Here's a short list of some valuable resources.
Mount Hermon Conference
http://www.mounthermon.org/writers/
San Diego Christian Writers Guild
http://www.sandiegocwg.org/
Fellowship of Christian Writers
http://www.fellowshipofchristianwriters.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCW/
The Writers View 1
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWritersView/
The Writers View 2
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TWV2/
Upper Room
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/how_to_write.asp
The Lookout
http://www.lookoutmag.com/write/
Discipleship Journal
http://www.navpress.com/Assets/PDF/Magazines/DJ/wg_DJ.pdf
Sally Stuart
http://www.stuartmarket.com/
Crosswalk.com
http://bible.crosswalk.com/
I belong to these groups and guilds, have attended the conferences, and written for these magazines (except DJ). I use Crosswalk and there's a lot more to it than a great Bible search engine. As for Sally, her market guide is essential in this ever-changing business. And she offers some of the best info around.
So, what are you waiting for? Wright right; write now.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Power of Stories
Words are powerful. Stories are more powerful. True stories create a deep impact.
That's why we need to know how to tell them, well, so people will read them. A weak story is easy to write. Such stories are often written in passive voice rather than simple past tense. (For example, "Jack was running up the hill," rather than, "Jack ran up the hill.") Weak writing is also identified by the use of weak verbs. ("Ran" is good, "Jack charged up the hill," is better.)
Most of the time, we can hear weak writing. It's the way we talk. Verbose. Passive. Too many adverbs, because we chose weak verbs and need to amplify them to explain what we really meant to say. It's easy to write that way. It's hard to write well. But it's worth the effort.
Most of us enjoy gripping stories. Those are the ones we can't put down. We keep turning the pages until we get to the end. And afterward, we remember the message behind such stories. Because we read them.
So why not write them? Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, you can employ the elements of story-telling to draw your readers into the action. That's how we show rather than tell stories. And when we do that, our readers become involved. They see themselves in our stories.
When they do that, they buy our books—and read them. And sometimes our stories influence their lives.
That's why we need to know how to tell them, well, so people will read them. A weak story is easy to write. Such stories are often written in passive voice rather than simple past tense. (For example, "Jack was running up the hill," rather than, "Jack ran up the hill.") Weak writing is also identified by the use of weak verbs. ("Ran" is good, "Jack charged up the hill," is better.)
Most of the time, we can hear weak writing. It's the way we talk. Verbose. Passive. Too many adverbs, because we chose weak verbs and need to amplify them to explain what we really meant to say. It's easy to write that way. It's hard to write well. But it's worth the effort.
Most of us enjoy gripping stories. Those are the ones we can't put down. We keep turning the pages until we get to the end. And afterward, we remember the message behind such stories. Because we read them.
So why not write them? Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, you can employ the elements of story-telling to draw your readers into the action. That's how we show rather than tell stories. And when we do that, our readers become involved. They see themselves in our stories.
When they do that, they buy our books—and read them. And sometimes our stories influence their lives.
Self-Publishing
Many writers want to know whether or not they should self-publish. I can't answer that question for anyone. And neither can anyone else. But I can share some insights.
If you self-publish, you take on most of the responsibility for the quality of your product. You also gain the authority to ensure that your book is exactly what you want it to be. You can control the cover design, layout, graphics, font type, size, and more. But you also bear the responsibility to be certain that you make the best choices.
The good news is there are publishers who will help you. The bad news is there are lots of companies that won't. And some who will hurt you.
If you decide to self-publish, you need to understand the commitment you're making. You'll invest money to buy books to store in your garage or somewhere else while you try to figure out how you can sell what you've bought. Aside from the autonomy you gain, I'm not convinced it's the best choice for most of us.
Most writers don't have the skills and savvy required to successfully self-publish. That is, we are not sales people. We know know little if anything about marketing, trends, and what makes one product better than another. I've worked in sales for more than twenty years, but doubt I possess all I'd need if I were to self-publish.
And beyond all that, there is a larger question.
Why would you want to limit your market to what you know and what you can do? An established house with a track record of best-sellers knows more than you and I ever will about this business.
They know how to sell books. I know how to write them. And I believe what one friend told me. Together we can do what we could never do alone.
If you self-publish, you take on most of the responsibility for the quality of your product. You also gain the authority to ensure that your book is exactly what you want it to be. You can control the cover design, layout, graphics, font type, size, and more. But you also bear the responsibility to be certain that you make the best choices.
The good news is there are publishers who will help you. The bad news is there are lots of companies that won't. And some who will hurt you.
If you decide to self-publish, you need to understand the commitment you're making. You'll invest money to buy books to store in your garage or somewhere else while you try to figure out how you can sell what you've bought. Aside from the autonomy you gain, I'm not convinced it's the best choice for most of us.
Most writers don't have the skills and savvy required to successfully self-publish. That is, we are not sales people. We know know little if anything about marketing, trends, and what makes one product better than another. I've worked in sales for more than twenty years, but doubt I possess all I'd need if I were to self-publish.
And beyond all that, there is a larger question.
Why would you want to limit your market to what you know and what you can do? An established house with a track record of best-sellers knows more than you and I ever will about this business.
They know how to sell books. I know how to write them. And I believe what one friend told me. Together we can do what we could never do alone.
Why Write?
There are lots of FAQs about writing for publication. People want to know how to get started. They're often looking for a key or a formula that will increase the odds for their success. And when writers become anxious to see their name in print they sometimes look for shortcuts.
There are none.
Nevertheless, you can do certain things that will help you become a published author. There are also things you should avoid. This blog is dedicated to helping writers learn from the mistakes of others.
In nine years, I've made a few poor choices. Thankfully, I've learned more often from other's mistakes than mine. So I hope you will learn from the cumulative wisdom you'll find here.
Remember that this business is varied and changes constantly. Moreover, what is offered in these posts is opinion. No one has all the answers. I'm grateful to have discovered a few of the questions. And I'm indebted to those in the industry who have given of their time and talent to teach me.
Now, it's your turn. It's time to learn. Time to grow. Time to practice our craft and hone our skills. So check in often and I'll try to stay ahead of your needs. Ask questions as they come to mind, but as the blog grows you may want to check the archives before you post.
There are none.
Nevertheless, you can do certain things that will help you become a published author. There are also things you should avoid. This blog is dedicated to helping writers learn from the mistakes of others.
In nine years, I've made a few poor choices. Thankfully, I've learned more often from other's mistakes than mine. So I hope you will learn from the cumulative wisdom you'll find here.
Remember that this business is varied and changes constantly. Moreover, what is offered in these posts is opinion. No one has all the answers. I'm grateful to have discovered a few of the questions. And I'm indebted to those in the industry who have given of their time and talent to teach me.
Now, it's your turn. It's time to learn. Time to grow. Time to practice our craft and hone our skills. So check in often and I'll try to stay ahead of your needs. Ask questions as they come to mind, but as the blog grows you may want to check the archives before you post.
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