by Harry Kraus Let’s talk about the “fictional dream.” What makes people willing to suspend belief and enter into a make-believe world? How is this done successfully? I’ve been contemplating this recently as I’ve been reading the young adult novels beginning with Divergent. Veronica Roth creates a world very different from our own, one which requires the reader to accept …
Reflections of Tone
by Jennifer Sienes I’ve written enough now to realize that there’s been a pattern in not only what I write, but in how I write – no, I didn’t get the Tread Desk I’ve had my eye on for some time-I’m referring to that somewhat elusive tone. At the end of my first year as a middle school teacher, I …
How Writing Retreats Have Profoundly Impacted My Life
By Lindsay Harrel When I first began writing, I did everything I could to learn how to become a successful career novelist. I wrote a few books (kind of a given!). I read countless books and articles on craft. I stalked many an agent blog to discover more about the industry. I befriended other writers. All of these things were …
Incredible Writing Done Credibly
by C. Kevin Thompson Have you ever read books that promised suspense, only to find they don’t deliver? Ever read a thriller that didn’t thrill? Ever read a romance between two people who never would get together in the real world? Ever wonder why this happens? There are many reasons. One of the most common causes resonated with me one …
Writer, Examine Yourself
By Richard L. Mabry, MD Is the phrase “Know thyself” in the Bible? No. It was inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. But it’s still good advice…especially for writers. I’ve been chained to the computer recently – not writing another book, but rather doing interviews associated with the release of my medical suspense novel, Critical Condition. Sometimes the …
ACFW REWIND: Make a Plan and Write it Down!
(Editor’s Note: Today, ACFW re-runs a worthwhile post from the past, in this case from August 2012, in what we call ACFW Rewind, highlighting previous posts that deserve a second look. ) by Lacie Nezbeth At a recent, local writer’s conference, the attendees (myself included) were taught by New York Times bestselling author Susy Flory, and one of the most …
Giving Back
by Roxanne Rustand Way back at the beginning of my writing journey, I’d been a lifelong, avid reader, but I knew nothing about writing fiction. I started my first story just for fun, not imagining it ever becoming a book length manuscript–not dreaming of ever sending it to a publisher. I loved going to booksignings and meeting Real Authors, but …
First Drafts
by Katherine Reay I’m so excited to be here. I visit this blog regularly and always find something new, instructive or inspirational to help me, my writing, and my walk… So the privilege to contribute is just that, a privilege. Dear Mr. Knightley is out in the world. Lizzy & Jane is in copy edits. And I am beginning my …
Finding that Masterpiece Within
by D.L. Koontz One of my favorite secular movies is Romancing the Stone. Kathleen Turner plays a lonely romance novelist named Joan Wilder. In the opening scene, she’s hunched over a keyboard crying as she writes a tear-jerking scene (that’s me). She’s so engrossed in her writing, she ignores her irritated cat (also me). When she finishes, she hurriedly types …
Title Raves
By Davalynn Spencer You knew it was coming. It’s a predictable event, but you didn’t expect the emotional surge to swamp you. Before you realize what’s happening, you’re splashing in watery indignation upon hearing that the publisher changed the title of your manuscript. How dare they slap a new moniker across the front of your book. How cruel to discard …