The Best Tip to Stop Neck Pain for Writers

by Ginny Cruz MPA, PT

Writers understand pain. They live with piercing stabs from rejection, dull aches from embedded insecurity, and throbbing neck pain caused by long hours at the writing desk. 

Most cases of neck pain in writers are caused or worsened by poor posture while writing. Most of us, nowadays, write on a computer. We sit staring at either a laptop screen (possibly balanced delicately on our laps) or at a computer on a desk. Either arrangement is usually a clue to why you experience neck pain while writing.

Brainstorming Alone? Use Storyboarding to Create Your Story

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

At the beginning of the month, I taught a class at the BRMCWC (Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference) on Storyboarding. It's a method used by advertising agencies for years. I first used it when I was the creative arts director at my church. I was charged with writing scripts to illustrate or set-up our pastor's sermons. When I became a writer, I have used this method when I don't have a buddy to brainstorm with at the time. 

A Comprehensive Explanation of Creative Nonfiction

by Craig von Buseck @CraigVonBuseck

Creative nonfiction is a blending of two previously separate literary worlds—and the results can be breathtaking. The genre—including narrative nonfiction and memoir—has become extremely popular, often dominating the best-seller lists.

Two Simple Techniques to Undermine the Readers’ Expectations and Keep Them Emotionally Hooked

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

The essence of story is that the plot unfolds because of the choices a character makes under pressure to achieve a particular goal. Without a primary objective, there is no story, because everything that happens in that story must be connected to the main character’s goal and his relentless pursuit of it. And as the story unfolds, your character will inevitably start to piece things together. They’ll start to see a way for them to actually accomplish their goal. A plan will form in their minds; they’ll know exactly what they need to do to make it all come together. 

Online Presentations & 5 Things NOT to Do

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Let’s face it. Zoom is here to stay. The pandemic pushed most of us into online and virtual communication, and, for the most part, this is a good thing. The ability to Zoom affords opportunities to share our message that we’ve never had before.

Proverbs For Writers

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

There is so much wisdom and wise counsel in the book of Proverbs. Like many believers, I spend time in this book every day. Sometimes a single verse or a few verses grab my attention. Other times, I’ll read an entire chapter. Often, what I read will speak to a specific area in my life. The following are some verses I believe apply to all of us, but especially those of us who are pursuing the dream of being writers.

21 Ways for Writers to Reduce Stress

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writers are often stalked by a predator called stress. It’s a nasty disorder that can cause headaches, back and body pain, nausea, depression, problems in relationships, and a host of other physical and mental ailments. Not a pleasant malady. 

The causes of stress are as many as how it manifests in our bodies. We get ourselves into an overwhelmed mode with edits, harsh critiques, rejections, writer’s block, looming deadlines, and self-imposed perfection. Who wants to deal with misery if there’s a solution?