Tag Archives: tips
Story Ideas You Are Certain Won’t Work. But They Do.
by Gail Gaymer Martin When I was proposing my next series, for Love Inspired, I ran amuck. Nothing excited me, and when it did, it didn’t strike my senior editor. When I asked what series ideas she would like to … Continue reading
More Right Than Wrong
by Arlene James Judging contests and critiquing manuscripts are activities that can swamp a writer if she isn’t careful, but they can also be rewarding, I believe, for both the unpublished and the published. I sold into publication before professional … Continue reading
Shining God’s Light Through Our Writing
by Kathi Macias One question I am often asked is, “Why do you write about such dark topics?” My answer? “I don’t write about dark topics; I write about the Light that shines in the darkness.” Now I’ll admit that … Continue reading
Stop, Drop and Roll: Adding the Crisis Scene
by Janice Thompson You’re at the 3/4 point in your novel and facing that all-important crisis scene. The Supreme Ordeal. The Black Moment. The Big Gloom. You know it’s critical to the story’s survival, and you want it to be … Continue reading
Who’s in Charge Here?
by Beth Shriver I find my stories taking on a life of their own at times. I think I’m going one way with the plot and it turns a corner without asking me. The same goes for characters. You think … Continue reading
Where Do Ideas Come From?
by Lisa Lickel The journey of The Map Quilt started when I was in fifth grade, learning about the Underground Railroad, watching my grandmother sew quilts, and discovering the astonishing fact that not all black people in the United States … Continue reading
Quick Reference Guide to Research Methods
by Laurie Alice Eakes Recently, I enjoyed the privilege of giving an ACFW chapter a short workshop on research methods. Others have found this helpful, so I am hopeful you all will, too. Although I have more historical romances than … Continue reading
The Writer’s Tool Chest
by Aaron McCarver What is in your tool chest? Your writer’s tool chest that is. Tools are wonderful things. We are able to accomplish things with them we could not do otherwise. When thinking about it, we have conquered the … Continue reading
ACFW Rewind: Becoming a More Productive Writer
Editor’s Note: Welcome to ACFW Rewind! ACFW strives to bring you interesting, varied, and helpful posts on the craft of writing and the writing industry. And every once in a while, a previous post deserves to be re-published so the … Continue reading
Writing From The Hero’s Point Of View
by Becky Wade What’s the matter with the following passage? ‘As Daniel strode from his office building towards his car he glanced upward at the cumulus clouds flowing languorously across the sky. Sunshine poured over him like a benediction. What … Continue reading
Research Can Be Fun
by Lena Nelson Dooley Does researching a subject sound boring to you? I used to feel that way, too. Now research is a mainstay of my writing, whether I’m writing a contemporary or a historical novel. When I started writing … Continue reading
A Thousand Words a Day?
by Donna L. Rich “But, let’s just stop and ask for directions,” I plead. “I don’t need directions.” “Honey, come on, I feel like Moses’ wife, here. We’ve been wandering for an hour now, and I want to get out … Continue reading
HELP! I’m Shy! How to Overcome a Shy Personality at Conference
By Michelle Shocklee I am naturally shy. I would rather eat worms than talk to people I don’t know. Does that surprise you? Most people would not describe me as shy. A little on the quiet side maybe, but not … Continue reading
