by Jordyn Redwood I think, particularly as Christian authors, we view our books as a way to get God’s Word out in a non-threatening manner. Novels are easier to hand to someone than a Bible and generally an easier area of conversation. However, two recent events are causing me to change my view on that a little. Recently, my minister …
Writing with Christmas Passion
by Dan Campbell I love Christmas. I’m not sure when it happened or why, but from the time of my earliest memories I have watched in wonder at all the beauty and splendor of the season; the trees, the lights, the tinsel, the snow (oh the snow), the timeless carols, apple cider and eggnog. I am all grown up, with …
Are you an Anthropomorphist?
by Stan Crader I sat down at my desk with the intention of adding a few words to my next novel, Approach The Bench. And then I saw a note to myself that I need to finish the family Christmas letter. While in the process of closing the file to my book and looking through my documents folder for the …
Second Act: When Success Comes Late
by Suzanne Woods Fisher My dentist likes to ask about my writing whenever I come in for my six-month check-up. Toward the end of the last visit, he made a grave error. “Imagine,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Getting published at your age!” I was outraged! Silently, of course, because his tools were in my mouth. First of …
Praying Through the Burnout
by Casey Herringshaw Every writer, at some point, during their novel-creation career will most likely experience some period of burnout. It creeps up like a naughty third-wheel cousin and steals all enthusiasm you might have cultivated for this story. It often doesn’t matter how much you love a story or the characters, sometimes it’s all the emotional energy we pour …
Chasing the Light
by DiAnn Mills • Chase: to pursue • Light: a source of illumination • You: the committed writer What does chasing the light of story mean to you? Do you find it difficult to focus on what aspect motivates your creative muse? Writers pursue stories to illuminate the readers’ hearts and minds. It’s a big undertaking, and at times overwhelming. …
Writing Fast and Furious
by Lynn Hobbs Have you ever been writing when words flow fast, and you hurry to make your point? It seems like your novel, or your character suddenly has a life of its own and takes over. It can be exciting when what you had in mind progresses into a new enlightening direction. In my case, I type quickly and …
Breathe Life into your Manuscript
by Anne Greene During the writing of Masquerade Marriage, I thought I knew what being in deep point of view meant. I thought I wrote deep point of view. I knew I had to stay inside the character’s head. I lived inside the character’s skin. I showed nothing that the POV character couldn’t have seen. I showed only what the …
Wall of Misconception
by Stan Crader When writing non-fiction, always reference primary sources. Years ago, Dr. Peter Lillbac wrote an article criticizing the 9th circuit court’s ruling that the pledge of allegiance was unconstitutional. Following the publication of the article Peter received a letter questioning his assertions. His reply included numerous primary sources and was eventually published as a book. The following is …
The Heart of the Matter
by MaryAnn Diorio Writing fiction, like all of life, is a matter of the heart. Scripture tells us that “people look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). The heart is the seat of motives. It is the control center of all human behavior. For those of us who write fiction, the heart …