What can I say? I took a break from blogging over the summer, and so I also didn’t even read most of my favorite blogs. Which means I somehow missed these AWESOME interviews on Novel Journey with Chip MacGregor. He’s held several key positions in Christian publishing, including being an agent with Alive Communications, an assistant publisher with Time Warner/ Hachette, and now has launched his own agency, MacGregor Literary.

Several bloggers have been buzzing about Chip’s new agency, including Jennifer, Gina, and Mirtika.

Gina Holmes interviewed Chip back in July, and these three posts are some of the best I’ve ever read. So of course I want to link to them and tell you to go over to Gina’s blog and get the whole scoop.

I know I should be embarrassed as a blogger to be so behind that I’m linking to something that came out almost three months ago — but I’m not. No pride at all here — just some great reading I came across. Now of course, I’ve subscribed to Novel Journey’s RSS feed so I won’t miss a single interview.

Monday, July 17, 2006 — Chip MacGregor, Part I
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 — Chip MacGregor, Part II
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 — Chip MacGregor, Part III

If you’re interested in publishing a book, here’s what Chip has to say:

Every book proposal needs three things: a great idea, great writing, and a great author platform. Rarely a publisher will agree to do a book based on just one of those factors (for example, a celebrity book based solely on the fact that the author is well known), but they will often make the decision based on two factors.

So if you’ve got a great idea, by all means begin working to build a great platform, and spend time working on the craft in order to become a better writer. I have often seen pretty good book ideas presented to me that are attached to terrible writing by unknown authors. And the fact is, I can’t buy your book based on the fact that you woke up with a good idea. In my experience, good ideas occur all the time. The rare event is when a writer with a good idea determines to put in the time required and express that idea in a coherent and entertaining manner.

That’s it. There it is — the three things you need to be published: a great idea, great writing, and a great platform. The more I’ve ventured into this world of writing, the more I realize I don’t know ANYTHING. Really, nothing.

The more books I read, the more I realize there is something esoteric about great writing. The only way to learn how to be a great writer is to read everything you can get your hands on — and then try to figure out why some books make you laugh and cry, or change your view about life in some way — and others cause you to yawn, gather dust on your nightstand, or make their way into your box of donations for the Salvation Army.

Another quote:

Again, I feel as though the reason most wannabe authors remain unpublished is because they just aren’t willing to put in the time, to do the hard work and become better at the craft of writing. In other words, laziness will keep you from being a great writer. Given the chance, inertia will dominate. And then you can make yourself feel better by saying, “I COULD have been a great writer, if only I’d put my mind to it.” It reminds me of the high school student who waits to write his paper until the night before it is due. Then he stays up all night, bangs it out, gets a C+, but tells himself, “That’s because I waited. If I would have started earlier, I’d have gotten an A.” It’s a gentle way of lying to ourselves.

If you want to get published, the BEST thing you can do it to become a better writer. As I’ve said a million times, greatness will out. I don’t know of any great writer who goes unpublished.

If you only have time to read one of these interviews, the second post is worth reading ten times and even printing out, if you’re really interested in improving yourself as a writer. Gina asked, “How can an author take their work from good to great?” Chip’s answer included 22 items. This list is a keeper.

If you’re interested in Christian fiction and you’re not already a regular over at Novel Journey, you’re missing out — like me!