Here’s an interesting article concerning Christian publishing. It doesn’t specifically reference the fiction side of things, but if a big advance is going to certain people, then it makes sense that it would leave less money all around, including the fiction set.
Here’s an interesting article concerning Christian publishing. It doesn’t specifically reference the fiction side of things, but if a big advance is going to certain people, then it makes sense that it would leave less money all around, including the fiction set.
I’ve pretty much done with my discussion of writing resources. Concerning websites, I could go on and on with places I’ve gone for inspiration or information. Solshine7 wanted to point out Light for the Writer’s Soul as a good site. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I will be indeed.
There are two more books that I thought I’d mention. The first one is Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors by Brandilyn Collins. She was on my list of website resources. She studied the Method Acting technique, and applies it to developing well-rounded characters. I started the book, but it got pushed aside during a busy time and I’ve yet to start over (apologies BC!). This is a unique angle and worth checking out.
Another book is by James Scott Bell, who happens to have a pretty good site for resources himself. He also contributes to the Charis Connection writers’ blog. He has a book in the “Write Great Fiction” series titled Plot and Structure. Again, this was a book that was started, but busyness forced it aside. Bell gives a lot of helpful advice on his site, enough that I could recommend his book (also from what I read).
On an opposite note, I want to give a word of warning. For a time I was a member of the Writer’s Digest book club. It seems like a good deal, and there are various books there that may meet needs you have (I do enjoy my Roget’s Super Thesaurus that I got through there). They just happen to be the type of book club that you have to return the little card or they automatically send you a book. I got burned once this way, and they seem to be about producing numerous products that can feed the great desire of writers to improve and eventually publish. Some of them seem a little superfluous, and I just want people to watch what they’re getting into. I am not anti-Writer’s Digest book club, but I won’t avail myself of their services again.
Ultimately, we can read all the “how-to” books we want to, eventually we have to DO the writing if we’re going to get anywhere. I need this encouragement too! Hopefully this was helpful. Now go put it into practice!
I’ve pretty much done with my discussion of writing resources. Concerning websites, I could go on and on with places I’ve gone for inspiration or information. Solshine7 wanted to point out Light for the Writer’s Soul as a good site. I haven’t checked it out yet, but I will be indeed.
There are two more books that I thought I’d mention. The first one is Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors by Brandilyn Collins. She was on my list of website resources. She studied the Method Acting technique, and applies it to developing well-rounded characters. I started the book, but it got pushed aside during a busy time and I’ve yet to start over (apologies BC!). This is a unique angle and worth checking out.
Another book is by James Scott Bell, who happens to have a pretty good site for resources himself. He also contributes to the Charis Connection writers’ blog. He has a book in the “Write Great Fiction” series titled Plot and Structure. Again, this was a book that was started, but busyness forced it aside. Bell gives a lot of helpful advice on his site, enough that I could recommend his book (also from what I read).
On an opposite note, I want to give a word of warning. For a time I was a member of the Writer’s Digest book club. It seems like a good deal, and there are various books there that may meet needs you have (I do enjoy my Roget’s Super Thesaurus that I got through there). They just happen to be the type of book club that you have to return the little card or they automatically send you a book. I got burned once this way, and they seem to be about producing numerous products that can feed the great desire of writers to improve and eventually publish. Some of them seem a little superfluous, and I just want people to watch what they’re getting into. I am not anti-Writer’s Digest book club, but I won’t avail myself of their services again.
Ultimately, we can read all the “how-to” books we want to, eventually we have to DO the writing if we’re going to get anywhere. I need this encouragement too! Hopefully this was helpful. Now go put it into practice!
(For anybody keeping track, day 4 of this discussion is called “Double Duty“)
As I’ve been talked about writing resources, I’ve been focusing on books on writing. Of course there are numerous other helps available, and I’d like to point out some free resources on the web today. Many of these are listed in my right sidebar, but I’ll discuss them today.
1. Forensics and Faith. Brandilyn Collins is Christian fiction’s suspense specialist. She is also a wonderful woman who really gives of herself. Her blog has gone through many discussions of fiction techniques. She’s covered action sequences, POV, voice. One special feature was when a reader submitted an action scene where BC walked us through an edit of it. Check out the left sidebar for links to the particular subjects.
2. Faith*in*Fiction. Dave Long is a fiction acquistion editor at Bethany House. He started the blog to draw in people who might have work that fit the company, but he also put out some helpful discussions on the craft of fiction, as well as discussions on the business of publishing. He hasn’t been too active lately (shame Mr. Long…), but check out the right sidebar for links. Also see the f*i*f discussion board, with many helpful writers who discuss topics.
3. Novel Journey. This wonderful site interviews numerous authors, discussing writing highs and lows. Lately the ladies of NJ have had some intrepid readers submit chapters to be critiqued for all to see. Helpful to see a constructive critique, which to me keys me in to blind spots I may have.
4. Notes on Craft. This is a work of J. Mark Bertrand, a writer and thinker. This blog discusses aspects of the craft of fiction. He always posts thoughtful insights into the process.
5. The Writing Life. Terry Whalin is an agent who has worked as an editor and writer as well. His site is part marketing, but he has a lot of helpful advice, and I check here regularly. His companion site is Right Writing.
6. A Christian Worldview of Fiction. Becky Miller is behind this site, and she has been a big encouragement to me. She writes about the craft of fiction, but also challenges Christian writers about the HEART of what Christian fiction should be about. There are always thoughtful discussions here. She is also the head cheerleader for the sub-genre of Christian science fiction and fantasy, organizer of the CSFF blog tour, and all around busy person. She also contributes to Speculative Faith, a blog dedicated to CSFF.
7. Charis Connection. This is a blog of a group of Christian fiction writers, who share insight from their own experience in the publishing world. There is great encouragement here, as well as challenges in the craft.
This is a VERY small sample of the resources out there for writers. I wanted to highlight some that I enjoy and use. If you know of other links that would go well here, please share them in the comments. I have a little more to share on writing resources in the next day or two, then I’ll have to come up with another idea for posts! Aieee!
(For anybody keeping track, day 4 of this discussion is called “Double Duty“)
As I’ve been talked about writing resources, I’ve been focusing on books on writing. Of course there are numerous other helps available, and I’d like to point out some free resources on the web today. Many of these are listed in my right sidebar, but I’ll discuss them today.
1. Forensics and Faith. Brandilyn Collins is Christian fiction’s suspense specialist. She is also a wonderful woman who really gives of herself. Her blog has gone through many discussions of fiction techniques. She’s covered action sequences, POV, voice. One special feature was when a reader submitted an action scene where BC walked us through an edit of it. Check out the left sidebar for links to the particular subjects.
2. Faith*in*Fiction. Dave Long is a fiction acquistion editor at Bethany House. He started the blog to draw in people who might have work that fit the company, but he also put out some helpful discussions on the craft of fiction, as well as discussions on the business of publishing. He hasn’t been too active lately (shame Mr. Long…), but check out the right sidebar for links. Also see the f*i*f discussion board, with many helpful writers who discuss topics.
3. Novel Journey. This wonderful site interviews numerous authors, discussing writing highs and lows. Lately the ladies of NJ have had some intrepid readers submit chapters to be critiqued for all to see. Helpful to see a constructive critique, which to me keys me in to blind spots I may have.
4. Notes on Craft. This is a work of J. Mark Bertrand, a writer and thinker. This blog discusses aspects of the craft of fiction. He always posts thoughtful insights into the process.
5. The Writing Life. Terry Whalin is an agent who has worked as an editor and writer as well. His site is part marketing, but he has a lot of helpful advice, and I check here regularly. His companion site is Right Writing.
6. A Christian Worldview of Fiction. Becky Miller is behind this site, and she has been a big encouragement to me. She writes about the craft of fiction, but also challenges Christian writers about the HEART of what Christian fiction should be about. There are always thoughtful discussions here. She is also the head cheerleader for the sub-genre of Christian science fiction and fantasy, organizer of the CSFF blog tour, and all around busy person. She also contributes to Speculative Faith, a blog dedicated to CSFF.
7. Charis Connection. This is a blog of a group of Christian fiction writers, who share insight from their own experience in the publishing world. There is great encouragement here, as well as challenges in the craft.
This is a VERY small sample of the resources out there for writers. I wanted to highlight some that I enjoy and use. If you know of other links that would go well here, please share them in the comments. I have a little more to share on writing resources in the next day or two, then I’ll have to come up with another idea for posts! Aieee!