By Kathy Harris What better time to talk about deadlines than during the holidays? In contemporary society our lives are fret with hurry most every day. But this time of year compounds those commitments, from holiday parties to shopping for gifts to end-of-the-year work and/or school obligations-not to mention the added expectations and desires to spend time with our families. …
Romance, Suspense or is it Romantic Suspense?
by Susan Sleeman Over the years I’ve had plenty of conversations about romantic suspense and lately I’ve had a lot of writers ask how they can know for sure if their work in progress is a suspense novel or a romantic suspense novel. So I thought I’d answer that question here and in my next few posts provide a few …
Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
By Deborah K. Anderson Are you discouraged with your writing? Does it feel as though you’re climbing an endless ladder, trying to break your way into this industry? Does loneliness overwhelm you? If you’re experiencing any of the above, I have good news for you. You are not alone. A man named Jacob endured similar situations. “And he lighted upon …
ACFW New Releases
Below is a list of the new releases for ACFW authors. Much good reading to add to your Christmas shopping list! More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. An Amish Wedding by Beth Wiseman — Romance from Thomas Nelson; Pricilla’s upcoming wedding is stirring up trouble – and romance – in Paradise. …
The Passion in Our Stories
By Margaret Daley Why should you be passionate about what you write? People tell you when you start writing you need to write about what you know–or if not you’d better do a lot of research to familiarize yourself with the subject. I agree, but I would take it a step further. You need to be passionate about what you …
A Different Approach
by Dani Pettrey “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 God’s Word is replete with wisdom and this verse is no exception. As writers we have the privilege of coming into contact with a vast number of people and I’d like to …
Marketing and Promotion: Got Moxie?
by Janice Hanna Thompson Got Moxie? Remember the story of the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz? He couldn’t summon up the courage to be the very thing he’d been called to be: the King of the Forest. Fear held him bound. Dorothy did her best to give him the tools he needed to overcome, but he still ran …
Seeking Serenity in a Writer’s Life
by Mary Ellis #1: Schedule your time carefully. Make a weekly calendar so you don’t miss a doctor’s appointment, dance recital, or the neighborhood cookout. Keep certain times “off limits”. Don’t sign up for meetings, exercise classes, or volunteer work if it interferes with the family dinner hour, Sunday morning church services, or other events you hold sacred. Make sure …
TURNING PRO, Part 2
by Cynthia Ruchti Yesterday, we took a look at what it means to “turn pro” as a writer. These questions arose: How can we turn pro even before we’re published, before we’re a recognized entity in the writing world, before our books start showing up on the bestseller lists or the awards announcements? And how do we remain professional after …
TURNING PRO Part 1
by Cynthia Ruchti The television talk show guest expert blessed the production crew interns with fashion makeovers. Her key piece of advice? “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” The advice came zinging through the television screen just as I put my fingers to the keyboard to write this blog post about “Turning Pro” as a …