The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Conquering Our Giants by Seeking and Trusting the Lord

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Giant knight chess piece facing a tiny knight chess pieceThe title of my devotional reading this morning was “Overcoming Giants.” The corresponding Bible reading was 1 Samuel 17:31–52. I encourage you to read it. It’s the story and David and Goliath, and “teaches believers that obstacles in our life are no match for God.

“Whether our Goliath is a relational challenge or an overwhelming situation, we must realize that the Lord is sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth, and He has the power to give us the victory” (Charles Stanley, In Touch, May 7, 2018). [Read more…] about Conquering Our Giants by Seeking and Trusting the Lord

How to Find a Publisher, Fiction or Nonfiction – 3 Beginning Steps

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Book Proposal Accepted find a publisherIn the past couple weeks I’ve received questions from my subscribers about where and how to start to find a publisher for nonfiction.

The wonderful thing about nonfiction is that you can query publishers before you have your book completed. But aside from that, the process is the same as when you submit fiction.

Whether you are a nonfiction or fiction writer, keep reading. This post outlines 3 beginning steps to find a publisher. [Read more…] about How to Find a Publisher, Fiction or Nonfiction – 3 Beginning Steps

8 Simple and Creative Blog Post Ideas for Fiction Authors

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book cover Blogging for Authors by Rebecca LivermorePlease welcome bestselling author and blogger Rebecca Livermore to the blog today.

8 Simple and Creative Blog Post Ideas for Fiction Authors

As the author of Blogging for Authors, it should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of blogging. I see blogging as a great way for authors to build their platform. However, this is easier said than done, particularly for fiction authors. Some of the difficulty is due to the challenging nature of coming up with blog post ideas. Sure, nonfiction authors have an abundance of things to blog about, but coming up with blog post ideas for fiction authors is a bit more challenging.

If you’re a fiction author and you’ve ever struggled with knowing what to blog about, keep reading to discover eight blog post ideas for fiction authors.

[Read more…] about 8 Simple and Creative Blog Post Ideas for Fiction Authors

3 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity and Motivation to Write

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dog dressed in shirt and headphones no motivation to writeI have to admit finding motivation to write every day can be a struggle. On many days, it is a matter of self-discipline to sit down and write.

So today I’d like to offer some suggestions that can help move us (I’m talking to myself here too) from the arena of self-discipline to being truly motivated every day.

First, let’s not forget what I said last month about what motivation is—the reason behind what you do.

Visualize your end goal and [Read more…] about 3 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity and Motivation to Write

What are today’s publishing options and which is best for me?

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A lot of publishing options for getting your book baby out into the world exist in today’s market.

  • What are those options?
  • How does one learn about all the ins and outs?
  • How does one decide which option is best?

Finding the answers can be time-consuming, confusing, and paralyzing. To help you navigate these troublesome currents, I created [Read more…] about What are today’s publishing options and which is best for me?

For a Stronger Story, Seek and Delete Redundancies in Your Writing

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nuclear mushroom cloud seek and delete redundanciesI’m as guilty as the next writer in that I include redundancies in my draft manuscript. When I’m writing my draft, I focus on getting the story out of my head and into the computer.

I look for redundancies when I revise my story. And I revise it more times than I want to count! Below is a list [Read more…] about For a Stronger Story, Seek and Delete Redundancies in Your Writing

Are You Undermining Your Motivation to Write? Change Your Self-Talk

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Use constructive versus restrictive motivation to reach your goals.Motivation is a consistent issue with many writers. I write about it on my blog and hear about it at writers’ conferences I attend.

Guess what? even yours truly has issues at times.

Let’s start by setting the foundation with what motivation really is. [Read more…] about Are You Undermining Your Motivation to Write? Change Your Self-Talk

What Books Have Impacted Your Life?

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My 8 recommended books on writingMost writers are also avid readers. It’s a part of how we learn the craft of writing. For me it’s also a part of how I enjoy life.

Right now I’ve got 6 books going, 4 nonfiction, and 2 fiction. The fiction are strictly for entertainment. The nonfiction for my own education—for my business and personally. The books in the picture above are among the many I recommend to writers.

Most of the time, I discover new books because someone else told me about them—the best advertising there is!

Today, I’m turning the blog over to you, dear readers. Post in the comments one or two books you recommend and why.