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
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
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
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
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
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