READING AND WRITING THE FINE PRINT

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                                           Greetings! Maureen Pratt here with my latest CAN blog post about the craft of writing. Today, I thought I'd steer clear of the "big picture" – that is, the major aspects of writing that we so often focus on in our work – plot and character arcs, basic personal attributes, action points. Instead, I thought I'd "sweat the small stuff" and talk about the importance of seeking, seeing and writing about the "fine print," those details that can truly make a huge difference between a piece that is okay from one that is, "Oh! Hey! [That really strikes home/makes this a…

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Tips from the Pros: Debby Giusti

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the honor of interviewing Debby Giusti, multi-published author of romantic suspense, her most recent series focusing on the military. Her latest, The Colonel’s Daughter, released just this month. Debby offers unique insight into the military mindset – not only is she a self-described “Army brat,” but she’s also an Army wife and an Army mom. That’s quite a heritage! Debby, how did you get into writing? Growing up, I loved to read and write, but I also loved science. My mother encouraged me to have a profession, so I majored in medical technology, and…

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Excellence in Writing

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Hello from sunny Florida! Ava Pennington, CAN Secretary here, desperately hoping the calendar is wrong and summer is not almost over!  🙂 In my previous career as a human resources executive, one of my areas of responsibility was the management of our quality control programs. Phrases such as “Quality First,” “Do it right the first time,” and  “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking” (Henry Ford), pervaded our corporate culture. But corporate America did not invent the concept of working with excellence. God has always required excellence from His people. First Corinthians 10:31 tells us, “Whatever you…

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Tips from the Pros: Nancy Mehl

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the joy of interviewing multi-published mystery author Nancy Mehl, 2009 recipient of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award for best mystery. Nancy, how did you get into writing? Many years ago, I heard a message that encouraged people who were confused about their calling to think back to their childhood. Looking at what comes naturally to us as children can give us definite clues to the gifts God has given us. I loved to read and began writing poems in second or third grade. Remembering that made me wonder…

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Help! Where’s my story?!

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  Hello, again! Maureen Pratt here with my monthly CAN blog about the art and craft of writing. This month’s topic is, “Help! Where’s my story?!” or, “What to do when your story goes one way while you go another.” Whether we write fiction or non-fiction, plotting or outlining is often an essential part of the publication process. From the first query to the last book cover blurb, most of us try to envision the beginning, middle and end of a work before we dive in. But, as we authors know, as hard as we might work on those early…

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Tips from the Pros: Mike Dellosso

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the privilege of interviewing best-selling, multi-published thriller writer Mike Dellosso, who also writes contemporary drama as Michael King. Mike, how did you get into writing? I began writing in 1998 as a way of dealing with a family crisis. My brother-in-law was in a terrible motorcycle accident that nearly claimed his life. In fact, the doctors were sure he wasn’t going to make it. He was in a coma, clinging to life. I was so overwhelmed by grief and just about every emotion imaginable and I had no way to express it…so…

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ICRS is Over…Now What?

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Hello from sunny Florida! Ava Pennington, CAN Secretary here, trying to get organized after a hectic week. The 2012 International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) is over. Three jam-packed days of everything related to Christian publishing. Hundreds of booths filled with books, gift items, cards, church supplies, home decor, toys—even a “Jesus Toast Toaster,” (the less said about that one, the better!) But why did I go? I didn’t carve three days out of my schedule—four, if you count the AWSA Banquet—to window-shop  in a mega-Christian version of Walmart.

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Tips from the Pros: Marcia Gruver

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the privilege of interviewing Marcia Gruver, a multi-published author of historical fiction set in “The Old South.” Her latest novel, Hunter’s Prize, was published this month by Barbour. Marcia, how did you get into writing? I taught children’s church for many years. Unhappy with our curriculum, I began to experiment with writing my own. This exercise in creativity became my proving ground. After my last little chicken flew away to college, I nestled into my empty nest to whip out the “Great American Novel.” With the guidance of the Holy Spirit,…

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Tips from the Pros: Grace Fox

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the honor of interviewing Grace Fox, a multi-published devotional and Bible study author and a much-in-demand speaker who urges women to become “daring, deep, and devoted” in their walks with the Lord. Grace, how did you get into writing? I started writing in 1999, convinced I could launch a successful greeting card line. Eager to show my product to a Dayspring editor, I attended the Florida Christian Writers Conference. My cards were rejected there, but I attended as many workshops as I could and learned how to write for magazines. I laid a…

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