by Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

Preparation is vital for spiritual, emotional, and professional success.

Every day must begin with talking to our Abba. He alone is the source of life, wisdom, power, and guidance.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Pray, Plan, and Read for Writing Success by @bisbanowrites on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

He is happy when we plan; however, He may change them.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans.

(Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

(Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

The Holy Spirit will guide your day. If He guides you away from writing,  there is a reason. Trust Him. Our obedience is a form of worship to our Father. He will help you find the time to finish the project.

My wheels spin  I don’t stick to a schedule. I have ADHD. A “To-Do” list keeps me sane and focused. If I veer from my daily routine, I add the item to the next day.

Goals should be an integral part of your planning. Click here for an article from Heather Kreke to assist you.

Plan for success, and walk in the Spirit. You will have peace when you place your head on the pillow.

Absorbing good books is vital to writing well. We should read books on the craft to sharpen our skills. We also need to read in our genre and venture into other categories. What’s a writer to do when there are so many books to read?

When I don’t know where to start, I pray and ask God what books he wants me to read.

The books on the writing craft remain the same. Here are a few.

• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
• On Writing by Stephen King.
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser.
• Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster.
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.
• Writer to Writer by Cecil Murphy
• Story Trumps Structure by Steven James
• The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work by Maria Arana
• Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
• Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collin
• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
• How to Write Bestselling Fiction by Dean Koontz
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Stein On Writing by Sol Stein
• Hooked by Les Edgerton
• Story Trumps Structure by Steven James

If you’re aware of any excellent books on the craft, please list them in the comments.

When it comes to personal reading, I desire to support my friends. I love to learn, so I prefer historical fiction and Christian Living. I also enjoy a good suspense novel. I still ask God what books he desires me to read. He has led me to books I thought I’d never want to devour. I’ve been blessed by following through with his prompting.

After I pray, I make a list that includes both books on the craft and books in my genre. I even schedule time to read or listen. I prefer audiobooks because I read all day for work. Regardless of what I wish to consume, I am aware that God cares about what I put into my mind and heart.

Do you pray, plan, and read? I encourage you to invite God into the process. He might surprise you.

Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.