The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – March 20, 2026

By Steve Laubeon March 20, 2026

It’s springtime somewhere. The rabbits are eating your garden. Today, let them make you laugh. Or at least read these to your kids or grandkids. At least they will appreciate the puns!

Funny Punny Bunnies

What do you get when you cross a rabbit with a leaf blower? A hare dryer!
What kind of books do rabbits read? Ones with hoppy endings.
Where do rabbits work? At IHOP restaurants!
I bought a bunny because everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
What do you call rabbits that live at the North Pole? Cold.
What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole? A hot cross bunny.
Why did the bunny bang his head on the piano? He was playing by ear!
What did the bunny say to the carrot? It’s been nice gnawing you.
Why are rabbits so lucky? They have four rabbit’s feet.
What is a rabbit’s favorite dance style? Hip-hop!

Your turn. Be nice.

Where to Begin?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 4, 2026

All novelists must decide where to begin. This decision may not be as easy as we think. Fresh readers won’t become fans if they never get past the opening. Even the first sentence must be compelling. Readers have a split-second attention span. Writers must hook them immediately. You may say, “But my novel is a slow burn story.” That’s fine. However, the writer’s challenge is even greater then. The …

Category: The Writing Life

Your Calling Is a Zig-Zag

By Guest Bloggeron February 23, 2026

Today we have a guest post from Will Parker Anderson, senior editor at WaterBrook Multnomah, both imprints of Penguin Random House Christian. He is also the founder of Writers Circle, a community to help Christian writers sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. You can find his newsletter and podcast there. I recommend you subscribe to his Substack. There, he brings …

Category: Editing, Guest Post, The Writing Life, Theology

Elevator Pitches

By Dan Balowon February 12, 2026

It is safe to say that every person reading this post has ridden on an elevator built by the Otis Elevator Company. The company is based in the U.S. and employs over 70,000 people, with annual revenue exceeding $14 billion. The founder, Elisha Otis, who, by the way, was a Christian man, would give short demonstrations of his invention’s features as early as the mid-1850s, explaining how things …

Category: Book Proposals, Pitching, Self-Publishing, The Writing Life

Eliminate This Dangerous Thinking Now!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 4, 2026

Comparisons are odious. This quote has been attributed to many since the words are so true. Competition can lead to dangerous thinking that must be eliminated in 2026 and beyond. I’m not as good as that author who’s been writing for decades. Are you sure? That author might have many published books, yet earns barely enough money to meet monthly bills. How can I compete with dead people? Rather …

Category: The Writing Life, Theology

Proof Is in the Platform

By Dan Balowon December 11, 2025

In many areas of business or ministry, before beginning to do something, staff members typically test whether the service, product, or approach can work in practice. At the very least, some level of research is conducted to ensure interest exists in what they are doing. Listening to feedback and identifying potential challenges is always wise before starting out. The only exceptions might be …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, The Writing Life

The Twelve Days of a Writer’s Christmas

By Bob Hostetleron December 3, 2025

You know “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song, right? Do you dislike it as much as I do? Do you turn off the music stream the moment it starts? Do you wish it would be banned from stores and restaurants? Love it or hate it, the song dates back centuries. And, like other delights of the season, such as fruitcake and plum pudding, it came from England. Thanks a lot, mates. But as odd and monotonous …

Category: Humor, Inspiration, The Writing Life

Inspiration or Perspiration?

By Steve Laubeon November 3, 2025

Thomas Edison was to have said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Apparently, he made 1,000 failed attempts to invent the light bulb. After accomplishing it, he was asked about all the previous failures. Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” The exercise of writing can be somewhat similar. If you wait …

Category: Career, Craft, Creativity, Editing, The Writing LifeTag: perseverance, The Writing Life

Jenga Books

By Dan Balowon October 23, 2025

Jenga is a game invented over 50 years ago, consisting of 54 small wooden blocks stacked in a tower. Players take turns removing blocks from the stack and placing them on top, making the tower increasingly unstable. When someone causes the tower to fall, they lose. The trick is to place a block in a precarious position, so the next player has no option but to make the stack collapse. Personally, …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Pitching, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life