by Ann H. Gabhart “When you start writing, the magic comes when the characters seem to take on a life of their own and write the words themselves.” — Alice Hoffman One of the questions writers often get when talking about their books and writing is what comes first when you are ready to start out on a new story …
Holidays for Authors
by Linda Glaz (Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency) Let’s ask ourselves what the holidays mean for authors: book sales, contracts, a wonderful endorsement of their book? I guess it doesn’t take a genius for us to want all three, right? But what can readers (and other authors) do to help all of these dreams come true? The rest of us …
Tips to Write Effective Silences
by Linda Dindzans MD Writers want readers to savor every word—but sometimes our words pile up, rush ahead, and leave no room for reaction or reflection. Yet there are moments when silence is not only desirable but essential. What do I mean by “silences” in writing? Anything that makes the reader, the character, or the action slow… pause… stop. Why …
Visible Virtues: Judging Justice
by Christine Sunderland Today is December 7, a “date which will live in infamy” as President Roosevelt stated in his address to Congress and the nation, speaking of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. This catalyst propelled our nation into World War II, hesitant as we were to get involved until then, despite the Holocaust and the rise of …
Christmas wasn’t Created for Stress
by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Dear writerly friend, promise me that this year you won’t open the unwanted gift of stress. The package is easy to recognize—the black paper and black bow with an attaching-grabbing tag, Open Me December 1 will spoil your celebration. Oh, it’s tempting, but please don’t give in. You’ll recognize the weighted items inside: Writer, cut short …
Thanksgiving at Charlotte Lake
by Donald L. Reavis It’s Thanksgiving Day. I expect you’re looking for a heart-touching, tear-jerking story of a Thanksgiving past. I did my research and found one that may fit that description. This comes from an old friend of mine, William Lindberg. Over fifty years ago, William and his young wife, Claire, left their family in Wisconsin and moved west …
The Garden Theory of Writing and Publishing
By Cynthia Ruchti @cynthiaruchti A writer and an agent were chatting over lunch one day. The writer had been at it a long time, had planted many different kinds of stories, but nothing had taken root. The agent asked, “What do like most about gardening with words?” The writer said, “Being in the garden.” “It is beautiful here, isn’t it? …
Crafting Page-Turning Dialogue
by Darlene L. Turner Boring dialogue kills a story. Would you agree with this statement? We’ve probably all read those scenes where two characters chat and chat and chat about nothing. Oh hum. Our attention drifts, and we think about everything we need to get done around us. Cleaning, laundry, walking the dog, washing our hair. Right? Boring dialogue sounds …
For Such a Time
by Maureen Miller Why’s it taking so long? This was my frequent cry. My frustration regarding my WIP’s publication process spilled over like coffee in a Starbucks cup sloshing over speedbumps. Similar to crickets from my content coach, God, too, often seemed silent. Over time, my inquiry changed. Is there a greater lesson to apply to my writing life? That’s …
Speed Writing
By Joni M. Fisher @authorjonimfisher I challenge you to write a novel in a month. It sounds impossible, but hear me out. How many best-selling authors publish a book every year? Barbara Cartland, the Queen of Romance, wrote over 700 novels. Isaac Asimov wrote 500. Nora Roberts has written 225. James Patterson has 100. John Grisham has over 50. Calculate …