Mastering Middle Grade
An Interview with Martyn McGrath
This month we continue our series of author interviews with Martyn McGrath, creator of the Trials of the Hopebreather…
April 16, 2019-
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Magazine and FreelanceSlant – A Writers Secret Weapon for Multiple Articles
“Slant” is a commonly used, every day word. You can slant things to the left or the right or…
April 14, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiFantasy Heroes? This Is How You Make Them Relatable.
One of my friends recently gifted me a book. She’d loved it so much she literally went out and…
April 7, 2019 -
ScreenwritingDie Laughing
As I am writing this month’s post, five of the top 20 movies are comedies or animated. It’s no…
April 4, 2019 -
Writing for YAWhat Is YA and Who Reads It?
At a recent writers’ group meeting, a member asked, “What, exactly, is young adult?” I gave the short answer:…
March 27, 2019 -
Romancing Your StoryShould Your Christian Novel’s Hero be Perfect?
When writing a Christian romance novel, should your hero be perfect? I entered a writing contest a few years…
March 23, 2019 -
Kids LitCrafting Holiday Books that Sell
Christmas comes every year. And so does Easter. And so does Thanksgiving. And so does the Fourth of July.…
March 21, 2019 -
History in the MakingWell Done Jane Austen!
Jane Austen created some of the most memorable characters ever printed on paper. Without doubt, she is one of…
March 20, 2019 -
Devotional/Christian LivingRachel Hollis and the Dangers of Writing Christian Living Books
In 2018, Rachel Hollis, motivational speaker, popular podcast host, and entrepreneur, released her bestselling book, Girl, Wash Your Face:…
March 19, 2019 -
Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseKeep Your Readers Guessing with Red Herrings
What would a mystery be without red herrings? Boring and short, most likely. Red herrings are a writer’s primary…
March 17, 2019 -
Mastering Middle Grade
An Interview with Author Kate Ramsey
No two paths to publication are exactly alike. Over the next few months, I’ll be listening to middle grade…
March 16, 2019 -
Magazine and Freelance
The Five Ps of Meeting Deadlines
Deadlines can be overwhelming. But with just a bit of preplanning, they can be managed without taking over your…
March 14, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Why Disabled Characters Should Be Included in Your Spec Fic Novel
What does “disabled” mean? Generally, it covers everything from physical limitations, such as blindness or deafness or not possessing…
March 7, 2019 -
Screenwriting
Against the Odds
March is a memorable month for me; it marks my greatest fight and biggest victory to date. It is…
March 4, 2019 -
SongwritingRecording Your Own Songs
So, you’ve written a great song using prosody, and you even wrote the music for it or had a…
February 28, 2019 -
Devotional/Christian Living
What’s the Difference between Devotional and Christian Living Book Genres?
In the quiet of the morning, I open up my Bible. I clip my booklight onto the front cover…
February 27, 2019 -
Romancing Your Story
A Romance by Any Other Name
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet ……
February 23, 2019 -
Child's CraftWhat IS a picture book?
We’re story-tellers! So, we often want to tell every scrumptious detail of our stories as we write. But not…
February 21, 2019 -
History in the Making
Rebecca Lee Crumpler−Pioneer
Rebecca Lee Crumpler was a pioneer, but not the sort who climbed a weather-beaten prairie wagon, wrapped her work-worn…
February 20, 2019 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Creating Believeable Villains
What are the trademarks of a villain? Do they have dark, piercing eyes, a snarly grin, crooked-yellowed teeth, knobby…
February 17, 2019 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Perseverance
In the interest of keeping things real here, I need to tell you how much I have been struggling…
February 16, 2019 -
Magazine and Freelance
Are You a Titan?
There is a television show this season called Titans. It is one of those shows that challenges the strength…
February 14, 2019 -
The Poet's PenPoetry, Poetry Everywhere – Poetry Topics
Sometimes poets are asked, “Where do you find things to write about?” Everything is a possible subject, although there…
February 13, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Why Your Villain Demands Empathy
Hitler didn’t wake up one day and decide to become one of the most infamous murderers in history. He…
February 7, 2019 -
Screenwriting
What Matters Most
If you’ve been reading my column for any amount of time, you know it’s no secret that I am…
February 4, 2019
