Five Reasons to Write Articles and Devotions

 By Lori Hatcher

Many writers dream of writing a book. They attend writers' conferences where book publication is exalted as the pinnacle of writing accomplishment. They watch others accept awards, attend book signings, and garner 5-star reviews, and they long to share in the joy.

If you’re a writer who hopes to see your name on a book cover one day, I’d like to share five reasons you should consider writing articles or devotions first.

1. Writing articles or devotions can serve as your writing apprenticeship.

Writing isn't something we perfect overnight. It takes hard work and dedication. Geoff Colvin's research for Talent Is Overrated refers to the ten-year rule which states that talented performers don't become great “without at least ten years of very hard preparation.” He adds, “. . . authors produce their greatest work only after twenty or more years of devoted effort.” Article and devotion writing can help you learn the craft and understand the business.

2. Writing articles or devotions proves you can start and complete a writing project.

New (and seasoned) writers often grow discouraged in the long haul of writing a book. Articles and devotions, however, take much less time to write and publish. You get feedback fairly quickly, both from editors and readers, and experience the joy of publication.

3. Writing articles or devotions helps you gain publishing credits.

These are a crucial part of your CV and writing resume, and a huge part of a book proposal. Publishers and editors want to see that you have a long publishing history and that others in the business value your work.

4. Articles and devotions help you find your audience and gain credibility in the marketplace.

A series of articles or devotions can help connect you with the readers who might one day buy your book. If you become known as “the woman who writes on grief,” or "the guy who tackles hard spiritual subjects,” this audience recognition can pave the way for an audience following. Additionally, the more articles you publish, the more seriously other publishing professionals (think agents, editors, and publishers) will take you and your writing.

5. Writing articles and devotions develops skills that carry over into book publishing.

As you write articles and devotions for online and print projects, you learn to write to a specific length, focus, tone, and audience. You gain insight into how to handle professional editing and demonstrate that you can do a rewrite if necessary. These are invaluable skills to bring into the book publishing process.

If you have a dream to one day write and publish a book, you don't have to write articles or devotions first, but it's an excellent way to break into publishing.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Chaiwat.)

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Lori Hatcher loves God even more than she loves chocolate—and that’s a lot. Since He saved her at age 18, she’s been on a relentless journey to know and love Him more. Her deepest desire is for others to join her on the journey. As an author, writing instructor, blogger, and women’s ministry speaker, she writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. She’s written three devotional books (soon to be five), including Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible, and Hungry for God…Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. Connect with her at www.LoriHatcher.com or on Facebook, Twitter (@lorihatcher2) or Pinterest (Hungry for God).