by Lillian Duncan Randy Ingermanson likens fiction writing to high school. He talks about freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior writers and then there’s graduation day–becoming a published author! How does a writer reach graduation day? There are, of course, different routes to get there-more so now than ever before. This is not discussion on traditional vs. indie publishing. I believe …
Encouragement for Writers
by Nikki Arana If you are struggling with your writing, continue reading . . . People are always surprised to learn that I have sold everything I ever sent out. From that first magazine article in 2003 for Writers Digest, to my current novel, The Next Target. Yes, God was blessing my socks off and assuring me that He had …
Focus Your Premise
What’s at stake? What’s the story question? by Rachel Hauck Premise Every story needs a basic start: a premise. It’s the foundation for your idea. The premise defines what’s at stake? What the story is about? “What will the protagonist overcome to achieve her goal?” A great premise is the “hook” that grabs the attention of an editor, agent or …
The Story is in the Details
By Margaret Daley We all know that character and plot are important elements to writing, but I’m here to remind you of the importance of the details in your story. I had a friend tell me she sent out her book for endorsements. When one endorser emailed her with her endorsement (a good one), she casually asked my friend what …
Energy…the better-than-caffeine kind
by Melissa Tagg Marketing. I think a lot of writers hear the word and do a little scary-movie shudder. Or maybe a full-on horror-flick scream. Me, not so much because a) I’m more of a nervous laugher than screamer and b) I happen to work in marketing at a good-sized nonprofit. And I’ve realized something in the past few years. …
Inviting God In
by Becky Wade “Work, work from early till late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” -Martin Luther Every time I sit down to work on my novel, I’m acutely aware that I’ve taken on something so big that I’m going to fail. I know it, down to the …
More of Allen Arnold, Part 2
If you enjoyed learning about former Thomas Nelson fiction editor Allen Arnold in the October issue of ACFW Journal, here is the second of two blogs that contain more information from that interview. In this segment, reporter Christa Allan and Allen Arnold look at another side of Arnold. CHRISTA: What/who entertains Allen Arnold outside of the office? ALLEN: I am …
More of Allen Arnold, Part 1
If you enjoyed learning about former Thomas Nelson fiction editor Allen Arnold in the October issue of ACFW Journal, here is the first of two blogs that contain more information from that interview. In this segment, reporter Christa Allan and Allen Arnold explore the development of Thomas Nelson’s fiction line in more detail. CHRISTA: After working with advertising agencies like …
I Love to Live on the Mountain Top (at the ACFW Conference)
by Tina Radcliffe Coming home from the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas I was reminded of the Amy Grant song, because truly my spirit was soaring on the mountain top fellowshipping with the Lord and my writer friends. A recap of conference for those who couldn’t make it this year: Breakfast Praise & Worship Squeals of delight and hugs at …
Platforms Ain’t Just for Shoes
by Ane Mulligan In the court of publishing, if story is king, platform is queen. There are a lot of good novels so how do you stand out? By having a ready-made readership before you’re published. Editors look for Internet presence. When they Google your name, what do they find? I’ve spent a few years building my web presence. Google …