By Patti Shene They say you should write what you know. These past few months, my life has been draped in sadness and loss. (Please don’t stop reading! I’m not going to take you into a world of gloom and grief!). My mom passed away in February of this year and my husband in June. I was blessed to speak …
A Writer’s Best Energy
By Melissa Tagg Marketing. I think a lot of writers hear the word and do a little scary-movie shudder. Or maybe a full-on horror-flick scream. Me, not so much because a) I’m more of a nervous laugher than screamer and b) I happen to work in marketing at a good-sized nonprofit. And I’ve realized something in the past few years. …
My Blogless Summer
By Victoria Buck After eighteen months of blogging weekly, I knew it was time for a respite. I needed to promote the release of my second novel. A novelette begged to be finished. I’d signed the contract for my third novel, and a fourth collection of characters and plots had settled into my imagination. So I felt I needed a …
The Serious Side of Synonyms
by Betsy Lowery We writers often evaluate the nuances of meaning between two similar words as we seek the “right” word to use. It’s not unheard of for me to poll my friends: How would you describe the difference between “acceptable” and “adequate”? Or between “maturity” and “wisdom”? If asked to “tell something unusual about myself,” I could admit to …
Am I the Only One Who Struggles?
By C. Kevin Thompson Watch this video, then we’ll talk. Do you feel a little small after watching that video? Insignificant, perhaps? Hopefully awestruck, though, right? Now, read this article, then come back for the finale. I watched this video and read this article within a couple of weeks of one another. Although the article was not quite so factual, …
Becoming a Writer of Excellence
By Donna L.H. Smith This is something we all strive for, but let’s face it. As “excellent” as we can become, mistakes happen in publishing, both on the author’s side and on the editor’s. I recently read and reviewed a book by one of my favorite authors and found at least two instances of POV problems, and at least one …
Writing to Discover Truth … and Yourself
By Ian Acheson Golly gosh, I’ve struggled writing the sequel to Angelguard. The basic story of Angelguard fell out of me. I was a complete novice (well, I still am really) but the story just kept coming. I’d turn up to the blank page and out it would come. Nine months later it was done. The first draft. Not to …
We All Need A Little Brave
By Catherine West When Sara Bereilles’ song Brave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4) first came out, the tune got me. It’s catchy. It makes you want to get up and dance. But then I started really listening. And the words . . . yes. Those words. Ooo, boy. Hit me hard. Because I knew. I wasn’t brave. Not by a long shot. And maybe …
Do You Want to be an American Ninja Warrior Writer?
By Beth K. Vogt I’m one of the 6 to 7 million viewers who watch American Ninja Warrior (ANW). I cheer from the comfort of my home as (mostly) ultra-athletic men and women jump, swing, run, and climb their way through a series of obstacles for the chance to “beat that wall!” You’ll never see me run the obstacle course …
A Lot Like Life
By Kariss Lynch Four funerals in six weeks. Six weeks of grieving and celebrating and laughing and crying. Six weeks of wrestling with the Lord and wondering why. Six weeks without writing, because how do you write when you can’t iron out the journey or the answers to the journey in your own head? When you only have the emotional …