Tips from the Pros: Marlene Banks

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the joy of interviewing novelist Marlene Banks, who has written both historical and contemporary novels. Marlene, how did you get into writing? I have always loved writing since childhood. I have written all my life but only considered doing it professionally in the last eighteen years or so. I realized I was a divinely designed storyteller and writer to serve God’s Kingdom. Writing is my foundational gift and calling. So with little to no knowledge of what it took, the industry or the particulars of the crafts (other than the mere…

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Tips from the Pros: Golden Keyes Parsons

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin from still-sunny California. Today I have the honor of interviewing a gracious lady with a gorgeous name—Golden Keyes Parsons. Golden is a sought-after speaker and the author of numerous novels and novellas. Golden, how did you get into writing? I grew up in a family of newspaper editors and owners so grew up writing. I had an article published here and there, but I never sought to get a book published until I started speaking professionally in 1996.

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Tips from the Pros: Jan Kern

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California, where we’re welcoming cooler temperatures. I have the joy of interviewing multi-published nonfiction author Jan Kern today. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jan at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, where she serves on the faculty. She has a true heart for following God’s lead in her writing, covering difficult but crucial topics—and now following Him into an uncertain transition period. As so many writers are in transition nowadays, you’re sure to be inspired by her example. Jan, how did you get into writing? I’ve always loved books and playing with words. As a…

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Tips from the Pros: Liz Tolsma

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing fellow WWII fiction author, Liz Tolsma. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, is an outstanding look at life in Nazi-occupied Holland, and it just released on August 6! Liz, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? My fifth-grade teacher gave us many writing assignments. I loved them –especially the tall tales where I could let my imagination run wild. She encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming an author. It took a long time to happen, but I always…

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Tips from the Pros: Kathy Harris

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Kathy Harris, who has a fascinating writing history, starting with writing biographies of entertainers. Kathy’s debut novel, The Road to Mercy, highlights her background in the Christian music industry. With her background in marketing, she has some great insight for us today! Kathy, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? I’ve wanted to write since I was a child and kept that dream through high school and college, graduating with a communications degree from Southern Illinois University. I was offered a…

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Tips from the Pros: Marsha Hubler

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing multi-published novelist Marsha Hubler, whose love for horses, children, and the Amish and Mennonites is expressed in her stories. Marsha, How did you get into writing? I started about twenty years ago with poetry, short stories, and articles published in magazines. I always had the desire to write, but life got in the way until I was in my forties.

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Tips from the Pros: Jane Hampton Cook

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the honor of interviewing Jane Hampton Cook – author, historian, and frequent commentator on Fox News. Jane’s love of history and knowledge of the great lessons to be learned from the past infuse all her work. American Phoenix, about President John Quincy Adams and his wife Louisa, releases this week from Thomas Nelson. Jane, How did you get into writing? I wanted to find something I could do while also working from home and taking care of my children. Before my children were born, I stumbled into writing when I was…

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Tips from the Pros: Sharon Srock

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the joy of interviewing new CAN member, novelist Sharon Srock. Sharon has already made herself much loved in the Christian writing community for her upbeat attitude and how she helps promote other authors on her lovely blog. Sharon, how did you get into writing? I tried to write for publication twenty-five years ago and never really succeeded. I had a few poems and short stories published in Star Trek fanzines, but the novel I wrote never saw the light of day. I know now that God had another direction for my writing….

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Tips from the Pros: Linda J. White

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the honor of interviewing suspense writer, Linda J. White. I enjoyed meeting Linda at the ACFW Conference a few years ago and loved reading her new novel, Seeds of Evidence. What a page-turner! Linda, how did you get into writing? I was a mom at home, raising three kids. When my youngest was ready to go to kindergarten, I started praying, “OK, God, what do you want me to do with the rest of my life?” I had done a lot of volunteer writing for churches and preschools, so it seemed natural to…

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Tips from the Pros: Sherry Kyle

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Greetings from Sarah Sundin! This past week I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, where I roomed with one of my dearest friends – and this week’s interviewee – Sherry Kyle. Sherry writes for tween girls (8-12 years) and also writes women’s fiction. Her newest women’s novel, The Heart Stone, has an official release date of April 1, but is already available now! Sherry, how did you get into writing? When my children were young, I’d take them to the public library, and we’d check out a dozen books every couple of weeks. As we snuggled on the couch and read…

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