In The Thick Of It: My Book Writing Process

It seems that I have been writing and telling stories all of my life. As an introvert, I often find solace in my solitude, and occupy my time with creating content and imagery that resonates in the imaginations and hearts of my audience. I know how to help other people tell their stories, I was trained for that. However, when it comes to book writing, what it requires of me, feels vastly different. There have been times throughout this process, when I have been stifled in my work out of trepidation of the amount of transparency that writing a 
book garners. Similar to that of a painter, who tries to strike the right balance between light and shadow, have been trying to find my balance of the truths that the Lord has reserved from me to ponder in my own  heart, and those insights that He desires for me to share, so that others may be blessed, inspired and encouraged in the ways that they need it most. My overarching attitude I suppose, is my desire to be obedient to what the Lord has commissioned me to do in this unique season of my life. All throughout scripture we see parables about the process of sowing and reaping.  I sense by the Spirit, that now, is the time for me to sow my time, my energy, my creativity, and my best efforts into completing this project, in faith that it will reap a bountiful harvest for everyone connected to it, which includes you the readers. I am most excited about that!

My process for writing this book started almost seven (7) years ago. At the time, I didn't know that it was going to turn into something like this, but I knew that the content I was writing, served a greater purpose in that season of my life. I often save that I serve through my writing. Writing is how I minister most authentically. As I do so, I pray for the Holy Spirit to anoint the work of my hands to write what is on the Father's heart for me to share with the people to whom I am called to be relevant. I seek wisdom and insight through the reading of scripture, and spend time with the Lord conversing and receiving from Him, a strategy, a plan, a blueprint, of what He is requiring of me; not only in writing, subsequently in life. I believe that the greatest message we can ever preach, is in the details of our lives. I can see now, that this book is  being developed and will eventually be birthed out of my intimate relationship with the Lord. 

The more pragmatic steps that I took to start was to get myself organized. I wanted to collect the words of revelation that the Lord has given me over the years, jot them down and keep them in one place. I then began to research best practices for self-publishing, attending webinars, IG Lives of authors and other writers  whom I follow on social media to learn about their journeys and I most recently, took a Crash Course in Communication on How To Write A Book, offered by my favorite Bible Study teacher and "mentor, Havilah Cunnington.  I have been following Havilah's career for some time now, I own a majority of her books, I attend her free workshops, and I really admire her work ethic, her transparency, her approach to writing, and her ministry. She has taught me so much. I consider her to be the trusted friend I have yet to meet. As I was going through her "go-at-your-own-pace" course, I received so many gems that I had never considered when writing a book. Things as simple as setting up your space to write, carving out a designated time to  write every day, guarding your writing hours, creating a writing schedule for yourself. So simple and easy to implement, regardless of your starting point. These were gamechangers for me!

For this project, I had to backtrack, and really think about how I wanted to approach  what, at the beginning , seemed like such a daunting task.  As I do in all things, I committed my work, and all that I would learn to the Lord. Including Him in every stage of this project and in my life is essential for me. I invite Him into my  creative space, and He is faithful to meet me there. Next, I carved out my writing hours. I am naturally, more of a morning person. I feel most productive, creative and efficient in my tasks when I start my day around  6 or 7AM.  Now, I admittedly haven't gotten up quite that early in a while, so I had to provide myself with a bit of grace period to become reacclimated to the idea and the discipline. I am inspired by the dawning of a new day, and feel energized when the house is still.  I learned from Havilah's course, the importance of setting up my writing space, so I turn on my Edison Light desk lamp, play my writer's playlist that I created on Spotify, put my phone on "Do Not Disturb", exchange morning pleasantries with my parents,  grab a cup of tea or coffee, and from 7Am to 10Am, I write, without interruption.  I now know why authors call that time sacred. It really is almost a spiritual experience, and when you invite the Holy Spirit to create along with you, it absolutely becomes one. 

It took me a while to learn how to format the book for the dimension requirements for Amazon KDP Publishing; their tutorials have been very helpful throughout this process. Once I got the hang of it, I went back to  reformat some other projects I have in the works in a similar fashion. I called upon friends as well to assist me with cover art and graphic design elements and the Lord met me tremendously in this area as well, because I had been prayerful regarding who  He wanted to be a part of this work, and He placed the names and faces, of those He wanted me to reach out to. When I did, I was humbled by the response of many of them; their excitement, words of encouragement, and support was overwhelming in the best of ways. My biggest take away from all that I have learned up to this point is to say yes in faith, and not no in fear. 

As I prepare to release this book out into the world, I am feeling a plethora of different emotions, but the  one that is most evident is humility. I am humbled to be used as a vessel of the Lord in this way, to spread, hope in a world that is hurting. Just like in the book of Esther, I am beginning to believe that "Perhaps this is the moment for which I have been created." (Esther 4:14)