Writing A Christian Best Seller

[jesuslove]

Recently I was having discussion with my friends writers around here about how to put together a christian book that will later turn out to be a best seller, Does anyone has any idea I think we can all learn from inputs here. I do hope to make some contributions and learn here my self, God bless you all

[Tamera]

I think if there was a formula that could be used, there would be a lot more best sellers. I think it's a combination of good writing, good marketing, timing, and the favor of the Lord.

[jesuslove]

Yeah thanks,all the above combined together, there must be some things must make it a best seller, I strongly belive that waiting on Lord to get an Inspiring topic, and the message He wants to send through us is paramount, writing prayerfully, our books should meet some vital purposes in the lives of out readers.

[kriswrite]

Yep, yep. There is no real way to ensure you will write a bestseller. Good writing is vital. Good marketing is, too. Finding the right publisher is part of that. And, of course, no book will thrive unless the Lord wants it to.

Kristina

[Tommie Lyn]

Yeah thanks,all the above combined together, there must be some things must make it a best seller

Donald Maass' book "Writing the Breakout Novel" analyzes bestselling novels and points out common elements which he believes enabled them to become bestsellers. What I found was that applying the exercises in his companion workbook during rewrites did improve my stories. So, whether or not any of them "make it," I know they're better, and that pleases me.

[Tarin]

You can't worry about writing a "best seller." It's plenty of work just worrying about writing the best story that is in you. :rolleyes: Do your best, and let God take care of the "seller" part. If you're good enough and, if it's His will, the rest will follow - but, mind, those are two mighty big "if's."

[paulchernoch]

Live like a saint. If you love God and your neighbor in a bushel-free manner (as in don't hide your light under a bushel) then you will gain people's attention. Then if you write something worth reading, people will buy it.

Prison may also help. The Apostle Paul had lots of time to write while under house arrest.

- Paul

[Tamera]

Prison may also help. The Apostle Paul had lots of time to write while under house arrest.

- Paul

I'm not sure I want to go to prison just so I can have a best seller. :eek:

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Just worry about writing a damn good novel. If the time is ripe, it will sell.

[Lookin^Up]

Prison may also help. The Apostle Paul had lots of time to write while under house arrest.

- Paul
Yeah, get yourself arrested. People always trust ex-cons. LOL

Actually, it's more important to write arrestingly. Writing a best-seller would be nice, but Tarin is right. Don't aim for the summit. Focus on your next step along the path.

Hmm, good advice. I should take that myself. :o

[passionpen]

Hmm, I think in the beginning, it's not wise to think about writing a best seller. I think it's more important to focus on getting the story out of you. Even more important than that is making sure you write to glorify God. This semester has been hard for me because God revealed to me that I hadn't surrendered my writing to him--it was still mine. If I'm still holding on to it, there's not much He can do with it, but when I let go of it, it's all about what He wants.

I personally believe that God gave me the idea for the story I'm working on now--two years ago. But can you believe it, I'm just now able to work on it, and I believe it's because I've surrendered it to Him. Whether or not it becomes a best seller is up to God and what He wants to do with it? Of course, I have to put a lot of work into it, but even if I do, that does not mean it will do well. It's up to God and what He works in me to do.

I believe after my third revision of the entire novel, it will be ready for publication. Mind you, I'm not finished writing the novel yet. Thus, the question is--will I faithfully write this story and will I patiently revise it several times. I never have before, but I wonder what will happen if I do. I don't know. We hope for a best-seller, and we hope we want it for the right reasons. And we hope that it is in God's plan. And if it is, we know that it will only serve to bring more glory to Him. So basically we just have to trust God with it entirely.

I know God has given me the ability to write. Now, I'm asking Him, "Why? How do you want to use it?"

[TanyaSue]

There's actually a book by this title: The Making of Christian Bestseller (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932902570?ie=UTF8&tag=inthedai-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1932902570). Someone gave it to me about a year ago. I have yet to read it because ... well, the cover is neon and it burns my eyes. There are so many books with less offensive colors to read ... *sigh* .... Anyway, it's a collection of articles and advice from author's who have actually penned bestsellers. If your goal is to imitate their success, this book might help. :)

[passionpen]

I don't know about everyone else, but I think there are too many books like that out there. I wonder if these people know what they are talking about. I think there's just a market out there for people who want to write. I'm sure a few of these books are valuable though.

[TanyaSue]

I don't know ... I mean, if they've actually written bestsellers, they must know something. Why are we here on CW? For many of us, it's to learn from others who have "been there"; to learn from those more experienced than ourselves. I see these books as the same thing, just less interactive, less personal.

[passionpen]

The key being "if they've actually written bestsellers."

[Tarin]

Can you think of a book on writing that wasn't written by a best-seller? I suppose they're out there (Donald Maas, for instance, is top agent, not a top writer), but I've yet to read a book written by someone without the proper credentials. Not, of course, that credentials always guarantee sound advice. ;)

[TanyaSue]

Exactly! The book I mentioned above WAS written by bestselling authors. I still can't vouch for it's value, though, since I haven't actually read it. :) I'll let someone else dive into the neon.

[Merry]

Never begin your story with, 'It was a dark and stormy night...'

[Tarin]

Never begin your story with, 'It was a dark and stormy night...'

I dunno... worked pretty good for Snoopy.:cool: