By Gina Detwiler This week, Forbidden, the fourth book of the Forlorn series (the fifth if you count the prequel), had its official book birthday. Let me tell you how that feels. Terrifying. Exciting! I mean exciting. Of course. But also, yes, terrifying. Because along with the joy of a newborn novel comes the angst: will anyone read it? Will …
Finding Your Writing Process
By Carol Buchanan, PhD Sometimes the most difficult task in the writing life is to find your own writing process. By writing process, I don’t mean answering one of these questions: Are you a plotter? Are you a pantser? Are you somewhere on the continuum between them? Even if you’re the most determined plotter, who devises every twist and turn …
How to win a writing contest
By Jill K Willis You’ve decided . . . gulp . . . to enter your book baby in a writing contest. You’ve agonized over the synopsis, formatted the manuscript, and completed the contact form. You’ve edited it a thousand times, along with your mother and your critique partner. You’ve caught typos, grammatical errors, and plot holes. What more could …
Four Things to Give Up to Grow Your Writing Career
By Lisa Jordan How many times have you heard someone say, “I give up”? Those three simple words can destroy a writer’s dream. Maybe you’ve been trying to get that novel completed but your characters aren’t cooperating. Or you’ve been trying to get an agent’s or an editor’s attention to no avail. It’s so easy to give up, isn’t it? …
When You Hit the Writing Wall
By Glynn Young I’ve learned there is more than one kind of writing block. I’ve been blessed with never to have experienced writer’s block, that immobilization that often afflicts writers and stops them cold from writing another word. I’ve sympathized with people who’ve had it, and I know it’s real. They stare at a blank page or screen, and – …
Worthy Words: Threading the Theme
By Christine Sunderland As I research my eighth novel, I consider worthy themes, themes that reflect the Kingdom of Heaven and God’s love for mankind. What is the theme? How will I thread this theme through the pages, creating a satisfying whole, weaving together characters, plot, and settings? This novel will be the third in a trilogy about free speech …
God’s Point of View for your Book
By Lana Christian Like many of you, I’ve been in the querying trenches for some time. So I was Snoopy-dance thrilled when a publisher reviewed my full manuscript and asked me to revise/resubmit it. I spent three weeks slaving over changes I thought the publisher was looking for, knowing full well I could do my best and still not garner …
Hidden Blessings of Writing
By Sarah Sundin Trying to get published can be painful and frustrating and disheartening. Can I hear an amen? It took ten years from when I began writing for publication until my first novel hit the shelves. I lost track of how many rejection letters I received during a time when historical fiction wasn’t selling—especially historical fiction set during World …
To Judge or Not to Judge
By Tammie Fickas It’s contest season at ACFW – First Impressions just finished up, while Genesis and the Carol Awards are open for submissions. Contests are a great way to hone our craft and get your work noticed. Across the nation, each year, organizations sponsor writing contests, and thousands of writers put their work to the test. Have you ever …
Does Writing Scare You? Here’s One Thing You Can Do Today to Overcome Your Fear
By Tammie Fickas Are there writing opportunities you regret not taking? How about dreams you’ve put aside? Do you ever wish your life was different? What’s holding you back from taking chances and fulfilling your God-given purpose? For me, the answer is fear and more questions. What if I fail? Or look like a fool? Sometimes I let the “what …