Called to Write: 7 Principles to Become a Writer on Mission

by Edna Ellison, Linda Gilden

Called to Write will inspire you to either pick up the art of writing or will affirm your calling to write for the kingdom of God. Written by two award-winning and widely published authors and writing coaches, the book is filled with wisdom about how to keep your writing in line with the heart of God. Called to Write identifies seven key competencies every author needs to be a writer on mission. Two aspects of each of the seven competencies are included. First, authors will explore the competency through an informational chapter helping them understand the importance of staying grounded in that competency area. The informational chapter is then followed up by an inspiring how-to-implement section making the book extremely practical. Called to Write is ideal for keeping a Christian writer on track with a gospel focus in their writing.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

A popular author and speaker, Edna Ellison, PhD, has addressed women in almost every state in the US and has led women’s conferences across Europe and South and Middle America. A humorist at heart, Edna loves collecting Christian jokes and leading women in her church in the Beautiful Hat Society, a group of Christian women who meet monthly for encouragement, laughter and a time of sharing their mentoring adventures. Edna Ellison has raised two children and loves to spend time with her grandchild, Blakely.

Reviews

[Iola · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Called to Write will inspire you to either pick up the art of writing or will affirm your calling to write for the kingdom of God. Written by two award-winning and widely published authors and writing coaches, the book is filled with wisdom about how to keep your writing in line with the heart of God."

Uh, no. I finished it feeling as though I’d just read a 200-page lecture.

First, if you are a fiction writer you can ignore Called to Write. The only significant mention fiction gets is that it can be good to use stories (fictional or real life) as a way of getting your point across. There is some discussion on the use of point of view in fiction, but I’ve read better advice.

Second, if you write books, this title will be of limited use, as the focus seems to be mostly on writing shorter works (e.g. devotionals, magazine articles, or materials for church or not-for-profit newsletters):

If you want to influence more people for Christ, magazine articles are forerunners right now.

This statement implies God only calls us to write in order to influence people for Christ. While this might be true, it felt to me like it was putting words in God’s mouth, as I see many writers with an obvious calling who are writing on more mundane topics, such as non-fiction books supporting Christians to live out their God-given calling, or novels to encourage and enlighten.

Sadly, this was the tone of most of the book. I felt somewhat depressed by the time I put it down, because I don’t believe God is calling me to the kind of writing the authors describe, and I know many other authors who don’t fit their narrow parameters either. Does this mean none of us are listening to God? I could believe that if it was just me, but over the last three years I have met dozens of Christian novelists in person, and even more online. If Called to Write is the touchstone of how to write in line with the heart of God, none of the writers I have met are achieving this aim. I don’t believe it. I’ve talked with these writers, heard their hearts, and they honestly believe they are obeying God through writing fiction.

Called to Write does make some good points about how we, as Christian writers, can only write out of our overflow, and if we don’t have a solid and deep relationship with God, our writing won’t have the depth it could have. It also reinforces the importance not only of praying, but of having others pray for us, and for writing under God’s anointing, all of which I agree with.

I also liked this quote:

Once you have established your calling and feel God’s direction to write, you know what your goal is: to be the best writer you can be and to write for Him with excellence.

I agree with this as it’s written. I’ve read too many Christian books where the author hasn’t taken the time to master the craft of writing. However, in the light of the rest of the book, I suspect the authors don’t really believe that God calls some people to write Christian fiction. I believe He does.

The structure of the book follows seven stages: spirituality, scripture study, worldview, relationships, communication, ministry, and leadership. However, their overall theme got lost in the detail. For example, in the “Communication” section, they stopped to tell us the difference between “their” and “they’re”. That’s basic grammar, not deep Christian wisdom.

And they provided detailed instructions on how to write a Bible study. It will start by presenting the verse/s under discussion, explain them as they are written, provide some elaboration or background information about the verse, then provide a practical application. Really? One of my core beliefs is that writers should be well-read in the area they are seeking to write and publish. If someone who wants to write Bible studies doesn’t know this, they haven’t read (studied) enough Bible studies.

I have one final bugbear. At the very end, in the interview with the authors, one says there are “wonderful” Christian self-publishing companies who “work similarly to a traditional publisher, except you provide the finances for your book, so there is quite an upfront investment.”

No.

These publishers are wolves in sheep’s clothing, out to fleece unsuspecting authors. I have nothing against self-publishing, but if you want to self-publish, educate yourself and do it properly. Any “wonderful” publishing company that asks you for money is a vanity press. Their services are overpriced, and their editing sub-standard or non-existent. If you want to self-publish, research some of the excellent cost-effective options out there (hint: start with CreateSpace for paperbacks, and Smashwords and Amazon for ebooks).

Overall, while there were some nuggets of wisdom in Called to Write, overall I don’t recommend it to anyone writing fiction or full-length non-fiction.

[Carol Ghattas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book at a recent writers conference and was not disappointed. The subtitle is what drew me into the book, as I do seek to be a "writer on mission." The authors do an excellent job balancing the writer's call and the importance of writing well. This is a book full of purpose, helping would-be and seasoned writers alike to remember why we're writing and for whom.

Each chapter ends with questions for "the missionary in you" as well as "the writer in you," and both are equally important to review. The writer's prayers which follow each set of questions draws it all back together, reminding us as Christian writers that all our efforts need to be placed before the throne with open hands.

Thank you, Edna Ellison and Linda Gilden for this encouraging and informative work. Recommended for writers seeking more focus and purpose in their writing.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This book was truly inspirational and motivational. The writing prompts at the end of each chapter provided guidance and ideas. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Tez Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for keeping your focus on God's calling for you. A must for every Christian writer.