Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 25 (counting down to Day 1): Topic: For the technology to work Scripture: 1 Cor. 14:33a– For God is not a God of disorder but of peace Dear Father, Please use the technology equipment to amplify Your truth and elevate Your wisdom. May …
Creating Authentic Cause and Effect
DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Bestselling stories explode from powerful emotions that push a character into authentic cause and effect. The process is the backbone of fiction. A character is deeply motivated and commits skills, time, energy, and knowledge to pursue something tangible or intangible. The something is valued, meaning sacrifices are expected. The reader will feel cheated if the character is …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Day 26
Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 26 (counting down to Day 1): Topic: For First-time Attendees Scripture: Philippians 4:6–Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Lord, may every step you take us on, every …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Day 27
Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 27 (counting down to Day 1) For: The Conference Staff Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:3a–Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love . . . Father: Thank you for those who work diligently throughout the year to put this …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Day 28
Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 28 (counting down to Day 1) For: the Spotlight Sessions Scripture: Proverbs 2:6–For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Lord, thank you for the agents and editors who host Spotlight Sessions. Bless them for sharing their time …
Seven Components Required to Create a Compelling Character
by Rachel Hauck @RachelHauck This August I’ve been writing full time for twenty years. I quit my job—cutting our household income by two-thirds—with one little $2,500 contract and a big deposit of dreams. While other contracts followed, my books didn’t fly off the shelf, win awards, or create buzz at my publisher. In many ways, I had a wrong idea …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Day 29
Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 29 (counting down to Day 1): Topic: for Paid critiquers as they work on submissions Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17–Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by …
The Business Side of Writing: Backing Up Your Claim of Being a Writer
By Barbara M. Britton @BarbaraMBritton I love to create people with distinct personalities and unique skills and write about them to produce a story. I call myself a professional writer, but to the IRS I might be a hobbyist or a dreamer. How do I prove to government agents that I run a business? Here are a few steps to …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Day 30
Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team. Day 30 (counting down to Day 1): Topic: For Agents at the conference Scripture: Psalm 143:8a–Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You. Dear Heavenly God, May you guide our thoughtful agents as they listen to the many …
Save Your Editorial Cuts and Deleted Scenes
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 I had several pieces of a novel-in-progress that I’d set aside from the manuscript. Two fell outside the overall timeline; I’d cut several others because, while they were interesting, detracted from the main flow of the story. One was most of an entire scene; one involved a character than I’d cut; and one simply had way …