By Donna Schlachter Do you sometimes feel, in trying to get your book published, that you’re rattling at one locked door after another? Perhaps you’re struggling to find an agent, or maybe you’ve been submitting directly to publishers and gotten nothing except rejections. Or worse, silence. It’s okay. We’ve all been there. Some of us are still there. And we …
Writing Through Grief
By Darlene L. Turner “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1 KJV). I stare out the living room window, my vision blurring and tears forming. I shuffle into the kitchen and peer out the back window. Perhaps the view from there would be different and change my situation. It didn’t. My …
When Writing Calls Your Name
By Ruth Douthitt Recently, I had the privilege of hearing agent and writer, Karen Ball, speak at a small writers conference in Phoenix. I didn’t really want to attend the conference. I haven’t written much these last few months and had no desire to write anything in the near future, but I felt the Lord leading me to attend…so I …
Sacred Symbols
by Christine Sunderland Today is Ash Wednesday, a penitential day that Christians have observed since the eighth century, signifying the first day of Lent. In our local church, a cross is drawn on our foreheads with ashes from the burned palms saved from last year’s Palm Sunday. Christians are a people of powerful symbols. The ashen cross is recognized immediately …
When the Earthquakes Hit
By Kariss Lynch It’s inevitable in writing, publishing, and life – there will be high highs and low lows and sweet moments in between. How we handle both extremes often demonstrates our character. A slap to my writing and to my dreams caused me to wrestle with this concept when I graduated from college. I began to wonder, “Is God …
Hanging in There
By Rondi Olson A couple of years ago, I had an unexpected reaction to reading a blog post. Normally I enjoy writer success stories, but after reading one particular publication journey, I crawled into bed, curled into a ball, and cried. This writer had finished her National Novel Writing Month project, then, in newbie eagerness, submitted her first draft to …
Writing a New Novel? Pray About It!
By Lynn Hobbs An idea flashes through your mind in the middle of the night, and you’re convinced it’s THE answer to your next novel. Maybe not. You decide which chapter to insert the idea …when to let readers be aware of that tidbit of information… Days pass as you change scenes and replace characters with that idea playing out …
Head and Tails of the Writing Life
By Dana Mentink September was hard at our house. We lost our beloved old dog, Nala. Nala was my shadow, my confidant and my writing partner. Wherever I was, she was there. After she passed, the house was empty and quiet, with only the sound of tapping keys on my keyboard. It took a long while for me to stop …
You are the Only You
By Tamara D. Fickas A new writer recently expressed concern that their words weren’t important. With so many great writers out there, how could their story make a difference? I can relate to that. Even after all the years I’ve been working at this writing gig I still struggle with whether my story is valuable enough to share shelf space …
The Juggling Act: Working Full-time and Writing
By Amy Clipston People often ask me, “How do you work a full-time job and write books?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and instead I sweetly reply, “I just make it work.” Unlike many authors, I work a full-time for a local government, in addition to writing four books per year for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. While other …