April

You’d be hard-pressed to find an author (even a prolific, best-selling one) who hasn’t experienced disappointment at some point. Every submission is a new and unique event. Acceptance is not guaranteed. It’s helpful to understand why publishers sometimes reject a fiction manuscript. Keep in mind that rejection doesn’t automatically signify the end of the road … Read more

As an author who writes Christian novels, you no doubt review each of your stories to ensure they have clearly developed elements, such as theme, plot, characters and settings. Readers’ satisfaction might be low if you have failed to develop one or more of these elements in a story. They will be left with feelings … Read more

Writing a novel based on the ideologies of Christianity doesn’t mean the characters or events in the story must be overt in the faith. Think C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien. Their novels are filled with wizards and monstrous beings, other worlds and epic battles. Reading the inside cover synopses of their stories wouldn’t necessarily clue … Read more

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that begins at the end or, at least, at the climax of the story? From the opening scene or page, you are then transported back in time so that by the end, you understand why the things that occurred at the beginning (of the novel … Read more

Some people are naturally curious, especially in childhood. Do you ask a lot of questions? If someone walks into a room that you’ve never met, do you immediately introduce yourself and try to find out more about them? Do you often wonder things, such as what life is like in another country or how big … Read more

It’s easy to find articles on ways to spark creativity and overcome the greatly feared “author’s slump.” It happens to most writers at some point. However, just like taking pain relief medication treats a symptom but does nothing to resolve an underlying cause, it’s important to understand what causes writer’s block, not just how to … Read more

If you’re an author, it behooves you to know and connect with your target audience. There are many apps and types of software available to track the habits of consumers, such as where they shop or what they do for fun. Here’s some good news: Statistics show that people ages 16 and beyond still list … Read more

If you’re hoping to become a fiction novelist and are wondering which genre is popular among readers today, there’s one that stands out. In fact, many analysts say it’s more than a genre; it’s a movement. We’re talking about the Christian romance niche.  It’s booming.  Writing Christian romance novels is (or, at least, should be) different … Read more

You’ve probably noticed that you often excel at things you enjoy and in which you demonstrate talent. For example, if you have a flare for interior design, you might enjoy helping friends and family decorate their homes. You might even decide to pursue a career in the industry. On the flipside, when tasked with things … Read more

In a recent post on this blog, we discussed the literary term “trope,” and its various meanings and translations in today’s fiction industry. Specific elements are familiar to authors and readers alike. Examples of thematic tropes might include topics, such as “Good triumphs over evil,” or “Bad guys wear black and good guys wear white.” … Read more