April

Perhaps the wheels of your creative mind have been spinning, weaving a story that you think would make a great book. Maybe it’s not your first rodeo and you’ve taken this journey several times already, although no two writing experiences are the same.  Then again, this might be your maiden voyage—your testing-the-waters venture. Either way, you might … Read more

There’s always room for improvement. This is a statement that is applicable to many aspects of life. It’s especially true regarding writing skills. Even the most prolific, best-selling authors can become better at their craft.  Writing skills are, for the most part, learned, although some authors seem to have inherent creativity and ability to write … Read more

Becoming a Christian fiction author is a goal to which many authors aspire. Many issues factor in regarding what makes some writers more successful than others. Those who aren’t getting the sales they’d hoped for often have not identified their target audience.  You could be the world’s greatest writer; if no one knows about your … Read more

Stories begin in an author’s mind in many ways. You might meet someone or go somewhere that sparks ideas in your head. Before you know it, you are spinning a tale, complete with fictional characters who will help you turn your idea into (hopefully) best-selling novel. There’s always a risk of over-writing, however, meaning you … Read more

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