The Writer’s Paraphrase of 2 Peter 1:5-8

Now for this very reason
…in your writing…
     …apply all diligence
     …supply moral excellence
     …knowledge
     …self-control
     …perseverance
     …godliness
     …brotherly kindness
     …Christian love
 
Diligence – steady application to one’s occupation or studies, persistent effort

• Learning your craft
• Doing research faithfully
• Doing your best
• Rewriting
• Researching the marketplace
• Willingness to keep learning

 
Excellence – state of going beyond a standard, performing at a higher level

• Accuracy in statistics, facts, quotes
• Not sending unidentified multiple submissions
• Honesty and truthfulness with editors
• Only sending what fits a market
• Proofreading carefully
• Never plagiarizing
• Working to improve your writing

 
Knowledge – familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study

• Knowing your category and genre
• Knowing the marketplace
• Knowing the specific magazine or publishing house
• Knowing the basic rules of writing

 
Self-control – control of one’s emotions, desires, or actions by one’s own will

• Not sending out a story when it is hot off the fingertips
• Not buttonholing or monopolizing an editor or agent to talk about your manuscript(s)
• Not arguing with a critique
• Not monologuing in a class or workshop, but letting others talk, too

 
Perseverance – the holding to a course of action, belief, or purpose without giving way; steadfastness

• Writing
• Getting feedback and rewriting
• Submitting
• Not giving up, unless God tells you to
• Commitment to a schedule of writing or to writing goals

 
Godliness – resembling or of the nature of God

• Trusting our Heavenly Father, even if it means you are never “published”
• Conforming to His will, even if it includes doing something besides writing

 
Brotherly kindness – being generous, warmhearted, charitable, helpful, showing sympathy or understanding, considerate

• Viewing other writers as co-workers, not competition
• Sharing with those new to the industry—this does not mean sacrificing your own writing or schedule
• Being considerate when critiquing

 
Christian love – intense concern for another person

• Encouraging others in their writing
• Not bragging
• Not putting others down during a critique
• Rejoicing in others’ successes

 
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful …”
 
…in using your writing for our Lord Jesus Christ.

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