Monthly Archives: March 2013
Mistaken Identity
By Deborah K. Anderson Have you ever discovered that you’re not who you thought you were? I did recently, and let me tell you, it can be a frightening experience. A few years ago, I received an e-mail telling me … Continue reading
Writing Historical Words
By Jane Kirkpatrick If the novel is set in the early 1800s in New England should a writer use contractions when the speech pattern of the era didn’t? Or rather did not? What about word choice? Should my character say … Continue reading
Dreaming Big!
by Casey Herringshaw Do you have dreams for your writing? Do you take the time to plot out where you’d like to go? And I don’t just mean the New York Times Bestseller list. Dreams are a good thing. Dreams … Continue reading
Make Your Manuscript Sparkle
By Anne Greene When I wrote my book, Masquerade Marriage, I discovered the secret to making each manuscript I write come alive to my readers. In the second book of my Scottish Marriage Series, Marriage By Arrangement, I honed that … Continue reading
The Art of Not Rushing
by Lindsay Harrel I’m impatient by nature. I see something I want and I make a plan to go for it. Sometimes, no matter the cost. But as an author of Christian fiction…well, I just can’t. I can’t force myself … Continue reading
Why Take the Chance?
by Fay Lamb Stick around the business long enough and you’re going to find an exception to every rule. You know, the best-selling author who says, “I don’t worry about grammar and punctuation. I just tell the story and let … Continue reading
The Writer’s Life Is A Solitary Life. Or Is It?
The Writer’s Life Is A Solitary Life. Or Is It? How to build a viable community. A writer’s life is a solitary life. The very act of shutting oneself away to write a novel implies solitude, aloneness. If not physically, … Continue reading
Speaking at Your Local Library
by Lisa Jordan Last November, my friend mentioned her book club was reading my first novel, Lakeside Reunion, and she asked if I’d like to come and talk at their November meeting. I agreed and enjoyed the conversation I had … Continue reading
My One Tip for Writers
By Margaret Daley I have been writing and selling for over thirty years. During my journey I have gone through many types of situations that a person may encounter as a writer–a line dying, editor changes, rejections, sold a book … Continue reading
How Should an Author Engage with Bookstores?
by Suzanne Kuhn (SuzyQ) I write a bi-monthly column entitled Engage+Relate for CBA’s magazine Retailers+Resources. I encourage bookstores to connect with both their customers and their local communities. Likewise, authors need to engage and relate with bookstores. Browsing in a … Continue reading
Is Free Always Good?
by Jordyn Redwood Recently, I read a blog post that theorized Amazon may be leaning toward doing away with free Kindle downloads. You can read that post here. When I was growing up my mother used to tell me, “Why … Continue reading
One Message – Many Stories
by Lillian Duncan When people learn I’m a writer, I get lots of different reactions. Some are excited and want to learn more. Those are the ones I like. The kids usually just ask does that means if I’m rich. … Continue reading
When Grief and Illness Strike
by Maggie Brendan Ever heard the phrase- “if you’re healthy then you’re a wealthy man?” Most everyone can identify with that phrase if you or your spouse have fallen sick. It’s easy to take our health for granted when you’re … Continue reading
5 Keys to Finding Your Focus
By Elizabeth Ludwig My prayer when I first started out on this writing journey was simple – Lord, please help me to get published, and let my words touch someone’s heart. Oh, how that prayer has changed over time! After … Continue reading
Conflict vs. Tension
by Donna Schlachter “I can’t believe you said that to me.” She would never have said that to him. “Well, it’s true.” And sometimes the truth hurts. “It wasn’t very nice.” She always tried to say nice things to people, … Continue reading