By Tema Banner I love research. I think most historical fiction writers would agree, it is one of the fascinating adventures of the writer’s world. With each new fact we uncover, our stories can take twist and turns that we never imagined! The time period preferred by this historical writer is American Colonial, but God had other plans and I …
Gethsemane: A Symbol of Suffering
by Mesu Andrews When you think of Jesus’ last night with His disciples, what symbols come to mind? Bread. Wine. Feet being washed. Songs being sung while walking to a secluded garden. I’d always imagined Gethsemane as a quiet, peaceful spot for relaxation, but our recent travel to Israel made me wonder if Jesus thought of it as more of …
Passed Over
by Terri Gillespie “For the vision is yet for an appointed time. It hastens to the end and will not fail. If it should be slow in coming, wait for it, for it will surely come—it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3, TLV Do you remember your first manuscript rejection? (I know, what a jolly way to begin a blog.) That …
Creating in the Quiet with God
By Tara Johnson “Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” ~ Bhagavati We are living in wild times and these past few weeks have yanked busy schedules to a grinding halt. I’ve often heard people say how much they long for the quiet life, whether it be the lifestyle of the Amish, or the world of days gone by, …
Let It Go!
By Darlene L. Turner Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV) Can’t you hear Elsa singing, “Let it go, let it go…”? Throughout my writing journey there were many times I found it hard to live those words let alone say them. I’d made the mistake and clung …
Are You a Lion? Or a Scaredy-Cat?
By JPC Allen I’ve never been very good at finding role models, except in fiction. A few years ago, I became interested in finding a role model in the Bible. Although Jesus is the perfect role model for believers, I wanted to find someone with my weaknesses—worry, self-doubt, timidity—and learn how God helped them overcome those faults. As I examined …
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 …
Context, Context, Context
By Kimberley Woodhouse *disclaimer – this post may or may not include the word poop. You have been warned. If you’ve been to Bible College or Seminary, or even if you are just an avid studier of the Bible, you may have heard of the Concentric Circles of Context. Context is key. And not just in studying the Word. It’s …
Five Things You Can Do After the Writing Storm
By Glynn Young The manuscript sits with the publisher. A fifth novel, it’s the last of a series. The story arc that began with listening to an airplane music program in 2002 is coming to an end some 18 years later. You’ve lived with the characters for almost two decades. Sometimes it feels like you know the characters better than …
Editing Pet Peeves
By Deb Haggerty As an author and an editor, I read—a lot! And I find I get impatient with certain contrivances authors tend to overdo. I realize part of what we do as writers is our voice, but I also realize part is trying to impress or to ensure our readers get what we’re trying to impart. And while our …