by M.D. House @Real_HouseMD I’m no expert on the periods of Christian revival in North America (often spreading farther than that), but there have been at least three: In the 1730’s, in the American colonies In the early 19th century, centered in Western New York State During the late 19th and early 20th centuries Post WWII (this one is disputed, …
What Makes a Good Novel?
By B.D. Lawrence @BDLawrence3 “There are bad novels and good novels…but that is the only distinction in which I see any meaning…the only classification of the novel that I can understand is into the interesting and the uninteresting…it is of execution that we are talking — that being the only point of a novel that is open to contention.” Henry …
Why Poetry Can Make You a Better Writer
By Glynn Young @gyoung9751 Like most of my generation, I read poetry in English classes in high school. It wasn’t until I was a high school senior that I read poetry that stuck in my head. And it was T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” and “Four Quartets.” I read poetry in college as well, but my …
Step Outside You Comfort Zone and Write
by Terry Overton Listening to my Bible Study leader speak in our recent study of Rahab, the point was made very clear to me. God asked Rahab to step out of her comfort zone and do something she probably never thought she would do. He had selected Rahab to take in two spies and to lie to the authorities when …
Why I Love Critique Groups
By Cindy Ervin Huff @Cindyhuff11Huff One of the best ways I’ve improved my writing over the years is in my critique groups. I’ve learned so much at writer’s conferences and writing craft books, but the application can be challenging. I don’t often see my writing mistakes. But having critique partners makes all the difference. For a few years, I was …
What is Stronger than a Mother’s Love?
by Ifueko Ogbomo As a writer of Biblical Fiction, I often ponder about the lives of the Bible’s heroes and heroines. Given that it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow, my musings today surround biblical mothers and their sons. Most famous of them all is Mary. The virgin who became a mother in the most unexpected and unique manner and would have surely …
How I Started Writing
by Angela Hunt Hel-looo, ACFW! This is my first blog post here, so I thought I’d introduce myself to those of you I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting. I’m a mom, Nana, and keeper of Chickens and Very Big Dogs. I live in Florida. I’ve flown to New York so my dog could be on Regis and Kelly, I’m …
The Strength of Waiting
By Tara Johnson @TaraMinistry “A watched pot never boils.” I heard that phrase a hundred times while growing up, and every time I was chided for my impatience, I cringed. I confess, not much has changed over the years. I still pace when sending off a new manuscript to a potential publishing house. I still bite my nails when reviews …
Feel the Rain
by Chandra Lynn Smith It’s a pretty little blank book. Well, it started as a blank book. I began writing in this journal in 2003, twenty years ago. On the first page I quoted Galatians 6:4 from The Message. “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” …
Living the Story of Jerusalem’s Gates
by Christine Sunderland @chrisunderland Today is Palm Sunday, the day we recall, and re-enact, Christ’s entrance into the Holy City of Jerusalem, riding a lowly colt, as was prophesied. Many lay palm branches before him, crying “Hosanna in the highest!” As we follow him through the gates of Jerusalem, we invite our readers to enter the gates too, into our …