By Amy Clipston People often ask me what the secret is to getting published. I don’t believe there is a secret to getting published, but I do have a list of activities that may help writers on their journey to publication. 1. Join a Writers’ Group I accidentally found the website for a local writers’ group while searching for a …
The Power of a Writing Partnership: Part I
By Frank A. DiBianca Whether one is a beginner, a recently contracted novelist (like yours truly), or a seasoned, book-a-year pro, it’s hard to overstate the importance of having a writing partnership. A look at my own writing partnership may be illustrative. Now, I’m not speaking about professional (i.e., paid) services, which are unquestionably valuable and indeed indispensable. I mean …
The Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Lion
By Julia Kay Being a women’s fiction writer, I’m a big fan of spiritual leaders who teach and champion other women. Specifically, Lisa Bevere is one of my favorites. I recently read a comment on social media from someone saying that her hand motions were annoying in one of her videos. As writers, we’ve been there, right? Rude comments. Random …
Inspiring Quotes for Wavering Writers (and Everybody Else)
By Frank DiBianca Writing a novel is not a piece of cake nor is publishing one. And the better we want it to be, the harder it is. But it is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding adventures we will ever embark on. Sometimes it helps to have a bit of encouragement, and our forerunners have provided much of …
How to Be a Real Writer in Four Easy Steps
By Kimberley Woodhouse Step One: Write. The best way to become a real writer is… you guessed it: to write. You might have one thousand amazing ideas but you’ve flitted from one to another and never finished one of them. My suggestion is to keep a journal of all of those fabulous ideas and then sit down and focus on …
The Best of Times
By Julia Kay If we were at my kitchen table, I’m sure I’d hear some derisive laughter over this title. I don’t know about you, but early in my Christian walk, I thought God’s best included a writing contract and answers to my long list of prayers. But what happens when our mustard-seed faith doesn’t provide the miracle we need? …
Five Ways to Make Your Writing Retreat Successful
By Kass Fogle Many of us have at least one conference budgeted per year and though we may have attended some virtually, many of us missed the opportunity to get away and stretch our creative muscles. Even without the confines of quarantine, I enjoy at least one solo retreat and share five ways I prepare for success: Pack Your Office …
From Reality to Imagination
by Lisa Kibler I finally did it. I made the leap from nonfiction to fiction, and I love it. Nonfiction gave me my start in this amazing writing journey as I crafted a story about becoming like a local in my favorite US destination, Gettysburg, PA. As I continued with devotions, compilation contributions, and the memoir of a pastor, the …
Four Ways to Heed Correction
By Terri Gillespie One who heeds discipline is on the path of life, but whoever ignores correction goes astray. Proverbs 10:17, TLV The deadline for the Genesis Contest looms. Pre-published writers are busy checking and double-checking their submissions to be sure they meet the “guidelines.” One way to prepare is to seek others to critique that precious manuscript. The local …
Alert to Life
By Deb Haggerty As authors and speakers, we must always be alert to life. That is, we should always be paying attention to what goes on around us. You never know when an accidentally overheard conversation will give you your newest book idea, or a billboard will give you an important point for your next speech. When I was working …