MJ Scholz, a good friend of mine and part of my writers critique group, just published her debut book, Connecting Colors, Feelings, and Words. I’m so excited for her because this book was 2 years in the publishing process—from contract to finished book, with lots of questions in between! This unique children’s book—a coloring book with a purpose— took a lot of work from start to finish, but its a terrific book!
[Read more…] about Getting Your Debut Book PublishedDoing Research for Your Book
Doing research for your book isn’t restricted to those who write nonfiction. It’s just as essential for fiction, even more so if you are writing historical fiction or have set the story in a region of the world you are unfamiliar with.
Later this month, I’ll be making a trek to Montana for just this purpose. I need to get more familiar with Montana because that is the setting for my Her Inheritance series. When I started book one, I visited the Montana tourist bureau online and requested items they offered for free. I got more than I expected, and it included a detailed map of Montana that I have referenced many times as I’ve been writing.
So this prompts the question, How do you do book research?
The Eternal Perspective on Building a Platform
Updated August 16, 2021.
You mean I have to build a platform at the same time as I write my book? you ask.
Yes.
And as I look at what September, October, and November hold for me—teaching at 3 writers conferences, a trip for book research, finishing book 2 of my Her Inheritance series, maintaining two blogs, launching new CrossRiver books, and somewhere in between all that, paying the bills, cooking meals, shopping for groceries, doing laundry, and keeping my apartment clean—I totally understand the writer’s dilemma of finding time not only to write, but also to build one’s platform.
The publishing world demands authors have a platform. Without it, it’s almost impossible to get picked up by a traditional publisher. They want those numbers up in the thousands, because after all, those numbers represent potential book buyers, and for most publishers that’s really what it’s all about—selling books.
[Read more…] about The Eternal Perspective on Building a PlatformQuoting the Bible – Doing It Correctly
Quoting the Bible is a frequent occurrence for Christian writers. But do you know your limits on what you can quote, understand how to format your verse(s), and the know the copyright credit you must give?
As I edit writers’ manuscripts, I find errors in all these areas, so let’s dive in and look at each one.
[Read more…] about Quoting the Bible – Doing It CorrectlyHas Your Story Time Line Jumped the Tracks?
Updated July 5, 2021
Have you ever been reading a story and suddenly found yourself saying, “Wait a minute, in that last chapter spring was just beginning and now suddenly it’s wintertime?”
I know I have. And it’s like a train crashing through the middle of the story.
Sometimes it’s not that stark, but I notice when things are out of sync even by mere hours. Yes, that can be drawback in my pleasure reading, but in editing, this ability to track the story’s time line is an asset.
Not all stories are this linear, but most are. And whether you are aware of it, you track the story time line as you read. Even movies give us clues as to the passing of time—usually through a night scene that transitions to a day time scene.
[Read more…] about Has Your Story Time Line Jumped the Tracks?Creating Your Story World
(Updated June 2021).
Jane M. Tucker is the author of the Lottie Braun series, which released as a kindle box set earlier this month. Janes series came about much like my own–unintentionally. The series includes Lottie’s Gift, Lottie’s Hope, and Lottie’s Freedom.
Jane is a lifelong reader and writer who has a deep love for the art of storytelling. And that storytelling carries us along effortlessly in the story of Lottie Braun.
Jane hails from Kansas and blogs weekly at Postcards from the Heartland about her life in the Midwest.
Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite herbal tea and sit back for a marvelous interview as she tells us how she created the oh-so-real and engaging stories of the Lottie Braun series.
[Read more…] about Creating Your Story WorldThe Pandemic’s Menagerie: A Writer’s Adaptation in Chaos
Today’s post is by author Geary Smith. Geary has been writing for children and young adults for over 35 years. His work has been published in such venues as Highlights for Children, Child Life, McGraw-Hill, ProQuest, Kids Imagination Train, and many other publications. He is the current mayor of Mexia, Texas, and President of Region IX of Texas City Councils. He has a B.S. in Psychology from Morehouse College and M.Ed. from Stephen F. Austin University.
“Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.” -Bruce Lee
It was March 23, 2020, when I felt the painful sting of the pandemic stick my soul and spirit. My future plans, trips, conferences, and other social interactions to sharpen my writing skills were all cancelled one after the other.
[Read more…] about The Pandemic’s Menagerie: A Writer’s Adaptation in ChaosCreating a Series Bible for Your Fiction Series
Today’s post is by RJ Thesman. Thesman is the author of 18 books (so far) and 800+ articles and stories. She is a certified life coach with a focus on writing, an editor, and a workshop presenter. Currently, she is finishing another novel, pulling weeds in the garden, and petting the cat during breaks. Connect with RJ on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, then subscribe to her channel Coaching for Writers.
Creating a Series Bible
When I first met my fictional protagonist Reverend G, I was certain I would never forget her. Yet as her story evolved into a series, I needed a tool to keep the details credible.
[Read more…] about Creating a Series Bible for Your Fiction Series