The Art of Rejection for Writers

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

Recently, I entered three prestigious writing contests—two secular and one Christian. As I waited for the results to come in, I was confident. After all, I’d poured my heart into my submissions, refined every word, and even dared to imagine what it might feel like to win. I envisioned the announcement, the applause, the emails of congratulations. But one by one, the results came in—and I didn’t place. Not even an honorable mention. Nothing.

How to Create an Effective One Sheet to Showcase Your Writing Project

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

While accepting pitches at two recent conferences, I noticed a disturbing trend—one sheets that are no longer a ‘one sheet.’

Almost all the one sheets were printed on the front and back. Unfortunately, most of the information was not relevant either.

Discover How to Infuse Power and Purpose into Your Writing When You Write for the One

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

Let’s be honest. Who wants to write a book, short story, article, devotion, or blog post for just one person to read? And, yes, I’ve heard the reminder repeated in various forms on more than one occasion: “What you write may only be for the person sitting beside you.” 

Pride makes that a challenging pill to swallow. I love it when thousands visit my website, but chafe when it dwindles to only a few. 

Writer, Don’t Look Now, But You’re Being Followed

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Last weekend, my husband Rob and I attended the memorial service for our Aunt Jean, who died in June at 96. To be honest, she was Rob’s Aunt Jean, his mom’s younger sister, but years ago I claimed her as my aunt too. Both Rob and I treasured her as our mom-in-the-Lord. 

Shortly after we arrived in Montana, Aunt Jean’s eldest daughter, Pat, shared something with me: a typed page titled “Thoughts—Obituary” dated May 15, 2009—yes, Aunt Jean had written this 16 years ago. She wrote a brief reflection of her faith journey, what she called “a pathway of discovery,” that transformed her life when she was 45 years old after she knew God in a true, personal way. 

At the bottom of the page she’d written, “Beth Vogt said to me one day, ‘Leave a trail, Aunt Jean, so I can follow later.’”

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!