Devotions are one of my favorite markets. Short, specific, and packed with the work of the Holy Spirit, devotions compliment the stay-at-home mom's lifestyle. If you'd like to break into this rewarding market, but aren't sure where to start, this is the article for you.
1. Seek out the guidance of the Holy Spirit. A good devotion will inspire the reader to draw close to God. The only way to accomplish this goal is to be completely dependent on God to lead your writing from the lead to the conclusion.
2. Select your scripture reading, or review the assigned verses. Study the scriptures and summarize them in your own words. What do these scriptures mean to you?
3. Vividly describe a tangible example of how this scripture applies to our world. This is the most difficult part of devotion writing. Ask God to lead the way, then listen to His reply. Write in as much detail as possible in your initial draft.
4. Keep your audience's age and location in mind when choosing an anecdote. Many devotionals are translated and published in locations around the world. Stick with examples that are relevant to the human experience as a whole.
5. Put it all together. Lead with your anecdote, or experience. Grasp the readers attention and help them to relate to your topic. Summarize how your audience can apply the lessons learned to their own lives.
6. Set it aside for a few days. Allowing your mind to move on to other things for a few days will help you with the editing process.
7. Review the writer's guidelines for the publication to which you are planning to submit your devotion. Edit your manuscript to conform to the required format, keep your eye out for spelling and grammatical errors as well.
8. Submit your devotion for publication. When you are satisfied with the results, take a leap of faith and send your manuscript for consideration.
9. Move onto new topics, scriptures and ideas while you are waiting to hear back on your submission.
10. Praise God for your success. If your devotion isn't accepted the first time around, don't despair. Lean on God to lead you to a market where your writing can be a blessing in His kingdom. Rework your manuscript and try again. If your heart is set on the will of God, failure is not an option.
Looking for a way to honor God with your writing? Try writing devotions. It's a wonderful way to strengthen your faith while helping others do the same.
The Revwriter Resource
Monthly e-newsletter. $10 per devotion. Query first.
The Upper Room
Pays $25 per meditation upon publication.
The Secret Place
$20 per devotion.
The Vision
Payment depends on quality and length. 350 - 400 words per devotion.
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