Monday, August 31, 2020

Mini Memoir Moment: The Story-Generating Power of Lists


by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

Punch lists, shopping lists, to-do lists—they keep us organized and help us note progress as we complete each item. However, we can also utilize lists to activate our memory-making muscles, generate ideas, and enrich our stories.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

You Are the Apple of His Eye


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, Psalm 17:8 (NASB)

I grew up hearing my parents and grandparents use the expression apple of my eye. I was often told I was the apple of my daddy’s eye. There was even a polished, wooden apple, with a small picture of me in it, sitting on my daddy’s desk. It was a constant reminder that I was precious and important to my daddy.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

5 Tips for Finding Your Readers

Edie here. Today I'm excited to welcome an author I love to The Write Conversation. She has a new release for Christmas and I cannot wait to dive into Her Christmas Dream! Be sure to give Jo a great TWC welcome!

5 Tips for Finding Your Readers
by Jo Huddleston

Remember the scene in the movie “The Princess Diaries,” where Mia (Anne Hathaway) sits on the low stone wall outside of her high school before classes began? A boy came along looking for space to sit there also. He sat on her lap before realizing she was there. Mia told her best friend about the incident and wailed, “I’m invisible, nobody sees me,” or something like that. She didn’t fit in and felt like nobody even saw her much less paid any attention to her. I could identify with Mia when I first tested the waters as a writer.

Friday, August 28, 2020

The Power of Encouragement for Writers


By Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Theresa Silva had no idea how her words would impact me, an impressionable sixth grader. The substitute teacher had assigned the usual What I Did over Summer Vacation assignment, and I’d written about visiting my grandmother in South Carolina. I used words like tilled and harvested in my composition.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Proverbs for Writers: BE a Writer


by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

This is another in my periodic series on proverbs for writers. The inspiration comes from the book of Proverbs and how a particular verse strikes me. I don’t go looking for them. And I’m not looking to preach. I’m seeking to share a word from God that applies to me at the moment and may be relevant to you as well.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Writer’s Need for Tenacity


by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The road to publication is paved with challenges and blessings. The path is seldom straight. It’s often twisted, filled with ruts, briars, bruises, and sometimes it leads us dangling over a cliff. But at the completion, we are strong and successful writers because a successful writer is tenacious.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Dipping the Quill Deeper - Writing with Your Whole Heart


by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Look at these words from 2 Chronicles 31:

…and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to see His God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.

Monday, August 24, 2020

8 Basic Lies Our Fiction Characters Believe


by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

In July, I talked about Core Motivations and how they work with the lie your character believes. Several years ago, my writing was transformed when I learned about the lies our characters believe. Fellow author Amy Wallace studied psychology in college and passed on the informatin to me. Most people believe a lie. It stems in our childhoods and are embedded within us, before we can reason it away.


Sunday, August 23, 2020

Am I Generous with My Writing Journey?


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. I Corinthians 4:2

When I think of stewardship, I think about managing something that is owned by someone else. I don’t think of my own life in that context, and I especially don’t think of my writing life that way.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Back to School With Your Writing


by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Every fall I get that “back to school” feeling as the leaves begin to show color, the air becomes crisp, and as I watch the endless TV commercials for school supplies. This time of year makes me realize that I only have a few more months to achieve my annual goals, and I have a renewed sense of urgency about getting work done.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Assignment Writing and Inspired Writing—What’s the Difference?


by Crystal Bowman

When I write a manuscript for children that I hope will become a published book, it often starts with an inspired idea. I begin with a market research, write a rough draft, then revise a million times (maybe not quite that many but that’s what it feels like). Once the manuscript is completed, I create a proposal and pray my agent can find a home for my new baby. Other times, however, I write books because a publisher assigns me a writing project. Let’s examine the difference.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

What Stage of Pandemic Grief Are You In?


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

How has the pandemic affected you? We have suffered many losses. The loss of jobs, face-to-face relationships, and much more. When we mourn the death of a loved one or the loss of society as we know it, we go through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. What stage of loss are you in?

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

The Day I Almost Gave Up Writing


by Lucinda Secret McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

“I’m not impressed and won’t be sending this manuscript to any publisher. Honestly, no one wants this book, so you may as well start over on something else,” my literary agent said during our appointment at the annual booksellers convention.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Tips to Add Marketing Pizzazz to Your Publishing Plan, Part 2


by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

In my last post on Marketing Pizzazz, we looked at how Disney developed marketing ideas to keep customers loyal as outlined in their book Be Our Guest. Disney developed marketing ideas to keep customers loyal. Let’s look at a few more ways to apply Disney’s promotional concepts to books. Disney considers it all customer service, and we should too.

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Writers are Blessed Stenographers


by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Recently I came across the quote below on the Blue Bridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Instagram feed. It’s had me contemplating it ever since. One, because of who wrote it and two because of the power that was in the words. Check it out: 

“Writers were blessed stenographers taking divine dictation.” Stephen King

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Being Honest About Our Emotions Can Bring Freedom and Enhance Writing


by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

We are in crises. We’re asked to protect our bodies and those of our fellow citizens by barricading ourselves in our homes, denying ourselves touch and interaction with others, both family and friends. This is not meant as a political statement or an attack on restrictions placed on us by the authorities. It is a fact that cannot be denied. Right now, this is our world.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Praying God’s Word over Your Words –Prayers for the Writing Journey


By Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

The Bible is filled with prayers from notablel giants like Paul, David, Moses, Aaron, Jabez, Ezra, and others. The New Testament records Jesus’ prayers, too. 

Throughout the years, I’ve enjoyed voicing many of those same prayers for different aspects of my writing journey.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Publishing as a Second Language—Vulnerability


by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden



When I first began writing, my writing was good but probably just in the so-so category. I studied my craft, learned all the rules, and tried to discover exactly what publishers wanted to see come in to their magazines and editorial offices. After a lot of so-so writing, I wanted to dig deeper, study harder, and make my writing stand out. I wanted to touch lives and encourage people to make positive changes.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Learning The Writer's Timeline


by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

My publisher’s editors will tell you, I’m lousy at timelines. It’s become somewhat of a joke with them. A writer friend once told me the sign of a good author was when you could openly admit to your writing weaknesses. I recall asking if she had a couple of hours to listen but I digress.

Monday, August 10, 2020

Speaking Tips for Authors to Switch from Live to Virtual, Part 2


By Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Because I didn’t plan to add a Part 2, the first article doesn’t include Part 1 in the title. However, I attended the first ever Virtual Speak Up Conference July 8–10, 2020. One of my responsibilities was to facilitate virtual prayer sessions and a writers track session. With Plan A in place, I felt ready.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

The Need of Sabbath


by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

I told them the story and watched the confusion lines crisscross their faces.

One thing I love about teaching middle schoolers entails telling them stories about how things were when I was their age—and things differed greatly, especially on Sunday. Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, I perceived Sunday as a different day. Of course, it would have been for me anyway since my dad pastored churches.

Saturday, August 8, 2020

Thursday, August 6, 2020

When We Doubt Our Call to Write


by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I recently returned from a vacation where for three days I didn’t do much of anything but read. It was glorious. I loved the books I brought with me. I inhaled them. I fell in love with the characters and the places and the ideas.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Why Write?


by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Last night, or should I say this morning, I dropped into bed at 2:00 a.m. What possesses me to spend long hours at the computer when my mailbox boasts more rejections than paychecks? If my labors are not putting groceries on the table or contributing to the mortgage payment, why do I write, anyway

Monday, August 3, 2020

Realm Makers 2020 Recap


by Ralene Burke @RaleneB

In light of the COVID-19 regulations, Realm Makers hosted their first virtual conference in July 2020. With the use of new technology, standout faculty, knowledgeable staff, and a fantastic schedule, Realm Makers presented a unique experience for speculative fiction writers. 

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Principles of Being a Truth-Teller


by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

In a time of universal deceit—telling the truth is a revolutionary act. - George Orwell

The Lord sent Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1).

Throughout my life, God has been faithful to send truth-tellers brave and bold, willing to tell me what I could not see or refused to see on my own. Their words almost always made me angry inside, and often made me defensive, although I never showed it on the outside. But deep in my heart truth hit its mark every time. Before my truth-tellers even finished speaking, I could feel truth’s piercing power, beginning the work of turning my heart inside out, inviting me to be free.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Don't Let Your Faith Become Stale


by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

I have a confession to make. This staying home the last few months because of the pandemic, for me, hasn’t been all bad. I have my books, my internet, and my walks around the block. I can still take daytrips, although many of the destinations are closed. I am missing my writing groups and eating out with friends. But to keep my family well, it hasn’t been that big of a sacrifice. So I’m settling into a nice little routine here at home. Overall, I’m happy, comfortable.