A Step in the Write Direction by Donna Clark Goodrich

You would like to write for a newspaper, or a magazine, or maybe write a book. Questions fill your mind? How do I know what to write? Why would I choose this medium? Where would I send a story after I finish? What format works for publishers? Who buys what I like to write?

How? Why? Where? What? Who?

351 helpful pages

If any of those questions concern you, I recommend A Step in the Write Direction by Donna Clark Goodrich. Ms. Goodrich knows her stuff. She's the author of 22 books and over 700 published manuscripts. She teaches at Christian writing conferences across the nation, began and led for seven years the annual Arizona Christian Writers Seminar, and does freelance proofreading for a major Christian publishing house as well as individual authors.


This book includes "everything you ever wanted to know about writing." Though especially helpful for beginning writers, it provides beneficial information to the advanced writer. Do you need an agent? Help with grammar or punctuation? Suggestions for ideas, deadlines, learning to say "no?"

Since I write both short stories and novels, I found her chapter on the difference between the two  forms interesting. I marked several paragraphs about characterization versus action.

 For those, like me, who delve into an occasional non-fiction book, she lists item by item needed in a proposal. One portion I found particularly helpful was copyright rules; when you need permission from the author to use a quote, and how do you go about getting that permission.

Writers, like Ms. Goodrich, often stretch into other areas of the writing industry, such as editing, proofreading, teaching. This book gives practical ways to do this, even what to charge.

I like the list of trademarks. I'm always wondering do I capitalize Dr Pepper? Goodrich tells us.

I love her attitude. I find it summed up in this quote. "Treat your writing as a calling from God."

A Step in the Write Direction belongs on every Christian writers shelf to be used for reference or inspiration.

Sally E. Stuart, who began and published yearly the Christian Writers' Market Guide, wrote the forward for Ms. Goodrich book. She tell us this: "In buying and reading this book, you are taking a critical step toward finding success as a published writer."

I endorse it as a "must have."