Writing Control Freak 101

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 book in 24 languages, Shirley Jump didn’t have the willpower to diet nor the talent to master under-eye concealer, so she bowed out of a career in television for a career where she could be paid to eat at her desk—writing.

      

As a wife, mother, and author, what words have kept her anchored? She shares them here.

Systems for Writers in 2020

by Ralene Burke @RaleneB

I almost didn’t write about consistency in this post because Edie Melson posted about Intentional Consistency last Monday. However, I thought I could come at it from a bit of a different angle and share with you my personal vision.

See, BE CONSISTENT is my theme for 2020.

Becoming a Stone Dropper

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 (HCSB)

Imagine with me the scene that day. A woman has been caught in the act of adultery. In biblical times, it’s a crime punishable by death—death by stoning. The men and women drag her into the public square. I can hear the voices of her accusers, raised in hatred and condemnation.

• “You’re nothing but filth.”
• “You knew what could happen when you made your choice.”
• “Get rid of her. We can’t have someone like her contaminating our town.” 

The Power of Story to Bridge Divisions

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

Over the holidays, I’ve enjoyed watching the commercials for Ancestry. com. Ancestry is the company that tests your DNA and then sends back information on your family.

The commercials captured my wife and me every time. They had families coming together, the children or teens asking their parents or grandparents questions or bringing up family history they’d been told. A cozy Hallmark movie in thirty seconds.

10 Ways Writers Can Fail Spectacularly at Social Media in 2020

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

This past year, everywhere you turned someone was offering help on how to succeed with marketing, aka social media. Today I’m going to turn the tables and give you my top 10 ways to guarantee failure in 2020.

Putting Description into Your Story – Star Trek Holodeck style

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

I love Star Trek. You may too. But even if you don't, you may still be able to benefit from the brilliance of their world-building. The producers of the TV shows and the movies are masters of description, although they don't use words. 

Writers do use words and putting description into your story can be as easy as watching a few hours of television.

The one I watched this week was Voyager, with Kate Mulgrew playing Captain Kathryn Janeway. The episode used the Holodeck to create an Irish pub and surrounding area.

Happy New Year!