by Jane Kirkpatrick When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? Didn’t it make you feel special? I do my best to write notes when people have written to me or when we’ve been guests or just because, even though my handwriting isn’t always the easiest to read. My husband says he can’t read my grocery list. I …
Inspiration from a Rejection
By Gail Gaymer Martin How can an author receive an inspiring rejection? That sounds like an oxymoron, side by side contradictory terms. And yet a rejection recently inspired me. I’m sure you’ve sent in a proposal to a publisher, especially one you write for, thinking they will love the new idea. But when you hear back, they tell you no-it …
The Green Monster in the Author’s Closet
by Harry Kraus There is a green monster who hides in the closet of every author. I know. I’ve met him. Sometimes he comes out and helps himself to my refrigerator, feeding off the nutrition I choose to feed him. Sometimes he barges his way into the den of my life where I am supposed to be celebrating with friends. …
Quit Clichés Cold Turkey
By Myra Johnson Sitting on the fence about using clichés? Here are 50 reasons to quit cold turkey! Clichés are the bane of a writer’s existence. We’ve all used them, both in our everyday conversations and in our manuscripts. Clichés are comfortable as an old shoe, phrases we use in a heartbeat because the meanings are usually crystal clear. Clichés …
To Write is to be Vulnerable
By Kariss Lynch One of my coworkers likes to say that when God created me and was determining my giftings, He tapped me on the head and said, “Storyteller.” It’s pretty clear that this particular trait manifests itself better on paper than audibly. When the jumbled mess in my head begins to flow onto the page in coherent strands, magic …
When We Write, Who Are We Trying to Please?
by D.L. Koontz “No way. Uh-uh. Nope. Never woulda’ happened.” I raised a skeptical eyebrow at the park ranger who said my Civil War character, Will, a cool hero-type dude, could NOT have been near Burnside Bridge at Antietam Battlefield as part of the Virginia regiment I selected. It was important “Will” be in that regiment because it formed in …
4 Things I’ve Learned about the Writer-Agent Relationship
by Beth K. Vogt Today I’m talking agents. Why agents? Well, I have one, so that’s one qualification for writing this blog post. And we’ve navigated me switching from the nonfiction to the fiction side of the writing road – what I like to call the “Dark Side.” Funny story: My agent found out I was writing a novel because …
5 things I’ve Learned from (almost) 4 Years of Publishing at Amazon
by Traci Tyne Hilton Since publishing my scrappy little novel about the plucky blonde Realtor back in 2010, I have spent hundreds of hours studying Amazon, what makes it tick, and what makes writers with equal talent have such wildly different experiences. I have a handful of takeaways from my obsession with the Great ‘Zon that are worth looking at, …
Shop Local
By: Suzanne Kuhn, SuzyQ Shop local? It’s a concept many of us embrace, especially surrounding the holidays. It should be a lifestyle choice for all authors, regardless of season. For many authors it’s their dream to one day see their book on the shelves of bookstores far and wide. Although this is an understandable desire, it’s one that requires a …
Natural Imagery
by Elizabeth Musser “The best images come unbidden”-so said my high school English teacher after reading my first novel years ago. While kindly complimenting me on many aspects of the story, he pointed out that at times I ‘beat the reader over the head’ with imagery or symbolism, saying effectively “Don’t ya get it? Isn’t that cool?” His advice? Trust …