Writing Craft

How Do I Identify the Needs of My Readers?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 10, 2020

The “Your Questions Answered” Series

__________

Could you offer some help for identifying the needs of readers? I am a strong biblical writer and want to share what I’ve learned, but it is hard for me to link it with a particular need.

Ask yourself:

What does the Bible say about relationships, such as:
1. Marriage
2. Children
3. Parents
4. Siblings
5. Extended family
6. Church
7. Friends
What does the Bible say about:
1. Finances
2. Career
3. Family
4. Manhood
5. Womanhood
What does the Bible say about handling emotions, such as:
1. Grief
2. Loneliness
3. Despair
How does the Bible help us identify and conquer sin, such as:
1. Pride
2. Envy
3. Lust
4. Greed
5. Sloth
6. Gluttony
7. Anger
What does the Bible tell us about small things that can be big things, such as:
1. Negligence
2. Pilfering
3. Vanity
4. Thoughtlessness
5. Narcissism
6. Cutting humor
7. Attention-seeking
8. Criticizing
9. Gossip
10. Thrill-seeking
11. Malcontention

In other words, choose a topic that resonates with the people around you and stirs passion in yourself. Then write a book that will help the person in the pew. Godspeed!

Your turn:

What topics would you like to see addressed in nonfiction?

Can you recommend books for this author to read?

For the entire series, click here: “Your Questions Answered.”

Only Hours Left to Save the Writers Conference at Mount Hermon

By Steve Laubeon August 29, 2020

As you may recall, nearly six weeks ago we began a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funding to ensure that the writers conference at Mount Hermon could proceed as planned in 2021. (Click here for the campaign page and for more details.) We are at 61% of the goal as of this writing, which is rather incredible with over 220 people contributing!. But we are still short. The campaign will end at …

Category: Conferences

Don’t Know Much About Editors

By Bob Hostetleron August 26, 2020

A literary agent is not an editor–or a publicist. That may seem obvious to some, since the words are all spelled quite differently. But I occasionally get a submission from an aspiring writer who wants me to act as one or the other. I have been an editor (of both magazines and books), but an agent has a different role from those people. So I thought I’d try to clarify the various kinds of …

Category: Book Business, Editing, The Publishing Life

Should You Write Short Stories First?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2020

The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ What are your thoughts on writing some short stories before you jump into your first novel? I don’t recommend writing short stories before jumping into your first novel IF your goal is to be a novelist. Writing where you don’t want your success to be is akin to the dieter craving a chocolate candy bar but eating a container of yogurt instead. I’ve …

Category: Branding, Career, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

What I Learned from Editors

By Bob Hostetleron August 19, 2020

I’ve been writing for publication since my teen years, when the world was young and the Garden of Eden’s discount fruit stand was still in business. As you might imagine, I’ve worked with more than a few editors over the years (and even been an editor myself). Though some writers see editors as “the enemy” (or perhaps the stumbling blocks in their paths), I’ve always had great relationships with …

Category: Craft, Editing, The Writing Life

Realistic Language in Fiction

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 6, 2020

The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I’m a former crime reporter and trauma survivor with lots of counseling writing a suspense novel. I’m trying to balance Christian fiction guidelines with the speech and behavior I’ve seen in police stations and at crime scenes. I’ve come up with some of my own ways to show through action that a cop is angry or frustrated, but can you guide us to some …

Category: Craft, Your Questions Answered Series

Show Versus Tell – HELP!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 30, 2020

The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ Could you write about the difference between showing and telling? I am constantly mixing them up. Thanks! Telling is like giving readers a grocery list. They must memorize facts to absorb your story. For example: She never stood out in a crowd, any crowd. She had bobbed hair the color of dishwater and expressionless brown eyes. Her clothes were …

Category: Craft, Your Questions Answered Series

What’s in a Name?

By Bob Hostetleron July 22, 2020

Years ago I was reading a book by Louis L’Amour, a favorite author of mine. I don’t remember which book it was (I haven’t yet read them all, but I’ve read many of them), but I do recall being confused throughout. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Because three of the main characters had similar names, names that all started with the letter T. Something like, Taggart, Taylor, and Trevayne. I was …

Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Writing Craft

Help Save the 2021 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

By Steve Laubeon July 13, 2020

As you may know, the 2020 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference was canceled due to COVID-19, ending 50 years of continuous operation. In addition, the Mount Hermon organization decided they could no longer sponsor the event moving forward. Just like that, the longest-running Christian Writers Conference ended. We’ve been asked to stand in the gap and save the conference, running it as …

Category: Conferences

Responding to Criticism

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 18, 2020

When someone tells me she’s not sure she wants me to read her manuscript, I know she’s not ready for publication. Such sentiment shows a lack of confidence and a fear of both rejection and criticism. Even though readers usually treat writers with respect, a critical word can puncture the heart.

Imagine the wounds delivered on Internet sites such as Amazon from readers who lack that respect. A …

Category: Book Business, Career, Social Media, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Criticism, Rejection, Writing Craft