by Donna Wichelman In recent months, I’ve discovered the rich Hebrew concepts of Tohu V’Vohu and Shalom, which have revolutionized how I’ve started to think about my storytelling. This comes at a time when I’m starting to develop a World War II slip-time novel, called the Power of the Thorn, which takes place at a time in human history when …
Events Are Worth the Extra Effort
by Allie Pleiter Let’s face it…a working author must be as much marketer as writer these days. And for a largely introverted community, the challenge of hosting an event can feel too large. Still, events have many advantages and can be worth the extra effort. And they can even be fun! Here are several thoughts on how to host events …
Every Writer Needs a Room of Strangers
How I Learned to Stop Relying on Favors and Start Finding True Fans by Fayla Ott When I first started this journey, I imagined that one day, everyone I knew would be utterly amazed that the literary genius they’d overlooked would rise from the ranks of the ordinary. And no, I wasn’t picturing myself dancing with Patrick Swayze. That would …
Lessons Learned from Birthing a First Book
by Linda Dindzans, M.D. Authors often compare the writing of their books to the birthing of a baby–– the fleshing out of a spark of an idea, the crafting of a plot that encourages the growth of well-developed characters, and the striving and pushes at the end to meet deadlines. The launch of our first book is celebrated with friends …
Simple Tricks for Staying in the Room
by Jane Kirkpatrick My forty-first book will be released in May (Across the Crying Sands, Revell) and I’m busy writing book two in the three book “Women of Cannon Beach” series. I’m discovering some of the same old negative voices creep in to make me leave my computer and clean the grout which seems much more important. To combat those …
Engaging Book Clubs with Engaging Discussion Questions
by Sarah Sundin @sarahsundin As readers, we delight in socializing with fellow book-lovers. As writers, we delight in connecting with readers. The continuing popularity of book clubs provides an opportunity for authors. By crafting engaging questions about your novel, you can help book clubs have amazing discussions that build community and love of story. Since I belonged to a book …
Why Hospitality Toward Our Readers Should be on Our List of New Year’s Resolutions
by Donna Wichelman @DonnaWichelman Several years ago, while listening to a webinar hosted by Thomas Umstattd, Jr., he made a statement that impressed me and motivated me to write two questions on a Post-It note that still hangs on my computer monitor today. How do you throw a banquet for your readers? How do you serve them if you don’t …
New Year, New Tricks
By Angela Hunt I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions . . . probably because I’m failed at so many in years past. What I do believe in is learning new tricks, and the new year is the perfect opportunity to start learning a few. I like to try something new with each book I write. Of course, the subject …
Let Down the Nets
by Lisa Kelley @LisaKelleyWrite Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Even so, the quest most of the time is rewarding. But sometimes the doubts mushroom, and I think my efforts are futile. Have you felt this way? Maybe you, like me, have said, “Lord, I’m done. I have nothing more to give.” Like me, you may have had …
Three Word Pictures to Describe my Writing
by Dwight David Croy My writing thought life is best described as a percolator, puzzle, and a microscope. Time is needed to think, think, and think before writing. A percolator cannot be rushed but it is working on that perfect cup of coffee. My generation is from the “Java Jive” sung by the “Ink Spots.” Most words in that song …