November 2022 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham — Dear Reader, My name is Isabelle Louisa Edgewood—Izzy, for short. I live by blue-tinted mountains, where I find contentment in fresh air and books. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. And occasionally …
God Whispers: From Inspiration to Story
By Patti Richards When someone asks me what inspires me as a children’s author, I think about what pushes me to spend the majority of each day writing. I’ve been a writer for so long now that it really is who I am rather than just what I do; and it is intrinsically woven into my faith. So much so …
The Worst Part of Writing
By Rachel Hauck Yesterday, when I turned in a line edit for The Best Summer of Our Lives, my upcoming 2023 release, I wrote my editor a short note. “These girls and I need a break from each another.” Through fast draft and first edits, I thought this book might be one of the best I’d ever written. But by …
What’s in a Hook?
By Darlene L. Turner A perfect bait increases a fisherman chances of catching a fish. They take their time and ease thatwiggly worm onto the hook before lowering their line into the water. It’s just as important for a writer to do the same with a novel. Forget the worms and the book will fall flat. How can we do …
It’s All About the Shoes
By Gina Detwiler When I was a kid, The Wizard of Oz played once a year on television, an event my family never missed. I could recite every line: “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” “Lions and …
Pitch It!
By Ginny L. Yttrup DEFINE IT! HOOK & PITCH HOOK For fiction, your hook is the conflict or questions you craft that compel the reader to seek resolution or answers. PITCH A pitch is the honed, abbreviated version of the longer hook. Your pitch is used for marketing purposes or to sell a book to an agent, editor, or reader. …
How to Time Travel for Research
By Barbara M. Britton When I asked my local ACFW chapter what they would like me to write about for this blog, one member wanted to know how I organized my research. I don’t organize my research well, but I have found facts and information that make me an expert on a specific time and place. How was I going …
Sticks and Stones and Words
By Davalynn Spencer We’ve all heard the old saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It’s a big fat lie. I make my living with words, lining them up in just the right order and teaching workshop students to do the same. Sometimes I pass out a survey at the beginning of the …
20 Ways Writers Spread Joy
By Cynthia Herron You’ve heard it a thousand times. The writing life is not for the fainthearted. In addition to the actual writing, marketing, and everything else our craft entails, there’s an added dimension. Because our work is solitary in nature, sometimes, loneliness nips at our heels. Toss in a few life events and trials, and we have the perfect …
Change My Words, Change My Attitude
By Henry McLaughlin I’m a writer. Been at it for a while now. And I’m still amazed at the power of words. Words make us laugh and cry. They make us feel emotions we may not experience in our normal life. Words introduce us to new worlds and new people. They inspire us to seek more of who we are …