How to Go From Poet to Author

So, you been writing poetry for awhile now and now you want to put your precious work into book form. The thought of millions of people reading your work and being blessed by it has become an ongoing desire for you. You may even have admired other poets who have took that step to becoming an author but for you to take that step seems to be out of your reach.

But I want you to know it is not out of your reach. I am a prime example that going from poet to author is possible and you don't need a whole lot of money to make it possible.

There are many ways to get what you desire; it just takes a step of faith.

There are three main points I will like to discuss and think it's very important to keep in mind when you're making a step to go from poet to author.

Prayer Is Key

Prayer is having a conversation with God about what he has for your life and spending time with him. Through prayer is where you can get the assurance on what path is right for you to take.

Is this what God wants me to do? That question should be asked in whatever we set our minds to do. When I decided to become an author the Lord spoke it in my spirit first that I was to write a book and as I continue to write more poetry and shared it within a poetry group call Black Poetry Cafe and Facebook, I have gotten many confirmations through other people to put my poetry in book form.

Is God nudging you to put your poetry in book form? Then I would conclude obedience is just as important as prayer.

Dismiss The Naysayers

We sometimes can put too much energy into what people think about us and our work. Poetry is giving our versions of life and there will be times when the people we care about will be in our work. One of my biggest struggles in publishing my work was worrying about what someone close to me was going to say even though it was my truth.

I didn't set out to hurt the individual which that should never be the intentions of putting your work out but I did it to shine a light on a dark situation with the hopes of healing another who may have been in the same situation. The naysayers will not understand but that should not stop you from doing what God has told you to do.

I once talked to an individual about sharing a story they wanted to tell. The story was about a situation that happen in their childhood but was scared to tell it because it was going to expose a person close to them. I mentioned to the individual that no matter who it exposes they have to do it for themselves. There is healing that needs to take place as well as accountability for ones actions and without the healing and accountability breeds more hurt.

Share your story. We are healed by the word of our testimonies.

Take A Risk

Jeff Goins has a book out call Real Artists Don't Starve which is an awesome book to read especially as a poet. Throughout his book he talks about how starving artists is a myth and goes on to give many reasons why it is a myth.

I love one of the statements Jeff made in his book which rings true for so many people today. This is what Jeff said, "We become lawyers instead of actresses, bankers instead of poets, and doctors instead of painters. We hedge our bets and hide from our true calling, choosing less risky careers, because it seems easier. Nobody wants to struggle, after all, so we keep our passion a hobby and follow a predictable path toward mediocrity."

What I got from his statement is that we tend to want to do what is expected of us from society even those who are our family. We get it in our minds to believe our work, especially poetry won't get us very far in life. So we keep it as a hobby because that's how other people see it and never strive to make more of it.

Poetry is not praised as much as a traditional job such as a doctor, lawyer, and etc. We settle with that notion and limit God. We have to change our thinking on the matter and come to an understanding our gifts will make room for us when we take the risk and watch God do extraordinary things.

Takeaway

Going from poet to author is not just about finding the right publisher, having a great book cover, or making money. Although these things have a part in it, it is not as important as having God secure the path for you and dismissing anything that could hinder your journey.

Originally published at https://safiyahgivens.com on June 15, 2019.