Blog
Is Writing All Over Me? by Brenda J. Wood
I feel an obligation to write. Therefore, I read articles about writing. I join online teaching events. I buy books about writing. I write books about writing. I teach writing classes. I am all over writing, but is writing all over me? As a Christian, what are my writing obligations? Can I write what I… Read more »
Writing on the Ark by Brenda J Wood
Noah sits blissfully at his desk on the ark, surrounded by bleating sheep, roaring lions, and difficult relatives. He has an obligation to record the daily goings-on in his new book, Live the Life You Dreamed. His wife calls him to dinner. His kids want attention. The squirrels steal into birdcages and steal food. The… Read more »
Too Tired for the Journey by Steph Beth Nickel
Twenty-twenty-one stretches out before us. Some of us are excited by all the possibilities. Others … not so much. We get tired just thinking about the next twelve months. It’s possible that the majority of us vacillate between the two. Some days we’re optimistic and energized. Other days we want to pull the covers over… Read more »
The Writing Community by Steph Beth Nickel
Combine the solitary nature of writing plus the restrictions of 2020 and it can take the wind out of our sails. Even introverts who are thankful not to have social obligations hanging over them may find it hard to get their creative gears turning. But just because our social lives have been severely curtailed doesn’t… Read more »
Writing with Authenticity by Pamela Mytroen
Red CPR engines stormed by, just beyond the platform, shaking the window of the little dormer I stood in. My sister and I held each other and laughed at the thunder of what had become routine. The little nook of my Canadian Pacific Railway home, in which my sister and I enacted many doll-house mysteries,… Read more »
Your Audience: Who They’re Not by Steph Beth Nickel
You must niche down. Have you created an avatar? What are the demographics of those you’re seeking to reach? And … I’m ready to pack it in. I’m eclectically interested and eclectically involved. I can’t imagine writing for one specific woman who personifies my audience. Guess what. I don’t have to. Well, not really. I… Read more »
Your Audience: Who They’re Not by Steph Beth Nickel
You must niche down. Have you created an avatar? What are the demographics of those you’re seeking to reach? And … I’m ready to pack it in. I’m eclectically interested and eclectically involved. I can’t imagine writing for one specific woman who personifies my audience. Guess what. I don’t have to. Well, not really. I… Read more »
The Practice of Expert by Brenda J Wood
I have come across more than one baker who never shared the correct recipe. Oh, they will write out the ingredients, but they leave out an essential, like baking powder. They want to be the only expert in their puny field. (Luke 14:10) Over time, we learn not to trust that so-called expert. The same… Read more »
Stumbling into Expertise by Brenda J Wood
As a writer, I am always taking classes and trying to learn more about my craft. I examined the teaching list of a recent writer’s conference ad and laughed out loud. I know most of these folks. I know they probably don’t consider themselves to be experts. Still, someone else did and my friends simply… Read more »
Developing Team Support by Tracy Krauss
Last time we talked about the need for a variety of support systems in order to surround oneself with a strong writing community. This included large organizations like Inscribe and others, perhaps a genre specific group or collective that has a narrower focus, a small local or online writing group where you really get to… Read more »