We hear them so frequently that we’re often oblivious to their presence. But if we want our writing to make an impact in this day and age, in the final analysis, we must think outside the box and avoid clichés like the plague or our writing will be behind the eight...
Book Review
Pilgrim’s Progress theme Part III
Write2Ignite Conference 2018 theme series---by Deborah S. DeCiantis After his escape from the Slough of Despond, Christian meets Mr. Worldly-Wiseman, who convinces him that an easier way to get rid of his burden is to turn aside from the path to the Wicket Gate and...
Author Interviews II: Laurie Gifford Adams Shares on Self-Publishing
Laurie Gifford Adams began writing young adult novels during her career as an educator. Adams is the author of Finding Atticus, www.RUinDanger, Over the Edge, and Before I Knew. A former Prattsburg (NY) High School schoolmate of W2I Team member Darcy Hendrick, Adams...
Dual-Curriculum in Learning to Write for Children
I am the mother of four grown sons. But they weren't always grown. There were quite a few hectic years that could best be described as managed chaos. I would get a little one off my hip and onto his feet just in time to have another firmly attach himself. And...
The Dreaded Elevator Pitch
When I worked as a Human Resources executive, one of my responsibilities was to offer outplacement training---a fancy term for helping people who lost their jobs find new employment. Outplacement training included creating a resume, polishing interview skills, and...
The Importance of Professional Editing before You Self-publish
By Brenda Covert True story: One year while celebrating my young adult daughter’s birthday at her favorite restaurant, our group sang the birthday song. Suddenly, a fashionably-dressed woman appeared at our table to wish my daughter a happy birthday and to give her an...
Online Connections for Christian Children’s Authors
An aspiring author is sometimes in a quandary about what to do next. Perhaps, the would-be author sits at her computer and wonders what to do with her writing time that day. Several months ago, I posted a list of jump start ideas, Be an Author - Do One Thing. Let's...
Eight Lessons I’ve Learned About Writing
School has been in session in the United States for more than a month. This means that all across the country, children are facing the same question that has been asked for generations: "What did you learn today?" To my mother’s utter frustration, I’d often answer her...
10,000 Hours
10,000 hours. That’s the amount of intentional practice Dr. K. Anders Ericsson determined is needed to master a skill. He published his findings in the Harvard Business Review in 2007. Author Malcolm Gladwell popularized those findings in his book, Outliers , in...
What’s New in Children’s Books?
If you follow our blog, you undoubtedly have a sense of calling to write for children and teens in the Christian market. Today, I want to encourage you to check out what's new in children's books. Keeping on top of that may include some things that surprise you, but...







