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By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

This summer has been a season of exploring and refining my career, specifically how to work more effectively and efficiently within my writing ministry. I want to share my process with you.

Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting out, pausing to access where you are—and where God is calling you—can transform your writing ministry.

The process begins with prayer:

• What does God purpose for me?
• What are His priorities? Mine are writing, speaking, and teaching other writers, but those might not be yours.
• Ask Him to guide you through wise counsel, wisdom, and life experiences.
• Invite Him to give you an open heart and mind.

Seeking God’s will always challenges us. We ask, “Is what I’m hearing from God, myself, or from the enemy?”

Level Up Your Writing Ministry: A Practical Self-Assessment for Authors from @DiAnnMills on @BRMCWC #writing #writingtips Share on X

Is Time an Issue?

• What are your responsibilities to your career and personal life? 
• Do you work a day job and write on the nights and weekends?
• Do you have a family that needs your attention?
• Do you need an accountability partner to keep you on track?

Writing

• Are you learning about the craft?
  • Daily Blogs
  • Studying the craft
  • Online and in-person workshops
  • Conferences
• How many hours per week are devoted to writing? 
• Are you scheduling quality time for research?

Marketing and Promotion

• How are you making readers a priority?
• Do you respond to their comments?
• Do you pray for your readers and social media followers?
• Which two or three social media platforms are you active?
• Make sure your favorite platforms are not owned by the same parent company.
• Do you tailor posts to fit each platform?
• Do you keep your bios up to date?
• What are your social media platforms and numbers?
• Do you post a blog or guest blog regularly?
• Do you analyze your posts’ performance?
• Do you use a street team?
• Are you willing to abandon a marketing method when the results are negative?

Giving Back to the Writing Community

• How are you encouraging other writers?
• Do you belong to an online or in-person writing group?

Determining Areas to Refine

• What are your strengths and challenges in the publishing world?
• What writing, marketing, or promotion tasks could be delegated to someone else? 
• What critical tasks are reserved for only you?
• Do you use an AI tools in your workflow?
• With a new book launch, are you analyzing what worked best in the previous campaign— and what needs to be eliminated or changed?

Friends, I value working effectively and efficiently, and I’m sure you do too. When we choose to ignore changes within the publishing industry, we are asking for our writing ministry to have a lesser impact.

What tips have you discovered to reach your goals? Share in the comments below.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn, or her website: diannmills.com.