Blog
Taxes and Writers
Do I need to file taxes as a writer? The simple answer is it depends. Here are a few considerations in deciding whether or not to put your writing on your tax return. Did you receive any income? Many people think you need a certain amount of income to have to file, however, this is…
The Passionate Writer
Home and family, my passions, swirl through everything I write like a cinnamon ribbon spirals through breakfast bread. I stand at the kitchen sink, my brain ticking off Fifteen After-School Snacks that Spell Love to Your Teenager. I separate the t-shirts from the socks ruminating on Five-Minute Recipes to Romance Your Husband. I walk to…
Confessions of a Schizophrenic Writer
I recently had one of those moments when I was misunderstood. This “advice”, from a well-meaning, but far too hasty mentor, was just a suggestion. One, if taken at face value, meant little. But nevertheless, it was a “poo-poo”-ing of my grand idea and it stung and continued to sting for a long time. It…
Warring Agendas: Distractions or Opportunities?
“The world sets the agenda for the professional man; God sets the agenda of the spiritual man.” – John Piper One of my goals this year is to be more intentional. This means actively improving my craft and pursuing avenues of publication, but it extends beyond writing. I also want to be intentional with my…
Review: Lucky Baby by Meredith Efken
After years of swearing she’d never be a mother–particularly because she doesn’t want to turn into her mother, who withheld her approval from Meg–Meg longs to adopt a child. She and her husband, Lewis, adopt an older girl from China, desiring both to give Eva a home and to overcome their pasts of emotional family…
20 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before…
1. Sometimes the book you’re most passionate about doesn’t do well, when a book you aren’t as passionate about succeeds. 2. Quality of writing doesn’t = sales. And the fickle nature of sales is nearly impossible to figure out. Best advice? Write what you’re passionate about and leave the rest in God’s hands. 3. People…
Be SMART About Your Goals
New Year’s has come and gone. Months ago many jotted down their resolutions, others put it off. Still, others already feel like a failure because each year their goals are the same. But why do most people fail in reaching their resolutions? It’s because they’re not S.M.A.R.T. about their goals. Before you are offended by…
There is NO Easy Button
Christianity is much more than simply believing in Jesus; it’s following him. We need to make that distinction because our culture is voyeuristic – we like to watch things…and that’s it. People in our culture don’t mind looking at Jesus, but few are actually willing to follow him. Following is much harder. Following Jesus is…
Impossible Dream
When I began writing my first novel back in 2003/04, I thought for sure it would not only publish but likely be a best seller. I thought that of the second as well. And the third. And the fourth. Every one of them was rejected. If you’re unpublished, you might be feeling a little nauseous…
The Grace of Who I Am
Romans 3:23,24 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV) I know who I am, and I know my struggles. If I were to list them one by one, they would be embarrassing, ugly…