Since so many of you asked about the nuts and bolts of the publishing process last week, I thought it would be worth a post or two. I am in no way any type of expert, which is why I can only offer a post or two. There is tons of fantastic information available about the publishing process from all kinds of professionals. Perhaps my newbie perspective will be somewhat of an encouragement to those of you who have a message in your heart but don’t know where to begin.
Let me just tell you that I get it. I get that you have this message or a partial fuzzy dream of a message and the idea of taking that message and trying to make some sense of it by drawing lines around it with bullet points and paragraphs is terrifying. And thrilling. And everything in between.
Let me also tell you what a very wise friend told me when I considered hiding from my message.
It’s not going to go away. It will linger over you like a dark cloud, follow you everywhere you go, invade every peaceful moment of thought that you have, stalking your every move. Action cures fear. Get out of the boat and walk on the water to your very bright, very beautiful future in writing.
It doesn’t mean you have to write a book or anything like that. But if you know you have something to say but you aren’t saying it because you don’t have time or money or energy or whatever, I get it. Just know that it isn’t selfish to examine or explore that thing you’ve been thinking about for years. It is part of who you are, how you’re made, what you were made to do. To ignore that thing is to ignore a part of yourself. I know that sounds dramatic, but I still think it’s true.
After I finally decided to tackle this book proposal thing a year ago, it took me a few months to call it a book proposal even to my closest friends. I have a tendency to hunker down and hide out. In my mind, the more people who knew I was working on writing a book, the more people I would have to potentially tell if things didn’t work out.
It’s sort of a personal preference, I suppose; like waiting until the first trimester is over before you announce your pregnancy. If you are like me and tend to keep the big stuff to yourself, I would encourage you to at least have a few, core people who know you well to begin to pray for and with you. I can’t tell you the difference it makes.
It is worth mentioning that I am writing Christian non-fiction. So if you are writing a fiction book about monsters on Mars then perhaps none of my information will help you. I know nothing about writing a proposal for a fiction book. From what I hear, the proposal process for fiction is a little less intense. However, I’ve also heard that a lot of times fiction writers write the entire manuscript before they submit, whereas with non-fiction that isn’t always the case. I only had three chapters finished when I signed the contract for my non-fiction books.
Speaking of book, this post is beginning to look like one. I will post a few of my favorite resources on Wednesday after Tuesdays Unwrapped. For those of you thinking about attending She Speaks this year, I will be leading a session called From Blog to Book Deal: How I Got Published Without Being Famous, where I will share more about this crazy journey. Registration opens soon.
Are you on your own book-writing journey?
Ms. Em,
I was so excited to see this post pop up on my dashboard! Thank you so much for giving us your words of wisdom for writing. I have wanted to write a book ever since I was a little girl. As a grown-up girl, I have had the book’s message swirling around in me for ages. What also swirls around is a lack of confidence that I could actually write a cotton-pickin’ thing that anyone cares to read. I’m doing my best to follow the Lord’s leading, wherever that takes me!
Thanks so much for this! Have a beautiful week, Emily.
Yes, from what I know about writing fiction, the manuscript pretty much needs to be done, unless you’re already famous and have published before. But, I am so proud of you and totally know what you mean about hiding. I haven’t told many people about my book besides the bloggy folks and I think you are the only one who has read it in it’s entirety. Aren’t you lucky?
No book writing journey here. I appreciate the fact that you are sharing this with everyone now. I pray your books will be blessed of the Lord and in turn, bless those who read them. Knowing your writing, I’m sure they will. Congratulations again.
This is a great post. So helpful!
Being in the publishing world (My husband’s been in the publishing industry for over 30 years) I see so many people that have great stuff to share. It’s hard to know when to (and how) seek a publisher for a book or when to self-publish. Going through the process of putting together a book proposal is critical regardless of which route one takes. It’s an excellent tool to clarify one’s thinking, one’s market, etc.
In case you haven’t see it, my husband, after 3 decades in the business, has put together two ebooks entitled “How to Write a Winning Book Proposal” (one for Fiction and one for Non-fiction). (http://michaelhyatt.com/products/ebook-writing-a-winning-book-proposal)
He’s written numerous posts for authors on his website http://michaelhyatt.com/.
Perhaps your readers will find some of his info helpful in their particular situaions.
Thanks for putting out a great blog,
Gail Hyatt
y’all. Gail Hyatt just commented on my blog. That is all.
Dear Emily, so proud of you GF. Can’t wait to see how God changes life through you!
Sorry about that (it’s too early!), how God changes “lives” …. through your message! xo
Hi Emily! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait for Wednesday’s post to learn more about your project. Something you said really hit me–that the idea I’ve had in my heart for over 5 years won’t go away. It’s a part of me that I just have to get out.
You’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks a lot! *said both sincerely and tongue-in-cheek*
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe Gail Hyatt commented on your blog…I was like, “Gail Hyatt? Gail Hyatt?!” Go, girl!
Okay…back to business…just wanted to say thanks for your encouraging words. I love that advice from your friend. This whole book endeavor can be so discouraging at times, and I needed that little kick in the pants today!
Thanks so much for the advice and wisdom.
I have been part hassled, part encouraged by my loved ones for years to write a children’s fictional book, but I’ve been pretty terrified of the rejection if no one likes it… I’m feeling more inspired after reading your post!
Keep it up; you’ll be great!
Excited to hear a little of your journey through this and looking forward to your resources post later this week.
I’ve written and illustrated a children’s book. Finished illustrating it last year. I’ve also started another little writing endeavor this year. I’m working on developing it into something more concrete than the fuzzy idea it’s been for the past several months.
Your very wise friend’s words gave me goosebumps and, if I’m being honest, a lot to think about personally. I’m in that strange netherworld of having lots of typed-out thoughts all surrounding a central issue yet with no arrival point in sight. Hmmm, a message with no answer or conclusion. Maybe a publisher could make it one of those choose-your-own-ending books. : )
For now, I just write for myself. The stuff I can’t figure out in my head strangely becomes quite lucid and therapeutic once it takes word form. I’ll never understand how that works.
I’m still excited for you! It’s a big accomplishment.
I’ve been a professional writer for YEARS – but I have yet to come up with an idea for the book I want to write. It will come, I just have to be patient… something I’m not so good at!
I love that you’re giddy about Gail’s comment. Her hubby retweeted me once, and I thought I’d fall over. Maybe I did fall over. Can’t remember.
This post was so much fun to read! If you ever need a guest-poster to write on, say, “The Roller Coaster Ride of Being a Published Author Who Has Now Hit a Brick Wall,” I’m your girl!
Since I wasn’t able to before, allow me now to give you my biggest congratulations!!!! on your book deal.
You have such an incredible heart and your blog has blessed me so much. I know you’re going to just soar. I’m praying for you through the writing process! Not that I know anything about it, but I assume that it needs lots of prayer. 
And I hope you have a ton of fun along the way!
Great post!! I am in the middle of writing a book proposal and you are so right, that message just hangs over me… I have to get it out.
I don’t know if the timing is right, as things on the homefront are commanding quite a bit of my attention, but I know when the time is right, the words will come and the doors will open.
Such encouraging words Emily. Sometimes it is just so hard to take that first baby step because the journey looks nearly impossible.
You are so sweet to share all of this with us. Thank you!!
I recently found your blog and just love it! You have a tremendous gift girlfriend and unique writing style. I think you can never give to much praise to a writer because your confidence can shatter with the stroke of a pen:)
Congrats on your book…awesome!
In regards to your question…I have NO idea what kind of writing journey I am on…but I am writing…to myself, to my blog.:) Praying about it. I do have one or 2 ideas in my head for a book…but the crazy thing is I too don’t want to tell ANYONE about it! I fear they will laugh. I fear I will flop. Thank you for sharing that you felt the same way too. I was beginning to feel like a lunatic:)
See…I should write a book…my posts always turn into one:)
Writing is like pregnancy — the first trimester. How appropriate!
I’ve been dreaming forever about my “baby”… I still hear and see the heartbeat to this book of mine. Is now the time?
I am so the hunkering down and hiding out type!
Thanks for sharing!
(That was Gail Hyatt, wasn’t it?)
Ha! I’m only in the dark -cloud chasing me days.
You’re such a leader, whether you know it or not. Thank you, friend.
Ohmygosh! I am sooo jealous — not only did you have Gail Hyatt comment on your blog, you are speaking at She Speaks again? Lucky dog! Ok, no luck involved I know
and you’re right about the dark cloud. I’ve had several following me around lately (again? always been there? totally ignore them?)
Can’t wait to hear what else you’re going to share!
“If you know you have something to say but you aren’t saying it because you don’t have time or money or energy or whatever, I get it”
That is exactly how I feel! You spoke right to my heart with this post and now I’m trying to sort it all out. Writing is something I know I want to do, but can’t get past the obstacles to do it.
Your words here are encouraging me to think more of “I CAN”, than “I wish I could”. I’m even considering going to She Speaks, now (well, at least seriously…that dream has always been on my list that I can’t seem to ever get to!)
Now, I’m prayerfully looking for focus to make that dream into a reality…
Oh wow, exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you so much for the encouragement to stop doubting the words rattling around in my head and trust that God put them there for a reason.
Have a beautiful and blessed day!
Thank you for the wonderful resources! I have only somewhat recently admitted that I HAVE to write. I had a fairly popular blog for a while but apparently I have “thin skin” and it just became too weird for me when people like my neighbors became readers- yikes!
I look forward to exploring your blog (and books!) and I appreciate your words of encouragement!
What an encouraging post! I’ve been writing for myself for years – just something I have to do to “get it all out”. It’s like therapy for me – lol!
Just over a year ago, I mustered up enough courage to ask if I could submit articles for a Religion colomn in my local paper. They agreed! It’s not anything I get paid for, but from doing that and blogging, I’ve learned so much about writing. I’ve received so many compliments from my articles and that has given me the courage to seriously consider writing a book…well, make that several books. I have so many ideas!
My biggest problem is trying to decide between book proposals and queries ?
I just recently found your blog, but I can see right now that the resources and encouragement you provide is just what I need
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I have a dream of writing.
A dream that is always with me but so uncertain about which path to take to get there. But your post is full of wisdom, encouragement and has given me such a spring in my fingertips to start writing.
You have truly blessed me
Colleen G.