Giving Ourselves Grace in Our Writing Journey

ACFWAccountability, Advice, Authors and writing, business, Deadlines, Encouragement, Faith, Perseverance, Time Management, tips, writing 10 Comments

By Elle E. Kay This path we’ve chosen isn’t easy. Whether you’re indie, traditionally, or hybrid published, you have to manage your career. We all have to help with the marketing, juggle social media, send newsletters, and so much more. Keeping all those plates spinning without dropping any of them is nearly impossible. Yet, we expect to do it. And …

Writing in Layers

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Characters, Encouragement, Faith, tips, writing 4 Comments

By Loretta Eidson Chefs prepare some of the best tasting layered foods. We have lasagna, nachos, casseroles, salads, pizza, etc. Just the mention of those delicious dishes makes our mouths water. Not to mention topping it off with extra cheese. All the ingredients, appropriately measured and blended, result in a lip-smacking delight. We won’t forget the satisfying taste that tickles …

Let Down the Nets

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Faith, Fear/Doubt, Rejection, tips, writing 7 Comments

by Lisa Kelley @LisaKelleyWrite Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Even so, the quest most of the time is rewarding. But sometimes the doubts mushroom, and I think my efforts are futile. Have you felt this way? Maybe you, like me, have said, “Lord, I’m done. I have nothing more to give.” Like me, you may have had …

Singing the Song of Thanksgiving

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Faith, writing Leave a Comment

by Christine Sunderland There is a white cross on the hillside of Angel Mountain, aka Mount Diablo, the setting for one of my novels. I have learned recently that it is a place of prayer and meditation, a light in the dark. We can see the cross from our house, a moving reminder to pray and give thanks, and on …

Christmas Musings and Reads

ACFWAuthors and writing, Books, Encouragement, Faith, writing 3 Comments

By Marguerite Gray Hello, fellow readers and authors. Tis the Season for a lot of things. It is the joy of Advent—a time of anticipation as we remember our Savior’s birth. What are some of your “Tis the Season” activities? I start anticipating the season with an abundance of Christmas novels and novellas that I have collected since January. I …

Here I Am, Send Me

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Deadlines, Encouragement, Faith, Time Management, tips 4 Comments

By Janet Morris Grimes Writing is a rather lonely sport, as we all know. In order to be a successful author, we must live within disciplined parameters that require us to keep our distance at times. While we’d love to accept every invitation from every family member or friend who is hosting a gathering, we’ve lived that life. And though …

The Guidance of the Master

ACFWAdvice, Encouragement, Faith, Prayer 4 Comments

by M.D. House @real_housemd None of us is perfect. All of us need correction (some of us more often than others). Without it, we would stop learning and improving, and even begin regressing. Such has been the case throughout the history of mortal mankind. Our eternal adversary seeks every way possible to hinder and reverse our eternal progress. That includes …

The Problem with Fantasy

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Faith, Friends of ACFW, Plots, tips, writing 11 Comments

by Scott T. Barnes Christians writing fantasy literature face one unique challenge that most writers do not: how to deal with religion and spirituality in a made-up world? I provide here only partial answers and reflections, and would love to hear your opinions on this important topic. ‘Fantasy’ fiction comprises books as diverse as The Lord of the Rings; The …

Dream Big, Dear Writer

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Faith, Friends of ACFW, writing 3 Comments

by Susan Lyttek @SusanLyttek Lately, I’ve been doing a series on my personal blog about Dreams and Memories and how God works in each of them to grow and develop us. When we dream and remember the way God would call us to, we become not only better Christians, but better writers. Having taught many generations of beginning writers, I’ve …