There are dozens of directions I could take with today’s post, but for time’s sake, let’s talk possibility and plausibility. Since this isn’t a writing blog (although I do share thoughts on the process from time to time), I won’t bore you with rights and wrongs. The truth is everyone and their Great Aunt Alice has an idea of what …
She Had Me at “Breast Cancer”
It’s true that life is a series of stories. Good and bad, humorous and poignant, true life stories are the best because they’re real. They’re the ones we remember. They’re the stories that breathe fire into our fiction. Striking just the right balance between fact and fiction is somewhat of a mystery, and yet, when it happens it’s sublime. I …
Are Writing Conferences Right for You?
If you write and you’re serious about publication, listen up: writing conferences are a must. At some point in your career you’ll have to decide which conference best suits your needs, but if you are serious about furthering your craft and honing your skills, this is the best way to do it. There is nothing like learning, growing, and networking …
The ACFW Conference and You: 15 Tips
This is the time of year the writing world is abuzz with all things “conference.” For those who write Christian fiction, it’s especially exciting. One of the biggest writing events of the year is the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference. In 2011, the conference was held in St. Louis. Last year it was in Dallas. This year it’s in Indianapolis. …
It Happened Again
It happened again. It’s not something I like to talk about because I’m the kind of gal who doesn’t like to hurt folks’ feelings. But here’s the truth: Sometimes, kind people–gals, guys, writers, bakers, and candlestick makers–get used. And not in a good way. Today’s post is a little diddy about TIME. If that’s something you struggle with or find difficult to balance, then …
Writing in the Details…Or Not
I tend to be a detail-oriented person. I like to study people wherever I go–the mall, the bookstore, church, Starbucks, and even flea markets to name a few. Details excite me. They add dimension to the characters I craft. Sprinkling in a few particulars here and there at just the right time can offer a great deal. For instance: Suzy Sunshine seems so perky. She has …
Writer Wanna-Be…Be Gone!
A few years ago at a writing conference, a young woman introduced herself. “Hi. I’m ‘Sally’. A writer wanna-be.” (I’m substituting a fictitious name today, but this was her introduction then.) Sally was shy and lacked confidence. She even said the word “writer” with reluctance, as if uttering it in broad daylight was taboo. My heart immediately ached for her. I wanted to respond, “No, Sally. …
Writing, Marketing, and Eye Candy
In today’s world we’re very visually motivated. Because of savvy marketing gimmicks, we often make decisions based on eye appeal and not performance. Bells and whistles and cross-the-heart promises sell us everything from dressed-up paperweights to lighter-than-air feather dusters–and usually, all for a mere $19.95. From cleaning supplies, food, clothing, make-up, and countless everyday products to the more costly things such …
Give Yourself Permission: Let Go of the Apron String
I’ve said it before: writing is a hard gig. If you write (and you are serious about it), I’m not telling you something you don’t already know. As we mature, we understand that the creative process is not for the fainthearted. We get that our journey isn’t the rose petaled path we initially envisioned. In fact, our pilgrimage to publication is often marked …
Cookie-Cutter Characters: A Fiction Faux-Pas
Gingerbread men make me smile. I think they add a touch of whimsy to ordinary life. They never say a word, yet they tickle my funny bone. In fact, I collect them. The little fellows grace my laundry room walls and they come in various sizes. And…yes. I have borders to match. (If I must wash and iron, I think my little niche should convey …
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2