Tag Archives: tips
Time and Place: Researching Your Historical Fiction
By Liz Curtis Higgs When I asked my fiction readers to finish the sentence, “I love historical fiction because…”, my favorite response was this: “It’s like a history class and an adventure, all rolled into one.” Yes! I’ll leave spinning … Continue reading
Three Ways to Keep Your Writing on Track
By Lisa Jordan Recently I bought a new train set for my childcare program. One of my Little Darlings waited patiently while I assembled it, then proceeded to move the three-car train along the tracks. If he pushed too hard … Continue reading
Making Conversation
By Linda W. Yezak Ever since our vocabulary extended beyond “Mama” and “Dada,” most of us have been engaged in verbal communication, although true communication is rarely limited to voice alone. Human dialogue, human interaction, is a complex series of … Continue reading
Writing What You Don’t Know
By Deborah Raney My novels Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains, are set in the Amazon rain forests of Colombia, South American. Beneath a Southern Sky was a RITA Award winner and went on to win … Continue reading
Writing with Children – For Moms and Dads
By Preslaysa Williams I once told another mom about my writing “hobby,” and she advised I put the writing on hold until my children were out of the house for good. I refused to put my dreams on hold, but … Continue reading
Don’t Quit Your Day Job: 3 Things to Help you Navigate Working and Writing
By Tamara D. Fickas Writing is such a glamorous life. Writers get to sleep in, play all day, write amazing pieces, and bring in the big bucks. Or not. If you, like me, are one of the those writers who … Continue reading
What to Do with a Negative Review
By Liz Curtis Higgs I’ve never been voted off the island, named the weakest link, or told what not to wear, but as a novelist I’ve weathered my share of criticism—constructive, destructive, and otherwise. A sharply-worded email from a disgruntled … Continue reading
Sending your Submission to an Agent
by Tamela Hancock Murray Submitting your work to an agent can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps will help you gain confidence, regardless of your method. Unsolicited submission This is when you are querying … Continue reading
SMART Goals for Writers
By Preslaysa Williams I always get excited about a new year. I have a chance to start fresh and do something new. I’ve set goals, met goals, and left others unmet. Every new year, my goal setting skills have improved. … Continue reading
How Brainstorming and Eating Pizza with Friends can Lead to a Book!
By Rose Allen McCauley Did you know the Twelve Days of Christmas start on December 25 and end on January 6th on Epiphany–the day the wise men first saw the Christ Child? To most people it means figuring out something, … Continue reading
Making Resolutions or Setting Goals?
By Martha Rogers New Year’s is the time for resolutions, or so people say. Most of those who do make resolutions usually break them within the first month. Years ago, I quit making resolutions and started setting goals. These ranged … Continue reading
How to Make Your Writing Shine
by Liz Curtis Higgs Whether you’ve yet to be published or have a shelf full of novels with your name on the spine, here are four simple steps to improve your writing: read, write, listen, and refine. Read the best … Continue reading
Description That Draws the Reader Into Your Story World
By Ane Mulligan Description serves more purpose than simple describing a place or person. It can enhance or detract from a scene. It can be used to deepen characterization or confuse. Here’s some questions to ask yourself as you write: … Continue reading
Sabotaged!
By Andrea Boeshaar God has a purpose and plan for each of us. How do I know? God says so in His Word, the Holy Bible. (See Jeremiah 29:11) But sometimes we sabotage Divine plans with negative thoughts and fears. … Continue reading
Satan Hates Your Writing (A Defense Strategy)
by Natalie Monk “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 Haters gonna hate. And Satan is a … Continue reading
