by Ann H. Gabhart Recently I was interviewed by a young high school girl with dreams of writing the same as I had many years ago at her age. Selena hoped I might reveal some magic path to being a successful writer. I don’t think there is any magic. Instead blood, sweat and tears accompany the writing journey, but joy …
Hold the Dream Lightly
By Lorraine Beatty Dreams are funny things. They can sustain us, they can torment us or they can rip our hearts to shreds. But we can’t live without them. As writers we dream of that first contract or that perfect agent who will find us that top publisher. But sometimes dreams take a long time to materialize. Sometimes not at …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Genesis Finalists (Day 16)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 16 – 9/5/17 – FINALISTS IN THE GENESIS CONTEST Psalm 135:5-6 (NKJV) For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and all deep places. Beloved Lord and Father, Please bless …
5 Reasons to Attend a Writers Conference
By Patricia Bradley Are you wondering if you should attend the upcoming ACFW conference, or any conference, for that matter? Let me give you five reasons why you should. Meeting people who “get” you. Have you ever tried talking to a non-writer about your story? Or an article you’re working on? Did their eyes glaze over or did they look …
Even the “Big Dogs” Struggle
By C. Kevin Thompson I picked up a copy of Lee Child’s debut novel, The Killing Floor. It was his first Jack Reacher novel. Originally published in 1997, this edition (the fifth edition in 2012) is a mass paperback and contains “a new introduction by the author.” It was this intro that inspired me to keep on keeping on. Child …
Consider Large Print
By Lynn Hobbs One of the first lessons I was taught in years of attending writing workshops was to identify your writing audience; female, male, or both? What age group? What genre? After deciding, it was stressed to continue with your choice. Advantages are obvious. You keep your same readers. You built an e-mail list of those readers to inform …
The Rewards of Research
by Diana Wallis Taylor Anytime I prepare to write a new book, the matter of research comes up. What do I need to know to accurately present my main characters? Jewish background and customs are more familiar since I have written about several Jewish women in the New Testament, among them Martha, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of …
The Ministry of Christian Fiction
By Renee Blare Have you ever wondered about your ministry as a Christian author? Is it make-believe stories? Does it lie with ideas in your head? Or with success? Is it a ministry or a career, both? I’ve thought about these questions a lot. For many reasons. How do we walk the fine line between author and Christian…without offending someone? …
Three Tips for Making Up with Your Characters
By Melissa Tagg Several weeks ago during an author Q&A, I was asked to name a sport to which I’d compare my writing journey. I didn’t even have to think about it: hockey. It’s possible I gave this answer solely because only days earlier I’d been part of an extended—and hilarious!—conversation about The Mighty Ducks movies. Nineties kids say “hey!” …
Why “Brand” Matters…Or Does it Really?
By Cynthia Herron As a writer, you’ve probably given some thought to your “brand.” (And if you haven’t, now’s the time!) “Brand” to an author is what water is to wildflowers. It quenches, sustains, and breathes life into an otherwise drab existence. For instance, in today’s world where we’re surrounded with a buffet of opportunity, I’m always intrigued by people’s …