By Linda Robinson It’s hard to write anything when you’re grieving. I know that all too well. We recently lost our grandson, who was twenty-nine years old, had fought lymphatic cancer as a four-through-six-year-old, underwent two separate rounds of chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Praise the Lord, he survived and was still cancer free at his death. But …
Five Activities for an Author in Waiting
By Teresa Tysinger I would argue that all authors are familiar with waiting. With no regard to genre, experience, position in life, or level of discipline, every author waits. We wait on inspiration to strike, for more time at the keyboard, or for an interested editor’s response. We wait on edits, reviews, sales reports, and website analytics. No matter the …
Guarding The Writer’s Heart
By Catherine West “You’ll need a thick skin.” “It’s not easy. Actually, it’s very hard.” “How do you feel about rejection?” This is what you might hear from seasoned authors if you ask about the writing life. I love this image. It accurately portrays the often frustrating and overwhelming world of the writer, and it makes me grin. Is it …
Stubborn Commitment
by Kathy Harris As young as seven or eight years old I knew I wanted to be a writer. If I could somehow transcend time and pay a visit to my younger self (hmmm, this sounds a lot like a recent James L. Rubart novel), I would probably find that I was dreaming of lazy days spent pouring my heart …
Redemptive Fiction
By Vikki Kestell Producing great Christian fiction is, as Gollum said, “Tricksy.” We members of ACFW desire to present the Gospel through our work. Along every genre and setting, bringing to bear all our tools and skills, whether we employ drama or humor, fantasy or realism, we strive to lift up Jesus and make him known. And yet, crafting effective, …
Fearfully and Wonderfully Written
By Tanara McCauley Earlier this year my husband took me to see Andrea Bocelli in concert. Already a fan, I thought I knew what to expect from the world-renowned tenor whose voice makes even my six-year-old close her eyes in appreciative awe. I was mistaken. Accompanied by a host of musicians, Mr. Bocelli conducted half of the concert in English …
The Value of Your Day Job (Other Than the Obvious)
By Ramona Richards A day job gives you money, a connection to the world, and a routine. Freedom from financial stress also means freedom in your art. —Austin Kleon, Steal Like An Artist Along with “Write what you know,” “Don’t quit your day job” is the most overused–and misused–piece of advice new writers receive. And yet…quitting our day jobs to …
A Long Time Comin’…and Going
By Robin W. Pearson When the Crusader left for college I thought saying goodbye to him would kill me–it was harder than labor, eating okra, passing my college philosophy class, or even moving to New Jersey. After all, he’s our first child of seven, our first homeschool graduate, our first to flit from the nest; his transition marked the end …
When the Story Falters
By Tamara D. Fickas Sometimes the story falters and the words refuse to come. They bottleneck inside your brain and tangle until it’s as hopeless as Christmas lights that were so neat and orderly last year. In those moments, as the tale wanders off the page and down a dark alley where you fear to tread, it’s easy to give …
5 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Guilt
By Natalie Monk Many of us experience writing-related guilt. Not writing enough, writing too much, neglecting “X” in order to write, not making enough money by writing, having too little to show for years of work, and my recent favorite, “What if I’m investing my life in something ‘good’, but not God’s best for me? Am I really called to …