Today’s discussion topic comes from Freelance panelist Tonya Stoneman: All of us know that mentors are important in the life of the writer. If you’re luck enough to know someone who invests in you personally and shares their wisdom generously, consider yourself blessed. Many of us, however, aren’t fortunate enough to have a mentor…
Today’s question is from panelist, Dan Darling. I think the most important question a writer has to ask of himself or herself is this: Why am I writing? It’s important because the answer to this questions is what keeps you writing. I’ve had to ask myself this question a lot in my career. For the…
One reader said… HI Mary. Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions. I was wondering your thoughts on swearing in a CBA geared novel. What I mean is, the first few chapters of my WIP, my character is angry with God..well, angry at EVERYONE. She’s lost to a world of drugs/alcohol, etc. Anyway, her character…
The tall man sat at the conference table. The doctor took a sip of coffee and looked at his presentation notes. The Lithuanian orphan scratched his head. The left-handed man jotted down a note. The Harvard grad readjusted his chair. Karl checked his watch. The old man wiped his glasses. The widower looked around the…
Today’s question is from Children’s Panelist, Pam Halter: In the last two topics for writing for children, Karen and I talked about knowing your audience and word play. I’d like to combine these topics by talking about some tips we can share to strengthen our stories for children. By children stories, I mean board books…
Today’s question comes from TWV Literary Agent Panelist, Terry Burns: I belong to a lot of social media sites, facebook, twitter, writing groups, etc. I don’t have time to participate a lot but I watch what is being discussed and who is doing it. Sometimes I see something being discussed that I think maybe I…
I wish I could teach folks how to create flow of language. For me, word choice and syntax is a feeling. I’ll write something and it feels clunky or out of place. So I rewrite until it sounds like poetry to me. I have my father to thank for that, I suppose. He was a…
Years ago I wrote puppet scripts for my church’s children’s department. Puppetry, like fiction, is a great way to have audience members or readers receive words of truth and challenge that they probably wouldn’t accept from a pastor or nonfiction book. Very often in these puppet scripts I would need to have some information come…
Today’s question comes from Tim Riter, Nonfiction Book Panelist. Although the word “Christian” doesn’t appear in the name of our group, as writers we are followers of Jesus, and many of us write for Christian audiences. Some write for general market audiences, but our faith informs our writing. For the next few days, let’s explore…
Today’s question is from Writing Coach Panelist, Susan Osborn. In preparing for writers’ conferences, I have helped conferees come up with what we call a “30-second pitch.” Their pitches were well received by the editors at the conferences. 1. What should be included in your pitch? 2. Give an example of one you have used…