By Diane Moore The first book is published, ongoing media interviews, book signings, and social media networking fill your schedule, further outward signs that you’ve made it, Congratulations. So, why do you have that gnawing feeling of unfinished work still looming? For many of us, the second novel (and beyond) is more challenging because we have something to live up …
“The BE-happy-ATTITUDES for Christian Writers”
by Eileen Key During this holiday season, a week after Thanksgiving, I feel so FULL of thanks. God’s done such amazing things in my life and in ACFW. I ran across this list from my wonderful writer friend Janice Thompson and decided to share it. Be happy, be blessed my friends. “The BE-happy-ATTITUDES for Christian Writers” by Janice Thompson Blessed …
Does your story passion match your life story passion?
by Melissa Tagg I like to think of myself as a fairly confident person. I mean, I’ve not pulled a Julie Andrews and gone singing through the streets of Salzburg about my confidence or anything. But I’ve not generally been all that self-conscious… …until recently. In the past few months, I’ve been writing-and wincing and replotting and rewriting-my second contracted …
Four Ways to Rise to the Top!
by Tamela Hancock Murray The Steve Laube Agency Since agents receive more proposals than they have time to represent, a huge obstacle for new authors is getting their manuscripts to the top of the stack. Every week I review excellent proposals from writers I would be proud to represent. If only I could double my hours in a day! This …
When the Contracts Don’t Come
by Vickie McDonough Since I was first published in 2004, I’ve gone through two long seasons without a contract. The first lasted fifteens months, and the most recent lasted eleven. During my first dry desert time, I remember wondering if I’d written all the books that God had for me. Was I done writing for publication? It was a real …
Don’t Be Afraid of Hard
by Anne Mateer It’s inevitable, I think. At least I hope so. Otherwise it’s just me. But I choose to believe that every writer hits that book that spins them round and round and upside down. Maybe it’s an emotional theme that requires you to reach into depths of yourself you had no desire to explore. Maybe it’s characters that …
Reduce Irritation with Basic Information
by Les Stobbe, Literary Agent As literary agent I find an all-too-often disregard of the basics when writers send me a proposal. In addition, I get really upset clients when, in writing cover copy, publisher’s copy editors misrepresent what is in their book. Finally, clients get really frustrated when their book’s front cover is way off base on either background …
Tips for Tweetability
by Cynthia Ruchti The writer in me once rebelled against the idea of abiding by the constrictions of Tweet-length posts when communicating with the public. It felt like moving from a four-bedroom house to a pop-up camper, with about as much writerly elbow room. I have no qualms admitting I’m no Twitter expert. But I now understand the impact a …
Seven Ways To Stifle Your Unique Writer’s Voice
by Becky Wade 1) Let every critique you receive sway you. Ever hear that “too many cooks spoil the broth”? Sometimes it’s better to whip up something all by yourself that you absolutely LOVE than to let lots of “adviser cooks” taste your recipe, comment on it, alter it, season it, and subdue it. 2) Write Safe. If you’re working …
Promises and Delays
by Robin Lee Hatcher Not every published writer’s path to a career as a novelist is the same. My path to writing Christian fiction took me through a career in the general romance market (30 books) before God captured my attention and turned me in a new direction. Turned me on my head might be a better description. The one …