Allie and the No Good Very Bad Workload

ACFWEncouragement, Friends of ACFW, writing 1 Comment

by Allie Pleiter The past three months served up the most challenging workload of my 20+ year career. For the first time, I experienced what most people might call “writer’s block” because so much was being asked of me by so many people that it spawned a sort of creative paralysis in my brain. I was acutely aware of what …

When You Hit a Writing Drought

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW, Learning Leave a Comment

by Glynn Young Since the time I was a reporter for my college newspaper, longer ago than I care to admit, writing has been an integral part of my life. I’ve been a reporter, editor, newsletter editor, speechwriter, public relations manager, novelist, short story writer, non-fiction book author, blogger, book reviewer, essayist, poet, and more. Writing has been central in …

Authoring Faith

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by Christine Sunderland @Chrisunderland Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day signed into law in 1952. This year’s theme is “Glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations” (I Chronicles 16:24 NASB). In this year, 2026, when we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we celebrate America and the faith of our fathers. …

If It Doesn’t Bear Fruit…

ACFWACFW, Authors and writing, Encouragement, tips, writing 1 Comment

By Dave Pratt My first novel evolved from an introductory novel-writing correspondence course. At about that time, I met a well-published romance writer who agreed to take a look once I completed the manuscript. When I mailed her the hard copy, I was so excited! Those were the days of snail-mail hardcopy editors. It was that long ago! So, when …

Fiction is Evangelistic

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW 1 Comment

by Dr. Dwight David Croy My first impulse to write was to provide books to boys 13-17 with a male perspective after teaching in a Juvenile Department of Safety and Justice program. Their limitless anger, broken families, lack of fathers, mentors, and narrow view of success catapulted me to write. Each writer has a springboard to write. Our central motivation …

Heritage Drives

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Brainstorming, Characters, creativity, Encouragement, writing 4 Comments

by Georgia Curtis Ling @GeorgiaCLing It was one of those frantic mornings. I was treating the scenic, unfamiliar back road like a speedway, entirely focused on making it to the grocery store. I was completely disconnected, caught up in the stress of the day—until I saw it. The unexpected sight brought me back to reality. I slammed on the brakes …

Questions to Ponder

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, creativity, Encouragement, Faith, Fear/Doubt, tips, writing 3 Comments

by Mitchell S. Karnes I grew up loving to read. That love grew into a passion for writing. In the beginning, I was full of questions and voraciously searched for the answers. Thankfully, God placed many great mentors in my life. Without them, I would have given up, for there were just as many critics who discouraged me from using …

Your Book is Not Your Baby – And That’s Good News

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Books, Encouragement, Faith, Fear/Doubt, tips 10 Comments

At my very first ACFW conference—several years ago—I sat in a class with a well-known and much-loved author. When I asked her for her number one piece of advice for a green, newbie like me, she replied, “Always remember your books are not your babies.” Her admonition took me off guard. I had heard numerous writers, both fledgling and professional, …

Red Ink, Refined Hearts

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Critiques, Editing, Editors, Encouragement, Faith, tips, writing 11 Comments

By Jeffrey Friedel  @JeffersonRiede Yesterday my writing coach returned my manuscript with comments and edits, and within five minutes I discovered an exciting new subplot called “Defensiveness.” Then I briefly considered spinning it off into a companion project titled “Avoidance.” But our discipleship group has been reading Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller, and it’s been exposing the hidden idols I …