Devotional/Christian Living
5 SMART Goals for Christian Living and Devotional Writers
I started out 2019 with one goal: to get a Christian Living or devotional book contract. That didn’t happen.…
December 19, 2019-
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Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseRed Herrings
What are red herrings? According to Merriam-Webster.com, they are herring (fish) cured by salting and slow smoking to a…
December 17, 2019 -
Mastering Middle GradeThe Six Reads of Middle Grade Christmas
One of the things I love most about writing for young readers is reading books written for middle grade…
December 16, 2019 -
Magazine and FreelanceWriter’s Block Or Submission Block? Play to win the Publishing Game
We came. We pitched. Did we send? Writer’s conferences are well-planned days of speakers, workshops, and opportunities. After pitching…
December 14, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiThe Tightrope We Must Walk
Your main character stands on the edge of a cliff, a five hundred foot drop to jagged rocks below.…
December 7, 2019 -
ScreenwritingThis is a Test
Recently I received a notification on social media about this year’s film awards. Traditionally, November through February is awards…
December 4, 2019 -
Writing for YAHow to Succeed with PitMad
Are you familiar with PitMad? #PitMad is a pitch party on Twitter where writers tweet a 280-character pitch for their…
November 27, 2019 -
Romancing Your StoryWriting Romance in the #MeToo Era
Once upon a time a romance novel plot included a heroine who wanted the hero to kiss her, but…
November 23, 2019 -
History in the MakingBOGGED DOWN IN CRANBERRY SAUCE: A condensed history of a Thanksgiving favorite
Think cranberries! From there, it’s not a long stretch to thoughts of Thanksgiving. And for a writer, creative juices…
November 20, 2019 -
Copywrite/Advertising, Devotional/Christian Living
Step Out in Front of the Crowd: How to Add Speaking to Your Writing Life
As a devotional or Christian living writer you have a burden to share the message God has laid on…
November 19, 2019 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Voice and Style
Voice and style can make or break an author’s novel, so how can we make it stand out from…
November 17, 2019 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Writer, Educate Thyself
Last month we talked about the basic steps involved in getting your manuscript ready for submission. This month, I…
November 16, 2019 -
Magazine and Freelance
3 Tips to Help You Secure that Elusive Media Interview
Readers love stories about people. Because readers love stories about people, newspapers, magazines, online publications, and websites love stories…
November 14, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
How Writing Blind Will Take Your Fantasy to the Next Level
When it comes to writing, some of us like to picture it in our head and write what we…
November 7, 2019 -
Screenwriting
Options
Recently, I received a message on social media from a literary manager in Hollywood. Although she isn’t taking on…
November 4, 2019 -
Writing for YA
Interview with Author Judy Christie: Writing Across Genres
Sometimes writers have a hard time sticking to one genre. I’d thought I see what Judy Christie had to…
October 27, 2019 -
Romancing Your Story
Why Are They Attracted To Each Other?
In my last column, I wrote about the first meeting. Now that your characters have met, the first blush…
October 23, 2019 -
History in the Making
Is This Story Historical?
As a writer, I like to continue writing flash fiction or short stories while working on a novel. My…
October 20, 2019 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Market Trends: Is the Mystery, Suspense, Thriller Genre Alive and Well?
Should I worry about trends? Do I write what I want and hope it sells? Is the mystery, suspense,…
October 17, 2019 -
Mastering Middle Grade
You Wrote a Middle Grade Book. Now What?
You had an idea. You wrote. You slept. You wrote some more. You edited. You cried. (Just me? Oh.…
October 16, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi, Uncategorized
Unlocking Science Fiction, the Secret You Need to Know
There’s something about a good sci-fi story that pulls me in and doesn’t let me go. In those moments,…
October 7, 2019 -
Screenwriting
What Scares Me
Recently my best friend contacted me about having a guys’ night out. He said he wanted to go see…
October 4, 2019 -
Writing for YA
Interview with Watty Award Winner Brian McBride: Using Wattpad to Build Your Audience
Today I’m talking with Young Adult author Brian McBride. I wanted to know more about Wattpad. DJS: Your book…
September 27, 2019 -
Romancing Your Story
“Setting” the Romance
What do you think about when you think of romance? Oh sure, there are the typical things like boy…
September 23, 2019 -
Kids LitThree Tips for Successful Platform Building
If you’ve been to any writers conference lately, you’ve no doubt heard lots of talk about building a platform.…
September 21, 2019
