“Hiya! I’d really enjoy getting to know you. Want to chat?” I emailed a young lady I had only formerly been acquainted with.
She typed back, “Yeah! That sounds great. I’d also love to know how you actually wrote a whole book! And how you kept motivation.”

Maybe you’re wondering the same thing. Here’s my answer to her and you!

First and foremost, I didn’t. John 15:5 reads, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”

I didn’t write the PLS apart from Christ. In Christ, I move and breathe and have being (Acts 17:28). In Christ, I have been given every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ, I write the truths of Scripture through imaginary characters.

Through Christ, my siblings and parents have been a huge blessing! The second biggest reason I wrote a whole book is them. My siblings gave me an immediate audience. I kept writing because they expressed interest in my work, and I wanted to keep giving them something fun and meaningful to read.

My mom read the books twice through and helped me edit by offering suggestions, asking clarifying questions, and thinking things through out loud. My dad encouraged me; I’ll always remember his comment after hearing my sisters tell about one of my stories.

Through Christ, I was also given the motivation to keep writing. This came in different forms at different times. Once, it was a fellow Christian who writes, who came alongside me and answered my questions. Once, it was seeing a little girl bounce up and down on her toes with excitement to read a new book.

Once, it was Christ answering my prayers and gifting me the next idea. Once, it was reading His Word and being reminded to “always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

It has been family, friends, other books, the delight to write. All of it through Christ.

A third key to writing a whole book is taking it day by day. A book is written one word at a time. Time goes by so quick! Before you know it, there will be a structure of a book before you. Writing a whole book takes time, but it only has to take a little time each day (or week).

So, here is my answer for you in short form:

1. Let Christ work in you
2. Find someone to share the journey with you (read along, talk about it, brainstorm, etc.)
3. Take it day by day (or week by week, if you only write once a week)

Of course, there are many other little details to writing a whole book, and that’s one of the reasons for the Inspiring Writers with God’s Word blog! I hope you’ll keep caravanning with us. And definitely leave any questions you have in the comments for future blog posts or contact me if you want some personalized advice. Again, I’m no expert, but I’ll offer all the Lord has given me.

Blessed book writing, friend!