The Writer as Learner

, by

Jan–nostalgic and wishing we could get together and chat about writing over a cup of tea or coffee. Yesterday, I slid a package out from my mailbox at the end of the country road where I live. Inside, along with a couple of text books I ordered, was a book about writing nonfiction and understanding the editor’s perspective. Earlier today, I turned to another resource to look up a grammar tip. What was that rule about . . .? After that, I read a few blogs I visit from time to time and read about writing and marketing. On a recent road trip,…

Read More

A Lenten Challenge for Our Writing and Speaking

, by

Jan here. I’m enjoying a quiet day of reflection and challenge, especially around the idea of Lent. Lent is not a tradition that I grew up with, but I’ve enjoyed watching and hearing how individuals and various faith communities observe it. I like its call to be intentional about letting go of earthly distractions and drawing closer to God—particularly in relationship to preparing our hearts for taking in the passion of Christ, his suffering and resurrection, and what that means to each of us personally as his children in living this life in him. So I’ve felt stirred to consider ways to incorporate the parts…

Read More

Starting Places for Greater Creativity

, by

Hello! Jan here hoping to generate some freshness into not only our nonfiction writing, but also our speaking. Today is the Friday before Valentine’s Day. My childhood memories create a picture of schoolchildren across the country stuffing decorated boxes with sentiments and enjoying cupcakes with red sprinkles and candy hearts. What does that have to do with writing and speaking? Starting places for infusing very needed freshness into what we do . . .

Read More

Hug a Writer

, by

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…

Read More

Craft of Nonfiction Storytelling

, by

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…

Read More

POV, the Psalmist, and the Writer

, by

Jan here, writing as 2009 is drawing to a close about a recent prodding I received through another look at Psalm 23. As writers we seek to factor in the best point of view (POV) for the piece we are writing. We make intentional choices or shifts to bring out nuances of meaning or story direction. The topics and characters are important, as are the readers we bring along with us through our story or narrative. The power of POV came through recently as I was rereading Psalm 23.

Read More

Thriving Through the Holidays

, by

Jan here, hoping to offer a few encouraging thoughts and ideas to help you as writers thrive through the approaching holidays. The past five or more years, I’ve headed into the Christmas season with either book deadlines or December speaking engagements (or both). I loved the work and ministry involved, but it made an already busy season extra busy. In some ways, I approached it by doing what I could to survive and get through to other side. I want to do it differently from now on. How about you? There’s the usual excitement and activity of the season, the family events and traditions…

Read More

Writing for Pure Enjoyment

, by

Jan here, writing to you today about writing craft, with a focus on keeping the fun in writing. Recently I had a conversation with writer, Nancy Sanders, who encourages those she mentors to take time each week to set aside deadlines and write whatever they feel like. I see merit in that. Oftentimes we do enjoy what we are currently writing for publication, but it might do our writing some good if we took regular time to write something just because we want to. This post is dedicated to writing for the fun of it.

Read More

A Writer’s Rest and Productivity

, by

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.

Read More

Essential: Writing Nonfiction with the Reader in Mind

, by

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…

Read More