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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for January 2023

Archives for January 2023

Start Writing Your Book

By Steve Laubeon January 30, 2023
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“I’m going to write a book someday” is a frequent statement heard by every editor, agent, or published author. I tend to believe the sentiment, but that is where it ends for many–a sentiment.

A survey done for Thriftbooks in late 2021 (link here) found that more than half of the respondents thought they had an idea for a novel. Of those, six percent were halfway done, and eight percent were finished. That means, of the other 86%, quite a number have yet to begin.

Sounds to me that one of the keys to writing your book is to start writing it. That may seem a silly thing to suggest, especially to this audience; but there is method to that obvious advice.

For those writing fiction, remember there is a craft to good storytelling. Everything from pace to characterization to dialogue to setting. Each piece creates a tapestry. It’s not easy, but it can be fun! A number of novelists try their hand at flash fiction or short stories (not necessarily for publication) to get a feel for the craft.

In nonfiction, consider short-form writing first: articles, blogs, guest posts, and more. Dozens of successful writers developed their writing by starting small. These shorter pieces can be used to attract readers and build a platform. Often nonfiction puts the author in a position of being a Subject-Matter Expert, a go-to person on a particular area of interest.

But none of this can happen until you start. How about today?

Stumped on where to start? JournalBuddies.com has a list of 64 writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing. (Example: “If the color blue could speak, what would it say?”)

 

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Category: The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – January 27, 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 27, 2023
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Today’s video is an oldie but a goodie: the Marx Brothers around a piano from the movie Animal Crackers. Can you believe this film is 93 years old? Silly fun that still can make you smile. (If you can’t see the video in your email newsletter subscription, click through to the site itself.)

Read moreFun Fridays – January 27, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays

Bestselling Christian Books in 1977

By Dan Balowon January 26, 2023
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Forty-five years ago this spring (March 12, 1978), The New York Times ran a story giving the best-selling books of 1977. They created the list by sampling 2,500 Christian bookstores affiliated with the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). While bestseller lists of Christian books are derived differently now, this list is interesting and shows how the Christian publishing market has …

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Category: Publishing History

New All-Access Membership to The Christian Writers Institute

By Steve Laubeon January 23, 2023
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We are excited to announce a new, all-access membership option for The Christian Writers Institute! Keep reading to find out more. _____ In this agency blog, we often encourage you to improve your understanding of the craft and become involved in a writing community. Authors are often surprised to realize that writing isn’t the solitary “sit and stare at the computer screen 8 hours a day” job that …

Read moreNew All-Access Membership to The Christian Writers Institute
Category: Christian Writers Institute

Fun Fridays – January 20, 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 20, 2023
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Ten Perplexing Questions If tomatoes are a fruit, is ketchup considered a smoothie? Which orange came first – the fruit or the color? If you told someone to “be a leader and not a follower,” wouldn’t they become a follower by following your advice? What would happen if Pinocchio said, “My nose will grow now”? Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food? If a word is misspelled …

Read moreFun Fridays – January 20, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays

Fun Fridays – January 13, 2022

By Steve Laubeon January 13, 2023
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On Friday the 13th, we must be reminded that there is always “that” backseat driver in the car. Don’t be “that” this year. (If you can’t see the video in your email newsletter subscription, click through to the site itself.)

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Category: Fun Fridays, The Writing Life

6 Joys of Starting a New Writing Project

By Bob Hostetleron January 12, 2023
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It’s a new year! A fresh start. A turn of the page. What better time is there to start a new writing project, whether that’s a new novel manuscript, book proposal, article query, blog post, or poem? So, what are you waiting for? After all, consider the joys of starting something new: The world is your oyster. Possibilities abound. Whatever and wherever you begin, the first steps of a fresh, new …

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Category: Career, The Writing Life

I Am a Writer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 11, 2023
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My father always resolved never to make New Year’s resolutions. Admirable indeed, although few possess his fortitude! What are your goals for 2023? I remember when I first started writing articles and books for publication. Rejections abounded, and this was at a time of plentiful magazines and regional newspapers publishing unknown authors. Winning a contract from a traditional book publisher has …

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Category: The Writing Life

New Year Goal Planning With Mary DeMuth

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on January 10, 2023
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This year, set writing goals that are ambitious and reasonable and learn how to stick with your plan.
You can listen to this episode New Year Goal Planning With Mary DeMuth on Christian Publishing Show.

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Category: The Writing Life

New Year Goal Planning With Mary DeMuth

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on January 10, 2023
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This year, set writing goals that are ambitious and reasonable and learn how to stick with your plan.
You can listen to this episode New Year Goal Planning With Mary DeMuth on Christian Publishing Show.

Read moreNew Year Goal Planning With Mary DeMuth
Category: The Writing Life
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