Tips for Writing Time Slip Novels

by Kathy Neely @NeelyKneely3628

My newly completed manuscript is my first in a new genre—a time-slip novel shifting between two timelines. One is an emotional journey through Civil War reconstruction, racial tensions, and coming of age characters, and the other is my familiar contemporary setting. As a writer, it proved to be a great learning experience. Time-slip is a common term, but I prefer to reference it as a dual timeline novel. The term ‘time-slip’ conjures up thoughts of time travel. Those are great novels, but they aren’t me. 

The Hidden Gem of Time - Four Tips For Encouraging Glimmering Words

by Elizabeth Van Tassel @ElizVanTassel

Perhaps you’ve been nurturing a writing project for a long season. You’re hoping to get an agent or sell your story. Or you are trying to keep making progress amidst the current uncertainty we all are experiencing as the ripples from the Corona virus pandemic continue. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: The Writer & The Sword

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

One of my favorite biblical characters is a man named Nehemiah. Nehemiah served the Persian king Artaxerxes I of Persia, a man who reigned over his kingdom from 465-424 BC. Nehemiah’s occupation was that of “cup bearer,” a job that required the utmost trust of the king. When Nehemiah’s brother from Jerusalem came to visit him in Susa, Nehemiah quickly asked about the Jewish remnant who had survived the exile and about the condition of their beloved “home,” Jerusalem. 

A Writer's Literary Pet Peeves

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

I have a number of literary pet peeves. I see them a lot on social media. Misspelled words, misused words. As a lover of words—a connoisseur of sorts—I cringe every time they raise their ugly selves, waving their flags. To say they annoy me is like saying the Titanic was just a boat. So let's examine some of those pesky pet peeves.

Mount Up with Wings as Horseflies?

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Unbelievable. First of all, it was the biggest horsefly-looking thing I’d ever seen. Was it a bird? A pterodactyl maybe? More horse than fly, really. I think I could’ve saddled it. We’re talking about a horrifyingly large horsefly here. 

Six Things NOT To Do When You’re Starting on Your Book (or Blog)

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Why is it so hard to start a big project? Maybe it’s because it is so big that it seems daunting, or that it’s difficult to identify the best first step. 

Starting your book can offer the same challenges: how do you get started in a productive and confident manner?

5 Reasons You Should Host a Facebook Live Book Launch Party – Pandemic or Not

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

There’s nothing like launching a book in the midst of a pandemic.

I empathized with Lauren Crews as she shared in her Write Conversation post last week how all her book launch plans changed when President Trump advised Americans to stay at home. The same thing happened to me.

What Inspires Me as a Writer?

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

Like many writers, I’m frequently asked what inspires me to write. Often, this goes far beyond the specific book they’ve been reading.

Some authors might respond, “I need to earn a living.” Although few writers actually support themselves with their writing. So what inspires them to get up every day and sit with computer or pen and paper to gather words that will tell stories?

Tips to Find the Perfect Topics to Blog About

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Recently, I found myself in a dilemma. I failed to find a blog post topic that interested me. The worrying got me nowhere until I remembered the post shouldn’t be about me, but my readers. A sprinkling of creativity took over, and the result was a goldmine of topics—straight from my readers. Within a few days, I had 52 unique blog post topics. Now I’m set for the next year!

It’s Okay for Writers to Lament

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

For me, today marks 40 days of quarantine—not leaving my home at all except to walk in my empty neighborhood, wearing a mask of course. This Coronavirus Pandemic has upended our world and we are all adjusting to a whole new way of life. 

A List of Little Things In Marketing Every Author Needs to Consider

by Karen whiting @KarenHWhiting

1. Address labels add a photo of your book
2. Add author to your checks
3. Add a card or sticker inside your book inviting readers to review your book, join your newsletter, and follow you on social media

Stuck at Home—What's a Writer To Do?

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

We could agree that most of the country if not the world has been given the orders to stay home. As writers, at least to this one, my first thought was no problem. I’m a writer and I stay home all the time to write. No big deal. 

Until it was. 

Digging Deep & Writing During Isolation

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

As the glow from my computer screen illuminated the darkened room, I pondered my weekly writing goal. Disappointing. Instead of producing a flurry of words my mind had turned to mush.  Many of my writer friends had reported a creative surge in their word count during this coronavirus isolation. My words would come, but like a firefly whose light departs in the early morning hour, my story angle would disappear, ensnared by news reports of doom. 

Three Valuable Book Launch Lessons During a Pandemic

Edie here. Today I'm so thrilled to be able to introduce you to Lauren Crews. Several years ago I met Lauren at the Florida Christian Writers conference when she showed me the manuscript she was working on. I was immediately taken with her biblical insight and outstanding writing skills. Now that manuscript is a book and I couldn't be more excited to share Lauren and The Strength of a Woman with you. Be sure to give her a warm TWC welcome!

Three Valuable Book Launch Lessons During a Pandemic

by Lauren Crews @LaurenCrewsA2Z

March roared in like a lion in my life. I finally held my long-awaited book, and book signings were lining up nicely. I even had a few in other states. Speaking engagements and conferences were noted on the calendar, and my launch team was in place. But instead of going out like a lamb, March hit the pause button, the world fell into chaos, and my book became a weight of anxiety instead of something to be celebrated. In the process, I learned three valuable lessons while launching my book during a pandemic.  

Pre-Conference Preparation for Writers

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

Are you attending a writers conference this year? If you are, make the most out of your investment by preparing for it. The following tips will ensure you get the most out of your conference by getting organized before you arrive. 

10 Tips for Irresistible Writing, Part 1

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Once I start reading, I can’t stop. Stellar writing makes for irresistible reading—an intriguing lead-in, a perfect transition, powerful insights, meaningful life experience, and a climactic finish. Authors who pick a “wow” idea and execute it with flare and precision, create irresistible writing. 

5 Tips for Writing the Desirable Story

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

There was a time reading was “desirable.” It wasn’t forced. Wasn’t dreaded. Reading was important. These days we see bookstores shutting their doors and libraries struggling. We see children thumbing away on electronic games and eyes glued on the television. What happened to the love of reading?

Storytelling for Authors, Part 2

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Get caught up on Storytelling for Authors, Part 1, here . In part 1, I covered the first three Cs of storytelling for authors:

• Curiosity 
• Circumstance 
• Characters 

No Body

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

The body rests there—but not the man. 

Although Vladmir Lenin died January 21, 1924—and although his wife wished him buried—Lenin’s body still resides in Red Square. Red is often associated with Communism, but actually comes from the same stem as the word “pretty.” Lenin’s resting place is fitting. Red Square exemplifies one of the most visited places in Russia with all of Moscow’s main streets leading out from there. 

What to Do When Crisis Disrupts Creativity

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Have you heard the call – the chorus of calls – to be more creative with all the free time we have, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic?

The Good Friday Journal for Writers

by Joshua J. Masters @JoshuaJMasters

Today is Good Friday, the day Christians reflect on the sacrifice of Christ. It’s a solemn day to remember the dark hours Jesus faced before His victorious resurrection on Sunday. 

So I’ll do something you’re probably not supposed to do on a writing blog; I’m asking you to put aside your current writing project. That’s right, put in in a drawer. Rather than focusing on our deadlines or drafting that next scene, let’s spend today penning a Good Friday Journal.

Share good news and the Good News with newspaper writing

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

To report the condition of our country and world in recent days, most of our newspapers scream dire and depressing headlines. And though we need that important information disseminated, good news stories and inspirational features can add a balance to otherwise difficult news to swallow. 

Now’s a great time for writers to contribute encouraging articles and faith-based stories to local newspaper. The slim staff of most newspaper entities keeps busy reporting “just the facts,” and stringers can add that leverage of boots-on-the-ground, local , feel-good stories to the content. 

Another Way to Look At "Viral" Writing

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Many of us create Facebook posts and You Tube segments hoping they will go viral. But I’d like to make a few suggestions for viral writing defined as writing that continues during social distancing because of a virus.

Write Well In Spite Of

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Writing comedy and suspense, Rene Gutteridge is the author of 24 novels, including Misery Loves Company, Possession, Listen, Never the Bride, The Occupational Hazards Series, The Storm Series, The Boo Series, My Life as a Doormat and the novelization of The Ultimate Gift. She writes screenplays and her books have been made into Hallmark movies.

She recalls the memorable career advice she received.

Sometimes You Really Can’t - 6 Tips to Help Writers Embrace the Now

by Ralene Burke @RaleneB

Over the last few weeks, a wide variety of emails and blog posts crossed my line of sight. Lots of well wishes, encouragement to push through, ways to overcome, etc. I’ve even been the creator of some of those emails and social media posts. But the truth is—sometimes you really can’t.

Now don’t get me wrong…we should be doing our best to push through and overcome the obstacles in our way. God gives us the strength and fortitude to do so. However, there are times when things are SO overwhelming that we freeze up—mentally and/or physically—and our guilt at not overcoming increases minute by minute.

The Record-Keeper

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham… Matthew 1:1

Matthew was a record-keeper. A former tax collector, he was a professional recorder of numbers and facts. He was a detail-keeper and fact-protector. It was this career record-keeper, sitting at his tax booth, that Jesus walked right up to and said the life-changing words, “Follow me” (see Matthew 9:9). Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus. His old profession was instantly infused with new purpose. Matthew the record-keeper would be a key eyewitness to much of Jesus’ earthly ministry. And he would faithfully record everything he saw.

The name Matthew means “Gift of Yahweh.” Matthew, the author of the gospel that carries his name, is a gift from God to writers. He has much to teach us.

Weapons for Fearful Times

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

On March 16, 2020, President Trump appeared on our televisions to announce his 15 Days to Slow the Spread. And each of our worlds took on a science fiction tint.

All of our plans and routines slammed into a cliff called COVID-19. Social distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying inside became part of our new normal. Home schooling our kids became mandatory. Going to a movie, a restaurant, or even the park became a dream. And watching the news took on even greater importance to get a glimpse of what our future as a nation and a community might hold.

Tap Into the Power of Creative Joy

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

For the first two weeks of this pandemic, I was interested in all the posts that offered tips about writing during this difficult times. I’ve written and published several here on this site. They’re an important part of processing what we’re going through. 

But if I read too many of them, they get to be a little bit overwhelming. 

So I’m taking a step back from all the options and coping skills and embracing joy…

Quarantine Writing Rules

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

How’s everybody doing?

If you’re rocking this quarantine life, then I want you to know that I’m happy for you. I really am.

But in case you aren’t, can I offer a few words of encouragement today?

These are my personal Rules to Quarantine, that I just made up because let’s face it, none of us have ever done this before and we have no idea what we’re doing. But I like rules. They make me feel like I have control, when, obviously, I don’t. Maybe you can relate? 

Story, and How to Tell One When You Write

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Story is basically what the story is about. Doh, right? But we have to have a bottom line. A short one.

Imagine you're at a writers' conference and an editor or agent asks you to tell them what your story is about so that they will sell (agent) or buy (editor) it and make you a gazillionaire.