By Susan Lyttek There’s a huge difference between teaching a writing class and teaching writers. Let me explain. Most of the year, I teach writing classes to kids and teens. When teaching a writing class, you start with the assumption that the students have a limited understanding of how to write creatively. They may have written poems and stories before …
Using Psychology to Create Deep Characters
A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH TO DEVELOPING GRIP-YOUR-HEART CHARACTERS By J.A. Marx How do we write a poignant story that’s realistic, emotionally satisfying yet not watered down? After you’ve given your character a personality, a vocation, a purpose for living, and a setting contemplate the following. 1) Reality Pick an offense more exciting than stepping on toes or cutting someone off in …
Writing: A Gift From the Lord
By Kim Gilliland Writing. I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me to put my thoughts on paper is a driving force. However, if no one reads my words, is it like the proverbial tree in the forest – when it falls, does it really make a sound? If no one else reads my words, then what good are …
Measuring Greatness
By Loretta Eidson Recently, I posted this quote by Mark Twain on Hootsuite: Great people can make you feel that, you too, can become great. I’ve heard numerous times throughout my life that if we want to be smart we should hang out with smart people. It stands to reason the same is true for greatness. But, who do we …
Double Cross – Romantic Suspense Musical?
by DiAnn Mills Writers often invent ways to challenge their minds and explore various means of creating story. Our goal is to fashion unforgettable characters and develop distinct plots. All the while we’re reading books by our favorite authors, viewing fabulous movies, and observing what’s going on in the world around us, we are constantly thinking story. How can my …
Something is Greater than Nothing
By Anne Mateer I’m not very good at math. Never have been. I still have to use cheats to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Recently, however, I did have a mathematical epiphany. (And yes, it has to do with writing!) Something > Nothing Remember that little sideways caret thing from elementary school math? It either means greater than or …
Top Blogging Mistakes Made by Authors Online
By Edie Melson Blogging is a great way to connect with our online audience. And while there are a lot more people out there doing it well, I still see some common mistakes. These things affect a blog, making readers click away before we have time to connect. Today I’m going to point out some of the specific things we …
Setting – the First Character You Create in a Story
By Mary Ellis What first comes to mind if someone mentions the television show, Hawaii 5-0? The muscular actor who plays Commander Steve McGarrett, or perhaps a clever plot twist in an episode involving identity theft? More likely it’s a visual of tanned young surfers riding the perfect wave to the shores of Waikiki, or perhaps a volcanic peak rising …
A Star in the Heavens
By Christine Sunderland My good friend, wise counselor, sacrificial priest, and loving pastor, Archbishop Robert S. Morse, recently left us for Heaven at the age of 91. He is gathering with others before him, along the heavenly river that runs by the throne of God. I owe him my life, at least my reborn life, after returning home from Canada …
Earning a Reputation
by Christa Kinde As an author, I have a reputation. I’m not ashamed of it, but it isn’t really the sort of label I had in mind when I set out to tell stories. Now, I’m not talking about those snazzy accolades we plaster on dust jackets. “Best-selling.” “Critically-acclaimed.” “Award-winning.” “Highly-anticipated.” I’m talking about the words readers choose. Do you …