Happy Monday from Dianne Matthews! Can you CANners believe that it’s November already? I’ve been tied to my computer since spring, working extra-long days to finish a one-year devotional book in five months. The spiritual warfare has been ongoing but at the midway point, it really intensified.
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This is our archive pageOutlining #2 – Creating Character Arcs
Hi from Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailmartin.com The last time I blogged about outlining, I covered the first point from the Gideon Film Festival on Outlining for Screenwriting. The first point was on creating a theme. The next point deals with the topic of creating characters arcs. Whether writing a novel or screen writing, character arcs are a vital element of good writing.
Tips from the Pros: Winnie Griggs
I recently finished a book titled The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs. I love mail-order bride stories, and with the Beauty and the Beast theme, the kids, the hero and heroine's growth toward resolving some long-standing struggles in their lives, and their developing love for each other, this book makes for a great read. Today, I'm privileged to interview the author, Winnie Griggs. Can you tell us, Winnie, how did you get into writing? I’ve dabbled with writing ever since I was an adolescent. It wasn’t until my kids were all in school and I got my first home…
Book Review on Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives
I have a friend whose husband is deployed in Afghanistan. I've been searching for the perfect gift to let her know not only how much I appreciate her husband's service to our country, but also to recognize her faithful service, too. With Faith Deployed, I've found it the perfect gift. Jocelyn Green and her army of been-there, walked-a-mile-in-your-shoes writers, have packed a lot into this little book. Each two-page devotional is a morsel of food for thought and spiritual nourishment. Not being a military wife myself, I was surprised at how the book affected me. In it I found…
A Writer’s Rest and Productivity
Jan writing to you from the warm, sunny foothills of the Sierras, hoping to offer some words of encouragement for your writing and marketing journey. What did you think when you read the title? Do the words ‘rest’ and ‘productivity’ really work together for the writer and marketer? I have been determined to find out. Recently, during a sermon, I found myself continuing an ongoing conversation with God. Life felt hectic. I was weary.
When Words Won’t Work
Hello from CAN Secretary Jeanette Hanscome. Like most CAN members, my writing life is often complicated by . . . well . . . life. As I write, edit, and teach I am also dealing with some stuff that will eventually provide riveting material for a novel or devotional book but for now is just plain discouraging and frustrating. As if the circumstance wasn’t upsetting enough on its own, I’ve also had to accept that I can’t do anything now but pray. I’ve argued, debated, and spoken the truth in love only to discover that my gift for words will…
Book Review on Direction by Cheri Cowell
This is Jocelyn Green, and today I have the pleasure of offering a book review of Cheri Cowell’s Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life. Many times, it’s easy to discern a good choice from a bad one. But when neither option is bad or wrong, how does one know which path to choose? While most of us would prefer the proverbial “handwriting on the wall” to show us the way, that kind of unmistakable message from God is rare. But according to Cowell’s book, that’s OK. We don’t need it. In fact, instead of trying to guess what…
Organization To Do
My article last month was titled Organization to go. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were that simple? Organization could be handed to us the same way we’re able to get our clothes from the dry cleaners, fast food from McDonald’s, and prescriptions from Walgreens. But it’s not that simple. We have to work for it. As mentioned in last month’s article, we all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. Have you ever been amazed at how some people can get so much done during the day? I’m a big fan of to do lists and…
Be Flexible?
Hello from Bonnie Leon here on my mountain top in Southern Oregon. Fall has arrived, and I'm breathing deeply. You'd think that since I'm a country gal I'd be the laid back type. Sadly flexibility is not one of my strengths. I always have a plan. And barring flood, famine or threat of death I stick to it. My kids have told me on numerous occasions that I need to be more spontaneous. I’m practicing—honestly.
Essential: Writing Nonfiction with the Reader in Mind
Jan here, enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon in the foothills of the Sierras. Today I’m considering the readers of the books we are writing–the essential person that we must keep in mind. Over the years I’ve critiqued quite a few nonfiction proposals and manuscripts. The writers pored out their souls in their manuscripts, sometimes to the point of (figuratively) bleeding on the page. Each hoped their story would make a difference in the lives of others who had experienced similar struggles. I found the ideas of many of the stories compelling. And yet, for some, the delivery left me feeling alienated from or…
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