‘Tis the season of the writers conference, both in-person and virtual. Perhaps you’ve just attended one, and you feel as if a mountain of useful information has been placed in your lap. You’re thrilled to have it, it’s what you …
writing craft
What Are Literary Agents Looking For in a Writer?
As a writer getting published can be a frustrating task, especially when it comes to finding a literary agent to represent your work. A literary agent plays a crucial role in the publishing process, acting as a bridge between writers …
A Unique Angle
You are ready to put together your proposal for the book God has laid on your heart. You know you need to write it. But how should you approach the topic? What makes your take on the topic a unique …
Too Fast?
By Wendy Lawton
Anyone who is trying to build a career as a writer knows that making a living in the early years is an almost impossible challenge. But when a writer has sold a couple of books and had …
While U Wait
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
A few years ago I talked about what a writer needs to do while he or she waits for publication. I thought of it again while I was in Minnesota recently, stressing how important it is to …
How to Get the Most from Your Beta Readers
Blogger: Mary Keeley
I highly recommend participating in a critique group. You can improve your own craft as you critique your partners’ work often as much as you can by receiving their feedback on your work. But this can’t replace …
Secondary Characters: Their Purpose for Being
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Are you using your story’s secondary characters to their full purpose? They can make your book stand out from the crowd of other books in your genre. Practically as many ways to use these characters exist as …
What’s the Story on Backstory?
Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
One of the biggest challenges for novelists—new and seasoned alike—is avoiding too much backstory in the opening of the book. A lot of people ask me questions about backstory, and often argue with me about it. So …
Engaging Our Culture
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Unless you’re an ostrich or a hermit it’s been impossible to ignore the plethora of cultural differences being expressed this year. Opposing worldviews are at the root of the divergence. Michael Boyle, Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies …
Hook Readers in the First Few Pages
Blogger: Mary Keeley
We humans like variety. We have four hundred sixty real dog breeds to choose from according to the American Kennel Club. Fashion trends change every season. Some people read mostly nonfiction while others prefer fiction, and we …