The Book:
Know Your Why Before You Write It

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

God uses (the Book) to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:17, NLT) 

A Word For Writers

• “I have an idea for a book.”
• “You should write a book!”
• “Everyone has a book in them.”

If you’ve ever had an inkling to write a book, then those thoughts have crossed your mind. Especially these days, when writing a book has become more accessible than ever before, thanks to the internet and self-publishing software.

But should you write one? 

Answer that question by asking another one: why you want to write down your story? 

Perhaps you want to create a record of your experiences. Maybe you want to build your platform or gain notoriety or make money. You might want to write a book to raise awareness about an issue or even to learn more about topic.

All of those reasons are legitimate. But they center on one person: you. “Writing a book is not a performance, not a one-person show,” says literary agent Kate McKean. “It’s a  relationship with the reader.” 

Bottom line: the fundamental purpose of a good book is not to benefit you or build your credibility or create your own personal record. Instead, a good book addresses a reader’s problem and explains a way to solve it. 

God used this approach with His Book.

He knew we – his readers-to-be – had a problem. We needed to understand how to live here on earth so we could live with Him in eternity.

So He gave us a book that explained how to solve the problem. How to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. How to be equipped to do His good work here until He comes back.

God demonstrates how to test your book idea. Does it motivate, inspire, prepare, or equip readers to solve a problem? If your answer is no, then you may want to think through your idea further. But if your answer is yes, then pursue writing your book further.

A Wise Word

Know why you want to write a book before you get started.

A Word To Pray

Gracious Father,

Thank you for Your book, which prepares and equips me for every good work. You’ve given me a book idea. Help me test it and understand whether or not it will be useful to readers. Give me wisdom to know whether or not to proceed.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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