Culture impacts your story more than you might realize. Distinct cultures exist even within the US, just as there are many dialects. A person’s name often indicates one’s heritage, and thus culture. Did you know the name Dobby, a character from the Harry Potter series, was a real word? I discovered quite by accident one…
We’ve all met them: Miss Sunshine, Mr. Easy Going, Mrs. Bossy, and Ms. Perfectionist. We often chalk it up to “that’s just who they are,” but these titles describe specific temperaments. If you’re not careful, they can become stereotypes. The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Collegiate Dictionary defines temperament as “characteristic or habitual inclination or mode of emotional…
Without unforgettable characters in a story, do you lose interest? I do. But how do you create these characters? Today begins a series on that topic. Let’s get real, whether we do it consciously or unconsciously, we want to connect with story characters. We want to discover something about them that we share–their life goals,…
Imagine, for a moment, that you’re a magazine editor. You’ve just finished reading a submission that’s perfect for next month’s online issue. You start to notify the submitting writer, but discover you can’t. The writer failed to put her contact information in her article. Oh, but there’s the writer’s email to refer to, you might…
I’m pleased to have indie author Melody Balthaser with me today. What does she say about herself? I’m blessed to live with my husband and teenage son on my family’s farm, nestled between the Catskill and Pocono Mountains, in the scenic Upper Delaware River Valley. Sharing the transforming love of Jesus, through writing and speaking,…
Marketing is a task many writers struggle with, including me. However, without it, our books don’t get much notice. There are plenty of platforms where we can use either paid or free advertising. So far, I’ve only used one paid platform and that’s Amazon Marketing Services (AMS). One thing I’ve learned about marketing is the…
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:17 NKJV Last year I printed that verse on a poster and hung it on the wall right next to my desk. I…
Last month I blogged about the many job roles we as writers have. I promised a follow up with the discoveries I made. I hope you can take even a little of what’s here to bring you sanity, less stress, efficiency, and productivity to your life as a writer.