by Cherie Dargan I’ve written four books in the Grandmother’s Treasures series, set in Iowa, using my family’s history, my mother’s essays and photos, and some of our quilts. Each one has dual narrators and timelines. Book One, The Gift, (2022, WordCrafts Press) is set in WWII. My mother, Charlotte, taught in a country school before taking the train to …
An Odd Verse about Writing
by Dwight David Croy Let me share with you a verse that you may think is counterintuitive to fiction writing. II John 1:12 says, “Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” This …
The Invisible Pillar of Author Platform: Money
By Barbara M. Britton Does social media sell books? In the recent webinars I have attended, the answer is no. Social media may help in the “Rule of Seven” where a reader has to see a book seven times before they buy it, but purchases from social media do not seem to be significant. Not to mention the horror stories …
Research Doesn’t Stop with Publication
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 It was a year ago that the manuscript for my historical novel was attached to an email and sent to the publisher who requested it. I felt an incredible sense of relief. The thing was done. I could take a break from literally years of reading and research about the Civil War. Nine years of reading …
What on Earth is This Thing Called Deep POV?
by Linda Glaz (Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency) I hear it all the time: at conferences, on social media, and from other authors, but what is it? And why should I care? What happens when you incorporate Deep POV into your novel? The READER becomes completely immersed in the character’s point of view/voice rather than the author’s voice. So much …
Who’s Driving?
by Steven Rogers @SRBooksForHope Writing a novel is like climbing into a car, pulling onto a long road, and driving until you reach what you think is the end. Along the way you will maneuver around twists, turns, unexpected side routes, and too many potholes to count. My guess is that most writers, even those who meticulously plan, are not …
The Writer in the Corner
by Chandra Lynn Smith I’ve been a professional dog trainer since 1988. A few years ago I trained a German Shepherd who had some dangerous fear issues. I stood at the kennel, leash in hand and greeted her. She growled. For those of you who read my opening sentence and thought what a fun job, well, not always. You know …
Gratitude for the Writing Community
by Jenny Erlingsson Even though I have been a writer for most of my life (scribbles during toddlerhood count, right?), I really didn’t have too much knowledge about how the publishing process worked. Getting involved in the book development process over the past ten years has been such a fascinating and eye-opening experience for me. Some of my favorite childhood …
ACCEPTED!
by Marilyn Turk As writers, we long to hear or see that word. Our writing has been accepted – by an editor who wants to read it, a publisher who wants to publish it, or a reader who wants to read it. Too often, though, we hear the opposite along this path to publication. “Rejected” is not used so often …
When Real Life Hijacks Your Writing Schedule (And How God Can Take It Back)
by Fayla Ott There’s a saying around my house: If Mom plans it, watch out and cover your head. The sky will most certainly fall. Maybe that’s why my guys are known to wear hats. I’m addicted to planners, lists, and charts. It’s like a sickness that can’t be medicated. My office looks like an Office Depot had a baby …