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How Did We Get Here?
It’s the question we all dance around. The one we sometimes want to ask but don’t. The one we dread being asked. The one we know the person’s dying to ask us when we tell them why our spouse doesn’t share our faith. “Did you know he wasn’t a Christian when you married him?” (I…
Michelle Sutton’s review of After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart.
About the Book: Her childhood marked by rejection and loss, Julia Bakker longs for life to finally begin. Determined to escape her conservative Christian hometown, she chooses college for a radical reinvention. But following a momentous mistake, the self-defeated Julia returns to her loving grandmother’s farm. Will she learn to hope in a God who…
Leftovers, Anyone?
A while ago, at Starbucks, I sat chatting with several ACFW Central Zone members, including authors Deb Raney and Kim Vogel Sawyer. I lamented the regrettable fact that published novels aren’t allowed the same courtesies as DVD’s. Seriously, at the end of a fantastic book, wouldn’t you love a few sneak peeks behind scenes, or…
Why People Buy Cookbooks (and why you need to know)
My wife wants to be Rachel Ray. Based on the dinner, she cooked last night, I’d say she’s well on her way! Pork chops with cooked apples. Homemade macaroni and cheddar with broccoli and curly, spiral noodles instead of tube macaroni. At our house the Food Network is a favorite channel. We subscribe to Rachel…
When You Hit a Brick Wall
No, this isn’t about finding the right insurance. If I’d hit a brick wall literally, I probably wouldn’t be writing this and definitely I would be dealing with insurance. But I am speaking metaphorically about hitting a brick wall. As much as you might like the wall to give and you be able to keep…
Being Eli
In the book of Samuel we hear the story of the call of Samuel. The boy is asleep in the temple with the Holy of Holies while Eli, Samuel’s mentor is asleep elsewhere. When I was young, I always pictured myself as Samuel and wondered would I hear God if He called me. Recently I…
Quick Fiction Fixes – Using physical reactions to show emotion
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Physical reactions: Psychiatrists agree that…
The Devil and the Angel
I screwed up again. And amazingly, I felt entitled to. (Insert yucky “ew” sound here, please.) So here’s how it played out. Months ago I agreed to let go of our cleaning service, because we had to cut costs. Now if you’re a busy mom (If? Yeah, I heard that snicker.), sometimes that can be…
Quick Fiction Fixes – Using a focal character to evoke emotions
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Focal characters: Readers read because…
A Central Park Writing Lesson
I sometimes sit down to write and make the mistake of “just checking a few things” before I start attacking my own work. I check email and see a note from my sister — so I write her back (real quick). Then I skim through a yahoo loop. I’m in the zone, inspired to get…