by Kim Vogel Sawyer A couple of months ago, I came across an article about Lisa Wingate’s recent release, Before We Were Yours. You’ve probably heard about it—set simultaneously in 1939 Memphis and present day Aikens, South Carolina, it’s the fictionalized account of the notorious Tennessee Children’s Home Society which stole babies and adopted them out to wealthy families. I’m …
Our Journey
by Christa Kinde Travel takes courage. Away from home, without the comfort of familiar things, surrounded by strangers, we wander. Not all that long ago, my husband and I were in a foreign city, trying to navigate dark streets with nothing more than the tiny map from the back of a brochure. Drizzle added a wet sheen to the streets, …
5 Reasons Authors Should be on Goodreads
By Amber Schamel To Goodreads, or not to Goodreads…that seems to be a question. Since it’s one of my all time favorite sites, I thought I’d address this question and give 5 reasons why I think authors should consider joining and interacting on the site. Goodreads is especially for book lovers! To market our books, we first have to find …
Ten Things to Do If You are Missing the Conference
by Chandra Lynn Smith I love musicals. I also love thrillers and mysteries. I even love sappy romances and intense drama. If you saw my arms loaded down when I left the library or looked at the array of books on my Kindle it would be obvious my reading choices are similar to the movies I like. This past summer …
The Path of Perfection
By Christine Sunderland I am currently reading a novel with a fascinating historical setting and colorful characters. It has received rave reviews, become a bestseller and book club favorite. And yet, the characters seem shallow. What is missing? I considered the plot, which lacks direction. The action doesn’t climb to an anticipated climax. I asked, What drives these characters? What …
Write Like a Pirate
By Kariss Lynch Remember that scene in Pirates of the Caribbean, the one where the not-so-refined Miss Elizabeth requests parley with the pirate captain? She thinks parley is a Pirate Code granting her protection. Sadly, she didn’t quite know her audience. She is quickly informed that the Pirate Code is more like guidelines than actual rules. Writing is a lot …
The Blog Post for People Who are Going to the ACFW Conference . . . and for People Who Aren’t
by Beth K. Vogt Two types of people are reading this blog: People going to the ACFW conference in Grapevine, Texas from September 21-24 People not going to the ACFW conference in Grapevine, Texas from September 21-24 This post is for you – no matter whether you’re packing a suitcase and looking forward to attending workshops and connecting with other …
Five Lies Every Character/Writer Believes
by Angela Arndt Every good character has obstacles to keep him from reaching his goals. Whether your heroine is a nuclear scientist creating a secret device to save the world or a receptionist who’s secretly in love with the town doctor, any lie she believes that keeps her from reaching that goal must be exposed. It’s part of the plotting …
When Writing Stops Being Fun
By Rondi Bauer Olson I had so much fun with my first baby. I dressed him up in the cutest outfits, played with his baby toys while he drooled on them, and took enough pictures to fill multiple scrapbooks. Then, when he was twenty-two months old, I had twins. Three boys under two years old. Playing mommie stopped being fun. …
Attacking Atychiphobia
By Andrea Boeshaar What’s Atychiphobia? In my book My Heart Belongs in The Shenandoah Valley: Lily’s Dilemma, I address atychiphobia or the fear of failure. One of my two main characters, Mac Albright, is terrified to fail. For him, it’s not an option. He intends to prove that he’s not the “ne’er-do-well” that Alexandria, Virginia’s elite have come to believe. …