How I wrote my first book 

Have you dreamt of writing a book but you do not know where or how to begin?

If your answer is yes to the above question then you are at the right place at the right time and together we will explore the intriguing world of writing a book.

Before I embark on giving you the seven criteria that you must have to write a book, let me tell you the two things that you do not need to write a book.

You do not need a college degree to write a book.

You do not need to be an expert in grammar to write a book.

But, you definitely need the following seven things.

    1.  Desire

 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4)

You must have a desire for writing. It is not wise to write because you want to compete with your friend who published a best-selling book.

Ever since I was a child I love writing and always wanted to be an author.

I also love to read and so I spent countless hours in the library consuming as many books as possible.

I enjoyed exploring the world of fantasy and make-belief.

So reading and writing were my passion.

In my younger days, there were no internet and cell phones and so communication was by writing letters.

Thus, I had many penfriends from all over the world and we used to exchange pictures and gifts. I still have pictures of some of my penfriends.

After completing high school I wanted to pursue Mass Communication at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

However, my mother could not afford to send me to UWI.

I was disappointed, but the Lord provided a full scholarship for me to pursue Radiography at the School of Medical Radiation Technology, UHWI.

After completing this program I began working at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and then after a few years, I decided to return to school part-time at the UWI.

Unfortunately, due to the strong competition, I  was not accepted in the Mass Communication program so I decided to pursue a degree in Linguistic with a minor in Social Sciences.

After a while, I gave up my dream of becoming an author and became immersed in my work as a Medical Imaging Technology and raising my children.

However, the Lord never gave up on my dream.

After many years, when I was in my forties, the Lord healed my broken heart and restored my love for writing and the desire to write a book.

However, the Lord steered me into writing specifically for His kingdom. He told me to set the stage and proclaim His Word.

The Lord wanted me to focus my writings based on the Bible. And so the Lord began to teach me His Word.

Everything that He taught became alive in my life and I recorded them in my children’s old notebooks.

Soon the notes were organized into chapters and the chapters became my first book – Harm not The Oil and Wine.

   2.  Passion/Love

 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Colossians 3:23)

If you do not have a passion for writing, chances are you will not have the desire to write a book because writing will become a burden to you.

   3.  Perseverance

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

During the course of your writing, you are going to feel like giving up. But you must persevere.

Remember He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). I adopted this verse as my motto when I felt like giving up.

    4.  Commitment

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:5)

God wants us to be committed to Him. One way of proving our commitment is how we are dedicated to the simple tasks that He has given us.

Are you a great starter but a bad finisher?

If you are guilty, this habit must change.

    5.  Obedience

Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the Lord our God. (Jeremiah 42:6)

You may think that you are not qualified to write on a particular subject or you may not believe that you have the time and energy to write your first book, but as long as God instructed you to do so, then it is best to obey Him.

To obey is better than sacrifice.

    6.  Humility

A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Proverbs 29:23)

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Always maintain a humble spirit and never think that your writings are far more superior to others or that you know it all.

The internet contains thousands of talented writers and you can learn from them.

So read books in your genre that are written by these talented authors.

   7.  Patience

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalms 27:14)

You have finally published your first book and it is on the market. But it is not selling.

Be patient!

God will give you the increase.

Whatever the Lord promised He will fulfill because He is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering towards us (2 Peter 3:9).

Eight years ago when the Lord inspired me to study the book of revelation I thought that I was unqualified, but the Lord assured me that He qualified the call and that the Holy Spirit would teach me His Word.

I obeyed the Lord and He taught me these seven criteria that are necessary to write a book.

By surrendering my will to the Lord He equipped me with these qualifications to write Harm Not the Oil and Wine.

I deeply appreciate everyone who has purchased a copy of this book.

Thank you!

I know the Lord will bless you exceedingly.

If you have not yet obtained a copy you can do so here.

Join me next week Tuesday as I continue to explore the wonderful world of writing with you.

God bless you!