Why It’s Important to Develop Authenticity With Your Fan Base

ACFW Web ManagerAdvice, business, Friends of ACFW, Learning, writing business 9 Comments

by Donna Wichelman “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.’”  —C. S. Lewis I live in the Northern Hemisphere—the State of Colorado in the United States. Every August, I joyfully anticipate fall—my favorite time of year. I love the colors of fall, the deep reds, vibrant …

The Writing Harvest You Can’t Measure in Book Sales

ACFW Web ManagerAuthors and writing, Encouragement, Faith 1 Comment

by Elle E. Kay @ElleEKay777 Book sales and page reads are useful metrics to track. They help us determine what advertising is working and where we’re wasting our money. They can offer clues about whether a book or series is resonating with readers. They can also show our progress year over year when we might otherwise get discouraged. Yet some things can’t …

I Wanted To Be Hidden. Then God Gave Me The Mic.

ACFW Web ManagerAuthors and writing, Critiques, Encouragement, Faith, Fear/Doubt 7 Comments

By Valerie Carr I remember the first time I had to use a microphone on a stage in front of a large group of lunching ladies. All eyes were on me as I announced the winners of the raffle we had held for the charity we were supporting. For most people, this would not have been an issue. They would …

Accepting a Short Story Challenge

ACFWAuthors and writing, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW 2 Comments

by Glynn Young Like most, if not all writers, I follow several writers who post and talk about the craft of writing. Like other writers, it’s helpful, encouraging, and instructive to see what others, Christian and non-Christian alike, are struggling with, learning, sharing, and figuring out. I published my last book in late 2024.  What followed was a period of …

When You Hit a Writing Drought

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW, Learning Leave a Comment

by Glynn Young Since the time I was a reporter for my college newspaper, longer ago than I care to admit, writing has been an integral part of my life. I’ve been a reporter, editor, newsletter editor, speechwriter, public relations manager, novelist, short story writer, non-fiction book author, blogger, book reviewer, essayist, poet, and more. Writing has been central in …

Subplot Sanity

ACFWACFW, Authors and writing, Plots, Story Structure, tips, writing 2 Comments

By Amy Deardon I always found subplots confusing, so I took some time to look into them.  We all know that subplots add depth and richness to a straight narrative. However, creating subplots can be REALLY HARD to imagine. One reason I believe this is so, ultimately, is that several types of story narratives are conflated into the term “subplot.” …

Balancing the Story, Bridging the Gap

ACFWAdvice, Authors and writing, Characters, creativity, Encouragement, Friends of ACFW, Readers, tips, writing 2 Comments

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 …