How to invite Jesus into the editing process / Christian writing advice

The end of summer, and beginning of autumn, has been a time of editing for me. I finished the first draft of my historical novel “Swimming With Lupins” several months ago, and am now in the thick of editing it in preparation to send off to an editor.

This is the first book I have got around to editing, even though there are four unedited drafts on my computer, this being the fifth. I finally decided that this was the book I wanted to first publish.

Jesus has truly guided my journey into editing, and I’ve been learning so much along the way. From listening to podcasts and YouTube videos to just giving it a go – I’ve been trying to figure out this whole editing thing, and how it works. More importantly, how it works for me and my book.

I’ve been seeking Jesus through this process and seeing Him work and teach me. What a truly beautiful thing, to be able to create alongside the One who created it all.

I have just finished developmental edits, and am seeking where to go next, so this seemed like a good topic to choose, and I’m very much in the midst of inviting Jesus into my writing.

So, what does this word “invite” even mean? We use it all the time, but definitions always inspire me.

How are we going to make a friendly request for Jesus to come into the space of our editing?

How to invite Jesus into your editing process

1: Being a willing partner

Jesus won’t force His way into your project if you don’t let Him in. But if we are willing and seek Him, He does amazing things! He promises that if we seek Him we will find Him, and that if we knock, the door will be opened for us. We can look at this Bible verse in terms of our editing: if we invite Jesus into the editing process, He will join us.

2: Learn to be prayerful while editing

This has been such a learning curve for me! It can be difficult to get out of my head and remember to pray and ask God about things before just doing them. But I have found as I’ve made an effort to be more prayerful over time, it has come more easily to me. Being prayerful while editing is important because if we invite Jesus into our editing, but then don’t listen while we do our work, we are shutting ourselves off to His input in the actual process.

3: Have meetings with Jesus about the editing process

This has been so so amazing for me! Whenever I get to the end of a part of a editing process and wonder where to go next, instead of YouTubing or googling, I just go for a walk, or sit on my couch, and talk to Jesus about where I should go next, and what I should be doing. This can be a good way to check in about the process as a whole, and see if there’s anything to change. When making time for these moments with Jesus, have a pen ready to write anything down that He reveals (I know that I’m very forgetful and will definitely forget what I got out of it). Another way to record any notes is by making a voice recording. Simply recount everything you considered, and what you sense Jesus telling you.

4: Look at your writing with Jesus in mind

When you are editing, deciding what to change, cut, and add, look at your writing with Jesus in mind. How does this specific part of writing reflect Him? Does it stand in line with what He loves? Is it putting across the message He has given you to put across? The more I have questioned what Jesus would think about certain parts of my writing, the more clearly I see it through His eyes. It’s all part of the journey, and something we will be learning for our entire lives.

5: Receive the encouragement you need

I often feel discouraged when I start to read back my writing and thinking of all the ways to improve it. It can feel like everything is just garbage to me, and that my writing isn’t worth what God says it is. This discouragement makes me want to give up on my book sometimes! It’s times like these that we need to stop thinking lies such as, “This book is unrecoverable”, and “This is such bad writing”, and choose to think the truth. Jesus has given us gifts (things we are good at), and while He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, He longs to see us walk in those things. That thing is likely writing if you are here. Keep walking forwards in it, even when it feels like none of it is “good”.

These five things are just the beginning of this lifelong journey of learning to do writing with Jesus, instead of just for Him. It’s up to each one of us to mold our stories in the unique ways Jesus has gifted us. May you consider these five things and let them be simply a beginning.

Editing is another step in the journey to finishing and perhaps publishing your book. That is an exciting thing! It means that you have finished a first draft – which is an amazing accomplishment in itself. Don’t let the editing process overwhelm you, but invite Jesus to transform your writing life, and how you think about editing.

If you would like to learn more about writing as a follower of Jesus, peruse some of our other posts. From “Glorifying God with our writing” to “How to write about dark things as a Christian”, there’s something for every season of your writing.