Writing Craft

Why We Must Be Forthright

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 18, 2015

I’ve heard more than one writer say, “I’m sneaking Christianity into a book for the general market!”

Wanting to reach the unsaved is a wonderful mission, but in my opinion, sneaking (and I’m not kidding when I say authors actually use this verb) Christianity into books isn’t the way to do it.

Why not?

Well, for one, that’s not the example Christ set. True, He did challenge those who tried to trick him with lose/lose questions, but He never misled anyone about Himself.

Put another way: what if you were enjoying a story about a nice young couple falling in love. They had overcome several obstacles to their romance and you were looking forward to his marriage proposal. Then on page 269:

“Lucinda, I trust you worship the god ChocolateIsBadforYou.”

“Why, no, Peter. I worship the god ResponsibleFarming. And so must you, or we will both be banished to the Land of GlutenFreeFood forevermore!”

Peter beat his chest. “No! No! No! Why, oh why must it be so? Now all of us, including our readers, are doomed!”

As it is, we Christians look about this silly to some people who don’t worship the Lord. Do we really want to waste any good will and credibility by trying to dupe readers — saved or unsaved — just looking to escape into a well-written novel?

One way or another, a Christian writer’s world view will permeate her writing. Some of us choose to write boldly for our market. Others among us write for the general market. Either way, we must respect our chosen audience. Christ will do the rest.

Your turn:

What is your favorite general market book that portrays Christian values?

Do you write for the general market? What tips can you offer?

Eyes Open, Antennae Up

By Dan Balowon June 16, 2015

I can find humor anywhere. It’s a gift…or a curse. I waver on that regularly. About 35 years ago I was in a small grocery store across from our apartment to pick up a few things we needed. We didn’t have much storage space so we went to the store multiple times each week for few things each time, usually diapers and baby formula. To this day, I can still see the well-dressed middle age woman in …

Category: Craft, CreativityTag: Creativity, Humor, Writing Craft

What’s in a Name?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 11, 2015

Look at this list of names: Mary Maxwell Julius Cromwell Hector Williams Lucinda Smith Do they mean anything to you? Probably not, unless you happen to have some random connection to them such as you happen to have an aunt named Lucinda. Truth is, they don’t mean anything to me, either. I just made them up. (With apologies to the many people named Mary Maxwell, et al on Facebook.) But what …

Category: Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Character Names, Craft, Writing Craft

Starting Your Own Writer’s Conference

By Dan Balowon June 9, 2015

Tweet16

No, you don’t need to start your own writer’s conference, but the headline sounded attention-grabbing to me. Every writer needs to intentionally put themselves in a position to learn and be challenged in a variety of areas. The formal environment for that is the professional writer’s conference. Click here for a list, but you need something more consistent and ongoing as well. Not everyone lives …

Category: Conferences, The Writing LifeTag: Challenge Group, The Writing Life, writers conferences

When Your Book Becomes Personal

By Steve Laubeon June 8, 2015

Tweet30

I wish every writer could see what we see as agents and editors with regard to proposals. I wish they could experience the sheer variety of book ideas presented at writers conferences and through the submission process. It is breathtaking. And sometimes heartbreaking. I wrote down a selection of the true stories that have recently crossed my desk. This small sampling shows real-life events that …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Personal Stories

Colorado Conference Report

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 28, 2015

Tweet15

This past week, for the first time, I attended the The Write His Answer Christian Writers Conference Conference, in Colorado, where I was honored to be on faculty. Marlene Bagnull, conference director, is a wonderful woman with a heart for God who really cares about writers. Her staff was always cheerful and helpful. The conference as a whole reflected her spirit and was, as a result, a joyous …

Category: ConferencesTag: Report, Writers Conference

Wordsmith Tools

By Karen Ballon May 27, 2015

Tweet23

Thanks so much for all the great comments last week. I had such fun reading your thoughts and your must-edit words. It’s always so comforting to know we’re not alone in our struggles, isn’t it? So, now that we’ve confessed together, let’s take a look at some tools that can not only help you in the area of unique and effective word choices, but can actually increase your ability to portray …

Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Resources, Writing Craft

The Great Slot Mystery

By Dan Balowon May 26, 2015

Every traditional publishing company has a personality or focus that defines them and their product. Usually that personality or focus is determined by past success. They also know how many books they can effectively publish during a year. Combining focus and capacity, you have the beginnings of a publishing strategy. No publisher (or for that matter any company) will succeed for long unless they …

Category: Book Business, The Publishing LifeTag: Categories, publishing, The Publishing Life

Wordsmiths of the World, Unite!

By Karen Ballon May 20, 2015

Did you know you’re a wordsmith? If you’re a writer, you are. A wordsmith is defined by Webster’s as a “craftsman or artist whose medium is words.” That, my friends, is you. Which is why I’m coming to you today and asking you to have mercy on your readers. (Yes, I’m making this same request of myself as a writer.) Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, let’s be done with empty words in our …

Category: Craft, Editing, Grammar, Writing CraftTag: words, Writing Craft

How Many People Are Involved in Publishing Your Book?

By Steve Laubeon May 18, 2015

The above photo is somewhat illustrative of the number of people involved in getting your book to market. Even if you self-publish there are still many functions that you may have not done yourself. Below is not an exhaustive list but a rambling stream of consciousness when thinking about the people who are involved in the publishing process: Author (kinda important) literary agent (we think this …

Category: Book Business, Book Business, Defense of Traditional Publishing, Marketing, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Traditional Publishing