Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving


From all of us here on The Write Conversation, we wish you an abundant-filled Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

A Writer's Thankful List


by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Busy cooks are scurrying about in the kitchen. Recipes are positioned for easy viewing. Refrigerators are packed full. The table is set to give the host an extra hour tomorrow. The scent of cinnamon and spice are wafting through the house better than any candle or potpourri. Mouths are watering, and smiles fill the house.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Dipping the Quill Deeper; The Three People You Are


by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson


“You are three people,” I say as I stand in front of my fiction workshops, whether at writers conferences or one of the many day-long events I’ve been asked to attend. “You are who you are when you are in public … at work … with a group of friends … at church. That’s the first person. Then, you are the person you are when you are at home … with your immediate family—mother, father, sisters, brothers, spouse, children—and your closest friends, who are like family. That’s the second person. Finally, you are the person you are when you are all alone. Just you and God. No one else. Just you.”

Monday, November 25, 2019

Writing a Christmas Story


by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

A few years ago, before I got my first publishing contract, I had an idea for a novella collection of Christmas stories. After all, many authors contributed to collections and got their first contract that way. I was on a quest to publish and figured it was worth a try. 

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Don’t I Wish—Thoughts on more PRESENCE not Presents


by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea


Ah, Christmas shopping. When you can find yourself completely enveloped in the smell of evergreen. And sometimes pepper spray.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Writers, Rethink Revision


by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Recently, I was in a meeting with a client and publisher Kate Colbert, and she said something that got my attention. She said, “You know, your book needs revision. And by that I mean a re-visioning.” She went on to say that the true meaning of revision is not just to merely rework the sections or change a word or two, but to really re-think the purpose of the piece, the readership of the book, or other critical elements. 

Friday, November 22, 2019

4 Reasons Writers Should Clothe Ourselves with Humility


by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Eight years have passed since I received this email from a writer about an article she’d submitted: 

I’ve submitted several articles to the previous editor of this magazine. She never edited my work like you’ve done. If my writing was good enough for her, it should be good enough for you.

I prayerfully responded:

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Connect with Readers through Closed Facebook Groups

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Would you like to develop relationships with your readers? You can through closed Facebook groups. Many writers have created Facebook author pages, but in a closed group, only group members can see the posts. The focus of these groups is about how the author can benefit the reader who chooses to join the group. Think of it as a Bible study in your home. You are the host who offers valuable content. During the study a relationship develops between members as you get to know one another. Facebook groups can be mutually beneficial for the reader and the author.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Are You a Humble Writer?


by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel


The voice at the other end of the phone was ecstatic, “I love your book—it’s so deep, so insightful! I don’t understand why you aren’t more famous as an author. In fact, you should have been the keynote speaker, not just a seminar leader at that conference. You are an amazing writer! Why haven’t I ever heard of your books before?”

Monday, November 18, 2019

Time Management for Authors is Cyclical & Varies By Season


by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

Authors manage more than writing. We really have seasons throughout cycle of creating and launching books. In certain time periods, we focus on one aspect more than another.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Writers as Harvesters of Righteousness


by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

When I hear the word harvest, I immediately think of gathering something. In my mind, I see the farmers gathering up the fruits of their labor that have ripened. During this time of year near where I used to live in Ohio, farmers have gathered their grain to store up for the winter to come. The corn is in the silo, ready to feed the animals through the long cold season.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Lost Yesterdays as God Equips Us to Write


by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

Love once blended with another. As one. Now fading as the mist of dawn. Dreams once pursued now silent. Like the still of a moonless night. Such is the exploding emotions when dreams fade.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

A Dozen Blessings of Newspaper Writing



by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Headlines for the month of November encourage us to count our blessings, an exercise that behooves us twelve months of the year. Occasionally along the writing journey, we’re prone to celebrate and give thanks for the end product – the byline, the print magazine in hand, the final copy of that coveted book. 

But there’s much to learn along the way, many opportunities for thanksgiving, blessings just waiting to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Tips for Writers: What is a Simultaneous Submission?

PSL - Publishing as a Second Language
















by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Simultaneous submission is another writing term that is seemingly self-explanatory, right? Well, yes. 

Just send a manuscript simultaneously to several publishers. But there are a few things that will help you understand how the process works.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

When Writing Grows Hard


by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted


It’s a given that writing is not easy. Learning the craft, the art, of writing is no different than learning the craft of pottery or forging. It must be learned. Practiced. Honed. Folks don’t just pick up a pen one day and write a best-selling novel. 

Monday, November 11, 2019

How to Craft the First Point of Your Presentation: Part 1


by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

What are you passionate about? What could you speak or write on that you would forget to eat a meal or stay up late to prepare for it? That’s your topic. Narrow it as much as you can. Then narrow it again. 

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Clarity in the Fog


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
Job 12:7-9 ESV

Most of you know that beyond writing, photography is my second love. It's been amazing to spend time really looking at the world around me and I've been blessed by the spiritual lessons God has taught me through this endeavor.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

GRATITUDE: Choosing not to Overlook the Little Things


by Beth K Vogt @BethVogt

Being thankful seems to come more easily to us in November, doesn’t it?

From the first day of the month, we’re thinking about Thanksgiving. Yes, maybe for some of us our focus has been pared down to nothing more than a national holiday that gives us a chance to feast on turkey and all the traditional trimmings. But we also can’t help but catch at least a glimpse of the “give thanks” part of the holiday.

Friday, November 8, 2019

5 Daily Questions Writers Should Ask God


by Joshua J Masters @JoshuaJMasters

Learning the disciplines of writing is important, but it’s even more essential for Christian authors to develop an ongoing focus on God as they use their gift. 

Here are five questions every Christian writer should ask God to start their day.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Move Past Writing Obstacles with These Tips


by Lynn H Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

My family and I recently spent a lovely week on the Emerald Coast of Florida. The white sandy beaches of the panhandle are beautiful and the water is clear—a big plus for me because I love playing in the water, but I don’t love wondering what’s swimming with me! 

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Business of Writing


by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Lots of writers just write. The joy of creating a story, of dealing with those voices in your head, is amazing. And, if that’s all the farther it goes for a writer, there’s nothing wrong with that. But many writers take it to the next step and attempt to make a career of it. 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Writing Duet


by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Author of more than 195 books with sales of over 70 million copies, Jerry B. Jenkins has had 21 titles on the New York Times bestseller list. Owner of the Jerry B. Jenkins Writers Guild, he received this advice in his early years as an up and coming writer.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Writing from Affliction: Psalm 102



by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank


Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly (Psalm 102:1-2).

If the afflicted one has the strength to capture his emotions and thoughts in written words, he gives a profound gift to the world.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

3 Things Every Writer Can Learn From NaNoWriMo



by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

It’s the second day of November. For all our readers who are participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I wish you good luck and hope you have many great ideas. Remember you have the whole month. It’s okay if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned. I mean, when has it ever gone as planned?

Friday, November 1, 2019

Do’s and Don’ts for Writing Dialogue


by Kathleen Neely @NeelyKneely3628

Dialogue is as crucial to a novel as conversation at the dinner table. Without it, both are lifeless. However, conversation comes much easier than well-written dialogue. My tips are far from an exhaustive list and tend to be ambiguous. That’s because the rules aren’t hard and fast.