Resources by Topic: Writing

The present wrong is because of a combination of people’s ignorance (i.e. lack of omniscience) and injustice. But here’s the good news: God is neither ignorant nor unjust. He knows exactly what’s going on here.

It’s certainly easier to write about the places I know.

My writing is a ministry, because ministry is service, and every aspect of our lives is to be a service that glorifies our Lord.

It takes about 1.5 to 2 years to write a book. Assuming you have a publisher interested in your book, the book would need to sell between 10-12,000 copies in order for the publisher to break even.

“We live in a time where the Bible is increasingly minimized,” says Randy Alcorn. “I am committed to doing everything I can to uplift and honor God’s Word. The best-selling author of more than forty fiction and non-fiction books, including Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and Safely Home says, “The Bible is the lifeline of my work.”

Sunday night Nanci and I returned from the Christian Book Expo in Dallas where I did a number of book signings, and was involved in three upfront presentations/panels. 

I have always loved stories, and the Bible is the greatest story ever written. The unfolding drama of redemption is a story, but it is a true story. When we write fiction, what we are doing is making up a story as, what J.R.R. Tolkien called, ‘sub-creators.’ Creators with a small ‘c.’ We are made in his image, so we can invent a story, and that story, though invented, is not ‘false.’

To those who ask me about the challenges of writing, I learned long ago that I should never wait for inspiration or a good beginning.

Every July I leave Oregon at one of its most beautiful times of the year, to spend a week of my life in a very hot place, such as Atlanta, or this year, Orlando. I'm glad to do it, just wish it was in January!

I was asked recently about what the biggest payoffs and challenges in my writing are. One question was whether writer’s block is one of the difficulties.  

Chuck Norris approached me four years ago, asking me to come stay with him to talk about making a movie. He said Deadline had a great impact on him, and he really wanted to see it produced. 

There were some interesting comments and very good questions raised regarding my last week’s blog on Harry Potter. I wish I had time to address these, and hope to do so later.  

Okay, back to ICRS, the booksellers’ convention earlier this month in Atlanta. Yesterday, someone sent me a picture from a book signing there. That’s Jasmine I’m holding. Precious.

I got back late last week from the annual Christian Booksellers convention. Always in July, it’s normally in a hot, sweaty southern city. This year was Atlanta, next year is Orlando. We haven’t been back to Dallas since it hit 120 degrees several years ago. Now if we could only have it in Portland or Seattle... Anyway, I’m going to spend a couple blogs talking about it.