Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California, where we’re actually praying for rain for a change. Whether we’re enduring ice storms or drought, medical issues or family drama, we all need to pray. Today’s featured author, Jackie M. Johnson, has made a name for herself with books on prayer and comfort. In addition, Jackie uses her experience in working for a literary agency and for a publishing house to coach aspiring authors. Jackie, how did you get into writing? I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was in junior high. I loved to read and enjoyed spelling class…
Tag: Tips From the Pros
This is our archive pageTips from the Pros: Twila Belk
Almost six years ago, I had the privilege of meeting the wonderful Twila Belk and her partner in crime, Cecil Murphey, at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando. Since then, I've come to count both Twila and Cec as good friends. That's why I'm delighted to introduce Cec's much-maligned sidekick to you today. Not only does Twila serve as Cec's manager, protector, and as Cec would say, "mother," but she is a talented speaker, writer, and the “GottaTellSomebody Gal.” She was also brave enough to invite me to teach at my first writer's conference in 2009. So without…
Tips from the Pros: Bob Hostetler
Happy New Year from Sarah Sundin in California! What better way to ring in 2014 than by getting to know Bob Hostetler, author of numerous bestselling and award-winning books. And let’s face it—anyone whose most recent title is Life Stinks…And Then You Die is bound to give us some interesting insights! Bob, how did you get into writing? I was raised in a family of readers and writers. My brothers and I would read cereal boxes at the breakfast table, encyclopedia volumes in the bathroom, you name it. The first time I saw my name in print was in Highlights…
Tips from the Pros: Janet Chester Bly
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the honor of interviewing Janet Chester Bly. She and her late husband, Stephen Bly, individually and as co-authors, have 120 published titles! I’m looking forward to hearing wisdom from a true veteran in the field of Christian writing. Janet, how did you get into writing? When my late husband, Stephen Bly, got God’s call into ministry, graduated from seminary, and began to pastor a church, I wanted to know His will for me too. That began a search of several years for my own spiritual gifts meant to benefit the church…
Tips from the Pros: Carolyn Warren
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California, where I’m giving thanks for a lovely weekend with family. Today I have the honor of interviewing Carolyn Warren, a financial expert with two nonfiction books for consumers about mortgages—and she’s also co-authored two books on prayer and parenting. Carolyn, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? In the ninth grade, I had an exceptional creative writing teacher who fueled my fire to write. I have four books published. The two in the Christian marketplace are Praying Through Your Pregnancy and Praying Through Your Child’s Early Years.
Tips from the Pros: MaryAnn Diorio
Almost-Thanksgiving greetings from Marti Pieper, posting today from Sevierville, Tenn. and the National Bible Bee. Through the magic of the Internet, author MaryAnn Diorio and I were able to set up today's interview in advance. I'm thankful to have met MaryAnn in person when we both taught at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. She has some wise words to share, so without further ado, enjoy our Q & A session. MaryAnn, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published? What are a few of your latest titles? I've been writing since I was a young…
Tips from the Pros: Kathy Collard Miller
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! What a joy for me to interview Kathy Collard Miller, author of fifty books. When I first started writing in 2000, my mother bragged at the bowling alley about her daughter working on a novel. Kathy “happened” to be on the other team. This sweet woman gave my mother her phone number—and answered dozens of my newbie questions. She was my first contact with the writing community, and I will always be grateful for her generosity and encouragement. Kathy, how did you get into writing? I’d always had the heart of a writer—trying to…
Tips from the Pros: Marlene Banks
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…
Tips from the Pros: Golden Keyes Parsons
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.
Tips from the Pros: Jan Kern
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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