By Janice Cantore In criminal court, ascertaining motive or intent is an integral part of the legal process and sets the tone for sentencing. The determination of a person’s motive can mean the difference between the death penalty, life in prison, a long sentence, a short sentence, and freedom. In the same way, the bad guy’s motive in a mystery …
Where Does Your Story Begin?
by Linda Brooks Davis Ever wonder how far back the roots of your story extend? With the recent release of my debut novel, “The Calling of Ella McFarland,” I find myself wondering when the story began. Was it in 2014 when I opened Scrivener and typed CHAPTER 1? Or long before? Perhaps it was 2005 when my first grandchild arrived …
Writing Suffers If Faith Falters
by Linda Robinson If it were possible, writing would be number one on my priority list every day—after my Bible study, prayer, and quiet time alone with God. But “stuff” happens to interrupt schedules and plans. And as we all know, some events are much bigger and more stressful than others. In this age of specialized medicine, we must visit …
Memory Trees and Story Starts
By Chandra Smith When I signed up to do the blog for December 24, I told myself since I love Christmas it would be a piece of cake. I should have remembered the only part of our writing journey that is a piece of cake is people’s perceptions of what it’s like to be a writer. I sit here in …
Christmas Magic and Miracle
By Martha Rogers Mary Manners wrote a wonderful blog a few days ago about memories she had of Christmas. That’s one of the things I really love about this season of the year. So many wonderful memories are created and they live with us through the years. However, we also look at the other side of the coin and know …
Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas
by Kim Gilliland Twas two weeks before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was writing Not even a mouse With stockings all hung And gifts wrapped with care She hoped a writing idea Soon would be there The doggies were nestled All safe on the bed While visions of pup-peronis Danced in their heads And I in …
Words Aptly Written
By Kathy Parish “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 NIV) When I was growing up a beloved English teacher always had a beautifully leather-bound volume titled Apples of Gold. It was filled with inspirational quotes and verses on glossy pages, and selected students read from it over the school intercom at …
Christmas Lights
By Mary Manners When the subject of Christmas gifts comes up, most people think of packages wrapped in colorful paper and shimmery bows, sitting under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be opened. When I think of Christmas gifts, I think of my dad, who passed away thirteen years ago this holiday season. He was a man of many gifts, …
Flexibility & Change: Leaving the Day Job
By Ramona Richards Whether writing is your fulltime occupation, or whether you have day job and struggle to find time to lock down those images and characters tormenting your brain, you already know that being productive is a matter of discipline, planning, and flexibility. All three come into play in order to turn ideas into prose. No matter your path, …
Honoring God’s Calling in Our Lives
By Rondi Bauer Olson A few months ago I was making small talk at a wedding reception when another guest, someone I did not know, asked me what I did for a living. Up to that point in my life, my answer had always been clear. I went to college to be a nurse. My job was as a nurse. …