by B.J. Bassett One year Jack London received 400 rejections. With that many rejections he was bound to have received some acceptances. I look forward to the beginning of a new year with a fresh slate to record my goals. Since I began setting goals, I’ve written and published more. I set monthly goals. Others set daily, weekly, yearly, short …
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
by Lillian Duncan Wow! It’s the first day of a new year and I have the honor of welcoming it in for ACFW’s blog. That is quite the honor and quite the responsibility. Do I pick a solemn topic? Maybe, one to make you smile? Something encouraging? Something to make you think? Something inspirational? Mmm. What to do? So many …
Whose Fault Is It If Your Book Doesn’t Sell in 2013?
by Greg Johnson WordServe Literary Group After representing a couple of thousand books, I’ve seen average books go through the roof, and great books struggle to find readers. I won’t name names or titles, but we’ve all scratched our heads after reading a current bestseller, thinking Really? Naturally, I’ve seen hundreds of books sell just “okay.” And on rare occasions, …
What Are You Waiting For?
by Jill Williamson As writers, we’re always waiting for something. Putting in time to finish that book and hone our craft. Waiting for our critique partners to read our book. Waiting for a conference where we’ll get a chance to pitch our project. Waiting for our turn to meet with editors and agents. Waiting to get home and prepare the …
Bring on the New Year!
by DiAnn Mills This is the season we prepare our writing goals for the next year. Some of you are cringing … I can feel it. Others are moaning … I can hear it. But if we don’t evaluate our progress in 2012 and list what we’d like to accomplish in 2013, where is our career going? Let’s discuss the …
A Call To Write
by Linda Robinson Writing was not in my plans. Notice I said MY plans. I’m long past my prime. I can only imagine the joy and fulfillment I’ve missed by not avidly seeking God’s plan for my life long ago. I’ve been a Christian since I was fourteen, and I’ve always thanked and praised Him for all His blessings. But, …
Writing Category Romances
By Margaret Daley I have been writing for Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired line since 2000 and have enjoyed creating over forty Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense books. Writing for a category inspirational romance publisher has challenged me and helped me to grow as a writer. What have I learned writing category romances? I’ve learned first and foremost how to …
Editorial Guilt and Other Musings
by Ramona Richards Abingdon Press It’s clichéd but true: One of the greatest joys for an editor is to find that new voice, that special talent that leads to a long career. We love discovering new writers, which is why we slug through hundreds of proposals every year and travel to dozens of writers conferences. The old bromide about romance …
Pregnancy, Birth, and the Writing Life
PREGNANT My best friend is 38 weeks pregnant. As I’ve walked alongside her through this miraculous journey, I’ve been struck by certain similarities between pregnancy, birth, and the writing life. PREGNANCY – My friend now waddles when she walks. Her hip hurts all the time. And when her seven-pound baby kicks, she sounds like a football player after a major …
I Second That Emotion
by Bonnie S. Calhoun That title is a line from one of my favorite songs. And I know it dates me but the thought is what counts. When you are crafting a scene, one of the necessary elements is the stimulating of our senses to facilitate emotion. Now granted, sometimes it is hard to get all the senses into a …