by Steven Rogers @SRBooksForHope When you get down to it, there’s no difference between a mad scientist and a fiction writer. First, there are physical similarities. If you believe the movies, a mad scientist sleeps three hours a night, their hair sticks out at all angles, their clothes look slept in, and their eyes are buried in caverns deeper than …
Questions to Ponder
by Mitchell S. Karnes I grew up loving to read. That love grew into a passion for writing. In the beginning, I was full of questions and voraciously searched for the answers. Thankfully, God placed many great mentors in my life. Without them, I would have given up, for there were just as many critics who discouraged me from using …
Your Book is Not Your Baby – And That’s Good News
At my very first ACFW conference—several years ago—I sat in a class with a well-known and much-loved author. When I asked her for her number one piece of advice for a green, newbie like me, she replied, “Always remember your books are not your babies.” Her admonition took me off guard. I had heard numerous writers, both fledgling and professional, …
Writers, What AI Are You Using?
by Maureen Miller Let me start by saying… I’m the first to ask the Lord to refine my convictions. “Am I lazy?” I’ve inquired. Afraid of unfamiliar territory? Insecure about learning something new? It’s not like that’s never been the case, but this? It’s different. Not laziness. Not fear. Maybe there’s someone who needs to hear it, to know they’re …
Authoring Peace
by Christine Sunderland @Chrisunderland Today, February 16, is Presidents’ Day, a day celebrating the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, heroic authors of peace, and this year marks America’s Super-Centennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We give thanks for our country and its founding. America’s remarkable history, formed by its many heroic presidents, reflects earlier foundations …
Why Love Stories Still Matter…and Always Will
by Carrie Turansky We often think of celebrating Valentine’s Day with cards and flowers or preparing special treats for those we love, but underneath those traditions lies something deeper. Love stories endure because they speak to a longing God placed in every human heart, the desire to be known, chosen, and cherished. That is why romance has remained one of …
Balancing the Story, Bridging the Gap
by Aubrey Reiss Taylor @aubtaybooks I’m a bit of an anomaly when it comes to WWII fiction. From the start, I have passionately focused on German-Perspective stories, favoring characters and storylines that challenge stereotypes and turn the standard tropes on their heads. It’s not about denying ugly truths—it’s about sinking deep into their side of the story. The task of …
Finish Faithfully: A Christmas Call to Writers
By Jeffrey Friedel @JeffersonRiede December is a funny month for writers. You start with good intentions—maybe even a spreadsheet, a new candle, and a Christmas playlist that doesn’t distract you too much. But then come the gift lists, the travel plans, the church rehearsals, the cookies (so many cookies), and before you know it, your manuscript is buried under tinsel, …
Success Beyond the Word Count
by Elle E. Kay As 2025 winds down, I find myself reflecting on the year and realizing I simply don’t move as fast as I used to. The days when I could sit down and hammer out a book in a couple of days to meet a deadline are gone. Despite slowing down, I published several new titles this year, …
The Magical Gift of Imagination
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 …