Questions, questions, questions? Just write the book.

Before I wrote my first book I had so many questions. I had no idea how to begin. I was asking questions that didn't need an answer. What are endorsements and who should they come from? Who writes the forward and do I need one?

What I have been trying to share with you is just write. All the answers to your questions will be answered as you write. 

​Do doubt the first book you write will probably be a book you self-publish. There are lots of self-publishers out there. There are also lots of packages to choose from. Some you do a lot of the work and the publisher does very little. Other publishers do most of the work for you. Just ask lots of questions. Then ask them, "What questions should I be asking, that I don't even know to ask?" I found out there were lots of those. Pick a publisher you trust. Pick a publisher that someone you know has used, and they trust. Here is a link to the one I trust: http://www.wendykwalters.com/publishing.html

Once you know what you want to write about and have it on your laptop, saved as a document, print it. Look at it. Make your corrections and edits, and reprint. See where you maybe want to shift or move things around. What did it say to you? Who else writes on the subject you are writing, or knows you well enough to say something of value about what you have written, or you personally? That's who you ask to endorse you or write your forward. Send them your manuscript to read. Give them plenty of time to read it and a deadline to get back with you. Know your deadline. Have a published by date in mind. Ask yourself why that publish date? Will it be a good Christmas gift or a Wedding gift? Will it be a seasonal book or a new baby gift? Who again are you targeting? That helps you pick a publishing date..

I have noticed as a writer if I get bogged down by all the questions, and the "what I don't knows", I won't write. I can't. The floodgate of creativity slams shut. I just shut down. In a case like this, find someone who cares about you, and about the subject you are addressing. Tell them you need help. Most writers are not good editors. Creative people have trouble organizing their ideas sometimes. So, get help. You would be amazed at what people will do if you just ask. My husband always says, "The only stupid questions are the ones you fail to ask."  That always makes me feel better. So I ask questions. 

I have friends that encourage me. I have other friends that I ask to pray for me. I pray for myself. I pray for those that I write for. I literally ask God to help me write something that will not just bless people, but give them hope. I want to help build the people of God. I wanted to build mothers in my first book. I wanted to build marriages and give couples hope for a lasting marriage in my second book. In one of the books I am writing now, I want to open the eyes of God's people to see the enemies of God that are being unleashed and gaining power in these last days. The books that are not finished yet are still on my computer and in my heart. I talk to people about them. I am still asking questions. 

There are a lot of people that know a whole lot more than I do about writing. The difference is, I am doing it. So just do it! When you need help, ask for it. Do all that you can do and God will bring people into your life to do what you can't. God won't do however, what you can do. So what are you waiting for?