Tracking Your Progress

ACFWAccountability, Advice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Procrastination, tips, writing 10 Comments

by D’Ann Mateer Almost 25 years ago, I attended my first writers conference at Mt. Hermon. It was the second big step toward my writing dream—the first being finishing my first full-length novel. Of course, I soaked in all the classes and interactions with editors and agents and fellow writers, but probably the most lasting thing I took home was …

After the Mountaintop: Writing When the Glow Wears Off

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Conference, Encouragement, Perseverance, Procrastination, tips, writing 5 Comments

by Jeffrey Friedel @JeffersonRiede Who knew there were mountaintops in Springfield Missouri? I don’t know about you, but this year’s ACFW conference sure felt like one. The worship. The keynotes. The laughter. The long talks with fellow writers who get you. There was clarity and calling and coffee (so much coffee). Some of us walked away with book contracts or …

Keep Your Eyes on the Goal

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Brainstorming, Characters, creativity, Distraction, Procrastination, tips, writing 3 Comments

by Rebecca Reed I don’t know about you, but I get excited when I think of a new story idea. I spend time thinking about characters, backstory, motivations, settings, and events. I call this “story noodling” and I love this activity. At some point, the newness wears off. Writing becomes less fun and more like work. I make excuses to …

Just Write Already

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Distraction, Encouragement, Faith, Fear/Doubt, Procrastination, Time Management, tips, writing 9 Comments

by Mark David Pullen Have you ever sat down to write and hit a mental roadblock? Maybe it was for your new manuscript, an article, or that guest blog spot that could change the course of your career as an author forever. In any case, writer’s block is never a welcome state of mind. Most writer’s block cases can be …

Just Show Up

ACFWAuthors and writing, creativity, Encouragement, Faith, Perseverance, Procrastination, writing 8 Comments

By JPC Allen I thought nothing could be more difficult than writing a novel during a pandemic. Trying to make sense of the world at that time dried up most of my creative juices. And what little that was left was consumed by becoming a teacher to my children. Was I ever wrong. I began to write my latest cozy …

It Can’t Be Right When It Feels So Wrong

ACFWACFW, Authors and writing, Critiques, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW, Perseverance, Procrastination, tips, writing 8 Comments

by Sarah Sundin @SarahSundin Chapter four nearly did me in. Chapters one through three flew as planned, and I knew chapters five and six were going to be exciting. But chapter four took me a full week to write. I’m a plotter, an outliner. Before I start my rough draft, I know what needs to happen in each scene. This …

Reach THE END, Press SEND, Repeat

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Books, Distraction, Encouragement, Procrastination, tips, writing Leave a Comment

By Kathleen Y’Barbo-Turner @KathleenYBarbo As the author of more than 100 books, I often get asked how I manage to write all those books. My answer? One book at a time! I know, but it’s true. I also get asked for my secret to how I manage to reach THE END and press SEND time after time. Please understand I …

Ten Tips to Help You Write More Words

ACFWACFW, Advice, Authors and writing, Procrastination, Time Management, tips, writing 5 Comments

by Carrie Turansky @carrieturansky Whether you’re an aspiring author or multi-published, it’s often a challenge to meet your writing goals. Here are ten tips that will help increase your writing productivity. 1. Write with instrumental music playing in the background. I recently saw an informal survey that found those who listened to music while writing were able to write more words …

Writing in the Yoke: the Easy Writer

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by Kristi Holl Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and My burden is light.” Writing in …