Aloha from Karen, CAN Treasurer So far this had been a crazy year for me with lots of writing (contracts) and lots of family activity. And then I cracked a rib sledding with one of my grandsons. In the midst of it all someone asked how I can keep up, be creative, and focus on writing with lots going on (plus pain). I’ll chat about that today.
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Jan here, writing on a drizzly but pleasant evening from northern California. Did you know that yesterday was Hug-A-Writer Day in Canada? I’m wondering how many people knew about it—in Canada or anywhere else. I mean, did you get a hug yesterday? For being a writer? As writers and speakers we enjoy those hugs once in a while, don’t you think? If not physical arms wrapping around our shoulders, at least someone in our corner who is willing to encourage us from time to time and say, “Hey, keep going! You can do it! You’re on the right track.” But many days…
With Fear and Trembling
Hello from Jeanette. Today I spent 20 minutes in the backseat of our car with a trembling 50-lb dog. Car rides turn our pit mix, Belle, into a spineless mutt. They trigger memories of shots and other unpleasant vet visits. I assured Belle that we were only going to PetSmart to get her nails trimmed but she continued to squeal and pace, starring helplessly out the window, silently pleading to passersby, “Help me! I’m on my way to the manicurist. It’s so scary there.” I teased Belle about being a big baby, reminded her of her bread, but nothing worked….
He Makes Me Able
It’s a new year and a lot of us have made New Year’s resolutions or simply decided that “this year will be different”. However, let’s not leap into change willy-nilly. If we leap too quickly it may lead to defeat, or what we see as defeat. Writers already experience enough of that.
Craft of Nonfiction Storytelling
Jan here, writing about nonfiction writing craft on this fine Friday in January of the new decade. Let’s talk about the craft of storytelling in nonfiction. Fiction writers naturally spend much focused time developing the craft of story. Nonfiction writers quickly discover this is essential for their writing as well. It is very possible that a section of story excerpted from its larger context could be told so well that a hearer or reader would need to guess if it’s nonfiction or fiction. Is it a true account told by a storyteller who has skillfully woven the facts through a creative use of…
Marketing Lessons from the World of Retail
Tracy (T.L.) Higley here, posting another marketing lesson I’ve learned from my years in online retail sales. As I’ve mentioned in previous months, I’m currently in the midst of an experimental year, applying principles from my retail business to the marketing of my fiction. So, on to Principle #5… People will act if you make them a good offer.So, on to Principle #5… People will act if you make them a good offer. For the past six years, as I’ve run a For the past six years, as I’ve run a retail internet businessretail internet business and experimented with various…
Brand New Year, Same You!
Hey, friends! It’s time to usher in a brand new year. Now, I know you’re expecting me to jump into a nice little story about making a new resolution to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Sorry, not happening. Instead, I want you to take a minute to celebrate who God created you to be — who He saw before you were created in your mother’s womb. The potential He sees today, in the midst of your failures, trials, and shortcomings. Search for what God sees in you, underneath all the influences of this world. That’s…
How Old am I Again?
Happy New Year from Jeanette! I’m just getting back into my routine after a fun week with family and a wonderful Christmas. I think it seemed even more wonderful because it almost wasn’t.
Pressing Forward
Happy 1st Monday of the week (and year) from Dianne Neal Matthews! In the past, I’ve felt inspired by Karen Whiting and others who shared how they ask God to give them “theme” or mission verses at the beginning of each new year. So a few days ago, I decided to follow their example. A Scripture passage rushed into my thoughts before I even finished the prayer. When I returned home last night from a holiday visit with my parents, I sensed God confirming His choice for my 2010 theme verse. I discovered that Kathi Macias used the same passage…
Speak Life!
Greetings, Dear Friends! Susie Larson here… I post on the last Thursday of each month, which these days, puts me on holidays. Oh, well. 🙂 My monthly theme is around building a speaking platform. When was the last time you had a conversation with someone, and something they said about knocked you over? Maybe it was one word or a short phrase or a word picture, but when those words went into your ears, your heart beat faster and maybe your cheeks even felt flush. Does that ever happen to you? Sometimes those moments happen while watching a movie, reading…
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