Become a Better Writer
We know that authors should read, read, read in the genre they write. So, for example, if you aspire to being a children’s fiction author, you should read tons of children’s fiction. If you want to write devotions for teens, you should read lots and lots of devotions for teens. Gathering the books you need […]
Do You Write in a Bubble?
Are you familiar with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) syndrome? It’s a genetic illness that strips people of their immune system. They’re vulnerable to infectious diseases that aren’t a problem for most of the general population. As a result, those who suffer from SCID must live in a bubble—a sterile environment with filtered air. They can’t […]
How Roundups Build Credibility
What does herding cattle have to do with writing? Surprisingly, more than you might expect. Both jobs require skill, stamina, and a willingness to get dusty and weary pursuing your goal. It also shows the value of rounding related things up into one place. That’s the aspect we’re going to explore today.
Finding the Elusive Balance
One of the things I hear a lot of writers talk about is the balance between family life and career. In the countless interviews I’ve given through the years, the question of how I juggle the needs of my family with the demands of my writing career often comes up. Balance seems elusive. Parents can […]
What Do You Pray for Your Writing?
What do you pray for your writing? You might think that’s a silly question. Of course we pray for our writing. But what, exactly, are we praying for? If we’re honest, our prayers are often centered on requests for favor with agents and publishers. Book contracts, large advances, and strong sales top our lists. Although […]
Write to the Heartfelt Needs of Kids
I was surprised at my reaction to the back-to-school sales. Last spring, I left teaching to write full time. I didn’t expect to have strong feelings about back-to-school supplies this summer, but I did. It was obvious that the children and parents in the store had their own range of emotions, too. Nervousness Excitement Dread […]
Read What You Write
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” ~ Stephen King I don’t like the horror genre (it gives me nightmares), so I’m not a fan of Stephen King. But when he’s right, he’s right. Romance writers read romance. Science fiction writers read […]
Where is your writing place/space?
Do you have a special place where you like to write? What makes it work for you? Kathleen M. Muldoon wrote a chapter in her book Sowing Seeds: Writing for the Christian Children’s Market about the importance of setting up a place to write. Here are the first few paragraphs from Chapter 3, “In the Beginning”: The book […]
Be an Author – Do One Thing
Do you have dreams of being an author? Specifically, you may feel a calling from God to write for children. I challenge you to do one thing this summer. Pick something from the list below. Do one thing. Attend a writers conference. Join a critique group. Subscribe to a journal for writers. Spend 30 minutes […]
Is Writing the Impossible Mission?
Writing conference season is in full swing. Conferences are such exciting times-filled with renewed relationships, new friendships, and countless dreams. Mixed in with the dreams, however, are less appealing realities. Changing markets, a depressed economy, and the small percent of manuscripts that see publication, not to mention agents, queries, verb tense, and point-of-view all present […]