When Grandparenting and Writing Collide in a Fun Adventure

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Isn’t grandparenting the best? (And for those of you who haven’t experienced this treat from God, why not borrow a dear friends grandchild and experience some of the joy yourself?) My husband and I love every adventure with our only grandchild thus far, but we especially love when our professional lives collide with Benaiah‘s little world.

On a recent visit to catch our five-year-old grandson’s baseball game, our son-in-love found out that Wednesday was insect day for letter I in his son‘s pre-K classroom. Before getting our hopes up, Adam texted the teacher, pointed out that Benaiah’s grandfather was an entomologist, and asked if she would like for him to come speak to the class. 

Apparently, she first looked up that word, and then responded to Adam with a resounding “yes”.

Why Writing Articles is a Smart Career Move for Writers

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

So, why are articles important to your writing career?

I don’t know I’ve ever been asked that question before. However, there are many answers to that question.

When I first began to write articles, I had a very practical reason. My three children were small and really didn’t like taking naps. I grabbed every spare minute I could to pursue my writing career. I wrote in my head while I did laundry, changed diapers, and played Candy Land. Then when the children finally got tired, I put them down for naps and used that fifteen minutes or so to transfer words from my head. Articles seemed the logical way to go because they took a shorter time to write. Sometimes it took more than one nap but I could usually complete an article in three naps or so.

Meddling In The Messy Middle of Your Manuscript

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

In the 2011 Winnie the Pooh film there is an insider snippet just for writers. It goes like this. 

Don't Neglect Social Media Before and During Your Next Writing Conference

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

We are well into the spring season of Writing Conferences. Writers everywhere are returning and/or making plans to attend writing conferences. But in the midst of your preparation, be sure not to miss out on valuable connections that can more than double what you get out of these events.

Many writers have the mistaken idea that social networking is only beneficial online. Or that it only helps when you can’t be at an event. Not true.

While it’s true that social networking can help you plug in when you’re not at a conference or event—many miss the benefits of networking online before and during the conference.

Masterpiece Moments: Walking & Writing Through Life with Eyes Open

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

Sometimes everything comes together—the colors, the lighting & the composition. You don’t have to have fancy equipment to capture a masterpiece. This was snapped in a parking lot with my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Capturing beauty isn’t about the equipment, it’s about the attitude.

I see this in life as well. We (or at least I) work hard to orchestrate special times. I plan and prepare and sometimes those times turn out well. But most of the masterpiece moments in my memory aren’t built from the ground up, they’re discovered. 

As a photographer, I’ve learned to capture the moments. 

I always have a camera with me

I always know where the light is

I keep my eyes open

These tips translate to life as well and when I apply them, my writing flows from what God provides. 

I remind myself I never walk alone. My God is always with me.

I always know where He is. Just like the right lighting makes an image special. People & situations viewed in the light of God’s love become precious.

I keep my eyes open for the masterpieces that God orchestrates in my life.

Experiencing life’s beautiful moments isn’t about what we have, it’s an attitude and an awareness that every moment has possibility of becoming a masterpiece. And this way of walking through life will give our writing a depth and connection we wouldn't find, any other way.

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and on Instagram.

The Backstory Dilemma for Writers

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

This week I read a novel that had all the necessary ingredients to keep me reading past my bedtime. (The ultimate compliment to a writer.) Instead, I had to force myself to finish. (Oops.)

The intriguing characters were there. The setting invited you in. The plot was unique and engaging. It even had a dog.

But the writing, not so much. And the problem boiled down to one thing: too much backstory. Backstory is what had happened to the characters before this story began. And backstory is important. Let’s face it, the more interesting a character’s life, the better the story. The issue comes when so much backstory is dumped in the narrative that it takes the reader out of the action.

Genre Expectations: Writing Magical Realism and Contemporary Fantasy

by A.C. Williams @ACW_Author

Genres are confusing, guys. Let’s just say it. It used to be so much easier when the categories of fiction were ones with magic and ones without magic. Or spacey stories versus scary stories. That being said, the explosion of genres really does help narrow down the types of stories that audiences want to read. Since there are so many books, it’s necessary to have more ways to categorize them.

So today we’re going to talk about two genres that often get confused: Magical Realism and Contemporary Fantasy. It’s easy to mix these two up because they have many similar tropes and traits, but they are very different, especially in how you market them.