Surfing the Inner N8

Recently I got together over lunch with Randy Walter, editor of the Manna (a Christian newspaper for Maryland’s Eastern Shore).  He’s got a lot of wisdom and experience in the realm of Christian publishing, as well as a full cache of fascinating stories.  We had some delicious crab cakes as we talked about writing.

Some of the takeaways from our conversation:

• “Everything I write I see as a teaching opportunity.”
• “Most people, including Christians, don’t want to be preached at.  They want to be talked to.”
• “Communication is the responsibility of the speaker, not the hearer.”
• Aim for leaving a lasting impression.
• Preparation can turn a potential crisis into an opportunity.
• Even in secular writing, you can teach Christian truth.
• If you write a book, you have to do one thing every day to promote your book.
• Remember when approaching editors: They’re often frazzled and overcommitted, so write to meet their need.  Find out their needs–and meet them!
• Be willing to take assignments.
• Take opportunities to show your skills.
• The secret to making good writing become great writing is rewriting.
• There’s a difference between wanting to write and wanting to be published.  Which is my motive?
• Why do I want to write?  To feel good?  To feel important?  Or to advance the Kingdom of God?