Love the Craft, Own the Process (Even When it Hurts)

Cynthia Herron Writing 2 Comments

For writers, there’s nothing worse than those off days—even off seasons. They’re the ones that Wally Writer and Annie Author rarely talk about because their writing is just too picture-perfect. Everything they create is a masterpiece. Every word they write is beautiful and filled with deep, profound meaning. They don’t often admit mistakes because…well…they just don’t make any! And of course, …

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The Whole Story: What Drives Us to Know More?

Cynthia Herron Snippets of Life 4 Comments

I’m not a big fan of fast food restaurants, but a few years ago I stopped by a hamburger chain for an iced tea and a salad. Seated two tables across from me was an elderly couple who looked to be in their late seventies. The gentleman sported a wrinkled blue work shirt with faded blue jeans and sensible looking shoes. His wife wore …

Cup of hot chocolate

12 Toasty Tidbits to Warm Your Heart

Cynthia Herron Motivation 4 Comments

Well, I don’t know where you’re at, but here in the Ozarks, it’s knee-knocking cold! Our recent temperatures have hung around the single digits with the afternoons a little warmer, but because of the wind chill factor, that’s only a slight reprieve. I don’t like it. Cold is cold! And you may remember, I’m not a fan of winter. I …

red cardinal

When the Same Thing Doesn’t Work

Cynthia Herron Motivation 2 Comments

Last year we had a significant cardinal explosion in our back field. (As in—they were everywhere!) We also had finches, wrens, and various other birds to frequent our bird feeder, but the cardinals were the main beauties that visited. Oh, how we enjoyed watching them! They’d clamor for top spot on the feeder rim, eat their fill, and then others …

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Welcome to the New Year!

Cynthia Herron Snippets of Life 5 Comments

Welcome back—Happy New Year! I’d like to kick off 2015 by wishing you and yours the best New Year EVER! I pray your holiday season was filled with faith, family, friends, and fellowship. (And some R&R, too.) Can you believe it? Another year’s come and gone. It seems they go by faster now. (Yes. I remember hearing adults say that …

Merry Christmas with red ornaments

Merry CHRISTmas Encouragement with All My Love

Cynthia Herron Encouragement 5 Comments

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas! I pray this finds you happy, healthy, and full of joy! As I thought about what to say today—how to wrap up 2014—I axed the fancy in favor of simple, straight-from-the-heart, down home me. I hope you won’t mind. I think a little love and encouragement are in order. Woohoo! But first… 2014 ushered in change. Some …

The Stockbridge Library

Is Reading a Must for Writers?

Cynthia Herron Books 5 Comments

In addition to family time and some much needed R&R, something else I appreciate about the holiday season is the opportunity to read. As you might expect, most writers are avid readers, too. The sad reality is I don’t get to read near as often as I used to. My TBR pile is overflowing and my magazine baskets are stacked …

Red Christmas box

Celebrate the Season with ACFW MozArks

Cynthia Herron Writing 4 Comments

Well, ’tis the party season! On Monday our local American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) chapter, MozArks, met for our annual Christmas party. We’re a small, but growing group of Missouri/Arkansas writers who meet monthly for fun, fellowship, and of course, writing-related events and workshops. We often have special speakers and periodic write-ins, and sometimes we’ll gather informally during the year …

writing bench

Write with Abandon

Cynthia Herron Writing 6 Comments

Every year I set new goals. I prefer “goals” to “New Year’s resolutions” because most folks don’t follow through with resolutions. Resolutions sound great and our intentions are noble, but they’re somewhat self-defeating. Especially if we’re caught up in the holiday hype of seeing this as a must-do. Then our promises ring hollow because the outcome rarely matches our expectation. …

Christmas Candles

Why Writers Should Use Christmas Break to Recharge

Cynthia Herron Writing Leave a Comment

This is the time of year things start to slow down in the publishing world. There’s good reason for that. Editors and industry professionals like to spend time with their families and loved ones, too. So while writers and authors rush to finish a project or honor a deadline, it’s with the knowledge that Christmas break is on the horizon. …