by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall

Many people have returned from The American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference. 

Today, I want to encourage those of you that had less than stellar results at conference.

You labored and delivered your book-baby only to hear the worst. Maybe the editor told you to go back to the drawing board. Or they didn’t see a fit for your book-baby. 

Your tempted to doubt—did I really hear God call me to write? 

I get it. I really do. 

But, hear me out. Think about a couple of our brothers in Christ who worked diligently but didn’t see the manifestation of the promise for a long time. 

What about Moses?  He was in the desert for forty years –doing what he was called to do. No visible results. Think about it—a hot desert every single day with all of those complaining and grumbling people. Eck!

What about Noah? He built the Ark. Nearest guess, it took 70 years to build. He kept building because he was instructed to do so—with NO previous evidence of rain!

I encourage you to also remember Philippians 1:6.

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].” (Amplified Version)

Ready for my list? You knew there would be one…

If you were given constructive advice. Try it. Don’t be like Naaman in 2 Kings 5.

If you were told you needed to work on craft, take the necessary steps to improve. We should always be learning. 

1. Purchase craft books and read them. I have two shelves at home full of craft books. At least six of them I need to actually finish reading. See, I need to take my own advice. 
2. Check out the classes on learnhowtowriteanovel.com. They have lessons for every learning type. There are video classes, print books and mp4 downloadable lessons.
3. Craft Partner. Seek out a craft partner or a local writing group so you can network and get continuous feedback. 

I challenge you to take the next step for your book-baby. Improve the story. Learn more craft. Edit and edit again.

Just like our real children, a book-baby needs the right things to grow before it can be sent out to the world of publication.

Blessings

Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.