Strive for Excellence
Editors see so many manuscripts that are merely average—or worse. In today’s market crowded with writers and those who are trying to get published, average garners more rejections than bylines.
Years ago, at a Write-to-Publish Conference banquet, Jim Johnson, who was chairman of the graduate department of communications at Wheaton College, said this: “Our worst enemy [as writers] is the attitude of acceptance of the average or even the mediocre.” As Christian writers, we need to strive for excellence, not settle for average. So how do we do that?
Nurture Your Spirit
Excellence begins with a growing relationship with God. Spending time with Him in prayer, Bible study, and worship lays a foundation for excellent manuscripts that meet needs.
Educate Yourself
Education nourishes excellence. Attending writers conferences, reading books on writing, and listening to recordings or podcasts about writing all contribute to improving your ability to write well.
Practice Your Craft
Knowing how to write well doesn’t automatically translate into excellent writing. It takes practice. The more you write and get constructive feedback on your manuscripts, the more your writing will improve.
Keep in mind that what is excellent for you today shouldn’t be the same next year or five years from now. When I look back at some of the early manuscripts I had published, I’m thankful that years of writing has improved my style.
Set a Goal
There’s an old saying, “Aim at nothing, and you’ll hit it every time.” If you want to write manuscripts that outshine stacks of average ones and result in sales, set a goal of being an excellent writer—however that is defined at this point in your writing career. If you need a reminder, make a sign or create a prize ribbon to hang by your computer or on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror.
After all, God is our primary audience; and He deserves our best. So, make excellence your goal.