By Mary Lou Cheatham Do you ever find a review of your novel that you wish would go away…simply disappear from Amazon…and not be there when you visit your product page next time? As writers seeking to improve our skills of communication, we thrive on helpful criticism from critique partners, critique groups, and even negative reviewers. But you have a …
Moment to Moment
By Tanara McCauley I recently joined the ranks of writers who pen speculative fiction. While I’ve read it for years and tend to favor a well-written epic fantasy over any other genre, it wasn’t until I felt God’s leading in that direction that I decided to step out in obedience and try to write my own. I initially found myself …
Sherwood Forest Intervention and Other Tools to Keep Writing
By Susan A.J. Lyttek “Curses,” Robin Hood muttered, obviously not intending I hear. But I have great ears. “I had pleaded with her to cease this interference.” He bowed to me again. “My apologies, milady. We appear to be at the mercy of the author.” “Author? As in the writer of a story?” He nodded. “Do not fret. When I …
From Whence We Came: ACFW’s humble beginnings, Part 2
By Andrea Boeshaar In Part 1 of this blog I reminisced about the early days of ACRW — American Christian Romance Writers which eventually morphed into ACFW. In this post I’ll discuss several of its growing pains as well as some of the many accomplishments of this organization. In February of 2000, the first Advisory Board opened up ACRW to …
From Whence We Came: ACFW’s humble beginnings, Part 1
By Andrea Boeshaar As I pondered an idea for this blog, it occurred to me that not a lot of ACFW members know about this amazing organization’s inception. Hundreds of writers attend the national conference and meet with editors, talk to friends who have become near and dear to them via ACFW’s many online services. But did you know that …
ACFW New Releases: September 2016
September 2016 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. Biblical: Daughter of the Nile by Jill Eileen Smith — Explore the exotic world of ancient Egypt and ponder the dilemma Siti faces when she leaves her homeland, her family, and the worship of her many gods, to live in Jerusalem …
40 Days of Prayer – Day 33: Finances for those Attending
ACFW Conference Day 33 Prayer – Finances For Those Attending Psalms 121:2 My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving attention to every detail in our lives. Conference expenses can be an added burden to tight finances. Help us to remember that You are so much bigger than our worry …
Story Glimmers
by Ann H. Gabhart A writer needs time to gather a story, to let the glimmers spark out of that mysterious dark center of the imagination where stories are born. At times the glimmers may sparkle but still be as elusive as a sunbeam. You see it but you can’t quite grab it. I’ve been at the glimmer stage for …
When Fiction Becomes Life
By Cynthia Ruchti Decades ago when I wrote radio drama and devotions for a daily broadcast, I created a script in which two voice-over characters discussed a new program at their church. Those within the church who were devoted to prayer were given pagers so they could be alerted immediately, even if they were far away from their home or …
One True Fan
By Sara Ella Target audience. That’s a phrase we hear a lot in this biz, isn’t it? We’re supposed to find our target readers. Gain them as followers. Get their emails so we can add them to the list. Check, check, and check. As if writing a novel wasn’t work enough. I’ve spent hours building platform, ready to pull my …