Great advice for new and not-so-new writers

15 Comments 31 August 2010

My friend Marti Pieper recently posted this letter on a writers group I belong to. In it, she gives advice about the journey of publication. With her permission, I’m sharing this gem with you.

Dear New Writer,

Congratulations on a high and holy calling. Mark it as such. That gives you a foundation to return to on the days when the reviews burn, the rejections multiply, and the inspiration falters.

Please, new writer, remember who you are is more important than what you write. Continue to grow your roots deep in God. And don’t forget˜you live in a fallen world.

Observe Paul’s admonition to consider others more important than yourself. As you live out this principle, your words, your relationships, and your writing will grow.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy and you healthy. Discover the personal meaning of this commandment. Do your best to add rest and refreshment to each day.

My friend, please take care of your family. When deadlines come or contracts impinge, make sure they know who matters most. When success comes your way,don’t wait for your relatives to celebrate you. Throw a party for them instead.

Yes, new writer, I encourage you to be wise. Learn and practice your craft. Study the markets. Find and listen to mentors. But don’t pay more attention to the ways of publishing than the things of God.

Run to Jesus, new writer, and live. That, more than anything, gives you something to write.

Marti Pieper

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http://www.martipieper.com Marti Pieper

Thanks again for a great question, Mary. And thanks for honoring my words by sharing them here.
http://www.martipieper.com Marti Pieper

Thanks again for a great question, Mary. And thanks for honoring my words by sharing them here.
mdwegner

LOVE this. Needed it. Very timely. Thanks for sharing.
mdwegner

LOVE this. Needed it. Very timely. Thanks for sharing.
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amandadod

What great words of wisdom! I especially loved – My friend, please take care of your family. When deadlines come or contracts impinge, make sure they know who matters most. – Thanks for sharing!
amandadod

What great words of wisdom! I especially loved – My friend, please take care of your family. When deadlines come or contracts impinge, make sure they know who matters most. – Thanks for sharing!
http://www.facebook.com/chris.weigand Chris Weigand

Thank you for those great words. They came at the right time after a weekend of riding an emotional roller coaster because of a critical review. I didn't keep God and family in the right place and fortunately the results were not as dire as they could have been, but still caused some discomfort in my household.

I wrote a post and mentioned your website after reading this post.

Thank you and God Bless.
May we all keep God and family where they belong.

Christina Weigand http://www.weigandchris.com
Aaron's Revenge
Available at Xlibris, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Women of the Bible: A Study
Available at Filbert Books, Amazon and Faithwriters
http://www.facebook.com/chris.weigand Chris Weigand

Thank you for those great words. They came at the right time after a weekend of riding an emotional roller coaster because of a critical review. I didn't keep God and family in the right place and fortunately the results were not as dire as they could have been, but still caused some discomfort in my household.

I wrote a post and mentioned your website after reading this post.

Thank you and God Bless.
May we all keep God and family where they belong.

Christina Weigand http://www.weigandchris.com
Aaron's Revenge
Available at Xlibris, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Women of the Bible: A Study
Available at Filbert Books, Amazon and Faithwriters
http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/ Amy Sullivan

Marti,

Thanks for the reality check.

In the mornings I've been getting up early to write. The problem- those quiet moments in the morning used to be the the time I spent praying. I keep telling myself I can pray and write, but I can't! I write first, and then when I pray the only thing I can think about is my writing.

"Run to Jesus and live." I'm slowly starting to get it.
http://amylsullivan.blogspot.com/ Amy Sullivan

Marti,

Thanks for the reality check.

In the mornings I've been getting up early to write. The problem- those quiet moments in the morning used to be the the time I spent praying. I keep telling myself I can pray and write, but I can't! I write first, and then when I pray the only thing I can think about is my writing.

"Run to Jesus and live." I'm slowly starting to get it.
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deemms

Thank you for the sweet and gentle advice.

Lately, I've been studying writing and publishing like crazy, but I need to be crazy in love with Jesus more than anything else in this world.
deemms

Thank you for the sweet and gentle advice.

Lately, I've been studying writing and publishing like crazy, but I need to be crazy in love with Jesus more than anything else in this world.
http://www.vickifourie.blogspot.com Vicki

Beautiful advice. I’m starting to really like your website!