In this post author Renae Brumbaugh tells how her blog took her from an unpublished, stay-at-home mom to the published author of multiple books.
This is not rocket science. You can do this too.
Renae’s Story
Man. I sure wish I could see my name on one of these books, I thought to myself as I browsed the titles on the bookstore shelf. Sure, I could wish as much as I wanted. But I didn’t really believe it could happen to me.
Sound familiar?
My thoughts echoed the thoughts of millions of other wanna-be writers. I wanted to be published. I just didn’t know how to make it happen.
Then in 2007, I attended a writers’ conference. There I was told that every writer should have a blog. I didn’t even know what a blog was! So I went home and typed, “What is a blog?” into my search engine. Blogger.com came up, and before I knew it, I had my very own blog. I named it Morning Coffee.
I had no idea what to write on my blog. I mean, my life just isn’t that interesting! I couldn’t see writing about my piles of laundry or my less-than-thrilling weekly menu. After giving it a little thought, I decided to write devotionals.
But that was too hard. There are simply too many great passages to choose from! Every day I spent more time deciding which passage to write about than I spent actually writing. Finally I said, “Enough. I’m going to make this easy.”
I opened my Bible to my favorite book: James. I started with chapter one, verse one, and began blogging my way through the book. Before long, I started getting encouraging comments and e-mails. “This is great! You should turn this into a book!”
Yeah, right, I thought. But little did I know, God had plans for my little blog.
I wrote up a query and sent it to every publisher that accepted devotional books. Every single one. Within a few weeks, I had interest from three publishers. I sent them each a full proposal. It was rejected by two of them. It was accepted by one: Chalice Press. And it only takes one!
The discipline of starting a blog and posting faithfully has been life-changing for me. Since signing the contract for Morning Coffee with James, I have sold more than two hundred articles, have developed a syndicated humor column, have been given contracts for eight other books, and have contributed to various compilations. And it all started with a blog.
Blogging Tips
If you are a wanna-be writer – like I was just a few years ago – I’d like to offer some tips:
- Be humble. Take advice from the pros. They really do know what they’re talking about.
- Attend writers’ conferences, read books about writing and publishing, join a writer’s group. Follow the advice you’re given.
- Start a blog.
- Post faithfully. Even if no one ever reads it, even if it doesn’t turn into a book, the simple act of writing every day will cause more growth than you can imagine.
- Keep writing. Keep posting, even if no one ever leaves a single comment. You never know what may come of it!
Great post, Renae! I smile every time I think of you and your story!
How timely to come across your blog. God does work in great ways. Just a few days ago I wrote my blog titled "is it worth it?" asking if the time I put into blogging and twitter will ever pay off. My resolution became that after all, it is completely worth it. But it is inspiring to hear that you say also to just keep on, 'you never know what will become of it."
Thanks! Lynn
My recent post Is it worth it, after all?
Hello Renae,
I just heard about your story from Christian Writers website and knew that I wanted to know more about you. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging me through these words…”the simple act of writing every day will cause more growth than you can imagine”. God bless you!
Thanks, Vonda! And thanks Thomas, for having me here today. 🙂
My recent post Check It Out and Win a Free Book!
Thanks, Vonda! And thanks Thomas, for having me here today. 🙂
My recent post Check It Out and Win a Free Book!
Hi Renae
yes I am commenting so I have a chance to win your book 🙂 – I actually have been meaning to buy a copy ever since we became friends on facebook. – but I hate saying that – because I hate when people say that to me about my book."i"ve been meaning to buy that!" I always want to say – well DO it – PLEASE – i need the income. 🙂
I do love the fact that your blog got you published. I know there are a lot of bloggers out there hoping for the same results. I think I have finally found my blogging nitch as well. I am having a blast blogging about how we can find Biblical lessons in classical children's books. It still is a challenge to get one done every day for me- but I love doing it and have found so many teachers interested in what I have to say. – That amazes me. – totally a God thing, I'm sure.
Ok well here is my comment so now I am entered into the contest. And if I don't win – I still plan to buy a copy!
My recent post Corduroy – The Search For a Friend
Thanks for this very encouraging post. I needed to read it today…. What a gift you’ve been given!
What a great story! It just goes to show that we all have a purpose, we just need to be patient. If we don’t find it, it will surely find us!
Way to go, Renae. You are an inspiration! Keep up the great work.