Is becoming an author a reachable goal for me?
Written by Samantha C Sinclair on March 20 2024
God blessed me to publish my first book, Emergency Romance, in 2019. I’ve learned a lot just in the last six months. Let me start from the beginning.
My name is Samantha, and God has blessed me to currently have 10 books published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Lord Willing early summer of this year my first book through a traditional publisher will release. God has also blessed me to be working with Audio Books Network on this new release. I’m beyond excited. If not for God, family, and friends that would not be possible. That’s the first thing I’ll tell you, remember you are not alone on your journey.
As a little girl I loved books. I am visually impaired so a lot of people read to me. As I got older I read braille and listened to audio books. I loved writing short stories. As a teen I really wanted to write a novel. In short I tried and failed several times. One day in late teen years or maybe age twenty, I realized I was trying to do this of myself. I gave it to God, and Emergency Romance bloomed.
The feeling of knowing a book is complete, and you have followed God’s leading is a feeling only a writer knows. The bond you form with your fictional folks becomes almost real in your mind, and you hope the same for your reader. When God blesses to write a sceen where your character finds salvation it is a shouting time. You have to allow your self to get into the feelings, mind, and all areas of your fictional folks. If not, it might be hard to put your all in.
Blank page is a little intimidating at first.
Start with prayer, always and with out ceasing. Then, think of meeting your fictional folks as new friends. You are learning their story.
Second, are you a planner or a pantser? Come again you say? I had no clue either.
So God may lead you in different ways on this for different books. It may remain the same for you. I’ve done both.
A planner is where you sit down and maybe write out your plot. You may write it out for every chapter, or just a loose outline. You may even write out names and ages of your fictional new friends. I have learned even if I do as it I go, makeing a note of this is helpful especially in a series.
What’s a pantser? You fly by the seat of your pants. God may just lead you to write. No notes. You just let er flow. That’s what I’ve done in most books.
Things I’ve ran into?
Getting me in the way of God’s story has been a big one. On more than one occasion has a book disappeared from my computer. I later realized it was God getting me back on the wright path. Or, in a case or two I was not on the right foot at all. So I’d start again, and stay out of the way. It teaches you a lot about life.
Second, I’ve learned it’s important to read books of authors who write what you are. This is part of doing your research. Yes, there is research in fiction. It doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect. But, you do want it to be believable.
Third, there is a lot of things on line to listen to, watch, and read. Listening to another writer or author share helps more than you realize.
Another thing, write, then set aside time to edit. Do not leave all the editing until the end. Pray about what works for you. You will learn as you go.
Figure out your pattern.
This is just a sample. For now we are talking about fiction.
Pantser or planner?
If a pantser, start writing after prayer.
If a planner, start a note book or word document. Write down the story outline, names, ages, line of work, trouble, etc as God gives it.
Then pray every step of the way as you write.
Editing should be something you do several times a week, once a week at the least. Doing this a different time than writing is important. Sure you may fix a word or phrase here and there when writing. However when writing your focus should be on the story, and listening to God.
When you have peace you have finished your book, do a hard edit. This should find missed spelling mistakes, conflicting story details, and other mistakes.
Tip.
If you are using word pad, control enter takes you to a new page. It’s important to do this to separate chapters and other parts of the book.
Nonfiction
My Bible Study Devotional series, Prayer Closet, is the first nonfiction I have written. It has been a blessing to me, and I pray the same for all who pick up these devotionals.
I use the KJV Holy Bible, read the chapter, and write morning and evening devotions as God leads.
They do not all look the same. This is because in some of the devotions God has led me to leave it wide open for Him to lead. For example some have a devotion, study questions, and a prayer. Others only lead To Talk To God About It. It gives the day, if it is a morning or evening devotion, and the Bible Book and chapter. These might simply say to let God lead, and leave a place for you to write.
No matter what you are writing, it is important. You may feel at times no one cares. You may have times of thinking why am I even doing this. I’m waisting my time. No. If God has given it to you, it’s for a reason. If you are obeying that’s all that ever matters. It may be for one person only, maybe you. But it could be for many hearts. Hang in there, keep praying, and keep writing. Remember how Jesus was treated.
Editing
It is important to do your own editing. You may find things those who didn’t write the story don’t know to look for. However, if you are publishing on KDP or another independent publishing sight, you should find trusted family, friends, teachers etc to look over your book. You may even choose to pay a publisher. I should add at least for us adding the cover to your book on KDP can be slightly tricky. Don’t let that hinder you. You will get it figured out, or contact them.
Traditional publishing.
If you choose taking the plunge to have a traditional publisher, be prepared for a chunk of money and maybe a wait.
Sending in your work doesn’t mean it will get chosen by the first publisher’s desk it lands on. But don’t let that cause you to give up. No matter if it takes years, hard as it may be, remember it’s God’s timing. You may even choose to publish for time being on a platform like KDP until a publisher says yes. You can always pull it down if this chance comes along. I do not recommend Kindle Vella.
If you go the route of traditional publisher, a lot of money but a lot of services are included. Make sure they are with the BBB so you know they are real.
They will walk you through every step of the way.
Has this been helpful?
Please let Sinclair know by emailing Samantha.christianfiction@Gmail.com
God bless.
SamanthaCSinclair.com 