By Donna Schlachter In the writing world, there are two kinds of deadlines: the ones imposed by others; and the ones imposed by you. The deadlines that others set for you in your writing might include a contest entry date; a critique group submission due date; a timeframe for the submission of a proposal and first three chapters to an …
LIES! The Foundation for Believable Motivation
by Ane Mulligan If y’all have been around me for more than ten minutes-okay five minutes, you know I’ll start talking about writing, and if I start on writing, I’ll move into motivation pronto. That’s because through mentors and classes I’ve taken, I’ve learned that’s the foundation of great characters and plotting. The first one was Rachel Hauck, who asked, …
One Person Can Make a Difference
by Ian Acheson We all can make a difference When was the last time you heard a message and thought the speaker was directing it specifically to you? It’s like you’re the only person in the auditorium, an audience of one. I experienced that sensation recently at church when a visiting pastor from the UK spoke. His message didn’t really …
Book-signings in a Bygone Era of Brick and Mortar
by Mary Ellis I often think back fondly of my very first book-signing. I had just published a romantic suspense geared to the literary/library market. So the binding and packaging were top-notch-it would truly hold up to heavy wear-and-tear. And the cover photo was imbedded in the hardback cover, beneath the paper jacket. The only problem was the list price …
Sincerely Yours
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 …