How trusting the Holy Spirit can shape your writing from start to finish.

Solange Victoriano, first time author, and author of the self-published debut novel, Torn. began writing in October 2024 and completed the manuscript in August 2025. But her journey didn’t stop there, it took another two months for her to navigate the self-publishing process. It wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly fulfilling, and she exclaims that she is “grateful for everything learnt along the way.”

 

Stepping into the world of writing can feel exciting, overwhelming, and deeply personal all at once. Whether someone’s writing is fiction, educational, or devotional, each genre comes with its own unique process. Everyone’s writing journey is unique to them, but one thing should remain the same: writing with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As someone who recently completed her first novel, here are seven key lessons she learned along the way. She prays they help and encourage anyone on their journey.

1. Start With Prayer: Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Process

Before anything else, pray. God is the ultimate Creator, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper in all things, including storytelling. When you invite Him into your process, He brings ideas, clarity, and inspiration you never would’ve imagined on your own. Inspiration flows differently when you write with Him.

 

2. Allow Yourself to Rest: Writer’s Block is Not Failure

We often pressure ourselves with deadlines, goals, and expectations, but the truth is that creativity needs space to breathe. If you find yourself stuck, step away. Rest is not laziness. In fact, I encourage it because you’ll return with a clearer and more focused mind.

 

3. Re-read With Fresh Eyes After a Break

This is connected to tip two. Time away gives you a new perspective. You might realise something you wrote while forcing yourself through writer’s block no longer feels right. And that’s okay. Fresh eyes bring the freedom to rewrite.

 

4. Make a Plan, Even if it’s a Loose One

Your outline doesn’t need to be detailed or rigid, but having a general structure is a massive help. Think about the key moments and themes you want in your writing. Write them down and place them loosely throughout your story. This gives your writing direction, and the Holy Spirit will help fill in the moments between.

 

5. Use Images and Music

This might sound random, but it works, trust me! Especially for fiction writers. Visuals help you imagine the world you’re creating. I used Pinterest constantly! Music also shapes the atmosphere, it sets the emotional tone of a scene. I personally listened to Christian artists like Madison Ryann Ward and Leslie Perez.

 

6. Treat Writing as Quality Time With God, Because It Is

Writing can become a form of fellowship with the Father. Approach it the same way you approach Bible study or prayer, intentional, focused, and undistracted. When you write with Him, your creativity becomes worship.

 

7. Know Your Why, It’s Important!

Your purpose is one of the strongest tools you have. As believers, our purpose is to make Jesus known. When you’re on this journey have these questions in mind: why are you writing? Who is your writing meant to reach? What do you hope happens when they close the final page? When writing feels difficult, when you feel like giving up, your why will help carry you through.

 

Writing is a beautiful calling, one that requires patience, discipline, and most of all partnership with God. If He has placed a story or message on your heart, trust that He will be with you every step of the way as it’s being brought to life. Take your time. Be gentle with yourself. And above all, write with Him, in His presence, not apart from Him.

 

May every word you write bring glory to the Father and bless those who read it. God bless you.