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A Brave Heart

By Dan Balowon June 24, 2014

The 2014 Christy Awards were held last night in Atlanta, Georgia. Check the Christy Award’s website for the winners and other information.

Three years ago in 2011, when the International Christian Retail Show was last held in Atlanta, the keynote speaker for the Christy Awards was Randall Wallace, who had a novel about to release from Tyndale House. Mr. Wallace is known for his writing and work in film. His screen play for the Academy Award winning “Braveheart” in 1995 launched a successful career. Since then, he has produced and/or directed the films: “We Were Soldiers,” “Secretariat,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” “Pearl Harbor” and most recently, “Heaven is For Real.”

The last scene of “Braveheart” depicted the battle between the Scots and the army of England at Bannockburn, the defining moment in the Scottish war for independence from the English crown. The battle occurred on June 24, 1314…exactly seven hundred years ago today. So, what better time to connect some dots on this day after the Christy Awards and the anniversary of an historic battle. The emcee of the 2011 Christy Awards was Liz Curtis Higgs and if you click below, watch the emotional and poignant speech from Mr. Wallace as he speaks about the power of story in his life.

Randall Wallace Keynote Speech

A Matter of Experience

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 19, 2014

Sometimes I’ll have one of those days where I’m minding my own business, when I pick up the phone to discover the author on the other end of the line is irate. (No, this is not a rerun of an article from the 20th century. I do still have a land line for my office). “Ohhh, Tamela! I know that Hell is indeed located on Earth and where is it? It’s at my publisher’s …

Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, Tamela, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Career, publishing, The Publishing Life

My Secret Writer’s Tool

By Karen Ballon June 18, 2014

Guest post by Jennifer Sienes Jennifer Sienes, one of Karen’s clients, is a talented fiction writer who according to editors has a gift for bringing out the emotional power of the scene. She was recently named as a finalist in the 2014 Genesis contest with her novel Redemption. You can find out more and read her blog at www.jennifersienes.com I’ve been reading the Steve Laube Agency …

Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: Spouses, The Writing Life, Writing tools

God’s Map

By Dan Balowon June 17, 2014

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT) This has significant implications for authors and book publishers. Over my career, I observe cases that prove that “your future is determined more by your successes than by your plans.” Anyone who knows me has probably heard me say that at one point or another, multiple times. Of course, that statement is flawed, …

Category: Dan, TheologyTag: Christian, Planning, Theology

Fun Fridays – June 13, 2014

By Steve Laubeon June 13, 2014

Angelina Jordan, eight years old, Wins the “Norway’s Got Talent” competition with this song in the finals. We featured her a month ago with her original audition and other performances. Ironically my wife and I just saw Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” at Gammage Theatre last week. The actress who sang “Summertime” was incredible. But little Angelina …

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

A Favorite Character Trait

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 12, 2014

When I was younger, I felt that some of my friends allowed me to take on a disproportionate amount of expense when we did things together. Sometimes, I felt taken advantage of, even used. Now I don’t feel that way. Probably because I now have super friends and I have more money. But still, I had to learn how to navigate these minefields because I didn’t know how. Why? Because I was …

Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Personal

The Power of Well Chosen Words

By Karen Ballon June 11, 2014

While I was at the Write! Vancouver writers’ conference in Vancouver, BC a few weeks ago, a gentleman by the name of Wade Larson gave a talk in which he shared what have been called the most powerful speeches ever given: Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Winston Churchill’s series of speeches. I thought he would tell us about those speeches …

Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

How Many Would Attend a Following Conference?

By Dan Balowon June 10, 2014

I have been to many leadership conferences and seminars and read any number of books on the subject. Leadership is everywhere. Books, videos, seminars, audios, websites, organizations and ministries are in place to help people in all walks of life lead better. But I have wondered if there would be as much excitement for a book or seminar that encourages faithful following? We follow Jesus, but …

Category: Craft, Creativity, Dan, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

Fun Fridays – June 6, 2014

By Steve Laubeon June 6, 2014

Next time you receive a rejection letter? Next time you receive a bad review? Next time you tell yourself you don’t have what it takes to be a writer? Next time you fail at what you know you are called to do? Watch the below video and remind yourself of the power of determination.

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Where are the Worthy Characters?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 5, 2014

I just finished reading a general market novel that left me wishing I had used that time to read a good Christian novel instead. I am not going to name the book because it isn’t my intent to offer a review. But the novel reminds me of many others in the general market. Well-written, well-received, heavy with social commentary. And populated with characters I didn’t like and …

Category: Craft, Reading, TamelaTag: Characters, Craft, Reading