@DiAnnMills

Are you a vertical writer?

We writers are in the business of learning the craft, using our imaginations, writing, editing, and rewriting. Then the process repeats. That’s horizontal writing. We depend on people and earth’s resources to help us reach our publishing dreams and goals. While we are to prayerfully consider wise counsel and seek knowledge, too often we forget that we are called to live vertical lives. Our heads are bent over the keyboard instead of lifted up in communication with God.

We made an incredible choice by moving forward on God’s will for our lives and accepting our calling to write.

We crave God’s guidance.

We value the importance of prayer.

We praise Him as the great Creator.

We tell others about His saving grace.

But too often we forget to write vertically.

Here are five ways a vertical writer can reach up to communicate with God and better communicate the written word.

1. Develop a mission statement that puts God first. We seek Him first thing in the morning before we place our fingers on the keyboard.
2. Understand writing is a calling, not to be worshiped. We have one God who gave us a special gift. Take the gift away, and do you still have a relationship with God?
3. Love others above ourselves. Sometimes we writers have to humble ourselves and love the reader who hates our work, the agent or editor who gives tough feedback, or the publishing industry that prefers a different style.
4. Guard our faith. The pressures of money and fame are tempting. God is our number One target audience, our perfect Reader, and our relentless Cheerleader.
5. Reserve time in our busy lives to consult and listen to God’s voice.

When we consider our God is with us and wants the best for us, vertical writing is the only way to embrace our calling.

How do you approach your writing career?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Follow DiAnn on Twitter: @DiAnnMills