read CJ's last post about comparison! It's a struggle for every writer, I think. We are always our own worst critic - keep that in mind when you are reading your work. I tend to be a perfectionist and it is very easy for me to rip my work to pieces whenever I read back through it. Trust other people's opinions more than your own.

As far as how can and why should you stand out, you'll stand out because you are unique and your story is unique! Like CJ said on Friday, you are the only person who has your story. And maybe there is someone out there who needs to hear exactly what you have to say.


I know there are SO many things that you still need to figure out, but I really do hope you are able to find time to write! :) Even if all you have time for right now is a blog and you only have time to post every other day, then make that your goal for the time being. I'll be praying that God just opens windows of time for you during your day! :) And please let me know if you have other questions or if I didn't answer these very well!