So You think You Can Write... Fiction?

Fiction Basics by Mary Hawkins

No, this is not an audition. 
No, this is not where you face judges on a TV programme. 

However, over the last twenty years since my first novel was published, I’ve had many folk tell me things like, “I’ve always wanted to write.” and “One day I’d like to write a novel.”

My answers have included comments like, “What kind of fiction do you like reading? What kind of book would you like to write? Look, if this is something you really want to do, why not do it?” 
To others I know are Christians, I say something like, “If this is something you really believe God wants you to do, then you must do it.” 

The response of quite a few has been that they simply don’t know where or how to start writing a novel. 

Twenty years ago with
those first two books

Perhaps there are other folk similar to myself. Okay, years before my first book was eventually published twenty years ago, I was shown I had a talent for writing. God clearly showed me this was what I should do. A few articles and short stories were published but then I was challenged to write a novel. My first reaction was, “Me? Write a book!” 

Some folk might think writing a book and getting it published is a glamorous idea but don’t be misled. I know only too well that while it can be enjoyable, it is simply hard work. With that in mind, the time and effort required to write a book a minimum of even 45,000 words may seem too daunting. So, for anyone who even has a germ of an idea for a novel, I’d like to mention some basics things you should know about before starting to write. 

The very first step for Christians on any issue should be to “Commit your way to the Lord; (Psalm 37:5)”, remembering to always “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; (Proverbs 2:5-7). Do read them again in their context, especially Psalm 37. 

Part of finding out what GOD wants you to do about writing may be to consider these questions: 
   “Do I really enjoy writing?” 
   “Why do I want to write a book? 
   “Do I have a great story idea?”
   “What kind of novel do I enjoy reading the MOST.” 
   “Is writing a novel what God wants me to do?" 

There are several reasons why writers want to write a book. I am sorry to say I’ve met writers from all walks of life, including Christians, who give me the distinct impression their main reasons for wanting to have a book published are for personal gratification at the thought of becoming famous, and also for all that lovely money authors earn! We might think you know the answers but sometimes in this crazy world we can fool ourselves what our motives really are. 

Check it all out with God first. Apply the promises of Jesus in Matthew 7:7,8 : 
Ask God to show you the deepest secrets and motives of your heart about why you want to write a book. 
Seek God‘s will what kind of way HE wants you to tell your story through. 
Knock on ‘doors’ as you keep learning how to improve your writing, making it the very best told story you can so He can use it where and how and when HE wants to. 

Just make sure when God answers, when He clearly reveals His will that you obey, when he closes some doors but opens others that you keep walking through them until HE closes them! 

There will be other blog posts here to help you with specific elements you need to be aware of. I’ll be sharing more about Fiction Basics with a series of posts on ACW in December. Where do you start? Having the germ of a great story to tell is essential.
Then we will consider the various components you need to know to make it a page turner the reader can't put down.

Have you considered those questions above? Are there other questions you consider essential before starting to write a novel? Do tell us in a comment.

Mary is a best-selling author of inspirational romance.  She lives in Tasmania with her husband, Ray, a retired minister now published in devotional meditations books. She enjoys sharing at various speaking appointments and writers workshops about the writing journey God has taken her on. With 19 titles published in print, she is delighted her Heartsong Presents back list is now being made available again as e-books by Truly Yours Digital Editions (Barbour Publishing) - including that "apprentice" novel from twenty years ago, 
Search For Tomorrow.

                                                          

Web site:- http://www.mary-hawkins.com