Ask the Author: Keri Wyatt Kent
Answered Questions (6)
Keri Wyatt Kent
As Anne Lamott would say, "shitty first drafts and short assignments." Like most professional writers, I "deal with it" by getting my butt in the chair and just writing. I give myself permission to do a really bad first draft, to get things flowing. If I feel blocked, I'll give myself an assignment: a certain number of words, or a blog post, or a query. Just write something! Also, I make sure I engage in self care: exercise, prayer, looking at art or beauty, times of community with friends. These fill me up. They may not seem related to writing but they are. Writing flows out of a full soul. But number one: don't wait until you feel like writing to write. Just show up at the page and start writing. When I'm working on a book, I have a daily word count that I make myself hit each day. I track my progress, which motivates me.
Keri Wyatt Kent
My readers. When you write something, and it helps someone, or connects with them on a soul level--that's an amazing gift. I'm always delighted when someone tells me one of my books helped them in some way. I also love the flexibility. This morning, I sat on my back deck with a cup of coffee and wrote. The flip side is, you have to be self-motivated. You have to meet deadlines. It's hard work, you're always looking for the next project, but I'm really grateful I get to work from home and choose my projects. Also, I love the craft of writing--making something beautiful out of words. In a world that values bucketloads of content, I care about quality. I love the process of honing and self-editing what I write to make it as strong and clear as I can.
Keri Wyatt Kent
Read and write. So many people will tell me they want to write a book, but I ask what they are writing currently, and they tell me they don't write. So what they really want is to have written a book, not to actually write one. If you aspire to write, start writing: blogging, journaling, essays. Look online for writing prompts--writers digest has a bunch. Also, attend writers conferences, where you can learn about the publishing industry as well as learn how to hone your craft. Also read! Read well-written books, whether they are fiction, non-fiction, whatever. Read voraciously. Read books about writing and read good literature. Also, read Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird.
Keri Wyatt Kent
I'm blogging and working on strategy for marketing GodSpace, which releases in September. I'm also working on a book proposal for my next book, which I'm co-writing with a dear friend. I'm editing a book for a client, and creating a curriculum for another client. I also blog and do social media for a couple of clients.
Keri Wyatt Kent
I believe if you wait to "get inspired" you won't get much writing done. I write every day (except Sunday--more on that in the book!) because I make my living that way. If you make writing a daily discipline, and show up each day, you'll find the writing gets done, whether you "feel inspired" or not.
Keri Wyatt Kent
A letter from my daughter on a recent birthday included a list: "values I'm glad you raised me with." By values, she meant practices--which ranged from Sabbath Sundays to hospitality to simple living and caring for the poor. As I thought about how to coach others in spiritual practice, I selected seven of the spiritual habits she'd listed, and wrote about how we engaged in them as a family, and how my readers can do the same.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more