Posts
How Setting Influences Your Characters
Your story setting should be unique, whether an exotic island, the Deep South, an airport terminal, or a fantasy world. Consider the following movies: Gone with the Wind, Cast Away, The Terminal, and Lord of the Rings. All of these would be less effective and less memorable without their unique setting. “A novel is a…
What Makes a Good Critique Group?
What makes a book “good?” The experience it offers, of course, and how well it meets our expectations. Like everything else. It’s subjective, and like a book, a good critique group depends on the people in them. What you get out of it is largely dependent on what you bring to it. One essential benefit is encouragement…
When NOT to Take Writing Advice
There’s no shortage of advice out there for aspiring and beginning authors. There’s no shortage of advice out there for aspiring and beginning authors.But knowing when NOT to take advice may be as important as knowing when to heed it. I learned this my first year of pursuing publication. At the time, I was preparing…
Follow Your Own Path
From the Editor: It’s hard not to compare ourselves with others. Even Christians have trouble with envy and jealousy and often wonder why one is more deserving of the other. “Why are they blessed financially while we struggle?” “Why did she get a contract before me while I’ve been trying longer?” “Why is my marriage…
The Hardest Thing About Being a Writer
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” I love that quote. I’ve used it with my children, and I’ve often reminded myself of its words, as well. When people ask me what I do, I usually say I’m a “stay at home” mom. I don’t often think of saying, “I’m a writer.” But I AM a…
Ready to run?
Around this time of year, many people have begun training for a local 5k race, a half marathon, or even a full marathon. Some think those pondering such races are crazy, and that is ok too. If you despise running, please, don’t bother. Do what you enjoy, but don’t be afraid to try something new…
Scheduling Interruptions–Luncheon Style
Here in the mid-west, school resumes in mid-August. Only six weeks left of tree frog hunts, fishing expeditions, finding treasures in the veggie garden, lake parties, cook outs and late nights spent capturing fireflies. These long summer days will grow into shorter autumn ones, as we spend more time sharpening pencils, commuting to classes and…
Don’t Ignore Your Core
Balance and power in the body stems from the core; don’t ignore it!
Job: Questions Without Answers
by Mike Dellosso One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Job. Poor Job. He loses everything very tragically except his wife who only discourages him and tells him to “curse God and die.” Thanks, Babe. Thanks for nothing. Something that strikes me about the account is Job’s honesty and bluntness…
Larger-Than-Real-Life Characters
This weekend while writing in a coffee shop, I was distracted by real life characters. The people around me, like this guy who greeted this girl with three kisses. His wife? Girl friend? I watched how they talked and interacted. How they were overly considerate and accommodating to each others needs. They were obviously dating,…