by Jill Elizabeth Nelson The term Point of View is defined as a position from which something is considered or evaluated, a standpoint, or a place of perception. In fiction writing, the position from which anything is considered in any given scene should be the character through whose head we are viewing events. This particular character is the point-of-view character. …
What’s So Funny?
What’s So Funny? How to Lighten Up Your Story and Get Readers to Laugh by Margaret Brownley A reader recently wrote to tell me that her husband lost his job, her father took ill and the washing machine broke down-all in a single week. That’s enough to make anyone want to cry, but instead she wrote, “In spite of everything …
Who is my Reader?
Let’s untangle the web surrounding the question, “Who is my Most Likely Reader?” Think of your story. Who are the central characters and what are their ages? What is the theme of your story? To clarify, let me use my first historical romance as an example. Promise of Tomorrow is a historical romance set in Johnstown, PA during the flood …
Your Writing, Your Business
by Danica Favorite One of the things I teach in my Taxes for Writers class is that the IRS is going to look at your business as a business, and many writers need to work on making their writing business more business-like. Yes, I know, writers tend to be more creative and would rather spend their time deciding if their …
God Loves Me More Than That
by Fay Lamb “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 Life verses-they abound, and Jeremiah 29:11 is among the most quoted. As an author who feels that God has called me to write, I cling to verses such as …
Spring Cleaning
by Aaron McCarver Spring is here! For many people it is time for that annual foray into closets, attics, and basements…spring-cleaning. I have actually begun to attack some of those areas in my place. I am trying to follow the rule of my co-author, Diane Ashley?if I haven’t looked at it or worn it in more than a year then …
Getting Connected in ACFW
By Carrie Fancett Pagels I am continuing my posts aimed at newcomers to ACFW. Several months ago I indicated that new members should get connected in their ACFW Zone. Also, I get asked a lot about how people can get into a local group. I have addressed this further down in the post. Step One: Go to ACFW and find …
A Boy, A Girl, and a Love Fern
by Janelle James Years ago, I had the chance to train for the circus. Alas, I am not currently traveling with Ringling Bros. But I don’t consider the experience a waste. I learned an important lesson from tightrope walking that helps in my current endeavor as a romance novelist. Tightrope walking and novel writing might not seem to have anything …
Ten Tips for New Authors
by Suzanne Woods Fisher So…you’ve got a book contract. Congratulations! But now it’s time to sell your book. Your publisher has a marketing plan, but the focus is on retail outlets. You want to try to help your book gain altitude. But how? By thinking small – book by book, reader by reader. You can make a difference! You are …
The Ticking Clock: A Novel Timeline
by Janet Chester Bly We started in July. Our deadline for Stuart Brannon: The Final Shot was November 1st. Steve left us 7,000 words, a one-page synopsis and a list of characters. We assigned ourselves to listen to the audio versions of the first six original books of the Stuart Brannon Series. We immersed ourselves in the character of Stuart …