Posts
Writing Big and Trimming the Fat
When I first began writing fiction, I was taught by one of my brilliant teachers to write BIG. (Which actually means big in word count.) He told us to plug in the research, to write lengthy descriptions, and just let the words flow. So that’s what I usually do. When I finish, I step back and…
3 Tips for Beating Discouragement in Your Writing Career
Sometimes I’m discouraged at the long road behind me and the longer road ahead as I seek to build a career as an author. I’ve now sold my first article, but it’s been months and no new bites. When I’m discouraged I find these tips helpful. Pray for Perspective: Re-evaluate my purpose and where I’m…
How do YOU Celebrate After Hitting Send on Your Manuscript?
It’s official! I hit send on my Rosie manuscript…again. Well, technically I hit send again on the proposal since my manuscript is not finished. And while it’s a BIG relief having that off my shoulders, there’s still work to be done. Yet, sometimes you just have to take a break and celebrate little successes. Yes,…
Interview with Allie Pleiter
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction.The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare…
Pacing in a Story
Tuesday Teachings from the archives: I’ve been going back through the wonderful content on Writer…Interrupted and wanted to share the relevant teaching from past posts! Hope you enjoy this new Tuesday feature!- Gina Where do you start a story? You have a few pages (for some a few paragraphs) to catch an editor or reader’s attention.…
A few last tips for cutting a synopsis
Tip#8 to cut a synopsis—cut modifiers Adjectives and adverbs are usually the easiest to cull from a synopsis. Sometimes you don’t even need to change the noun or verb. Other times, a stronger noun or verb is needed. She determines to win without interference from her meddling friends. vs. She determines to win without interference…
Publishing Doesn’t Validate My Life
With the results of the Genesis contest semi-finalists still fresh in everyone’s mind, I think this post from Mary DeMuth is a good reminder about perspective and validation in our writing. -Gina Mary DeMuth’s articles have appeared in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, HomeLife, Discipleship Journal. Her books include Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House, 2005), Sister Freaks…
Fiction Friday: More tips for cutting a synopsis
Tip#4 to cut a synopsis—relevance Cut absolutely anything that does not have direct impact on the main storyline. Be ruthless. Don’t leave things in because they pertain to a subplot. Don’t go off for too long (more than a few sentences) on a red herring. Don’t include character backstory that doesn’t absolutely need to be…
Interrupted by the End of the World
by Ron Estrada Admit it, it’s okay. As a writer you know your craft requires years of, early mornings over a keyboard, and approximately 6000 gallons of coffee before you even get your first hand written rejection letter. But as a Christian, you know that our tour of duty here on terra firma is temporary…
Rejection Doesn’t Make You a Loser
From the Archives and worth a revisit! Every year emotions run high after the Genesis contest results are discovered. I’ve experienced the disappointment of not finaling and hard critiques and want to offer you hope and encouragement through my story. I never finaled in the Genesis or any other contest, unless you count the time I…