April 2026 Master Class
Registration is Now Open
I'm so excited to share this new publisher of "Clean Reads that You Can Trust" that I was actually glad for a hole in our blog schedule (it usually throws me into a panic) to tell you about Monarch. I think many of you will be interested to learn about Jen Lowry and...
There was a man who worked at a factory who made some stuff. Let’s be honest. If this was an opening line, you’d close the book, put it back on the shelf and ask, “How did THAT ever get published?” But what if I told you this line could be fixed by using one simple...
Here at Write2Ignite, we're thrilled to share that one of our newest bloggers, Amy Earls, is launching her debut YA novel, The King’s Feather : Book I of the Under His Wings series, on June 30! In this Q & A interview with Write2Ignite Team member...
What do carpet beetles, Plato, and the diary of a politician from the 1600s all have in common? You can find all of them on the website Project Gutenberg for free. If you are unfamiliar with the website, buckle up—we are diving into the public domain! Read more: Use...
An English program can provide a structured environment for learning from experienced professors and receiving feedback on your work. However, an English program can be expensive, and the financial investment might not lead to financial gain. There are other paths to...
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9 HCSB).” As a writer, I find this passage extremely depressing. Not only does it rhyme like a pessimist's Dr. Seuss, but it also means no...
I loved field trips when I was in elementary and high school. Sure, sitting for a stretch of time in a stinky school bus wasn’t the best, especially when you hit those winding roads, but I loved the chance to get out of the classroom and actually see what we were...
Join us for a review of Kathleen Long Bostrom’s new book, ‘Since the Baby Came’, a story about new siblings, written in 16 poems.
"Mommy, there's a biwd in awe house!" "A real bird?" "Mommy, come quick. Daddy lef the doow open. It's in awe liveen woom." I leapt out of bed and followed my five-year-old into the living room where a blue Western Scrub-Jay ruffled the window blinds and house...
Story ideas are a lot like babies: no one knows where they come from. If you’re a writer, you know a story idea can hit you when you least expect it. Just as you drift off to sleep, or reach for the shampoo in the shower, or even while someone is talking to you at a...
There is something about reading out loud that helps one to better understand a story. As authors, we work hard to use our words to bring our ideas to life. But sometimes it’s difficult when you’re starting out to develop that unique voice that will make a story...
The Write2Ignite team is excited about our next Master Class with Kim Peterson. It's less than a month away! In Case You Missed It Here is the schedule. Notice that Kim will lead three workshops (one is split in half); you'll have time to work on your hooks, queries,...
It’s a tough market these days in an even tougher economy. Plus, there are options now available to writers, and opinions abound about which publishing path we as children’s writers should pursue on our personal publishing journey. Which direction will you take? To...
Recently, I was invited to Smiley Elementary School in Redlands, California to give two author presentations for Read Across America week. The groups were to be divided into Kindergarten to 2nd grade and 3rd to 5th grade. The original understanding was to present my...
Do You Ever Experience Discouragement? As a writer, there are many times I have felt discouraged and ready to quit. The author’s journey can feel like a maze of dead ends. Even when I have succeeded at meeting a major milestone, there is always something else that...
Join Karley Conklin for a discussion of 3 tips for growing strong and healthy writing habits, from James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits”.
Ways to Improve our Creative Space
I have a pet elephant. It all started out with a dream. I’ve always wanted a pet elephant. I dreamed about the days I could take my grandkids for a ride! I looked forward to taking the neighborhood kids for a ramble down the street on its back. I imagined summer days...
I was able to meet Tim Shoemaker at a homeschool convention when I was about ten, and my mother purchased his novel Code of Silence for me. It was one of my favorite novels, and I was excited to review the first two novels in his High Water series, Escape from the Everglades and Every Hidden Thing.
One question I am often asked when I give talks on writing is, “Where do you get your ideas?” Ideas for writing come from a plethora of areas: through prayer (my number one resource), from situations I’ve experienced, from things I’ve read or heard about, through...
Think of the last time you made air travel arrangements. You probably researched airlines, flight schedules, and fares. You also carefully packed your luggage and toiletries with all the new security requirements in mind. Despite your preparations, however, the trip...
Whether you’ve been in the publishing industry for years or are just starting out as a newbie, you’ve probably already realized that titles are important. Choosing a great book title catches an editor’s eye. A book title with pizzazz grabs the attention of social...
THE IMPORTANCE OF HOPE Hope, second of the three great virtues named in 1 Corinthians 13, can be hard to come by, in life or writing. Refresh Your Hope , third in Lori Hatcher’s “Refresh” devotional series, reminds readers that the essence of hope is found,...
As we set new goals for 2023, it can be helpful to spend time reflecting and planning. Here are 3 journaling prompts to help you get started.
If you’re a fan of the BRITFIELD adventure book series for ages 9 – 18, then you’ve been waiting for the third book in the series, BRITFIELD AND THE RETURN OF THE PRINCE, to release. It’s promoted as the “unparalleled finale of sacrifice, romance, revenge, and loss.”...
Each year 5th graders in the school where I teach become buddies with a kindergartner. They sit with them in chapel, listen to them read, and also write and illustrate a picture book for their kindergarten buddy. The 5th graders created characters and wrote their...
Our neighbors built a fire in their firepit and invited the children on our street over to toast s’mores. The wonderful fragrance of woodsmoke made everyone feel so festive! It’s Christmas time! This year as we’re getting to celebrate the birth of baby...
Are you hurrying and scurrying to get your last-minute shopping done? Is your writing set aside in the hustle and bustle of the season? Are you still looking for presents for your spouse…kids…grandkids…parents…friends…and writer friends, too? This year, don’t forget...
Tis the Season Tis the season to savor excellent Christmas books! This week you’re in for a treat with a review of MOUSE’S CHIRSTMAS GIFT. To top it off, we have an autographed giveaway copy. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la-la! Review When Parson gets sick, the...
Penny Reeve, our "Next-Steps" Facebook Group Coordinator I’m thankful for opportunities to think about my faith in God, for the miracle of salvation and the wonder of grace – and then to be able to write for children and young people in a way that might honour these...
When you begin planning your novel, there are a million details you could consider. At the start of every idea lies an endless labyrinth of possibilities, of different directions your could take your plot. Some writers prefer to figure out as much of their labyrinth...
I’ve been writing for over fifty years now, if I count my grade school tour de force, which includes a poem about raccoons and a Nancy Drew style mystery. Of course, I’m still a Work-In-Process, and I cannot give enough credit to all the various workshops and critique...
Stories grow from key elements: Setting, character, inciting incident, rising action, climax, surprise, conclusion.
One writer’s journey to writing and publishing her first educational book.
I'm getting ready for NaNoWriMo. I'm starting in October to make sure I hit my goals because I'm a notoriously slow author. My son is going to write a novel also. That will add more accountability to the process for me. But he will have writer's block. He always does....
Tune in for the wrap-up of Write2Ignite’s Master Class, Writing Nonfiction for Kids and Teens, as well as a sneak peek at our latest news.
Ava Pennington equips Christian writers with four important principles for handling God’s Word accurately.
Do you communicate a biblical worldview when you write? This is not hte same as being preachy!
5 Steps to researching nonfiction texts.
Are You Independent? Fireworks begin in my neighborhood way before July 4th. But I wonder if some revelers are more interested in making noise than in celebrating the anniversary of our nation’s independence. Independence. It’s in our country’s DNA. As American...
Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay. Good news! A couple years ago I was offered a new book contract. More news—I was required to find and acquire the photographs. Bad news? I used to think so. But with over 100 published books under my belt for publishers big and...
Jean Fritz. If you know her work, you'll be smiling at the mere mention of her name. Her humor has wooed and wowed millions of kids into learning American history. I want to be her when (if) I grow up. See that book below? You can get it for $1.49—what are you waiting...
Hadassah explains how to edit a video and gives some helpful links.
As children’s writers, we all know the importance of choosing the right word to use. Shakespeare has a famous quote “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That philosophy might work in Romeo and Juliet’s situation but not...
10 ways to use mentor texts when you’re writing devotionals.
Sally Matheny recommends 3 books for Christian teens.
Take a careful look at the painting below. Would you hang that in your home? Neither would I—and I painted it. That's my artwork I created at a Painting with a Twist party. Can you tell I copied a "masterpiece." To get better at painting, I'd need an instructor....
A Memorial Day devotional that points to Christ.
Six years of upstairs and downstairs entanglements and drama. Six years of pomp and circumstance. Six years of loyalties and betrayals. Six years of secrets and celebrations. All ending in 2016 at the end of season six. But it didn’t end there. Downton Abbey, the...
Strengthen your writing voice with 10 Journal Prompts for Writers.
The short answer is NOW! The long answer is NOW! A writing coach may seem expensive, but the experience will be less expensive than hiring an editor to fix it (and who won't coach you along the way). You also may pay the price of not seeing your book get picked up by...
Small Writings Do you despise small beginnings? When we fix our sights on a book contract, it’s easy to dismiss anything smaller as unworthy of our efforts. But doing so could be a huge mistake. I'm a big believer in the benefit of "small writings." The first payment...
Deborah DeCiantis reviews Lori Hatcher’s new devotional, Refresh Your Prayers: Uncommon devotions to restore power and praise
I'm currently doing research for three historical fiction projects. And all three will utilize different types of sources. I apologize that this post will mostly be lists and is a little dry. And it won't even been an exhaustive list. But it will show how a zealous...
Ever feel as if your writing is a waste of time? That the entire universe is laughing at your paltry literary efforts? That’s one of my biggest fears, and it’s founded on reality. I wrote three unsuccessful children’s book series for David C. Cook in the 1990s. And by...
Along with the devotions, there are Family Beatitudes: biblical blessings for happy families, Chat Prompts: conversations starters, Wrap Up: discussion ideas…and more! Writing devotions for children has an exciting caveat: we get to write lots of fun stuff to go along...
Award-winning nonfiction author, Annette Whipple, discusses writing inspirtaiton.
We know Jesus promised His Spirit would live in His followers. But what role does the Holy Spirit have in our writing? Join me in examining some familiar Bible verses from a writer’s perspective: The Holy Spirit is always with us (Jn. 14:16) Ever feel as if your...
“Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village? Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what she could imagine. This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.”
Does the idea of attending a writing critique group make you nervous? You’re not alone! Check out a few tips for calming those critique jitters.
Resources for writing your memoir.
Save the Cat Saves Your Novel–in more than one way!
Of course, the Person I am thankful first for is our Lord Jesus Christ--our Prophet, Priest, and King! Second, I'm thankful for my family, friends, and the wonderful fellowship of believers I am a part of every Lord's Day. Third, I'm thankful for the team of...
Image by Amberrose Nelson from Pixabay A picture book is all about your Main Character (MC) and the problem he or she is trying to solve. As in all manuscripts, the first page of your picture book plays an important role. We're going to talk about the text that will...
We’re excited to have Marianne Hering join our blogging staff.
Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixaba As any brave explorer would do before embarking on a journey, it’s important for us as children’s writers to choose a reliable flashlight to help us find our way.For writers, our flashlight is a mentor text. What exactly is a...
“Isn’t it common for Christians to talk about Jesus with far less interest than we show for our favorite team, music, or food?” (22) If God doesn’t speak to you in any other quote from God Breathed by Rut Etheridge III, He will through this one. At least, Etheridge’s...
Meet our new planning team member, Nancy I. Sanders
A writer can never have enough craft books—true or false? True, of course! In that case, I have two for you. The first, Blueprint for a Book is written by Jennie Nash, and the second is The Conflict Thesaurus. Both stellar in helping you flesh out plot and characters.
Kim Peterson provides three more trends in writing for young adults.
In Part I of this series, we’ve explored two trends in writing YA: fantasy and retellings. This time, let’s examine trends that speak to important social and cultural topics. TREND 3: EMPHASIZE MULTICULTURALISM AND DIVERSITY Stories with characters from different...
Kim Peterson shares two trends in writing for young adults.
What does is mean for a writer to practice good literary citizenship and why is it important?
Christian Themes in YA books.
You should be purposeful about creating your author brand. Consistency in your brand — the way you appear to others — brings a level of professionalism, quality and even trustworthiness to book buyers.
Compiled by Jean Matthew Hall If you would like to read up on writing for young adults before our September 18, 2021 Master Class with Tessa Emily Hall here are a few helpful website. Some contain quick tips. Some go into much more depth. They are handy resources for...
5 reasons to use social media BEFORE you publish your book.
Join me below as I take you through the motions of creating both on Canva.
Wanting to support a Christian journalist who openly owns her faith, I pre-ordered a copy of Shannon Bream’s new book, The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today (HarperCollins, 2021), but I confess my expectations were...
Have you been intrigued with Canva but found it intimidating? Well, now is your chance to explore it. All you need is a free Canva account and a bit of patience and time. You will find it fun and inspiring - I guarantee it! Take a listen to my tutorial below and see...
Struggling with building your author platform? Here are a few simple steps to help you get started.
It's my 2nd book birthday! I can't believe The Heart Changer debuted with Ambassador International on April 26th, 2019. Looking back, my book launch was a busy but rewarding time. Knowing I needed to continue marketing (not always easy for me), I am repurposing my...
Yay! Pop open a new pack of pens and pour color ink into the printer. That’s how writers are celebrating the “grand reopening” of the Write2Ignite Pinterest account. Fresh layout designs and up-to-date pins are ready to encourage and assist writers, as well as...
How do you develop your Instagram presence and draw followers? Today I will share more tips about using your bio, images and hashtags to their best advantage.
Here’s a glimpse into Laura Sassi’s Picture Book Master Class is next month.
A common phrase I have heard my writing mentors say is, “Learn the craft.” Often times when people give advice, they forget to tell you how it is done. My writing mentor, Carol Baldwin has poured time and energy into my writing life....
A common phrase I have heard my writing mentors say is, “Learn the craft.” Often times when people give advice, they forget to tell you how it is done. My writing mentor, Carol Baldwin has poured time and energy into my writing life....
Social Media for Today’s Writer offers practical advice for building an author platform. Read a full review here.
Social media can be intimidating, especially for a new or pre-published author. There are so many options — so how do we choose?
I have loved watching movie shorts since I was little but making one myself was harder than I expected. I quickly realized that I needed a grasp of basic storytelling, scriptwriting, filming, and editing in order to produce even a short, three-minute-long movie. My...
Comp titles are an opportunity to highlight the best elements of our stories. But where do we find titles that will pack a punch?
Making time to spend with God a priority – the best new year resolution for 2021!
A Review by Jean Matthew Hall of STEERING THE CRAFT: A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY GUIDE TO SAILING THE SEA OF STORY by Ursula K. LeGuin Dear Writers, If the beauty of language thrills you; If you love weaving words, sounds and silences as they move readers through a story;...
Are you looking forward to a New Year with no mistake (to paraphrase Anne of Green Gables)? Have you been searching for another way to keep track of all your writerly progress? Enter THE BULLET JOURNAL!! It's a unique method for organizing your life - no matter what...
Flipped for the Flip Dictionary! Writers use a wide variety of resources. You probably own a dictionary (or two!) and a thesaurus. Perhaps you have a market guide such as the Christian Writer’s Market Guide on your bookshelf. You may use The Chicago Manual of...
In college, research papers would make my stomach churn. It felt like a daunting task that hovered over the fun of learning something new. As important as research is when writing a novel, I have learned that I can approach it in a way that makes it more fun and...
"Too few [writers] are open to the possibility that the business side calls for as much imagination as the artistic process itself . . . An open attitude toward business can provide focus, discipline, and, sometimes most importantly, self-awareness about what you want...
Being Thanksgiving Day, I want to show my gratitude for technology. If it weren't for the Internet, Zoom, and our devices, we would be isolated indeed! Virtual Research Are you working on a manuscript, but finding it difficult to do the research you need, since...
While you’re accumulating your list of blessings to share around the Thanksgiving table, don’t forget to include these features that make up your writing journey. You can find many reasons to be thankful for it this season. Be thankful for… A never-ending...
TIP #5 Use context to recognize, understand, and interpret literal and metaphorical language. Historical, social, cultural, and biblical contexts are essential for understanding literal and metaphorical elements in speech and writing. Accurate understanding should...