Professional Development for Writers

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”

— Chinese Proverb

Conference season is underway, yet many of us aren’t able to attend. However, there are multiple ways to expand our skills that don’t require the investment of a writers conference. Consider these alternatives that also enhance our knowledge.

Common Word Choice Mistakes Every Writer Should Avoid

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

I want to share some common writers’ mistakes that drive my biologist-hubby nuts and my own almost-faux-pas

Do poisonous snakes live in your state?

The answer is “no.” No matter who you are or where you live, you have no poisonous snakes in your neighborhood, city, or state. 

Want me to explain? 

Want to Always Be Productive? Heed My Top 10 List of What NOT To Do for Writers and Writing

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Everywhere a writer turns we're hit with things we should do, things we have to do, and things we must do. The lists seems endless and can lead to frustration, discouragement, and burnout. 

To combat this, I spend some time taking an honest look at all the things on my plate. When I've done this, I inevitably find that just like piling on too much at a family potluck, my plate is overloaded.

It’s funny, but the worst offenders always turn out to be the things I really shouldn’t have added in the first place—things others have said I should do. So today I’m sharing what I discovered. And by the way, discovering these was painful for me too!

Writing a Meaningful Book Review

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Book reviews. They’re the lifeblood of the reader—and the author. Authors need them to push them up into the Amazon eye, while readers want to know about the book. Is it worth their time, money, and effort to purchase and read? Both are valid needs and equally important. But how do we pen a useful book review? You may ask, “Is it useful?” And the response is yes. There’s a difference between an author-written book review and a useful book review. 

The Writing Conference is Over, Where Do I Begin?

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

You are back home after an exhilarating writers' conference. Colorful business cards from new friends litter your desk. A ton of class notes await your review. And if you are like me, your head spins with all the to-dos. Where do I begin?

Having attended many writers' conferences, most recently the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, where I met many first-time conference attendees, God whispered that I should share some encouragement this month on how to move forward after a conference. Because, let's face it, all those ideas sounded doable while you sipped coffee and chatted with fellow writers. But when you are alone at your desk, it can be hard to know where to start.

Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Proclaiming for Writers

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5-6, ESV).

Like the slow start of a rollercoaster groaning up the first rise, the mint man's voice began. Basal and resonant, it clicked, rolled, and climbed until it reached a crescendo and flew high and sweet through the air.

Eeeeeeeeeeee-yeppp! Naaaaaaaaaa-a'nahhhhh!

Squeals of laughter rang out as my two little boys clamored to put on their slippers and run into the street to catch the mint man. His humble cart was laden with fresh, fragrant bunches of emerald-green mint. We could not have tea without it.

The mint man was one of a long line of proclaimers. He nobly listed more than ten generations of proclaimers, ending with a twinkle as he proudly introduced his successor, a little boy who followed shyly behind. The mint man's houseful of daughters did not break the ancestral chain—instead, the oldest gave him a grandson to carry on the tradition.

We never lacked mint, thanks to our faithful proclaimer.

Is Finding Your Writing Comfort Zone Truly Necessary?

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

Virginia Woolf famously declared that a woman needs a room of her own if she’s to write fiction. I’m discovering the truth in that statement. My wife recently cut back on her work, which means she’s at home more. A good thing. But her mother and our son are already at our house most of the time. And with construction going on behind our house, it’s difficult to find the quiet time I need to concentrate on writing.

So, I’m venturing away from home these days to find a place where I can work comfortably. I didn’t realize it would be so difficult. I thought I’d only need a chair and a table. An outlet for the laptop. Maybe Wi-Fi. A nearby bathroom is a must. It’s the middle of summer here in South Carolina, so air conditioning is mandatory. Food, snacks, and drinks are important if I’m to write for longer than fifteen minutes.