by Linda Brooks Davis One directive probably every writer has heard is “Write what you know.” Ever mull on those words and come up empty? Or feel as if you’re fighting a war? I have. But when I dig deeper, I invariably recall some gem from the past that usually involves my mother. She was a hoot. No one enjoyed …
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Published
By Michael Jack Webb Okay, it’s not really “funny.” I began brainstorming about becoming an author in my mother’s womb. As a child, I loved to make up and tell fanciful, exciting stories, or act them out. A couple of the kids I grew up with formed a neighborhood drama company, and we put on plays. The first one was …
Words
By Tanara McCauley We live in an unprecedented time. While there’s nothing new about the circumstances—pandemics, political tension, racial division, economic crises and the like have existed throughout history—this age of social media and varying degrees of quarantine makes ours a unique experience. For example, I bid farewell to my junior and senior students in a Zoom meeting weeks after …
God in the Detours
by Suzanne J. Bratcher, PhD We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28, RSV] My writing road began in a bookmobile on McCollough Drive in Austin, Texas in 1957. I was eight, and I was waiting for Brighty of the Grand Canyon, a book that …
The Role of Christian Fiction in a Hostile World
By Norma Gail What is the role of Christian fiction as our world grows increasingly hostile? Those who would change our culture want all references to faith in God removed from anything public. However, the written word is personal with a reach far beyond an individual author’s circle. We possess a tool to change individual hearts. God gave us an …
Have You Failed Enough to Be a Success?
By Susan A.J. Lyttek 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT: So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. If you look at my writing career through one set of glasses, I have been amazingly successful. I have had three magazine columns, …
Permission Granted
By Melissa Bennett I’m going to say something that goes against the grain. Something that is deeply contrary to our Western culture. It might feel more than a little uncomfortable and some may even take offense. But I’m going to say it anyway. It’s okay if you are not able to write right now. One more time for those in …
Mama’s Secret
By Renee Hodges Enough. I’ve said it to the server at our favorite Italian place as she grated a gracious amount of Parmesan cheese on my meal. I’ve growled it through gritted teeth at a child testing my patience. I’ve asked it of a friend to find out if I’ve given advice that helps her with a difficult decision. I’ve …
Our Family of God
By Christine Sunderland Our cities are burning. Some say civilization is collapsing. And today is the Feast of St. John Baptist. Our world needs some baptizing, some holy waters to put out the fires. My recently released novel, Angel Mountain (Wipf and Stock), is set in the midst of this cultural chaos. It is about another baptist, a hermit living …
The Power of Being Seen
By Tara Johnson One of my favorite stories in the Bible is God’s encounter with Hagar. This slave girl was mistreated and unloved, forced to play a role she didn’t ask for. She had no rights and no one to speak on her behalf. She was invisible to those around her…until she met El Roi. After running away from Sarai, …