Christian romance novels are topping the charts

Christian romance novels

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

Finding your writing style as an author

writing style

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

3 love themes for Christian authors

love

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

3 dialogue pitfalls fiction authors should avoid

dialogue

Adding dialogue to a story is often a necessary component, one that many writers dread. It’s challenging at best and, perhaps, disastrous at worst. Fiction authors risk boring, confusing or disappointing their readers if their novels lack quality in dialogue.  The idea of good versus bad writing is debatable. One thing is certain—all fiction authors … Read more

Christian romance novels—what about love scenes?

romance

Authors who write stories grounded in the Biblical principles of Christianity face unique issues. They write in a specific niche. While there are no set rules, there are several unspoken norms, which readers of Christian romance novels might expect. For example, such readers would expect stories in this genre to be free from profanity and … Read more

Writing sequels—good or bad?

sequels

Have you ever read a story that drew you in so deeply you were sad when it ended? You didn’t want to be without the characters. They’d become part of your daily life, so much so that you’d find yourself thinking about them, eagerly awaiting free time so that you could dive back into the … Read more

Stop using dead words when you write

dead words

In a post on Author, an online publication dedicated to the creative writing process, writers are warned against “zombie” words. These are words most writers use at some point, perhaps not realizing just how often. We will refer to “zombie” words as “dead words” to make this post less terrifying, lol. No matter what you … Read more

The multiple meanings of literary tropes

literary tropes

It’s easy to see how an automobile has changed, adapted and advanced from its original form. In the writing industry, terminology sometimes evolves or changes in time just as inventions or products might do. There are words and phrases that are commonly understood to mean certain things among writers; however, such meanings sometimes change. Such … Read more

Advantages of publishing with a small boutique

publishing

Most of us are familiar with major publishers, such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and more. These companies provide readers with best-selling material from iconic authors, such as Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, and others. However, if you’re writing niche books, and especially if you’re a new author, you might want … Read more

Writing outlines—are you a plotter or a pantser?

writing outlines

Students who study composition are typically familiar with basic essay or creative story writing skills. If you’re thinking of becoming an author, some of the lessons you learned in composition class may come in handy. One of the skills your instructor probably focused on at some point is “writing outlines.” Writing outlines helps authors organize … Read more