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Writing Tips … Sharon Norris Elliott

January 16, 2023 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Speaker, teacher, and author Sharon Norris Elliott has received some good and bad writing advice throughout her career. She’s sifted through them all to find the gems, and she’s sharing many of them with us today. If you need writing tips, encouragement, or inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s welcome Sharon!

What is your favorite writing book?
A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech

Which do you think is the most underrated writing book? Why?
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing. If an author doesn’t understand marketing, it doesn’t matter how great the book is because people will never find it in order to read it.

What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?
No conference has taken the place of the granddaddy of them all, The Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference. I started attending as a hopeful author and ended up serving on the faculty for 20 years. The conference was a family reunion. You attended whether you had a proposal to pitch or not. Now, my favorite conferences are the West Coast Christian Writers’ Conference and the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference

What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?
Some webinars from time to time. I listen to workshops taught by other industry professionals that are presented at the online conferences at which I am also a faculty member.

Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?
There were so many: Susan Titus Osborne, Gail Roper, Florence Littauer, Kathy Collard Miller,  Joyce Dinkins, Patricia Raybon, Marlene Bagnull, Linda Evans Shepherd, and others.

Some of these women ran conferences or organizations that I was able to work with, many times in leadership capacities. Others are editors and writers who shared their knowledge and expertise with me. All of them believed in and still believe in me, never letting me forget I had gifts and could use them to glorify God. They all treated me like I was really a part of this industry until I realized that truth about myself.

What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?
Write for the African American community and concentrate on one specific genre. This was bad advice because it tried to put my writing in a small box.

I don’t write “Black” books; I write Christian books. And God has led me to write women’s nonfiction, Bible studies, devotionals, children’s books, parenting books, and teen/YA books. I would be “disobedient to the heavenly vision” if I stuck to just one genre.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Find my voice and communicate by using it.

What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?
Be teachable and listen to professionals in the industry. Get to know someone in the industry who has your best interest at heart and stick with that person as your mentor.

What is your best self-editing tip or advice?
Read back over everything. There will always be mistakes. Then have someone else—someone impartial and professional—edit your work and consider what that person says about changes that need to be made. Choose carefully the hills you will die on. Everything is not worth a live or die fight.

Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.
Keep at it. The best writers, authors of classics you’ve probably read, were rejected many times before they experienced publishing success. No one is perfect. You will never stop learning.

This is a distance race, not a sprint. Decide that you are in this for the long haul. And whatever you learn, be determined to teach that to someone else. You will never lose by giving back. You get better at what you are able to teach.

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.
My newest upcoming release is Didn’t See That Coming: When How They’re Living’s Not How You Raised Them. This is my third parenting book and launched from Elk Lake Publishing on January 3! Later this year, my 7-book children’s series will continue with the next two books: Special Church Snack (explaining communion) and Funny Math (explaining the Trinity).

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
The next semester of my AuthorizeMe Academy Masterclass Series begins March 4, 2023. If you’re interested in taking your book from idea to manuscript to masterpiece, and being taught personally by Dr. Sharon, register at www.AuthorizeMe.net.


From obscurity in Compton, CA to preaching from sacred pulpits, to commanding main stages teaching others how to write their books and understand the Bible, Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott encourages us to “Live significantly!” This inspiring message has driven Dr. Sharon to become an award-winning author, editor, agent, engaging speaker, and licensed minister. She is a graduate of Biola University and HSBN International School of Ministry in association with Gateway International Bible Institute, author of 13 books, and a member of several prestigious organizations. Dr. Sharon is also co-director of the WCCW conference and a Christian broadcaster with HSBN.tv. She is founder/CEO of the successful AuthorizeMe® Literary Firm (www.AuthorizeMe.net). Dr. Sharon and her husband James live in Southern California; attend Christ Second Baptist Church of Long Beach; and enjoy traveling to visit their children and grandchildren.

Website: www.LifeThatMatters.net
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SaneWriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorizeMeNow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sanewriter
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sanewriter
LinkedIn: Dr. Sharon Elliott
HSBN.tv: Search for Sharon Norris Elliott or Life That Matters (the shows)
CWWN.tv: Search for Sharon Norris Elliott or Life That Matters (the shows)

For past author interviews, click here!

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, Christian nonfiction, editing tips, self-editing, Sharon Norris Elliott, writing nonfiction, writing tips, writing tools

How I Write: Julie Zine Coleman

June 6, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Julie Zine Coleman did what most writers dream about — she signed a book contract with a major publishing house for her first book! But she also did something else…she put a lot of time and work into making that manuscript shine!

Today, Julie’s going to share some of her tips and secrets with us. Welcome (and thank you!)

What do you write? How did you pick your genre?

I am a Bible teacher, so my goal in my writing is to teach the Bible! For twenty years, I taught in Christian Schools (mostly fifth grade) and my favorite part of the day was teaching God’s Word to my students. I was also given many opportunities to speak for women’s events and retreats and loved doing that with all my heart. One year, I was given a big teaching award and was booked to speak for several area educator events. As I returned to my seat after speaking for one of them, the lady next to me commented, “You should do this for a living.” I told her I would love that, but had no idea how to get started. She told me, “You need to write a book.”

She got me thinking. I went home, opened my file for a recent retreat I had just given, and made each session into a book chapter. That was the beginning. And I’ve never looked back.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

I’ve never been a natural at academics, so the intense research required for a book is always a challenge for me. I had to develop a system of notetaking and footnote recording that would keep me from hours of trying to find a source later in the process. I needed to create outlines to keep me focused and on point. The hardest thing was creating the needed space in my schedule to get a project finished. I’m still learning organizational skills and will probably always be challenged on that part of writing.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

My first manuscript took about six months, not including the chapters already written for my proposal. The next one was a compilation of devotionals from 72 authors, which was a different kind of challenge, which ended up being no easier than writing a book myself! That was done in about seven months. My recent release again took about seven months before I sent the initial manuscript off to Kregel.

My husband is my best editor, and he and I went through the entire manuscript three times, chopping, adding, fixing, etc. There was also a great deal of editing after that initial submission, back and forth to Kregel for a couple of months. I sent in the first draft in September, and we did not have the final draft until March or April of the following year.

However long it takes, editing should be embraced. It makes our work clearer, cleaner, and takes it to a new level of professionalism with each pass. Worth every minute. Many eyes make for the cleanest finished product.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

My most recent release was definitely the hardest. Each chapter was an in-depth teaching on one of the passages traditionally used to limit women. I had to leave any preconceived notions behind and start fresh with every passage. I didn’t want to read into what was actually there in black and white.

What I found was pretty stunning for a girl who wore a head covering to church and kept her mouth shut. So many of those passages have been taken out of context, then grouped together to form a doctrine that none of them were meant to mean to begin with. I struggled to be extremely accurate in my interpretation, because I didn’t want to put words in God’s mouth. I’ve never prayed so hard over a passage as I did with these!

But God was faithful, and I believe what he led me to write on each one. I hope you will feel the same after you read it!

How did you find and pick your agent? What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?

I had a meeting at a writer’s conference with a publisher who expressed an interest in my manuscript. She recommended me to a guy who was just setting up an agency to take on new clients. I emailed him my manuscript, and he wrote back the next day and said he would take me on. He pitched to 12 publishers, and Thomas Nelson made an offer. I was his first sale!

For those out there still hoping for representation, find out who you know that has one. They can write introductions for you. Writer’s conferences are your best shot to meet people face to face to get the best impression of them. And PRAY. God can lead you to just the right person.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

I was amazed at how long it takes to get a book published. I started pitching in 2004. I had the first hard copy of my book in hand in 2013.

What advice do you have for new authors?

Be patient. Learning to publish is a process. Listen to the feedback that you get, especially the professionals in the industry. Do what they say. They know what they are talking about!

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

Never ever dash something off without 24 hours before sending. Go over it again and again, then wait for a time and go over it again. Get other eyes on what you write. Did they understand it? Could they find the main point? What didn’t they understand? Their input will bring clarity to your work.


Many Christian women are torn between how the church has taught traditional gender roles and the liberty they see secular society afford to women. But what if the church’s conventional teachings on the place of women aren’t really biblical at all?

On Purpose is a serious study on the verses in the Bible that have often been interpreted to define the role of women in the church, at home, and in the workplace. Each chapter focuses on a single passage, considering what it meant to the original recipients, understanding each author’s intent, and applying its true meaning in today’s cultural setting. With each chapter, Julie Coleman thoroughly reveals how the timeless principles in the Bible actually teach freedom for women. In fact, when rightly understood, these verses are a wake-up call that we are handicapping the church’s role on earth by limiting women unnecessarily. Instead, men and women should be working side by side for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

Written without anger or judgment, and with no agenda but to delve deep into the Bible, On Purpose is an enlightening study offering a fresh, scriptural perspective. It’s time to set women free to answer God’s call on their lives–and set the church free to function the way God truly desires.


Julie Coleman dedicates herself to helping others understand and know an unexpected God. After an award-winning teaching career, she left the classroom behind to earn a M.A. in biblical studies from Capital Bible Seminary. She now spends her time writing, blogging, professionally editing, and teaching at New Hope Chapel.

Julie and her husband have four children and six grandchildren and live in Maryland. You can learn more about Julie at www.juliecoleman.org.

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, Bible studies, Christian nonfiction, Christian publishing, editing tips, writing Bible studies, writing nonfiction, writing tips

How I Write: Billie D. Jauss

May 31, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

When Billie originally agreed to chat with me about her writing style, she didn’t know my main focus is fiction. However, I assured her the I (and my readers!) also read and enjoy nonfiction, so I encouraged her to answer the questions anyway.

I’m so happy she did! If you’re looking for some nonfiction writing tips, you’ve come to the right place.

Thank you so much for talking with me today.What do you write? How did you pick your genre?

I write Christian living/Spiritual Growth non-fiction. I began writing devotions for BaseballChapel.org after meeting the coordinator at a Christian baseball conference. Sitting by the pool in some downtime, we talked about my baseball experience and my walk with Jesus. She encouraged me to write devotions.

Fast forward ten years, another friend encouraged me to work through a book she was writing, Write a Novel in 10 Minutes a Day. My love for writing and acceptance of being a writer began during that process. The merging of the two led me back to writing nonfiction to help women overcome obstacles in life so that they can experience peace of mind.

What’s the most challenging part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

I don’t want to write what I think others want to read when writing about Spiritual Growth. I want to experience it myself to help with each small step of the process, so the hardest part is living it out before the idea for the book begins to simmer.

I’m a list maker and note taker. I start with a list of the experience unfolding. I’m a processor, so I need to write it down in a journal. In time, the Lord begins to show me through his Word the lesson he desires for me to learn. As the lessons unfold, I see a pattern, a process. Then I dig into God’s Word to help layout a practical plan to grow in our faith by overcoming those obstacles to make room for the Lord to move in and through our lives.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

It takes me about three months to write the book. The longer process is the book proposal I write to pitch to publishing houses. The more time and effort I take to lay out the chapters and summarize them, the less time it takes to write the book.

As I go through the writing process, I have two wonderful editors who read through the content, chapter by chapter. They help me see if the flow works, if the content is encouraging and inspiring, and if I’ve made any huge blunders. Editing goes along during the three months of writing the book.

When writing for a traditional publishing house, my experience has been a three-to-six-month process. When it’s complete, and you see the book all laid out, it is such a satisfying experience.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first or the following books?

It took me many years to identify as a writer, much less an author. Imposter syndrome is real. After my first book, I began to doubt my abilities. I questioned everything. Not until I overcame the negative thoughts and replaced them with truth could I move forward. That process led to my second book, Distraction Detox: Release Emotional Barriers, Restructure Priorities, Realize God’s Best.

What’s your favorite writers’ conference?

My favorite conference was the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. The professionalism of the conference was outstanding. The level of teaching was better than any other conference I had attended. I loved that you could be in a class with many newbies and veteran best sellers.

After 2020, Mt Hermon canceled the conference. However, another has risen from those ashes. Vision Christian Writers Conference has taken its place.

What’s your writing day like?

Each day is different. When writing the book, I schedule time each day to write. I take much-needed breaks to take a walk, what a TV show, or just sit by the pool. Living in Southwest Florida is a benefit!

When not actively writing a book, I have days when I focus on social media posts, my podcast scripts, and the daily devotion, Morning’ Son’shine, that I send by email.

But each day, I write something. If I change it up each day, I don’t get bored or stuck. The ideas and freshness come as I change up my subjects.

What does your revision process look like?

I love to print out the chapter and revise it. Using a red pen, I read and edit line by line. Arrows are drawn to reposition paragraphs. I even write notes to myself. Then I go back to the keyboard to rewrite the chapter. After many revisions for each chapter, I send it to my editors. When I receive their notes, I print them out again and repeat the process.

I know it takes a lot of ink and paper, but I am a visual person and need the lines and space to revise.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

The most surprising to me was the length of time it takes to publish. From the time I pitch a book proposal, it gets accepted, and the book is written, edited, and released, it can take about two years. When I began writing, I didn’t realize it took that long. I understand now that the process is methodically planned out and is in the book’s best interest.

What advice do you have for new authors?

  • Pray a lot before you write the first word.
  • Embrace the process.
  • Release the self-limiting thoughts that are holding you back.
  • Dig into God’s Word to lead and guide you.
  • Show yourself some grace.
  • Enjoy the ride. It’s so much fun!

Billie Jauss is the author of Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More and Distraction Detox. She helps women overcome obstacles so that they can find peace and purpose. She is also a speaker and the host of the start small BELIEVE BIG podcast. Billie and Dave, a Major League Baseball coach, spend the summers chasing baseball and the off-season in southwest Florida.

Website: www.billiejauss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billiejaussauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billie_jauss/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billiejauss

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, Christian nonfiction, editing tips, self-editing, writing nonfiction, writing tips, writing tools

How I Write: Rebecca Barlow Jordan

February 21, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Multi-published author Rebecca Barlow Jordan is trying something new this year with her latest release–she’s going indie. After years with traditional publishing houses, Jordan decided to publish herself this year, and she shares a bit about her experiences with us today. Welcome!

What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre?

I discovered my love for writing in the 8th grade, but after I was married, I began writing and selling greeting cards. I wrote a newspaper column, articles, devotions, copy for inspirational gift items, even some children’s things—whatever an editor would pay me so I could stay at home. My 13 books are nonfiction, inspirational, and primarily devotional and biblically inspired, although my husband and I co-authored a marriage book, and I co-authored a CBA bestselling, inspirational humor book with four other women. Because I love Christian fiction and always wanted to write it, I completed a women’s fiction book a few years ago that I hope to publish in the future.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

That depends on the book. I wrote a 3-book series in four months. The last one took me a year and a half. Each one is so very different.

Which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

Every book was hard in some ways. The first one I co-authored with my husband. We retreated to a borrowed cabin and wrote the majority of it the week after my husband’s father died. Extremely hard, but therapeutic.

The one I am currently launching, Day-votions® with Your Faithful Father: 90 Days with the One Who Wants to Meet All Your Needs, is my first independently published one (the rest are traditionally published). The learning curve was huge, and I had to learn everything. It was exhilarating because I learned so much, and because it was the completion of a successful “Daily” devotional series I first wrote almost twenty years earlier.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

When I attended a college fiction class years ago, I discovered I am a pantser, even when I write nonfiction. I generally outline many of the chapters for a nonfiction book, but love where my pen takes me. I’ve written an unpublished women’s fiction book as a pantser. I free-write for every genre, then edit later. That’s the mystery and fun of writing for me.

How did you find/pick your agent? What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?

I met the agent for six of my books when we were both on staff at a writer’s conference years ago before I became an author. Years later, when he became an agent, he remembered me and accepted my book/request for an agent.

Before you look for an agent, join online writers associations or Facebook groups and make sure you have written the best book possible. Learn how to write a great proposal, and detail how you plan to sell it. Ask for recommendations from other Christian writers. Research writers conferences, even virtual ones, and check out the agents who will be attending. Whether you contact an agent at a writers conference or submit a proposal online, follow that agent’s online guidelines for submitting your proposal. And most important of all, ask God to lead you to the right one.  

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

I was surprised by God’s grace, and that He allowed me to do what I love! Why surprised? Because I’ve always felt like an ordinary woman/writer in the presence of an extraordinary God.

What advice do you have for new authors?

Do you have a few hours? I think I’ve always learned things by trial and terror. Depending on whether you have already written your book and what genre you choose, my advice would vary. You might enjoy the humorous tips I wrote on my website, called “Rebecca’s Writing Rules of Disorder.” The publishing market is changing. Be willing to adjust, learn, and keep growing. Improve your craft. Ask for advice from those who have been successful, but only keep what applies to you. Writing is different for everyone.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

In the past, I’ve used a spell-checker, thesaurus, and word finder in Microsoft Word. I also read everything out loud and read through it multiple times. My husband is also a great editor, and he has helped me with each book. In the new Day-votions book,  I did all the editing, again with my husband’s help. This time I included Grammarly, the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, The Chicago Manuel of Style, and general internet researching for help. I took much more time for a thorough edit. It involved a great deal of research and time.


Rebecca Barlow Jordan is a day-voted follower of Jesus who loves to help others find joy and purposeful living through deeper intimacy with God. A CBA bestselling, inspirational author, she has written 13 books, including her newest book, Day-votions® with Your Faithful Father: 90 Days with the One Who Wants to Meet All Your Needs. She paints encouragement on the hearts of others through her encouraging blog and website at www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com. Rebecca is a member of AWSA and ACFW. She is a minister’s wife, has two children and four grandchildren, and makes her home in Texas.

Website: www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com or www.day-votions.com
Facebook profile page: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccabarlow.jordan/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/rebeccabarlowjordan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rebeccabjordan
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads/rebeccabarlowjordan
Newest Amazon book: https://amzn.to/3AOzsJe

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, Christian books, Christian nonfiction, editing tips, self-editing, writing devotionals, writing nonfiction, writing tips, writing tools

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A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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