By DiAnn Mills, @DiAnnMills
Christian writers in leadership have a responsibility to those who look up to us for guidance and wisdom. The distinction requires a unique skill set.
What are the 7 Traits Every Christian Writer Needs for Leadership?
- Make positive choices.
Choose joy. This is not about expecting every day to be filled with happiness. Choosing joy is a state of mind, a test of strength when life tosses us unexpected trials. It’s not viewing the glass of life as half empty but half full.
Choose awareness. Too many times it’s easier to bury our head under the pillow than make a conscious decision to find out what’s going on around us. A leader is informed about personal events, community, country, and the world.
Choose to grow. Those who stagnate, cease to live.
Choose good health. Our body is the temple of God. If you doubt it, check out 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
If you’re concerned about establishing good healthy habits, consult your doctor. Eat nutritionally sound. Exercise daily. Receive regular medical and dental checkups. We can’t lead if we aren’t healthy.
Choose strategic business practices for strong leadership skills. We writers are involved in a ministry and a business. Be informed of the publishing world.
- Practice Professionalism
Learn the craft. That means attending conferences, retreats, workshops, read and reread how-to books, and seeking out online opportunities to better our writing.
The Blue Ridge Conference leadership team is committed to bringing writers the best tools to help develop the craft, social media, faith, and leadership.
Keep up to date with technology. Obsolete hardware/software can result in less productivity.
Learn proper grammar. Sites like grammarly.com are an asset to any writer.
Learn the art of simplicity. Good writing thrives when communication is easy to understand. No matter how many letters are after our names, reaching others through understandable language tops any ten dollar word.
Learn how to write with transparency. Be real. Memorable writing is raw, forged in the fires of experience. That includes fiction and non-fiction.
Organize the writing life with calendars, task lists, and spreadsheets.
Find balance with work and personal life. Are your priorities in the right place? Do you know what they are?
Set goals – Be smart and keep them where they can be clearly seen.
Remember Social media marches ahead with platforms that bring followers to our brands. Research the advantages and disadvantages for your genre to inspire readers and those we lead, and be prepared to adjust with the constant platform changes.
- Commit to Reading
Read and study a marketing book per month.
Read and study a craft/technique book per month. We can always learn or be reminded of a concept.
Read and study bestsellers. Dissect why these books are popular. Read in our genre. We can’t write quality books unless we know what other writers are publishing.
Blogs teach us craft, social media, marketing, branding, how to dress, where to shop, speak, cook, worship, and engage in life.
- Cultivate a servant’s heart.
A leader leads by example, which means serving others.
Establish and implement programs that nurture every aspect of a writer’s needs.
Remember every writer was once a beginner.
Reach out for assistance in areas where we require proper guidance.
Be transparent when necessary.
Never stop growing.
- Begin each day with God.
When we establish Bible study habits that stretch us, faith is nurtured, and we become better people and more effective leaders.
- Choose to eliminate worry from our personal and professional life.
I’ve heard, ”View life from Gods point of view. See life through His lenses and practice heartfelt prayer.”
Take a look at this Brandon Heath’s video, “Give Me Your Eyes.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY
Worry has no place in Christian leadership. An emphasis on worry is a reliance on self instead of God. Work is second-guessed. Decisions are made with a world-view instead of a God-view.
Think WDW – Worry Doesn’t Work
- Evaluate progress and make necessary changes
Initiate quarterly reviews of your personal writing, your leadership skills, and your organization.
Look at past performances.
Look to professionals to understand successes and challenges.
Document progress.
What doesn’t work is as valuable as what does work.
Include spiritual progress.
For leaders to help others, we must show other writers how to sharpen their publishing tools by modeling the same practices as we want them to embrace.
How do you define a leader?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. 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. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers 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 http://www.diannmills.com
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