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? …
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 …
Tracking Your Progress
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 …
Keeping the Muse
By Neva Bodin I spoke at a writers conference a couple of years ago about keeping the muse. I’m thinking all writers must have one. What is a muse? One source said the word originated in Greek literature and was introduced by Chaucer in his writings. It is “Any of the nine daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, each of whom …
Comparison – The Thief of Joy
by Steven Rogers @SRBooksForHope For the last fifteen years, I’ve been a member of a men’s Bible study group. During our meetings, a common theme often emerges—comparison. Based on the contributions we see from others, we worry that we’re not doing enough. For example, we might be reading about the Apostle Paul, marvel at this commitment and accomplishments, and then …
A Christian Writer’s Prayer
by Linda Dindzans @lindadindzans Since I became a writer, my prayer life has changed. Writers who sense God has called them to write—though our genres, audiences, and purposes may differ—share this one thing: we are called to pray. We pray for His will to be done and His glory to shine through our words. Called to Write My journey began …
Curveballs
By Martha Boswell Scripture: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…” ~Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) Growing up, I had three brothers who played baseball. Since my dad was a pastor and a sports enthusiast, our lives revolved around worship services and practice schedules. My first word—after ‘Mama and Daddy’—was ‘ballgame.’ Most afternoons my stroller was …
When Your Muse is Hurting
by Chandra Lynn Smith When I scheduled my blog post dates for the year, of course I had no idea about what topics I might choose. Initially, I thought it might be about the changing of the seasons and how while summer is my favorite season and I am not a fan of pumpkin spice—yes I typed that—I might share …
Alone with God at Writers Conferences
by Marilyn Turk I stepped outside the room where my writer friends were chatting together to take a breath. I didn’t mean to be unsociable, but I needed some morning quiet time I had missed that day and needed to adjust my focus. When I’m at home, I get up before my husband does and embrace the quiet of the …