Helping Pastors be More Effective

Training and Coaching for Writers

 

Below is the training/coaching process schedule for D Min graduates who studied with Dr. Wilson and want  his help with creating a book proposal. There is no cost for this service. Please email him for a complimentary password to view the videos.

All others can email Dr. Wilson at the email address listed at the right to see if he has availability to coach you through your writing project. In the email, please indicate what level of coaching you are requesting.
  • Information only--sample of a successful book proposal with video instruction on how to prepare one.
  • Information and guidance--incremental feedback through the proposal preparation process.
  • Information, guidance and critique--detailed review of final proposal and sample chapter that will include suggestions for improvement.

Step 1: Watch the videos and follow the schedule below to complete your proposal with sample chapter.
Step 2: Those who arranged for critique services can email their work to the writing coach.

Level Item

WEEK 1
Information
 Getting Started.  Don't make the mistake of writing a book and then look for a publisher. 
When writing a book, the starting place is writing a proposal, finding a publisher and then writing the book.

As you begin writing your book proposal remember that your ideas need to be firm enough so that you can present them with confidence, however they cannot be set it stone. Publishers may want you to make some changes.  As you write, give your best estimate about what the book will be about, but be open to let your research and the editorial team speak into the process. The publisher's guidance and your research will help your original idea mature. Trust the process.

To illustrate this, please compare the book proposal (Writing coach will provide PDF) with the final published book A Guide to Theological Reflection.

In this case, the changes were significant. The title changed, the introduction and the chapter arrangement changed.

The most significant change was the introduction. I rewrote it multiple times. It changed because of a shift of focus from Theological Reflection as a Christian life exercise to making it more precisely a pastoral discipline. That distinction emerged from the implications of our research. Even with that, the peer review and editorial process repeatedly showed that the original introduction was weak demanding additional attention.

The first video will explain this more and will guide you as you begin this journey.
Information Video: Writing a Book Proposal (pt. 1)
Information Write a working Title and Description for your book proposal using the sample proposal as a guide.
Information Video: Proofreading
Information Video: Rewriting Protocols. 
Information After viewing these videos, write a new and improved draft of your title and description.
Guidance Email your work for feedback. (only available to those who selected information and guidance through paypal.)

WEEK 2
Information Video: The Art of Writing [pt1)
Information Think about something that you've made with your own hands (or that someone else made for you) that you are proud of. What you like about the object? What satisfaction do you get from creating it?
Information Video: The Art of Writing [pt2)
Information Read Strunk & White The Elements of Style
Information After reading The Elements of Style,  what do you need to do to improve your writing? Make a list. Be specific.

WEEK 3
Information Video: "The Business of Writing"
Information Continue writing your book proposal. Refine the title and description. Write a draft for the target group, author qualification and marketing section.
Guidance Email your work for feedback.

WEEK 4
Information Continue working book proposals to include, title, description, target group, author qualification and marketing.

WEEK 5
Information Video: Writing a Book Proposal (pt. 2)
Information Video: Writing the Competition Portion of Book Proposal
Information Research your book's competition. You will need to spend 6-8 hours on this.

WEEK 6
Information Write the Competition Portion of Book Proposal using the sample proposal as a guide.
Guidance Email your work for feedback.

WEEK 7
Information Read  The Elements of Style for the second time
Information After reading The Elements of Style for the second time, what do you need to do to improve your writing? Make a list. Be specific.

WEEK 8
Information Video: Writing a Book Proposal (pt. 3)
Information Write  the Table of Contents for your book,  using the sample proposal as a guide. (You should spend at least 5 hours doing this.)
Guidance Email your work for feedback.

WEEK 9
Information Read Sample Chapter of Book Proposal
Information Video: Writing a Book Proposal (pt. 4)
Information Video: Developing a healthy writer's rhythm
Information Refine your working book proposal to include all elements covered thus far.
Guidance Email your work for feedback.

WEEK 10
Information Start writing a 6000 word Sample Chapter
Guidance Email your work for feedback on the proposal and the first 5-8 pages of the sample chapter.

WEEK 11
Information Continue writing a 6000 word Sample Chapter

WEEK 12
Information Complete the writing of a 6000 word Sample Chapter

WEEK 13
Critique Because a critique is labor intensive, Dr. Wilsonb can only do a limited number of critiques. Email  your proposal and sample chapter to him and he will let you know his availability, an estimate of current turn-around time and cost for critiquing your work.
FreshMinistry.org
Books by Jim L. Wilson
Coaching
Fresh Sermon illustrations
Speaking Ministry
Contact us at the email address below:

FreshMinistry.org was established in 1999


A Guide To Theological Reflection published by Zondervan Academic in 2020.  Effective evaluation includes critique and potential course correction for the honest and willing minister, as well as positive affirmation of how one's desires influence good ministry decisions. A Guide to Theological Reflection introduces tools by which a minister can interact with his or her own thoughts, beliefs, and feelings; external feedback, such as that of a ministry supervisor; and Scripture to inform deep and transformative theological reflection.

"A Guide to Theological Reflection is the GPS for getting from doctrine to redemptive ministerial practice."
--Marshall Shelley, Denver Seminary

"In a culture defined by hurry, A Guide to Theological Reflection asks busy pastors, leaders, and ministry students to do the unthinkable--to pause and reflect on how our beliefs translate into our ministry."
--Chris Morgan, California Baptist University

"I recommend this hope-inspiring guide to everyone engaged in theological training and continuing education."
--Choon Sam Fong, Baptist Theological Seminary, Singapore

"This book recommends useful tools to help us pause from our incessant ministry activity to reflect on what and how we are doing and if we are pursuing ministry success as God sees it."
--Donald W. Sweeting, Colorado Christian University

"An important and helpful book for pastors engaged in the practice of ministry. . .I highly recommend this book to you."
--Kurt N Fredrickson, Fuller Theological Seminary

Available on Amazon

Brief Bio

FreshMinistry's Jim Wilson started preaching when he was 17, became a pastor when he was 18 and served as a full-time pastor until he became a professor.  Today, he is Professor of Leadership Formation and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gateway Seminary where he has served since 2006. 

Since joining the Seminary faculty, Dr. Wilson has continued to serve the local church as an Interim Pastor, Transitional Pastor, Teaching Pastor and guest speaker. He is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars, retreats and does some International speaking.

Wilson is an award winning writer with hundreds of  pieces in print and the author, co-author or contributor to more than thirty books. Zondervan Academic, Broadman & Holman,  Lexham Press, Serendipity House, LifeWay, Weaver Book Company, Standard Publishing, and Tyndale House have published his work. His sermons and sermon illustrations appear in WordSearch, Accordance and Logos Bible Software.

Jim graduated with a BA from Wayland University and a MDiv and DMin from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He has certifications as a Church Consultant from Society of Church Consultants. Transitional Pastor from LifeWay, and is a MBTI practitioner.