What 3 Bits of Advice Would You Offer New Writers, or Those Not So New?

1. Work hard at it. Anything that’s easy to read is usually hard to write. What’s easy to write is hard to read. Here’s an answer to a question about writing that relates to this.
2. Write to please the Audience of One, Jesus Christ. Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do (including writing), we are to do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). If your writing is about you, not God and his glory, find something else to do that you can make about Him.
3. Be humble. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:5-6). Do we want God’s grace or his opposition? 
   
   The way to be humble is to take a good look at God and then a good look at yourself, and notice the difference. When you see Him as He is and yourself as you are, the very thought of being proud or arrogant should be absolutely laughable. Writers who are proud will not depend on Christ and will operate on their own strength. Throughout the process of writing a book I find myself on my knees repeatedly because I know I cannot do it without Him, and anything I do without Him will not last. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15).

Here are some answers to writing questions from Jim Bell, a friend of mine.

Also, here’s an interview in which I answer questions about writing.

And finally, some suggestions of books for writers, how to get published, etc.

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of fifty-some books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.