Faith

The Only Answer

By Steve Laubeon December 17, 2018

The Christmas season is one that is full of family, fun, food, and friends. But under it all is the foundation of our joy. The answer to our greatest longing. Of course, saying there is an answer assumes there is a question. Finances, relationships, job, writing, family, church, and school all ask different questions.

For me, the beauty of the Christ story is that He is the answer to every question. It has been said that “Jesus plus nothing equals everything.”

May you find that He is truly the final answer for you. And as you write and explore a life of faith, may this current Advent season of waiting, preparing, expecting, and giving grant you insight into the riches that only He can provide.

Writers Give to Others

By Steve Laubeon December 10, 2018

My hope is that this headline is true. While the writing profession (or obsession as some describe it) is a solitary one, it is in giving to others where its impact can be felt.

Time

The gift of time is precious as we are given a finite amount in this life. To mentor another writer. To blog freely. To teach at a conference or school setting. All are example of a beautiful way to both give …

Category: Book Business, Career, Encouragement, Faith, InspirationTag: Giving, Writing Craft

Integrity in All Things

By Steve Laubeon September 24, 2018

The issue of integrity, or lack thereof, has reared its head within our community of Christian writers. (A link to the article “Sexual Harassment Uncovered at Christian Writing Conferences.”) It is a time of sorrow. Many have been hurt, and the heart aches to hear and read the stories. It is ugly, horrible, and that’s just about what we know. It is inexcusable. Innocent lives forever changed. Our …

Category: Agency, Faith, Personal, Theology

A Literary Agent’s Prayer

By Bob Hostetleron August 1, 2018

God, Who used words to speak the whole universe into existence, Who chose human language to communicate Divine truths, Who wrote your commandments on tablets of stone, And inspired mere mortals to publish your immortal and eternal Word, hear my prayer. ___ I am your servant, and I am a literary agent. Lord, help me. Grant that even with all the words and sentences, paragraphs and pages I must read …

Category: Agents, FaithTag: Agents

Unnecessary Worry

By Dan Balowon November 28, 2017

In the third and final installment of my “unnecessary” series of blog posts, today we will explore the issue of unnecessary worry. (Yes, I am going for the “w” theme with the posts, starting with words, then work. I am a sucker for intentionality and the obvious.) For followers of Jesus, you cannot venture very far into the issue of worry without bumping into Scripture, as worry is addressed …

Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing LifeTag: The Writing Life, Worry

A Writer’s Hope Springs Eternal

By Steve Laubeon November 27, 2017

Writers can be quietly optimistic amidst their seasons of doubt. It is that hope of success that helps make the daily slog a little easier. I reflected on hope by finding a few inspirational quotes: Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. ― Desmond Tutu Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops …

Category: Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Hope

The Curse of the Writer

By Steve Laubeon November 20, 2017

Speaking from an agent's perspective...
I have more conversations with clients about their feelings of anxiety, apprehension or insecurity than almost any other topic. Almost every writer I have ever worked with as an editor or an agent severely doubts themselves at some point in the process.

Doubts occur in the midst of creation.
Doubts occur when the disappointing royalty statement …

Category: Career, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Reviews, The Writing LifeTag: Book Business, Doubt, Editors, Get Published, Pitching, Rejection, Writing Craft, Writing Life

Your First Writing Assignment

By Bob Hostetleron October 25, 2017

If your writing doesn’t start with this practice, you’re cheating yourself. Lauren Winner, author of the wonderful memoirs, Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath, tells about an experience she had when a writing student of hers showed her part of a memoir that was astounding, far better than this student’s usual writing. Winner asked the student what had transformed her writing over the course of …

Category: Career, Faith, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Faith, Prayer, The Writing Life

Writing Thoughtful Books

By Dan Balowon August 15, 2017

There has always been a hierarchy in fiction distinguishing “literary” from “popular” books, with lines drawn between both topics and reading levels. Authors of each are different, somewhat like actors who work on stage versus those who work on screen. Comparisons of literary vs. popular and stage vs. screen are often done in a derogatory manner. Christian authors describing non-fiction might use …

Category: Art, Faith, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Faith, fiction, Nonfiction, Theology

Is Your Glass Half Empty?

By Steve Laubeon June 12, 2017

Over the decades it has been interesting to listen to and read the various pundits regarding the publishing industry. Typically those who spell out doom and gloom get the attention (fortifying the idea that “if it bleeds, it leads”). At the same time there is the optimist position which is often derided for being unrealistic. After awhile I’ve learned to smile and simply get back …

Category: Christian, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Personal, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Encouragement, Faith, The Publishing Life