Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published
All great novels contain a strong story premise.
Briefly, let’s review novel essentials:
The premise is your story idea stated in 2-3 sentences. Can you refine it into an elevator pitch? It often becomes a part of [Read more…] about The 4 Essential Elements of a Strong Story Premise
God as CEO?
For most people that’s probably a revolutionary thought. It certainly was for me when I first heard it last year.
But making God CEO is the best decision I ever made for my business!
Owning your own business takes courage. After all, at a minimum, you intend for that business to support you and your family. Preferably your business brings in more than enough for the bills and your retirement. But it takes courage to step out and do it, so congratulations and kudos to all you business owners!
We often relegate God to the spiritual part of our lives and keep Him out of all other areas. [Read more…] about Is God the CEO of Your Business?
Conference season is gearing up, and writers’ conferences are one of the best ways to make connections in the publishing world. Many publishers accept only manuscripts pitched at conferences. Many accept only those that come through agents, and a conference is the place to connect with both publishing house acquisition editors and literary agents.
I realize attending a conference can get pricey, but good affordable conferences can be found. If the one you want to attend is beyond your budget this year, then start right now setting aside the money needed to attend next year.
There’s more to consider than just the actual cost of the conference. Add in: [Read more…] about Finding and Choosing a Writers Conference
I’m starting the year with a guest post from friend Kim Steadman. Kim is the one who convinced me to start a vision journal.
When she’s not sweeping dog hair, experimenting in the kitchen, or doodling on paper, Kim is writing, encouraging, and mentoring authors. She is a freelance writer, speaker and ministers alongside her family in Grand Prairie, TX. She’s currently working on a new prayer journal and a new children’s picture book. You can find [Read more…] about Vision Boards And Why You Need at Least One In Your Life
Another guest post today while I’m basking in the Florida sunshine on a long overdue vacation with family.
Geary Smith recently won the Pewter Plate Award from Highlights for Children. He’s been writing for children and young adults for over 30 years. His work has been published in such venues as Highlights for Children, Child Life, McGraw-Hill, ProQuest and many other publications.
His books include *Spiritual Power: Breaking Free from Learned Limitations, NLP Power: Spiritual Tao for Change Forever, and The Juneteenth Celebration all of which can be purchased on Nook Press and Barnes and Nobles.
Geary has a B.S. in Psychology from Morehouse College and an M.Ed. from Stephen F. Austin University. He is a certified Life Coach and Counselor, Assistant Minister and City Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem.
By Geary Smith
“To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.”
~Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author David McCullough.
I know from personal experience that even after publishing my first story and while still holding and looking at the check for payment, I had some doubts in my mind that I was a “real” writer. It would take some time afterward before I began to truly realize I was a writer and good at writing. [Read more…] about Inspiration to Help You Think Like a Writer
Celebrating? That’s something I don’t think about very often, so when I read a recent blog post by friend and author Kim Steadman about celebration, what she said took me by surprise. So much so that I asked her to do a guest post.
When Kim’s not sweeping dog hair, experimenting in the kitchen, or doodling on paper, she is writing, encouraging and mentoring authors. She is a freelance writer, speaker, and ministers alongside her family in Grand Prairie, TX. She’s currently working on a new prayer journal and a new children’s picture book. You can find what she’s up to next at KimSteadman.com. Drop by and say hi!
By Kim Steadman
When’s the last time you celebrated one of your successes? [Read more…] about Three Reasons You Should Celebrate Today
Most writers don’t hear about a one sheet until they attend a writers conference. But it’s a marvelous marketing tool. Today’s post is by Therese Kay.
Therese is a writer, photographer, and lover of God. She recently collaborated on a visual devotional featuring her photography called Messages from God: An Illuminated Devotional. You can read her blog here and learn more about her writing, photography, and how she supports other creatives.
By Therese Kay
A one sheet started off as a music industry standard but has also found a home with writers and speakers as well. It is also known as a sales sheet or a one-pager. It is meant to be a snapshot that showcases your product with the goal of promoting it. It includes only the most relevant and valuable information about your product. [Read more…] about What’s a One Sheet? Plus a free downloadable template.
With the busyness of today’s world and all the hats a writer must wear, it’s easy to feel like your productivity isn’t what you want it to be.
Productivity can apply to every area of our lives. So don’t look at your entire day/week and make the sweeping conclusion that you’re not being productive. You may be batting it out of the park on your writing, but not making it to first base with your marketing.
Hundreds of apps and programs exist to help in this realm. But first, [Read more…] about Your productivity might be better than you think it is.