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Called to Write, Right? 10 Ways to Be Sure.

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I often get emails from people asking me how I knew I was called to write, or some variation of that question. Or they might ask what the signs are for the calling of writing. Or whether I think they’re specifically called to write.

Before I answer there, I must make a distinction. God may call a person to write, but not for publication. When folks ask me about being called to write, they are usually asking if they are called to write a book that gets published, then other people buy it in a bookstore. That’s a narrower calling than simply placing your words one after the other.

For many years God called me to write in my journal in obscurity. Miles of words. Why? In retrospect, He was after my healing. He knew He’d given me the ability to process on the page, so He nudged me to do that. And as I processed, healing came. Slowly, but it came.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means. It reflects my own journey and how God called me to write. But I have a feeling that if some of these things are true for you, chances are there’s a calling there you need to take seriously.

You’re probably called to write if:

  1. People tell you they are changed or challenged by reading your words. And these people are not just your mother or your best friend. Strangers read your words and go out of their way to tell you what you wrote made a difference. I remember writing a short story that got published in the Dallas Seminary student paper (when my husband was a student there). A professor went out of his way to hand write me a thank you note for the story. These kinds of things happen to those who are called to write.
  2. Professionals in the writing industry (agents, editors, publishers) have commented on your writing in a very positive way. Even when you’re just starting out, you hear from others in the industry that you have potential.
  3. You weather criticism about your work with grace and are determined to always write better. (If you are unteachable or you think you’re the next John Steinbeck, please rethink pursuing writing as a career.) In light of this, you welcome critique and probably belong to a local critique group.
  4. You are passionate about the writing craft. Even in your blogs, you strive for great writing, good grammar and usage, and clarity. It bothers you if you send an email with an error in it.
  5. You have heard from God that this is what He wants you to do. (But be sure you clarify what God means! If you never hear from anyone else about your ability, or you’re too afraid to get your work critiqued, consider that His calling you may be for your benefit only, to bring healing to yourself or perspective to a situation.)
  6. Even if you never made a dime at writing, you’d do it anyway. (I know this is true for me. I’ll always write. I’ve always written.) Along the same lines, you are willing to labor in obscurity, much like an apprentice, not pushing into publication when you’re not yet ready, but patient for God’s timing.
  7. You take your writing seriously. You set goals and meet them. You pursue publication in a systematic, informed way.
  8. You are not afraid to learn about every aspect of the publishing industry: writing, editing, contracts, marketing, speaking, PR, publisher relations.
  9. You can’t help but mentor other writers early in their publishing path.
  10. You’ve settled the ego issue–that getting published doesn’t validate who you are as a person. You are wildly loved by God right now, unpublished or published.

So, how did you do? Or do you agree with my list? Did I miss something? I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Helpful articles and resources:

Written by Mary DeMuth

Comments

  3. Though I have one book published, I am still very new to writing.

    I frequently make wrong turns when driving because I was writing in my head and not watching road signs…(sigh) I love to write, but it is difficult to stay creative and motived all of the time. I look for God to inspire me at all times.
    These are great lessons and I am going to read the links.
    Thnak you, Mary!

  6. Excellent!! I have recently been thinking about the difference between a writer and an author. Still researching that one. I too wrote in journals for 20+ years, pouring out my heart to God. Then I found cyberspace where I have been writing at Jody Lynne for 4 years. I love to write and determined early on I would write for ONE and not write for the comments or stats. I do love my readers! I have not pushed into the publishing industry, instead praying on a daily basis God would open the doors and lead me in His will. Thanks again for this post, very helpful.

  8. This post is such an encouragement and wake up call for me personally. I’ve been going through the season of questioning my writing craft. Did God call me to write? YES. Really just writing? Those are the doubts. Through posts such as this, God is affirming His calling once more. I can attest to my writing bringing me healing and the message resonating with others in ways that I cannot explain; and this all God’s doing and for His glory. I’ve been journaling for quite a while, so as I look at the pieces of the puzzle they seem to fit in place with every step. As its said, faith is taking that one step even when not seeing the whole stairway.

    Can we say you are called to writing if it scares you? Sought of to say that what scares you the most could be an indicator of what you are called/ purposed to do. Thanks Mary for sharing with us this great post.

  9. Interesting list. #7 links to your elusive so you wanna be published site. I’ve seen a couple people mention this, but it just redirects to your main blog. Do you have anything still up from that wanna be published site?

  11. Wow, great list! I’ve struggled with writing for God’s glory and not my own. This brings writing into perspective for me. I know I would write whether I made money or not. It’s just a part of me. I hope to be able to take criticism with grace and use it to make my writing even better. Thanks for writing this article! You’ve challenged me. #1 🙂

  12. Awesome list. It was good to be able to go through it. I’ve struggled with this quite a bit because I never thought of myself as a writer. I thought God had called me to speak…then earlier this year, I started writing (for others to see). It’s been very odd to say the least.

    The funny part is, my last name is Wright. The day I realized my last name was not a coincidence (and not just that I’d married Mr Wright- ha!) was a big wake up call.

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