Writing is a tough profession. The competition in today’s publishing world makes the strongest writers think twice about their commitment to excellence. Those of us who are lured by the magnificence of story are committed to creating a world where our readers slip into the shoes of our characters and are whisked away to an amazing thrill filled with uncertainty. …
Want to Write for Love Inspired Historical? Emily Rodmell tells how
Good morning everyone. I’m Emily Rodmell, and I’m the associate editor for Harlequin’s 3 Love Inspired lines (Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense and Love Inspired Historical). I’m here today to talk to you about the great opportunity we have at Love Inspired Historical for new writers. LIH doubled its output from two to four books a month this year, and …
Start Making Your List
By Kathy Harris We unpublished writers are always looking for ways to discern how far we are in our writing journey. One of the best guides can be found at Randy Ingermanson’s website, www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/freshman.php. By answering only five questions you can determine, by Randy’s estimation, whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, with publication becoming likely in the …
Pacing–I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can
By Margaret Daley The structure and pacing in a book is what holds the story together, moving it forward. Pacing and structure (what scenes go where) involves how you convey the characters and plot. In order to talk about pacing you also need to talk about the structure of the book. They are interwoven together. Why should a writer care …
Polishing Your Opening Chapters
Are you headed to the ACFW conference or preparing to submit your proposal to an agent and editor? If so, you need to polish those first three chapters until they shine. The synopsis, marketing ideas, platform and bio are important, but the strength of your writing in those chapters is what makes the agent or editor keep reading and ask …
Keep Juggling – Using a Chart to Track Writing Goals
One of the biggest surprises of being published was the juggling act. Before publication, I’d get a story idea, research it, plot it, write it, and edit it. Then I’d start my next project. After my first contract, that all changed. I’m usually doing publicity for one book, working on my publisher’s edits for another, writing a third, and plotting a fourth. …
Top Ten Reasons for Going to ACFW Conference
So many good reasons come to mind as to why one should attend ACFW conferences. Here’s my TOP TEN LIST: Number 10: Memories you make. Number 9: Meeting old friends and making new ones you know by email only. Number 8: Great books available in the bookstore and the authors ready to sign them. Number 7: The wonderful Christian fellowship …
Join me at ACFW
Today I want to put in my plug for a little something called the American Christian Writer’s conference. This year it is September 22-25 in St. Louis, MO. If you’re interested in writing Christian fiction, you should definitely consider going. Honestly, when I think of the many great classes I’ve sat through, I think even secular writers would love this …
ACFW Conference Blog – Two Posts Today
First post is from Rachel Smith Fernandes: This year’s conference in St. Louis will be my fifth conference. I guess I’m somewhat of a seasoned professional. Or not. Like many other writers I’m an introvert. The prospect of attending my first conference was both exciting and terrifying. I’d made friends through the email loop and blogging, but what if I …
ACFW Conference Blog
Ashley Clark shares some wonderful conference advice in today’s post: Remember that high school feeling of getting caught talking in class? Maybe it wasn’t your fault. Maybe your friend in the seat beside you wanted to cheat, and you were actually saying, “No, I will not give you my answers,” but all the teacher heard was your mumbling, and next …