By Melanie Rigney Is there a difference between giving up and letting go? That question was posed at a retreat I attended recently. The conversation was of particular interest to me. While others were spending the retreat in prayer, working on faith journey scrapbooks, or taking long walks, I was researching a nonfiction book that’s due to a Catholic publisher …
Jot and tittle
by Dr. Dwight David Croy In Matthew 5:18 it says, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Literally, it means, “not one stroke of a letter” will pass away. In Luke 16:17 it says with a Greek variant, …
Comfort Food for Writers
by Linda Glaz Okay, time to sit back and relax with your favorite coffee or tea and a handful of shortbread cookies (my guilty pleasure). I’ll do the same, and we can talk about you getting published. “Can you give me any hints and tips to get my foot in the door?” I’d be happy to. I receive numerous submissions …
God’s Mighty Hero
by Maureen Miller “You need to be brave, like Gideon,” God said. “Who… me?” I replied, then busied myself. Maybe he’ll go away. But, of course, God didn’t go away. Instead, he repeated, “Be like Gideon.” He’s serious, I thought. Still, I argued. “But Father, I’m not courageous like Gideon. In fact, I’m really more like—” “Gideon,” God interrupted, “Remember, …
Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant
by Roxanne Hicks My husband and I live on the edge of the Rocky Mountain range and are blessed with abundant wildlife which also call this home. On any given day, we’re likely to watch a variety of animals scamper, or amble, through our pastures. One morning while sipping my coffee, I witnessed a good-sized flock of wild turkeys pick …
Small Things
by Lisa Kelley @LisaKelleyWrite Sometimes, it can seem nearly impossible to find time to put words on the screen. If you have a full-time job like me, the hours you have to devote to writing may be few. Often, I set aside my vacation time as dedicated writing hours. Such was my plan this past December. I struggled last year …
Five Tips for the Tight Pacing That Will Engage Your Reader
by Allie Pleiter Every writer’s goal is to engage and enthrall their reader. We want them pulled deeply and quickly into the story so that they can’t wait to turn the page. Accomplish this, and you’ll have won a loyal fan who not only follows you to the end of your story, but eagerly await your next book. But how …
Travel and Fiction—An Awesome Duo
by Marguerite Martin Gray Are you an avid traveler? I’m an avid traveler and reader. These activities easily go hand in hand in my life. If anyone says “Let’s go!” I’m there with my bags packed and full of enthusiasm. It really doesn’t matter the destination—local, state, national, or international. I’ll lead or follow as long as I’m going. Traveling …
Redemption Arcs
By Diane E. Samson Do you find certain themes popping up in your work? In writing for young adults, themes such as self-discovery, love and acceptance often emerge from the pages. But my favorite is a good redemption story. No matter the genre, if there’s a lost character who finds his way, I’m all in. (I’m looking at you Ebenezer …
Visible Virtues: Tangible Temperance
by Christine Sunderland @Chrisunderland Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for many Christians. It is a day when we act out what we believe to be true, that we will live and we will die and we will be resurrected by Christ. And so an ashen cross is drawn on the forehead as we hear the words, …