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.

Fifty Plus? Read on.

You’ve arrived late to the fiction writing party. You may have just stepped inside, peeking into an already crowded room of jolly writers. Will you be welcomed? Will you belong someday?

Absolutely.

But you’ll have to leave at least three things at the door.

Timidity. You’ll have to risk. Your stories and craft will reveal who you really are. And you’ll do it most winsomely with a humble conviction born of life experience because life includes a fair share of failure.

Old ways of seeing and doing.  You’ll want to see your world through new eyes, on the look out for new connections and new ways to communicate. You’ll also want to reorder your days, knowing how and when you focus best not only to write but also to study the craft. Writing is both art and science.

Easy quittism. You’ll have to keep writing even though the learning curve is so steep and long that you can’t see the end of it. On many days you’ll feel like giving up.  

Please don’t.

You bring your readers at least three delicious gifts.

Courage. They will take heart. They will see that you made it—however messily—through all kinds of  difficulties and they’ll conclude that they will make it, too.

Perspective. You’ve experienced a lot more life than many of your readers. Through your stories, spiced with wisdom, your readers will be able to look at life in new ways. They may even consider life change as a result of your insight.

Perseverance. Your readers will learn by your example. Valuable pursuits aren’t easily gained but the end reward far outweighs the struggle.

Still unsure? Googling writers started late will give you dozens of links to later writing.  Read on.
And please enjoy the writing party.