It's a great time to be a writer

How did they do it?

Tolstoy--Source: Wikipedia Commons

Steinbeck, Hemingway, Austen -- they didn't have Google!

I write historical fiction and faction at present (although my new release will be contemporary humor), and I thank the dear Good Lord each day that I don't have to wade through piles of books at the library anymore to do my research as I did in "the old days."

Want to know who the most notorious criminals were in 1923? 

Google it.

What did they wear in 1823?

Pinterest.

Need a unique character to spice things up?

Listology. (You're welcome.)

Another great resource for research is used books. The Internet is even useful in helping me acquire these. Amazon usually sells used copies of books right beside the new ones!

It's an amazing time to be a writer and I'm grateful to be living in this time.

But it's also one of the most important times to be a writer. I'm conscious of a spirit of disbelief as never before on earth. "Oh, God!" I cry, "Teach me Truth so I can write Truth!" 

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1 Thess. 2:13).

The only way to know the Truth is to know His Words. Just think: God used 40 writers to teach us the Truth. What if they'd decided not to write on the day God inspired them? 

"Sorry, Lord, but one of my harp strings broke. Can't work on that Psalm. I need perfect conditions, you know. Maybe tomorrow."

Someone needs to read what God has given you to write. 

Put your procrastinating self in that chair and do it. 

After all, you have more than Google, Pinterest or Listology.

You have the Precious Holy Spirit. 

And last time I checked, He'd written a book or two Himself. 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" John 14:26.

 Karla Akins is author of the best-selling Jacques Cartier (that went #1 on Amazon in its category), O Canada! Her Story and  Sacagawea. Her debut novel The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots  is due out in 2013. When she's not writing she dreams of riding her motorcycle through the Smoky Mountains.