Archives for January 2015

“Frozen” Fun Fridays – January 30, 2015

By Steve Laubeon January 30, 2015

In honor of our countrymen buried by snow this past week…three videos taken from your “favorite” movie musical… FROZEN!

First is a brilliant acapella medley with two incredible voices…

The second is the Star Wars parody version of the song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eJeCM60awo

And to top them all… A school principle in Rhode Island recorded this version of “Let it Go” with the words “School is Closed!” as a way to let everyone know they should stay home last Tuesday because of the looming blizzard. Applause for Principle Glendinning!!!

In the Garden – A Creative Exercise

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 29, 2015

Some writers tell me that ideas flow so fast they don’t have time to write them all. Others say the muse can be reticent. One thing both types of writers seem to have in common is a love of the creative exercise. Through my devotional reading, I entered into a creative exercise that I think many writers will enjoy. Would you like to join me? The idea that your soul can be compared to a …

Category: CreativityTag: Creativity

A Love Affair with Words

By Karen Ballon January 28, 2015

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I love writers. Love how much they love words. Love how they seem to know from the earliest age, that words are more than just letters strung together, they’re… Power. Persuasion. Delight. Wonder. Magic. As I pondered this, I looked back at those early days when I started to discover I was a word person. And I wondered… When did writing first sing to us? To me? To you? Whose words first stirred …

Category: Creativity, Personal, Writing CraftTag: Stories, The Writing Life, words

Don’t Look Now, But You Are Being Followed

By Dan Balowon January 27, 2015

The world is filled with paranoid delusional conspiracy theorists involved in an elaborate campaign out to get the rest of us! Attention everyone! To the underground bunker! So, you think you own an e-book “reader”? Think again bunky. That e-book reading machine is spying on you. Seriously folks, if you don’t know this already, your e-book reader is a two-way communication device that allows you …

Category: Book Business, TrendsTag: E-Books, E-Readers, Trends

Fun Fridays – Jan. 23, 2015

By Steve Laubeon January 23, 2015

Cats and books. Ne’er the twain shall c0-exist without conflict. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW_lliybcb8?list=PLGTBqhN4e5IQ0r_4aGjjjETToUpqhpP9v

Category: Fun Fridays

Suspending Disbelief

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 22, 2015

After watching a television series about the life of St. Teresa de Jesus, my husband and I viewed the special bonus about the making of the film, in the early 1980s. One scene showed travelers, using conveyances common to the 16th century, moving toward several parked trucks. Another scene showed vehicles parked behind a village facade. An outtake showed St. Teresa speaking, with a contemporary …

Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

Five Steps to Finding Hot Topics

By Karen Ballon January 21, 2015

Last week we talked about finding things to write about, things that will resonate with our readers, by looking at the people around us. Today I want to share some easy steps you can take to dig deeper into this idea. Step One Start by looking at yourself. Yes, you. Look deep within and ask yourself the following (but give the real answer. This isn’t about looking good, even to yourself. It’s …

Category: Creativity, Get Published, Platform, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, Topics

But My Book is Unique!

By Dan Balowon January 20, 2015

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Excerpt from author cover letter: (not real) “Dear (Agent or Publisher), The enclosed book proposal contains never-before-seen information to help the most important of all human relationships. It identifies six different kinds of languages of love, combines the findings of extensive studies from all cultures and is endorsed by every important person living within one hundred miles of my home. It …

Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, Get Published

Watching History

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 15, 2015

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Over the holidays, my husband and I viewed an epic series about the life of St. Teresa de Jesus, filmed in Spanish, though English subtitles were provided. For eight hours, we were taken back to the 1500s in Spain. As a writer of historical novels, I’ve researched many eras. However, being immersed in an era for such a length of time brought to life many facts: 1.) Even in the best of …

Category: Genre, Writing CraftTag: Genre, Historical, Research

Finding Your Readers’ Hot Topic

By Karen Ballon January 14, 2015

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One of the fun things about being an agent is that I get to work with all kinds of books, fiction and nonfiction. I love words, and I’m excited about working with others who love them. I’m passionate about working with books that I believe will have a real impact, both in the here and now and in the eternal sense. Books that encourage, strengthen, and challenge people, and books that share deep, …

Category: Career, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Topics