For the past two years, I’ve been pouring myself into a memoir. I spent time brainstorming, planning, writing, editing, and finally settled on my plan of action. I wrote about ten chapters and have been fine-tuning them. I asked a couple of friends to read through what I had so far to get some feedback. After talking with them, I had a painful … [Read more...]
A Much Needed Push (For The Christian Writer)
February 25, 2013 by 6 Comments
I’ll never forget that first day of class. It was my junior year of college and I enrolled in – what I thought – would be a blow-off class. Boy was I wrong. It was a communications class with a new professor by the name of Dr. Hensley. Hensley got up, stared at us until we quieted down, and said: “I am not Mr. Rogers. I don’t like you … [Read more...]
Two Ways To React To Editing
February 17, 2013 by 5 Comments
Recently, I worked on a group project with several writers. After getting our initial thoughts on paper, we gave our thoughts on each other’s writing. Then it was time to move to the next step. Editing We sent the work to a professional editor to look at. A couple of weeks later, I received what looked like a graded term paper in my inbox. … [Read more...]
Critiquing versus Criticism
February 12, 2013 by 11 Comments
One of the things that happens as a writer is you are subject to other people’s comments and opinions. Those opinions can either be positive or negative, constructive or destructive. Unfortunately, if you write, blog or guest post, there is no way around it. However, I’ve discovered there is a significant difference between criticizing and … [Read more...]
I Am Not A Starving Artist
January 23, 2013 by 13 Comments
Three weeks ago, my husband and I were out looking at cars. We walked into a dealers shop and a manager came out to meet us. After showing us around, he turned to me and asked, … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Define Success As a Christian Writer
January 14, 2013 by 7 Comments
Writing for God is decidedly different from being an average writer. What we do, how we do it and even what we gain from it are unique experiences. We write because God has given us a voice and we want to use that voice to bring others closer to him. Our goals should not be to make money or become famous. But since those are the things generally … [Read more...]
Why We Are Christian Writers
December 16, 2012 by 13 Comments
We all write for a reason. Whether it’s to make a living or to get your thoughts on paper, you have a purpose for putting words on paper. Have you ever thought about that purpose? Do you know why it is you happen to be a Christian writer, specifically? I’m willing to bet it’s for the same reason as me. … [Read more...]
Remembering Why I Write
December 12, 2012 by 12 Comments
Sometimes I wonder why I write. Is anybody listening? Do people care what I have to say? Do you have those questions? Do you ever think, “Why do I write? Does anybody out there even care?” Let’s face it: being a writer is hard work. It’s not easy and it’s often filled with loneliness and besetting doubts. But when we write for … [Read more...]
When Is It Okay To Step Away From Your Work?
November 6, 2012 by 16 Comments
That blinking cursor taunts me. Having a work in progress can be very draining. As much fun as it is to work on it, sometimes I just want it done. My current work in progress is a memoir about worship; how important it is and how I struggle with it. I’m putting a lot of myself into it, filling it with as many personal stories as I can … [Read more...]
Three Quick Tips Becoming A Better Christian Writer
November 5, 2012 by 17 Comments
Twenty years ago as I worked on my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) I was assigned as a TA to teach writing. Even though I had written what felt to me like a lot of essays and papers, there is nothing quite like teaching a subject to make one sit up and pay attention. Language can be spectacularly beautiful and so tricky that … [Read more...]
Responsible Blogging About Contemporary Issues Requires Research
October 29, 2012 by 2 Comments
The professional bloggers all say that a blogger needs about 90 minutes to create a quality post. They also say that rich, valuable, well-written content attracts and retains readers. If I write a slice of life or a rant about my opinion, I can easily write a post of 500-700 words, edit and polish it and schedule it for publication inside a … [Read more...]
