by DiAnn Mills Writers often invent ways to challenge their minds and explore various means of creating story. Our goal is to fashion unforgettable characters and develop distinct plots. All the while we’re reading books by our favorite authors, viewing fabulous movies, and observing what’s going on in the world around us, we are constantly thinking story. How can my …
Something is Greater than Nothing
By Anne Mateer I’m not very good at math. Never have been. I still have to use cheats to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Recently, however, I did have a mathematical epiphany. (And yes, it has to do with writing!) Something > Nothing Remember that little sideways caret thing from elementary school math? It either means greater than or …
Top Blogging Mistakes Made by Authors Online
By Edie Melson Blogging is a great way to connect with our online audience. And while there are a lot more people out there doing it well, I still see some common mistakes. These things affect a blog, making readers click away before we have time to connect. Today I’m going to point out some of the specific things we …
Setting – the First Character You Create in a Story
By Mary Ellis What first comes to mind if someone mentions the television show, Hawaii 5-0? The muscular actor who plays Commander Steve McGarrett, or perhaps a clever plot twist in an episode involving identity theft? More likely it’s a visual of tanned young surfers riding the perfect wave to the shores of Waikiki, or perhaps a volcanic peak rising …
A Star in the Heavens
By Christine Sunderland My good friend, wise counselor, sacrificial priest, and loving pastor, Archbishop Robert S. Morse, recently left us for Heaven at the age of 91. He is gathering with others before him, along the heavenly river that runs by the throne of God. I owe him my life, at least my reborn life, after returning home from Canada …
Reflection
By Kariss Lynch Authentic. That’s ultimately what we want, right? We want a story that moves us, motivates us, makes us forget our troubles for a few hours, that makes us laugh or cry or jump, that leaves us still thinking, still wondering days later. We want a story that rings so true and raw in our own mind and …
Myth: BUSTED!
By Elizabeth B. Elliott If you have ever watched the show MythBusters on the Discovery channel, then you know the goal of co-hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage is to prove or disprove the veracity of commonly held beliefs. Putting these ideas to the test and sometimes under a literal microscope has paid off for them – their 11-year-old show …
Have You Overlooked a Good Resource?
by Patricia Bradley One of the best kept secrets resources at ACFW is this blog. I mean, where else can you go and find blogs on just about every aspect of writing and all in one place? Or go to be encouraged? Just this May, I was feeling very discouraged. My sales on a general market book weren’t what I’d …
One Rule for Handling Book Reviews
by Beth K. Vogt I had a rough day a couple of weeks ago. My daughter fell and badly sprained her ankle. My 96-year-old mother-in-law fell in her kitchen, which I’ve determined is her personal Bermuda Triangle. After 4 firefighters came and helped her back up, I went and checked on her Two falls before noon. Yes, gravity behaved badly …
When You Want to Give Up
By Tamara D. Fickas There’s a picture floating around Facebook of a guy eagerly digging a tunnel in search of diamonds. He’s been at it a long time and finally gives up. We can see the whole picture and know that just a few more plunges of his pickaxe will unleash the diamonds. He doesn’t know that. He’s tired and …