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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Citations In Non-Fiction Writing — Yes? No?
September 25, 2012 by 8 Comments
When No Higher Power was released, the advertising summary led me to believe it would be dead center in my writing niche – living Christian faith in a secular world. As soon as I received it I dived in. The content was everything I could have hoped for. The book is well-organized. The ideas are thoroughly developed. The writing flows smoothly. … [Read more...]
5 Tips That Will Benefit All Christian Writers
September 21, 2012 by 26 Comments
Whether you've stumbled onto this blog from a Google search about writing, or you're a regular GodlyWriters.com reader, chances are you want to learn from other Christian writers about what works and doesn't work. Maybe blogging is your main writing platform, or maybe you have the next New York Times bestseller somewhere in the works. Regardless, … [Read more...]
3 Mind-Blowing Tips On How To Get Traffic To Your Blog (And Turn People Into Readers!)
July 24, 2012 by 25 Comments
Think about this for a moment... When you last strolled aimlessly through the aisles of Barnes & Noble (sipping your iced coffee), what stimulus caused you to pick up a random book from off the shelf? Some people choose randomly based upon the colorful exterior design. Others snatch it up because the title sparked a flame of insatiable … [Read more...]
One Word Christian Writers Need To Erase From Their Vocabulary
July 6, 2012 by 13 Comments
The word that I am referring to is a plague. It is a disease, a stigma, a stumbling block, a crutch. It follows you around, whispering in your ear things like, "You'll never be good enough to be taken seriously. Your dream will never come true. You're just not good enough." I despise this word. I loathe it with every fiber in my writer's soul. … [Read more...]
What Is Your Measure of Success?
June 29, 2012 by 7 Comments
It's 4H time around my house. That time of year when my 3 children work fevorishly for the big prize... grand champion. A prize that is often illusive because there is but one grand champion. Though they work hard and do their personal best, they may or may feel like the best... they may or may not be the grand champion. I'd like to be able to say … [Read more...]
How To Be A Better Christian Writer
Are you a Christian writer or blogger? If you are then you've no doubt got an idea, a story, a concept. You need to write it down so that people can read it. Umm, right...that's the hard part, I know. Writing it down. If writing was easy then everyone would do it. Actually, writing IS easy and more people DO do it then you may realize. The … [Read more...]