By Melissa Tagg First of all, can we talk about how the word “blurb” is kinda funny? I mean, say it enough times and it sounds like you’re trying to mimic an animal. What animal, I don’t know. Nor do I know why a person would sit around saying “blurb” over and over. But still. Recently several friends and I …
ACFW New Releases: April 2015
April 2015 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. Amish Romance: The Postcard by Laura V. Hilton — David Lapp moves to Jamesport for a fresh start after surviving a “code blue” when he was in a buggy/semi truck accident. His new call to the ministry is complicated by his …
A Life of Writing
By Ramona Richards One of my favorite authors will turn 82 at the end of May 2015. He’s suffered a lot of illnesses lately, including a stroke. Yet he’s still writing and selling his work, marketing it on social media and YouTube. In October, another favorite will turn 77, and she still writes three books a year, doing so by …
Switching it Up
By Carolyne Aarsen I am a self-confessed, unabashed outliner. I need to figure out my characters, fill in my character charts, use a beat sheet to lay out the story outline. I need to know where my story is going every step of the way. I discovered this over a forty some book career that if I let myself ‘write …
What Happens Next?
By Karen H. Richardson Writers have many methods for developing their story. Some are very methodical and create detailed outlines. Some have a spreadsheet that lists chapters, summaries and potential word counts. While others use writing software such as Scrivener to write and organize their thoughts. Me, I’ve tried a little of all of these methods. More than likely as …
Chasing Inspiration
By Kariss Lynch In an information age, inspiration is often muted, masked, and downright frustrating to identify. It can be even more difficult to figure out where to start when beginning your writing career or beginning a new writing project. Inspiration then becomes a process of discovery. Something you search for until the story begins to fall into place. But …
What’s Your Excuse?
By Martha Rogers We make so many excuses for not submitting our writing. I don’t have enough time to finish a manuscript. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’ve got too many rejections. I don’t have an agent, or I’m not good enough. Any sound familiar? Time: We all have the same amount. We can find even fifteen minutes in …
Don’t Neglect Life for Writing
By Anne Mateer Do you desire to populate your stories with people that leap off the page, characters that “live” in readers’ imaginations? I sure do. But that kind of writing usually doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires engagement. In life. With people. I’m in that “empty nest” season. I thought it would be great with no kids in …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 9
Day 9 Topic: Casey Miller as he finalizes appointments Hebrews 4:16–Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Father God, we come before Your throne on behalf of our brother Casey Miller. You gifted him with an analytical mind that is …
First Impressions
by Ian Anderson My anxiety level increased as I approached the open door for the early-bird “writing skills” class. I hadn’t written anything for weeks and felt very unprepared for the session. Fortunately, when I walked into the large room 100+ people were already sitting down. I was happy that I could easily slip into anonymity. This class was just …