Words of Wisdom from Author, Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and now a great grandmother. She loves her family, and she loves her job--writing novels. Her first book came out in 1992, her second in 2002, and since then she's had 15 book releases. Several of her books have been on the Top Ten Favorite lists of Heartsong Readers. She was also voted a top ten favorite author.

Lena is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She's presently vice president of DFW Ready Writers, the local chapter of ACFW. She has also hosted a critique group in her home for over 15 years. Eleven people have become published after joining that group. At least five people were signed by an agent this year, so the list of published authors will soon become longer. Mentoring other authors is a joy of her life. In 2006, she was awarded the Mentor of the Year award by ACFW. She was a nominee again this year.

An Author Needs a Teachable Spirit

A teachable spirit is a major key to success in any area of your life–family, work, any kind of relationship. You obtain wisdom when you become teachable. Giftedness is a dime a dozen, teachableness is a great treasure.

All through the book of Proverbs, we are admonished to learn. We can’t do that if we don’t have a teachable spirit. Pride, independence or rebellion, and insecurity lead to an unteachable spirit.

When we have a teachable spirit, we graciously accept correction. We seek wise counsel. We submit to authority and stay accountable. How does this apply to our writing lives?

Seeking wise counsel from the right people will help us grow in our craft. Critique partners can be a major asset as we grow. Use critique partners who understand the call of God on your life. They need to be honest in their assessment of what you wrote. Not someone who will flatter and not someone who will tear you down. Always filter what you’re told through the Lord. Just because you listen to the partner doesn’t mean you must accept every single thing they say. You need balance.

Others who will be wise counselors in your life are editors. Those you’re trying to sell to as well as those who have bought your book. Two things you need to understand about editors are: It is an editor’s job to make books better. Without authors, they wouldn’t have a job. You should form a mutually beneficial working partnership.

The key to your success as a writer is having a teachable spirit–but keep everything in perspective, in balance, and in Jesus.

Visit Lena's Blog ,check in with her at Shoutlife, and check out her latest release, Montana Mistletoe from Barbour Publishing. Four friends make a pact to marry by their twenty-eighth Christmas, but as the deadline looms, careers and experiences threaten to douse their Christmas spirit — and their chances for romance.

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