This post covers some of the Most Important Writing Tips for Christian Nonfiction. Writing nonfiction is about delivering facts, principles, truths, testimonials, and instructions that will educate, and/or prove a point. It is about answering questions that might not have answers at the forefront. Nonfiction is not a creation of one’s imagination. It is inspired by events, situations, instruction, or even a historical occurrence, person or need.
What is Christian Nonfiction, one might ask? Well, it is Nonfiction written about or based on a Christian topic, principle, person, or teaching. It seeks to educate, clarify, endorse, uproot or define matters of the Christian teaching and lifestyle.
Writing from a Christian perspective is not all about quoting a Bible verse or two, nor writing about a Christian topic like Salvation. A Christian perspective calls for the writer to invoke Christ in their writing. One can write from a Christian perspective in any genre. The Bible covers all topics pertaining to life on earth and how to live a godly life, II Peter1:3. From romance to Investments, from management to servanthood, from Parenting to Goodwill service, the Bible has it all.
The following are the tips I use as I write Christian Nonfiction. I have published two books in this genre, and currently working on a third, with more still to come. Further, I use the same tips when preparing my sermons. This advice is not a conclusive list but forms some of the most important basics.
Tip #1- Write with the mind of Christ
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
(I Corinthians 2:16, NKJV)
The first tip for writing Christian Nonfiction is to have the mind of Christ. But what is the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ is to have a thought life that is daily filled with the Word of God. To have the Word of God filling our minds, we must indulge in it daily and submit ourselves to its power; Romans 12:1-2, NKJV.
Transformation of the mind can only be attained by indulgence in the Word of God and its power. Once there is a mental transformation according to the Word of God, only then will we begin to grow in the mind of Christ. We must engage in the Word daily through a conscious decision as God will not work with indecision or unwillingness.
Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(Joh 6:68-69, NKJV)
Tip #2- Depend on the Holy Spirit as you write
However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.
(John 16:13, NKJV.
The second requirement is to depend on the Holy Spirit. By human nature, we do not have what it takes to deliver life-changing content. Our natural abilities do not have the power and authority to cause eternal change that the Christian perspective introduces through one’s writing. It is not about us, but Christ.
The Holy Spirit alone can guide us as we write. When we depend on Him He will guide us into all truth, and it is the truth that makes the difference. The truth according to God changes both the natural and the supernatural. Scripture shows us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle, and no human effort is capable of winning on its own.
But David encouraged himself in Jehovah his God.
(I Samuel 30:6-8, NKJV)
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, Please bring the ephod here to me. And Abiathar brought the ephod there to David.
And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And He answered him, Go! For you shall surely overtake and will without fail recover all.
Tip #3- Pray, and don’t stop praying
Writing with a Christian perspective has the sole purpose of achieving eternal change in the life of the reader, and/or listener in the case of audiobooks. Therefore, we must not neglect to pray as we start our project. Neither must we stop praying just because we are making headway. At the end of the project, we still must pray.
A prayer is a multipurpose tool accorded to believers so that we can cast our cares on the Lord. As you do that, remember to humble yourself. It is not about you, but about the Lord Jesus Christ changing a life through you. Humility will take you out of the way and you will be glad to be a vessel in the Lord’s hands for great and noble work.
if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(II Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)
Tip #4- The road map
The way you reach your goal is a critical aspect of your writing process. Every goal must be clear from the beginning. There has to be a road map that shows you the main route and stops that lie ahead of you. This is vital as it helps you stay on track and “tied” to the goal. The road map helps least reduce, and/or at prevent, the risk of veering off track.
There are different ways that each person will define their road map. But one commonality is true for all, there has to be a road map that guides us towards the goal. The road map is the way you organize your thoughts; put in other words–your outline.
An outline helps one to visualize the whole project even before they begin. It aids to bring clarity to the project, emphasizes areas that need research, and indicates how close to the end one is at every step of the way. The road map or outline is a tool used to organize, and relate every point, as well as place them in the correct order.
Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
(II Timothy 2:15, NKJV
Tip #5- Clarity of Vision
The goal you set when writing Christian Nonfiction is important. It needs to be clear from the onset. Clarity of vision will make or break your efforts and dream. The success of your writing project depends on the amount of clarity you give it. You must do your best to have clarity as you begin writing–so count the cost. As you progress, the road map to your goal will become more clearer. Clarity is most important if you are collaborating with other people on the project.
And Jehovah answered me and said, Write the vision, and make it plain on the tablets, that he who reads it may run.
(Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV)
Write with grace!