Blog
Lessons from the Writing Path of Alexandr Solzhenitsyn by Sandi Somers
Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), a Russian novelist and an outspoken critic of communism, has been one of my “shadow mentors.” I was introduced to his work when, years ago, my dad bought his book, The Gulag Archipelago, and I became fascinated with his life and works. As a young man, Solzhenitsyn dreamed of writing the grand… Read more »
The Importance of Creative Imagination by Sandi Somers
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). “…we become what we envisage.” ~Claude M. Bristol Jack and Jo Popjes, former Wycliffe missionaries in Brazil, and Jack now an InScriber, lived among the Canela people for 20 years. They were committed to translating the… Read more »
Overcoming Procrastination by Steph Beth Nickel
Don’t get too excited. This isn’t a step-by-step process to overcome procrastination once and for all. It is, however, a list of things that may help you increasingly gain victory over procrastination, especially in the areas of writing and publishing. Forgive Yourself As much as we’d like to, we can’t hop in a time machine,… Read more »
Greetings and A Challenge by Steph Beth Nickel
On that first Christmas, the shepherds saw for themselves that what the angels told them was true. They found the baby exactly as the angels said they would. And their response? Bubbling over with joy and wonder, they went out and shared the news with whomever would listen. And Mary’s response? She held her wonder… Read more »
Henry Crowell: Developing Our Business as We Consult with God by Sandra Somers
Most of us don’t know the name of the Ohio resident Henry Crowell (1855-1943), but we do know one of his legacies. At age 17, Henry Crowell was dying of tuberculosis. After hearing a message from D.L. Moody challenging his listeners to think big, he knew the message was directed to him. But how? He… Read more »
Writing Short-Form by Lynne Collier
What is a short story? Writing short stories can be a way to create a story without the daunting task of writing a full-length novel. It doesn’t mean writing short fiction is easy. Like all forms of writing, it comes with its unique challenges. In a short story, you can build a world but not… Read more »
How Much Do Shortform Career Writers Get Paid? by Lynne Collier
Like many writers, I have to supplement my income. My books don’t bring in much money—not enough to make a difference in our budget since my husband retired. I researched what a writer in Canada earns and for which specific type of writing. I figured, nowadays, I could live in Ontario and write remotely for… Read more »
What If Writers Think? by Brenda J. Wood
Have you ever been in that kind of situation where the person you are talking to has no idea what you’re saying? Or perhaps, someone is explaining something to you, and you just don’t understand? That creates a terrible mess, doesn’t it? Think children. You say, “Time for bed,” and they hear, “Five more minutes.”… Read more »
Taking a Break Part 2 by Carol Harrison
“It’s very refreshing to go away and take a break, to clear your head and just get into something else.” Francois Nars There have been many moments of wishing I could escape for a short writing retreat at a lake, maybe even just a few days away to relax. But that isn’t always possible in… Read more »
Taking a Break Part 1 by Carol Harrison
At the beginning of this year, I felt physically exhausted, mentally unfocused, emotionally drained, and spiritually walking in a desert place. How could I write? I didn’t know what to write, how to edit previous pieces, or how to finish the few I’d started. Did I even want to write anymore? The negative monkey voices… Read more »