NY Times best selling author of the Left Behind series set a major giving-back goal to teach writers.
Contributions to Writers Digest
One new way of reaching the goal is as a contributing editor for WD. He's been a longtime subscriber to the magazine, his photo appeared on its cover, and articles by and about him have been published in its pages, so this will continue a good relationship.
WD lets Jenkins know what will be covered in each issue and Jenkins weighs in when he has something to contribute he believes readers need to hear on the topic Jenkins, the former editor of Moody magazine, views every piece of writing as a duet between editor and writer, and not a solo. Thus, he will voice his thoughts and ideas when they will be most helpful to writers and blend well with the issue.
Encouraging Writers
Jenkins speaks at many writer's conferences and directs the Jerry Jenkins Christan Writers Guild to encourage and train writers. He will keynote at the March 2010 Florida Christian Writers Conference. He understands the beginner and says, "I'm neither scholar nor theologian. I’m just a writer. Like all writers, there was a time when I was unpublished and unknown, so I want to be an example of inspiration. If I can do it, why can’t you? I try to be funny and generous with hints and tips."
Advice for getting published includes:
- Develop a thick skin and understand the partnering of writer and editor.
- Write a lot. Read more.
- Success has always been tough. Separate yourself by reading, studying, writing, reading, re-writing, self-editing.
- Avoid written-ese. Employ your (and the reader’s senses) and know what to leave out.
Example of Publication Success
Not an overnight success, Jenkins learned from decades of writing and editing in newspaper, magazines, and books. His experience at a daily newspaper taught him to listen, notice, remember, and work fast. His wife jokes that she will engrave his tombstone with, "Never an unpublished thought."
Before beginning a new novel, Jenkins must have an idea that won’t leave him alone. That tells him the story will have legs. And then he completes 90% of research in advance of the writing.
Many people try to duplicate the path to best-seller, but that's not easy. Nearly fifteen years after the release of the Left Behind series, Jenkins is still astounded at its success and says, "A phenomenon like that is not engineered. It happens only by word of mouth and the inevitable tipping point. If people don’t tell their friends, no amount of promotion or advertising can create a mega-bestseller. At its peak, every title was debuting number one on the Times list, and the first title alone was averaging 275,000 copies sold every month. To take any human credit for that would be folly."
Value of Mentors
Mentoring helps shape writers. Jenkins had a great journalism teacher, good editors, and one who really put him through the paces.
Mentoring these days can come through a writing course or attending conferences.To get the most out of a conference, Jenkins advises, "Resist the urge to stay up late, tempting as it is. Go to all the classes and workshops in your area of interest and get the tapes for those you have to miss. Take advantage of the chance to meet editors and agents and other writers."
A writer continues learning and creating new projects. Jenkins is moving into social networking and has a blog. As to new adventures, Jenkins is eager to see his new novel, Riven, become a movie, which is set to shoot next year.
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Karen Whiting - Professional freelance writer with ten published books and hundreds of published articles. My books are for women (time management and ...
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