By Shirley E. Gould With Christmas in our rear-view mirror, we’ve over-eaten and gained a few pounds, we’ve maxed out the budget, opened our presents, enjoyed smiles of wonder on children’s faces, visited Grandma and are now ready to face the new year with fervor. It’s a time to slow down and review 2016. Good or bad with its ups …
The Writing Marathon
by Marianne Evans My son and husband are avid marathon runners. In fact, 2016 was a milestone for us because our son qualified for, and ran in, the Boston Marathon. I’m such a proud mama! Like his father before him, he trained, he became educated on the sport and its processes, and he committed himself to a regimen so strenuous …
We Can. We Will.
By Mary Lou Cheatham Isaiah, a man grieving the death of his king, entered the temple with a desire to seek some meaning in his life. God’s Shekinah glory filled the room in magnificence high above him. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here …
For Your Doubtful Writer Days
by Chandra Smith Merry Christmas ACFW. Well, almost Christmas. Of all days, today when I sat down to write this blog post, I had one a what-makes-me-think-I-am-a-writer days. I opened the little book I keep at my desk. I have filled it with Bible verses and quotes to help me through these days. As I flipped the pages, inspiration showed …
Get Thee Behind Me
by Linda Robinson I always want to learn anything and everything to help me write better, so I can’t resist reading all blogs and articles that cross my path via email or social media. Books about learning the trade and refining one’s talents draw my attention, and I’ve bought many. But the more writing rules I read, the more boggled …
How to Make Your Writing Shine
by Liz Curtis Higgs Whether you’ve yet to be published or have a shelf full of novels with your name on the spine, here are four simple steps to improve your writing: read, write, listen, and refine. Read the best books in your genre, from time-tested classics to the latest award-winners. Study the rhythm of the words, the balance between …
Brown Paper Bag
By Tomi Leslie The wood-planked floor, of a one-room schoolhouse stage, creaked. Slowly, my girlfriend and I stepped across it. And at center stage we turned to face the audience. She gently nudged her elbow against my side, but nothing calmed my quivers. The lyrics of Jingle Bells danced a jitterbug step within my mind. Dashing through the snow in …
Sabotaged!
By Andrea Boeshaar God has a purpose and plan for each of us. How do I know? God says so in His Word, the Holy Bible. (See Jeremiah 29:11) But sometimes we sabotage Divine plans with negative thoughts and fears. The battlefield truly is the mind and we can be our own worst enemies. If we allow ourselves to wallow …
Satan Hates Your Writing (A Defense Strategy)
by Natalie Monk “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 Haters gonna hate. And Satan is a hater. He hates your writing style, your blog, your book, your agent, your publisher, your librarian, your favorite football team… …
3 Things Writers Can Learn From Volleyball Players
By Beth K. Vogt My youngest daughter plays volleyball. Well, she doesn’t just “play” volleyball – she competes year-round, first on her high school varsity team, and then on a club volleyball team. This girl is all about volleyball – kind of like writers are all about writing. After watching dozens of high school games this fall, I realized volleyball …