Traits of a Successful Critique Group

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

I’m sure we’ve all participated in or heard stories about horrible experiences with critique groups. I’ve had a few myself. Unfortunately, I may also have contributed to some of them. To any writers I did this to, I apologize.

Writing Quotes that Inspire

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writing quotes inspire, encourage, and can cause us to laugh at ourselves. I’ve been writing for over two decades—novels nonfiction, blog posts, articles, devotions, poetry, short stories, social media posts, and tons of emails. Like you, with every writing project, I’ve learned something new about the craft and myself. Reflections of the process have often led to creating quotes. 

A New Year Full of New Words

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

Happy New Year! In just a few weeks, my own new book will be released to the world.

Did you think I would be calm with this process by now?  The truth – I am in awe. That a fine publisher offered me a contract. That amazing people actually buy the books I write. But mostly, friend, I am in awe that the God of the universe would deign to offer me a part in helping to further His kingdom here on earth.

Developing a Winning Marketing Campaign: 3 True Accounts

by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

Christian Authors Network (CAN) awarded the first CAN Crown Marketing Gold Awards to three recipients, each in a different marketing category (visual, web, and broadcast marketing). I recently interviewed each to glean ideas on what makes a great marketing campaign with tips on  improving your promotion efforts.

New Year, New Time, New Writing You

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

“There is a time for everything, and a season for 

every activity under heaven…”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

                                                              

I think of this verse every January as we begin a new year. A friend read this passage at my father’s funeral in January 1994. Though it was a sad day, this encouraged me that this was a season in my life, and changes would come. 

When I flip the calendar to January, I am reminded that it’s a time for all things new, a season of change, and maybe resolutions or goal setting. I look forward to the great new things that will happen in the coming year. Setting goals and writing them down in my planner makes me giddy. Adding fun events make me smile. Marking deadlines for projects inspire me to stay on track 

Dear Frightened Writer—6 Things to Remember When Fear Overwhelms

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

It’s January 2020, and we have decided this is the year to write, to begin the project that has stalked us for weeks, months, and maybe years. We’ve dreamed about putting thoughts into words for so long, and now it’s become our go-to past-time. Our hearts ache with the passion to create words that move into sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters, and even a book. The thought nips at our waking and sleeping hours until we must at least try.

Do I Really Need a Writers Group?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I field a lot of questions about the value of having a critique group and/or partner. There are as many answers as there are writers. But there are very few who are able to produce publishable writing in a vacuum.