According to Elaine Marie Alphin (Creating Characters Kids Will Love p. 2) “Kids read because a magical closeness springs up between them and the characters in books and stories—the same magical closeness I felt as a child. They read because a writer has brought a character to life on the page for them.†Every great … More 9 Tips for Writing Unforgettable Characters by Deborah DeCiantis
Tip #1: Use clear definitions and illustrations to distinguish literal from metaphorical. For writers and readers alike, understanding the terms literal and figurative (metaphorical) is essential: what do they actually mean? And how can we distinguish the way language is being used, whether in conversation, on social media, in literature, in advertisements, in business documents, … More 5 Tips for Using and Understanding Literal and Figurative Language Part I
We’ve all had longings or yearnings during our lives, especially when we were young. Having the whole world before us, we could dream about what our lives would look like as writers/authors. “If only I could publish a book” “I wish I could find the perfect literary agent” “If I could only have more sales” … More Our Publishing Dreams
The year 2020 has been full of surprises. We’ve all had to regroup, rethink, reconsider many things that we have taken for granted for decades. It’s been inconvenient, true. But it has also been fruitful. New needs and inconveniences usually force us into innovative thinking. It has this year. I’ve been attending and helping with … More Kentucky Christian Writers Conference by Jean Hall
Conference season will be kicking up again in the fall, including the Write2Ignite Master Class. And it’s not too early to start planning. Now, you may be thinking, I’ve been to a writer’s conference—maybe even several. So why should you attend yet another one – even an online one? Perhaps you’ve shared the following objections: … More Why Should I Attend a Conference AGAIN?
In my book, Drive, Ida and Ellie Honeycutt are forced by difficult circumstances to step out of their natural roles. As identical twins, they see and experience the world differently but are so emotionally connected that they easily understand the other’s viewpoint. At one point Ida, the homebody, feels forced to take a trip that … More Viewpoint and Dialogue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Writing dialogue is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. If done well, using dialogue can strengthen your manuscript and turn an average story into an engaging ride people will be talking about long after they read it. Here are 3 examples of how your story benefits from good dialogue. Dialogue puts … More How Dialogue Strengthens Your Manuscript
“When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest.†-Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft You’ve probably never thought to ask for editing tips from a woodcarver. I normally wouldn’t, either. Yet this … More 3 Editing Tips from a Woodcarver by Karley Conklin
Some stories — even if written during a different time — are applicable to every generation of teens because they help with interpreting culture.  First published in 1967, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, has inspired readers for more than 50 years. Hinton, just fifteen years old when she began writing the book, was inspired by … More The Challenge of Interpreting Culture by Emily Babbitt