I first noticed the inscription in front of DRIVEN by Betty Pfeiffer that all profits go to Hmong charities. This is a great tribute to the subjects of this book, Payeng Yaj and Shongfue Khang. I also noticed that on the back cover of the book, the pictures of the...
When I was 14 years old, I won the grand prize in a contest: a set of encyclopedias. I know—not very exciting, is it? But this was in the ancient days before computers, personal or otherwise. You’d have thought I won London’s crown jewels! I was so proud of that...
This past year has been a special one for the books (pun intended) because I published my first book! As you know, the process is anything but quick, but you can bet that the experience has been rich with lessons that will carry on into my future projects. My...
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Luke 12:27 I have always loved this passage, perhaps because among the many challenging instructions in scripture, this...
You may be wondering whether your manuscript is ready to be published. Maybe you have a nagging feeling that your story is missing something, but you don’t know what it is. Perhaps you’re going to attend a writer’s conference, and you want to make sure your writing is...
Sometimes life isn’t kind, and it’s hard to focus on your job or your personal projects. Here are some tips to help you work through difficult times. Just a few weeks ago, my husband and I were involved in a hit-and-run accident with an 18-wheeler. It brushed the side...
"This book is for you--the person who wants to be published or grow in your writing craft . . . My desire is for your writing to thrive and move into a higher gear after you read these pages." (W. Terry Whalin, pp. 20) Writing for publication is a skill that must be...
I was instantly drawn to this book by the beautiful illustrations of animals on the cover and the interior pages. Since I am an animal lover, the stories of exotic animals kept my attention. Himalayan Adventures by Penny Reeve is a unique book. As the name implies,...
This past year was a difficult one for me. Due to our financial situation, we have not been able to travel, which has always been my go-to for inspiration. A new destination has the ability to shake up my brain cells and send them in a new direction, but this...
Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won the autographed copy of ANY GOOD THING from last week's blog. ******** Here's a wonderful opportunity for you to write and be published. Please let us know if you successfully place an article or short story with Faith on...
A pastor-friend once preached a message on how to leave a legacy. Legacies were on his mind because he had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had been thinking a lot about his own legacy, which in turn motivated me to think about mine. I wasn’t sure I...
Writer Magazine ranked the Write2Ignite conference among the best writing conferences in the Southeast! Thanks to all of our hard-working volunteer staff members who helped claim that place.
Writer Magazine ranked the Write2Ignite conference among the best writing conferences in the Southeast! Thanks to all of our hard-working volunteer staff members who helped claim that place.
Joy Rancatore's debut novel dramatically opens with 15-year-old Jack Calhoun's life permanently altered: a teenage drag race ends in death and disaster. From that point onward, Jack shoulders the guilt of four deaths--compounded later by two other deaths for which he...
It’s 2020! Never has it been so clear that we are living in a completely different world with a completely different set of rules. Each generation is reared up with other influences, more distractions, and a whole new set of problems. Since we have accepted the call...
“Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery - it's the sincerest form of learning.” ― George Bernard Shaw As writers, we tend to strive for originality. We don't want our work to be a copy of someone else's; we want to write words that are unique. But what...
In an effort to grow my copywriting skills, I took Ian Lurie’s LinkedIn Learning course “ Learning to Write Marketing Copy .” He broke copywriting down into four easy steps: create a plan, free write, write your first draft, and polish your writing. While the course...
Have you ever stood at the edge of a road, holding the hand of a small child, getting ready to cross the road safely? You glance up the street. You look back down the other way. You take notice of the cars and the traffic lights and when all is clear and safe and your...
A few years ago I was doing some shopping in our local mall (formerly the largest in the nation, at a time when malls were a new concept.) I, of course, expected to see the typical Santa scene, with lines of tots waiting to sit on the lap of this fatherly figure to...
Ultimately, to have a productive writing session, you need to have self-control. I can give you all the best tips in the world, but unless you have zero self-control, it won't help. Here's my tip: open your document and write. And don't stop. Need something more...
Each of us has been called to serve our mighty God in a unique way. But we can become too busy fulfilling our call that we only focus on the “doing.” We want to do better—to write well, to teach effectively, to do whatever we’ve been called to do to the best of our...
When you write Christian literature for children ignition is the goal. Writing literature that will ignite a child's imagination, a zeal for learning, a love of reading, and a reverence for God is the mission. More than that, it's a ministry. And engaging, well...
The high seas of the writing industry are tumultuous at best with raging competition and a strong current of marketing demands. Within the last few years, one of these waves has taken the Christian fiction market to a low. As a result, publishing houses are...
I enjoyed reading The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio. Before I even started reading the story, I noticed on the copyright page the use of King James Version text as the basis for the story. This is rare and instantly caught my attention. This biblical basis is...
Do you know a teen or tween who dreams of writing a book? Or, perhaps your spouse or best friend is a budding poet. Either way, Write2Ignite has the perfect gift opportunity! Starting in January, team members Brenda Covert and Carol Baldwin will be giving writing...
In an effort to grow my copywriting skills, I took Ian Lurie’s LinkedIn Learning course “ Learning to Write Marketing Copy .” He broke copywriting down into four easy steps: create a plan, free write, write your first draft, and polish your writing. While the course...
If you read good books, when you write, good books will come out of you. Maybe it's not quite that easy, but if you want to learn something, go to the source. -- Natalie Goldberg Hello everyone, My name is Karley Conklin, and I’m a new blogger for Write2Ignite. I've...
Although my husband and I live in an almost-empty-nest, sometimes I catch myself reminiscing. Our homeschool history course many years ago includes a mini-unit on Shakespeare and his works. We'd listened to an excellent 3 part DVD series by Schlessinger Media called,...
Have you seen the social media posts from NaNoWriMo writers beating themselves up because they failed to meet their daily writing goals and pen a 50,000 word novel in November? Or they reached their goal but nearly lost their minds in the process? IMHO, those who...
Do you know who Colonel Harland David Sanders was? I’ll give you a few hints…white suit, string tie, white goatee, southern charm, and the originator of a secret blend of eleven herbs and spices. Ah, you’ve got it now—the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, now...
Write2Ignite Conference is in the process of updating our website with the addition of e-store functions, in order to facilitate online payments for books, critique services, webinars, conferences, or other programs and products. In the process, we've discovered...
Before I interned at South Carolina Public Radio, “intimate” and “people-oriented” were the last words I’d use to describe the broadcasting organization. My picture of public radio included stuffed shirts, pressed pants, and dull voices. All news reports were robotic,...
As storytellers, we love to share what we’re passionate about, what concerns us, what plays out in our imaginations, and how they all come together in the real world. Many of us can’t help but include our love for Christ and our desire to bring His truth to the ones...
My first attendance at a W2I Conference was in March of 2017. I landed a scholarship which helped me enjoy the whole weekend. I brought a notebook of questions that God answered in every workshop I attended. I still have that notebook with notes. Reflecting on...
In an effort to grow my copywriting skills, I took Ian Lurie’s LinkedIn Learning course “ Learning to Write Marketing Copy .” He broke copywriting down into four easy steps: create a plan, free write, write your first draft, and polish your writing. While the course...
So you think you can sit alone in your room or your local coffee shop and hammer out a book on your laptop and call it done? Nope. You need a community of writers, and here’s why.[spacer height="20px"] Accountability Writing is hard. And because it’s hard, it’s easy...
I graduated in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and immediately transitioned into a career in marketing. I’m still learning the ropes of copywriting, but many of the principles I learned in journalism school apply to both copywriting and creative...
Have you considered obtaining a literary agent? It can be time consuming and frustrating. The Christian Writers Institute is bundling several of their courses into one and offering a significant discount to help you on your way. NOTE : the discount ends October 31, so...
As a writer, I can get caught up in FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. Each time a new blog post or newsletter alerts me of a webinar I must attend, a book I should be reading, or a social media task I need to engage in, I get panicky. Which is the most important? What if I...
Writing a novel is like running a marathon. You have a HUGE goal and you prepare and persevere in order to complete the race. NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, is a "website, a community, a wildly ambitious writing event — and so much more!" And it happens...
The Write2Ignite conference is over and you’re sitting in front of your computer facing a blank screen. Here are some writing quotes to help you reconnect with your passion and creativity! “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it...
Jean Matthew Hall founded Write2Ignite in 2008. For ten years she and I have encouraged one another in our writing and publishing pursuits. I was delighted when she received a contract for four picture books with Little Lamb Books; one for each season. The first one,...
Fast is fashionable. The all-consuming lust for speed, however, caters to instant gratification and undermines weighty pursuits. It carries a hidden cost, a price tag that few would be willing to pay in many situations. And we know it. We understand that gaining...
Like other writers, I’ve had a lot of rejection (and silence). I recently experienced another obstacle: waiting. I drafted a sample manuscript and proposal for a book in 2014. I began submitting it the following year. Finally, in April of 2016 an editor made an offer...
Following up on Monday's blog, here are more rejection stories from our 2019 faculty. VIJAYA BODACH Rejections! Oh yes! Thank God because I only want my best in print, but in my haste and excitement, I've sent out pieces too early, before they were truly ready. It's...
Now that we're ready to dig into our various writing projects and (gulp!) even think about submitting a few...we face a common enemy: Fear of Rejection. To encourage your hearts, our faculty shared some of their rejection stories. Now you can say to yourself, "If they...
We prepare, plan, and pray for a year and then quickly the conference is over! As a team, we are thankful for each attendee and presenter and are already looking forward to the 2020 conference on September 18-19. SAVE THE DATE! More details to follow. If you weren't...
Write2Ignite 2019 is history, but now your work begins! We hope you're primed and ready to tackle a new project or pull out an old one that needs editing and polishing. No matter how well we write, we all need someone with an objective perspective to critique our...
Our team has been planning, praying, and preparing for the conference. Even if you can't join us this year, please pray for us as we seek to encourage writers to witness to the Lord through books, articles, and devotionals for children and young adults....
Many of us love our phone cameras, but how adept are we at getting the best shots? Rank novice? Learn how to get the shots right side up! Selfies spoiled? Get tips on the best perspective! Seeing the bigger picture? Get professional recommendations for new goals!...
Here's a sneak peek at our final conference keynote with a description in her own words. We've enjoyed sharing our conference presenters with you. We are looking forward to seeing you at the conference. Visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ New Paradigm...
This is Brenda Covert’s 5th year with W2I. In the past she participated as an editor and taught a poetry workshop for the Teen Track. Now she is the critiques coordinator and manages W2I’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. She loves teen authors since they...
Lori Hatcher is an author, editor, and vibrant Christian. She enjoys her grandchildren, her grandpuppy, and can be impatient as she awaits to see the cover of her next book! As a writer and editor, she has sat on both sides of the writing table. If you want to...
Vanessa Fortenberry is no stranger to Write2Ignite or to her passion for writing and sharing books. She earned her Master’s and Specialist degrees in Media from the University of West Georgia. As a teacher-librarian, Vanessa enjoys story time with her students and...
Most of you know that Write2Ignite is a conference to equip adult and teen writers of Christian-worldview literature for children and young adults. But what else does W2I provide?[spacer height="20px"] One-on-One Consultations Some conferences charge to schedule a...
Ever since Carol Baldwin was little and her father read her Winnie the Pooh, she has loved stories. The only thing that she likes better than writing a story, is teaching teens how to shape the stories secreted in their imaginations. Do you have a teenager who is a...
Ever since Carol Baldwin was little and her father read her Winnie the Pooh, she has loved stories. The only thing that she likes better than writing a story, is teaching teens how to shape the stories secreted in their imaginations. Do you have a teenager who is a...
Excuse me while I brag on Linda Phillips, a young adult novelist and my BFF. The Lord brought us together 20 years ago when the regional advisor of the SCBWI-Charlotte chapter suggested we put together a conference. Linda and I had never even met! But it turns out,...
Here's a sneak peek at one of our conference keynotes with a description in her own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. Visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ Nancy Lohr - "TRUTH-FULL Writing" In a world where truth is fluid and...
Increasingly writers are bombarded with advertisements for writing courses or programs claiming to help them produce a book in timeframes as short as 24 hours or a few weeks. Anyone can come up with ideas that can be copied into sentence-generating templates or...
Here's a sneak peek at conference presenters with descriptions in their own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. To register, visit: https://peachpuff-wasp-119435.hostingersite.com/registration-2019/ Vijaya Bodach - Writing a Book that’s...
I was excited when my first book, Daily Reflections on the Names of God, was published several years ago. But my delight at the release of this project was tempered by the need to market it through a website, blog posts, newsletters, Facebook author page, Twitter,...
Here's a sneak peek at conference presenters with descriptions in their own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. You still have time to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. To register, visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ Kim...
For the last two Thursdays, we've been hearing what our team and attendees are looking forward to at the 2019 Conference. Today we hear from some of our faculty. For more information about each one of these workshop leaders, please consult our Faculty page. Tessa...
Here's a sneak peek at conference presenters with descriptions in their own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. You still have time to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. Visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ Kim Peterson -...
Last Thursday we shared some of our Write2Ingite staff picks. Here is a sampling of what our attendees are expecting.[spacer height="20px"] Tina Hartig I'm looking forward to my first Write2Ignite conference. I've heard great things about past conferences and know I...
Here's a sneak peek at conference presenters with descriptions in their own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. You still have time to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. Visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ Tessa Emily Hall - How...
With so many great workshops to pick from, I thought we'd share what our team is excited about. But don't limit your choices to ours, you have many more to consider! Brenda Covert I’m torn between the workshop about “Connecting with Kids” by...
Here's a sneak peek at conference presenters with descriptions in their own words. We'll be posting a teaser page each Monday. You still have time to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount. Visit: https://write2ignite.com/registration-2019/ Tony Snipes - 5 MORE...
I first read about the Pelican Book Group on Kathy Temean's excellent blog, Writing and Illustrating. I looked them up online and found this description: "Our primary ministry is to publish quality fiction that reflects the salvation and love offered by Jesus Christ....
Here's a sneak peek at the Conference sessions, described by the presenters themselves. Watch for new "teaser" posts each Monday. You still have time to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount....
Bringing out holiness. Perhaps we artists would prefer to describe the concept as "drawing out holiness." What does it mean to "bring--or draw--out holiness"? And how on earth could our writing affect holiness? Guest blogger, J.G. Spires, invites us to consider this...
After our five judges reviewed the entries, votes were tallied up and "The Costume Closet" by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser is the winner for our Picture Book Manuscript Contest. For her imaginative story, Carolyn wins free registration to our writers conference, an...
The party was in full swing. I had arrived early and was determined to be the last to leave. That wouldn’t be difficult, since I was the only person there. I can party with the best of them. And I’m especially adept at hosting and attending my own pity parties. It’s...
When this picture was taken of the Write2Ignite team at the 2018 conference, little did they know that within a year many of them would become "experts" at taking and posting videos online. Here's a sampling of some of the recent videos our team created about...
Please welcome Deanna Kustas, our guest blogger today. How many times have heard the saying, “It’s not just what you say, but how you say it”? Words matter. Writing a great story matters. But how you share a story will change depending on where you are telling it...
Check out these bookshelves! These are just some of the books which Write2Ignite team member, Brenda Covert, has edited. (She edited all of the books on the second shelf and about half on the top shelf.) Brenda took time out of her busy writing, editing, and...
Photo credit: The National Archives Teens and Tweens! In honor of the Fourth of July, this post is for you! Whether you’re a history buff or just someone who loves a challenge, here’s a holiday contest that will stump most adults in the U.S.! See entry details and...
Biblical witness is relational and demonstrable. John’s gospel (1:6 -7) states that John the Baptist was “sent from God . . . to bear witness of the Light [Jesus], that all through him might believe.” Verses 14-18 name Jesus Christ the primary witness [the “Word...
Today we welcome guest blogger Maddy Wilson, Write2Ignite's new social media adviser specializing in Instagram. Instagram, in my humble opinion, is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to access a teenage audience. But upon first glance, if you haven’t grown up...
Today's guest blogger, Celeste Hawkins, shares her first experience attending a Write2Ignite Conference. As I opened the doors to check into my first writers' conference, I held a print-out of my book draft in one arm and the parking-line-yellow purse that makes me...
Ryan Hendrick's guest post introduces the Bible's use of parable and its impact. He follows this discussion with his original example. A parable intrigues me because its brevity often conceals its power until it blindsides its audience. In this sense, parable...
While not every publisher accepts fantasy manuscripts, strong interest in this genre exists among children, teens, and young adults well beyond college age. This interview is the first in a series to explore fantasy ’ s appeal to younger readers, and to look at...
Platform. We hear it so often we want to scream, “Enough, already!” Yes, we know we need a growing platform. It’s why we spend hours on social media, trying to grow our lists of friends on Facebook, followers on Twitter and Instagram. And it’s why we wrack our brain...
Please welcome Guest Blogger Courtney Madeira as she shares her journey into creating The Great Greenvillage. Before The Great Greenvillage [spacer height="20px"] Everything in my life has been about devising a thorough plan and then systematically following that plan...
In honor of National Best Friends Day, June 8th, Write2Ignite is offering a "Bring a Friend" discount on registration fees during the month of June. When you and a friend register for the conference, you will each get a $10.00 discount off the current registration...
Have you recently experienced frustration? Plans didn’t go your way? Maybe that meeting with your dream agent didn’t go well. Or the pub committee declined your project, despite enthusiastic championing by the acquisitions editor. Maybe you planned a full day of...
Here's our jam-packed conference schedule! Start planning NOW for two days of encouragement and education. Spring Blessings discount has been extended through June 15! registration Friday, September 20, 2019 * Please check final schedule and room assignment...
As an aspiring picture book author, I had high hopes for breaking into children’s publishing. I worked on my craft, joined a critique group, revised and polished my picture book manuscripts, then sent them off to publishers, hoping my dream would soon be...
Whew! There’s a lot to learn when you’re striving for rejection. Here is your last round of ideas to help you to master the art of losing an editor in ten ways. [spacer height="20px"] Way 8: Don’t Edit Your Work No one’s work is perfect. So, to seal a rejection of...
We’ve been talking about some of the top 10 ways to lose an editor, based on interviews I conducted with editors at four Christian children’s publications. (Part I: SKIP THIS STEP, Part II: HOW TO MESS UP YOUR CHARACTERS) In this section we are going to cover four...
Welcome to part 2 of my blog series. (Click here if you missed PART I: SKIP THIS STEP) Let’s delve into a couple more ways you can lose an editor. Incorporating some of these flaws into your characters will almost always guarantee a rejection. Here’s how: [spacer...
The first (and possibly the most important) step to writing for publication is to read the writers guidelines and a few of the organization’s publications to get an idea of what they publish. So, if you are looking to lose an editor immediately, simply skip this step....
Anyone can sabotage their writing career. It takes less skill to fail as a freelance children’s writer than it does to succeed. I’ve interviewed four editors from popular Christian children’s magazines who reveal details on what to do to increase your chances of...
by Carol Baldwin Last week there were two more horrific shootings. One in a California synagogue, the second in a university in Charlotte, NC. This is not a blog about gun control or even an attempt to answer the question that plagues many of us, "What is our world...
Diane has always had a desire and a knack for impacting the lives of young children in the hopes of leading them to faith that embraces God and His son, Jesus. Whether that "calling" in life took the form of teaching preschoolers, being a church staff minister for...
Scripture makes many references to the concept or term “witness” in both Old and New Testaments. Christians know Jesus’s “Great Commission” words in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,...
Last September, I made the drive to South Carolina full of anticipation. My first writers conference! Dreams swirled in my head. I would meet other writers…talk about books and characters...maybe catch the attention of a publisher…talk about writing and books some...
If you’re like me, you probably have bookshelves crammed with books. Too many to keep and too precious to give away. As I look through my bookcases, I enjoy finding a long-forgotten treasure. Even better, on occasion I’ll make a new discovery—a book that made it onto...
Although he's an i llustrator at heart, Tony has always found himself helping creative people reach audiences and engage the public. For more than 20 years Tony has carried out this calling professionally for newspapers, TV and now Christian radio, helping each...