A3's Managing Editor Host, Genre Chat. Junior Agent for Cyle Young
Winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Published in MTL, Christian Rep and other online Magazines, Cherrilynn strives to write for the Glory of God. Currently, she is working on a series of non-fiction books and a YA mystery novel with her son. She is a Speaker with “WomenSpeakers.com” and “By Design Ministries". Cherrilynn resides in East Greenwich, RI with her husband and 15-year-old son, both named Michael; her M&m's.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer. She founded The Write Proposal after reading hundreds of book proposals with avoidable errors. These errors cost the author a contract or representation. As a submission reader and junior literary agent, Cherrilynn wants you to succeed. Her desire is to help you present a professional and memorable proposal. She has written proposals for Paws for Effect, a Hollywood movie company, and helped edit many proposals. As the managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn can be reached at editor@thewriteproposal.com For more information about the Write Proposal visit www.thewriteproposal.com
“What’s the difference between a fiction book proposal and non-fiction?”
“Do I need the illustrations when I submit my children’s book proposal?”
Join Cherrilynn Bisbano and Caleb Walton for an informative chat. As they answer these and other proposal questions.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer. She founded The Write Proposal after reading hundreds of book proposals with avoidable errors. These errors cost the author a contract or representation. As a submission reader and junior literary agent, Cherrilynn wants you to succeed. Her desire is to help you present a professional and memorable proposal. She has written proposals for Paws for Effect, a Hollywood movie company, and helped edit many proposals. As the managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn hosts Genre Chat where she’s privileged to interview expert writers like Jerry B. Jenkins, Cecil Murphy, Michelle Adams and Steven James.
She earned her associate’s degree in communications and continues to study business management.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. She’s published in many online magazines and blogs. Cherrilynn contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul- Miracles, Breaking the Chains, and Heart Reno books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.
HOLLAND WEBB
Holland Webb is a full-time freelance copywriter and digital marketing strategist living near Greenville, SC.
His clients are leaders in the online retail, higher education, and faith-based sectors. Holland has written for brands such as U.S. News & World Report, iLendX, Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, MediaFusion, Modkat, Great Bay Home, IMPACT Water, and BioNetwork.
He is a featured writer on Compose.ly, and his copywriting column appears on Almost An Author.
Cristel is “Saving the world from bad writing, one project at a time, all while drinking copious amounts of coffee.”
Cristel is part of the Serious Writer team, lending her editing expertise to writers at conferences and online. Mentoring and coaching authors through the editing and proposal process is what makes her shine. She is also a member of The Christian Pen and owner of The Editing House, where she edits manuscripts and other projects for the Christian industry.
Managing editor for Decapolis Publishing in Lansing, Michigan for 7 years.
“Can I really compare my book with a bestselling author’s book?”
“Why do I need this? Won’t I shine the light on their book and not mine?”
“How many books do I need to compare and contrast?”
“What is a competitive analysis, anyway?”
These are just some of the questions I get while assisting my clients with the Competetive Analysis portion of their book proposal.
The CA is vital because it is used to prove to the agent or publisher that your book is similar enough to already published books that have an audience,
yet different enough to grab those established reader’s attention. It provides information on how well your book might sell in the same genre or market.
Publishers and agents love to see numbers, so the facts from a well developed, well researched CA can be used in your marketing plan which in turn gives you a better chance to get a contract. Before you create you CA ALWAYS read the agent or publisher’s submissionguidelines.
Here are a few tips to creating your Competitive Analysis
Research
Make a list of 7-10 books that tell the same type of story or give the same kind of information as your book.
Look for competing books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, BookDepository.com and other online booksellers.
Take a trip to a brick and mortar store or library to investigate what books are on the shelf where your book would
be once it’s published. Yes, add a few bestsellers to the list. Note that traditionally published books by a larger publisher are preferred.
Stay away from self-published books unless they’ve sold thousands in the first year. Make sure the book was published within the last 5-7 years.
Obtain the following information from the books you chose to compare and contrast.
Title and subtitle
Author
Publisher
Copyright year
Number of pages
Format (paperback, hardcover, etc)
Price
ISBN Answer these questions when you write the compare and contrast portion of each book.
How is my book similar?
How is my book different?
What promise does the author make to readers?
What promise does my book make that is different/similar from the other book?
How are my credentials similar/different from the other author?
Never criticize the other book or author.
Creating a professional book proposal takes time and effort. Many agents and publishers look at the Competitive Analysis and Marketing Plan first.
They want to know that the author is informed and ready to promote their book.
Yes, the proposal seems harder than writing the book, but I have total confidence that you can do it.
Stay the course, my friend. I’m here if you need me.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer. She founded The Write Proposal after reading hundreds of book proposals with avoidable errors. These errors cost the author a contract or representation. As a former submission reader and junior literary agent, Cherrilynn wants you to succeed. Her desire is to help you present a professional and memorable proposal. She has written proposals for Paws for Effect, a Hollywood movie company, and helped edit many proposals. As the previous managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn hosted Genre Chat where she was privileged to interview expert writers like Jerry B. Jenkins, Cecil Murphy, Michelle Adams, Liz Curtiz Higgs, and Steven James.
She earned her associate’s degree in communications and continues to study business management.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. She’s published in many online magazines and blogs. Cherrilynn contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul- Miracles, Breaking the Chains, and Heart Reno books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.
People entrust their precious baby to them. Their beautiful, chubby, and well-loved child. Doctors must examine the infant to find every pimple, wart, and imperfection. Some babies have a few blemishes while others have the chicken pox.
What’s a doctor to do?
Tell the parent of course and give the advice to cure the ailing child. The parent leaves, script in hand, determined to nurture the child until every spot is gone.
Proposals are our babies. We find it difficult to hand our precious to someone we barely know, let alone allow them to pick it apart! We know the checkup is necessary to ward off serious ailments, but some disorders can be cured prior to the visit.
During my examination of many proposals, I found the top three glaring blemishes that can be remedied at home.
The top three blemishes:
Format: The standard format is 1″ margins, double-spaced in New Courier 12 or Times New Roman 12 font.
I’ve seen proposals with cursive fonts, bold fonts, and centered on the page. It looks artistic and captures my eye but the agent or publisher will reject it. Always check the submission guidelines just in case the agent or publisher uses a different format.
Editing: Weed words are choking your message. Weed Words are unnecessary words and slow the reader. Here is a link to a list of these invaders.
Weed words are the major problem I encounter when editing a proposal. Take the time to pull them before you hit send. The agent and publisher will be thankful.
Marketing: Nike-Just Do it!
Agents and publishers want action. The words they dread: I will. I will get a website, I will call churches, I will tell my friend, I will get a Facebook page. NIKE! Do it before you send your proposal. It shows initiative and is mandatory to most publishers before they will sign you. Invest time into marketing like a parent invests time into the health of their child.
Just like babies need a regular checkup, our proposals need an examination.
If the editor finds something you didn’t, listen and learn.
We don’t hit the doctor if our child is sick, so please don’t slap the editor if your proposal needs work.
Your success is our success.
What blemishes do you encounter while writing or reading a proposal? What’s the remedy?
Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.
As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years.
Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.
As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years.
Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.
I love cats, coffee, chocolate, and long walks on the beach, especially if the beach has sea glass. My cat is my best friend and therapist. What does this information have to do with my author bio? NOTHING! All this information is good for a dating website (you won’t find me there, I’m married) or your personal social media page, but not a book proposal bio.
So what do agents and publishers want?
Writing experience
Don’t be shy. If you wrote for the school paper, local newspaper, or college blog, include it in this section. Of course, annotate any books or magazine articles.
Education
Include high school, college, and any online courses. Did you attend an intense class at a conference? Make sure it’s in your bio.
Achievements
Note any writing awards, no matter how small. I read one proposal that mentioned a tri-state, third-grade school award for best story. As a junior agent, this award showed me that the author began writing early and has a recognizable talent.
Publishing History
Local newspapers, blogs, magazines, books, and newsletters all count. List the name of the article or book, publisher, and date. Self-publishing counts.
Current Head Shot
Use a recent photo. If you do not have one, pay a professional, or ask someone who knows how to take a good photo.
Additional Information
Write your author bio in the third person. Use your name and a pronoun interchangeably.
The agent and publisher want to know you are the best person to write the book.
Some agents and publishers love cats, but if your book is not about a feline, leave Morris, Tabby, Felix, Sampson, or Peach out of your proposal.
If you have any questions about book proposals, email me at editor@thewriteproposal.com
As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to the Blue Ridge Christian Writers blog. She is published in Heart Reno, Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles, and Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard; earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years, Michael, Sr.
The MANUAL TO MIDDLE SCHOOL is for boys making the big jump up to middle school. The move from elementary to middle school can be difficult for many guys. Too big to be little yet too little to be big, they face the perfect storm of changing bodies, rushing hormones, and learning challenges. Many new to middle school guys find themselves struggling with grades, behavior, relationships with family, friends, and teachers. Boys often grow frustrated and embarrassed as they strain to figure out what to do and what notto do in their new world… called middle school.
For me, the best part of this book is that I wrote it with my two sons. When we started writing together Cole was moving into middle school and Reed as moving out to high school. Our dinner conversations were all about younger brother asking older, “What’s middle school really like?” These proved to be our inspiration. It also helped that I was working with middle schools around the country so I was able to interview over 300 teachers, administrators, and parents about what they saw as the biggest struggles new to middle school guys face daily. I’d return home armed with fresh content that the boys and I would filter it through the real-time middle school boy experience.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I write because I believe to those who are given much, much is expected in return.
In 2012 I walked away from an auto accident that should have ended my life. In the moment of impact, with glass breaking and airbags deploying, I thought, “I’m going to die. Who will raise my boys?” I felt cheated out of the role of one day walking the boys through the rights of passage shared between a father and his sons. Who would teach them to shave? How to change a tire? Meet a girlfriend’s parents for the first time? “That should be me,” I thought as my rental car crushed in around me.
A moment later I stood bruised but not broken on the side of the freeway, staring at a totaled rental car. While thanking the Lord for protection beyond explanation I resolved to move from being a decent dad to parenting with purpose. Starting that night I created a cloud file for my sons titled, If anything ever happens to me. In the file I wrote instructions to life, “how to” tutorials, introduction to people they should meet, and reminders of their mother’s favorite things.
Months later I shared this file with my mentor and he rattled my mind with his reply. “This isn’t a file for your sons only Jonathan. This advice is for countless boys who need a positive male role model to walk beside them.” He told me, “This needs to be a book.” Little did I know how right he was.
The theme of my writing has been about transforming boys to become confident and capable men. That theme recently expanded to include girls as my bride Erica and I completed two manuscripts titled, The GIRLS’ GUIDE TO CONQUERING LIFE and The GIRL’S GUIDE TO CONQUERING MIDDLE SCHOOL. We had a blast writing together and hope the work will help transform girls to become kind, confident, and capable young women in the making.
Looking back to that hot Texas day, on the shoulder of a freeway, I walked away from a wreck and into the gift of time shared with my sons and bride. I do my best to steward the value of this gift every day. And so I write, in return for how much has been given to me.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?
My first book was published in 2014. It took about 18 months to write, shop, edit, and illustrate.
How long does it take you to write a book?
My writing tends to take a bit long because it includes hundreds of illustrations. A good accounting is about a year for each book.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
I pound the keys after my boys go to school and before they come home. Once they burst through the door I try to be done. I’ll also write while they are in music lessons. After dropping them off at the studio I’ll sit in the corner of a little café down the street and type as much as I can before rushing back to pick them up.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I don’t think I have any interesting working quirks but my family does, and they point them out to me regularly. So, I guess I do. Apparently, I listen to the same music soundtrack on repeat, over and over again. They all know who my favorite musician is… this week. They also say I like my office arranged in a very specific way and that I know when they have moved things around. Besides that, and as long as my old dog is laying on the floor beside me, I think my writing environment is pretty low maintenance.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
The greatest joy of my writing career is first and foremost working with my family. After that, it’s the lives impacted by the books. For example, a few years ago a celebrity friend included me in a documentary film project he produced about bullying. I got to meet with the “tough” guys he was mentoring, introduce them to The MANUAL TO MAHOOD, and practice a couple How To instructions from the book. Shortly thereafter, my friend died unexpectedly. At his funeral one of the guys he was mentoring pulled me aside and said, “You’re the How To Pound a Nail guy, aren’t you. After you met with us my mom asked me to hang a heavy mirror for her. I didn’t think I could until I remembered what you taught us about finding a stud in the wall and pounding a nail. I hung that mirror no problem. It really made my mom proud of me. Thanks, man.” This may not sound like much to some people, but for this young man the simple act of knowing how to pound a nail helped him gain his mother’s respect and avoid the embarrassment of not being able to successfully hang a mirror. Isn’t that what everybody wants? To gain respect and avoid embarrassment.
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
That last day of rereading my own work before sending it to my publisher. I tend to question every word and can’t believe that’s what I poured myself into for a year. But I’m usually good again by the time the advance release copies arrive on my desk.
Which of your books is your favorite?
I regularly find myself in the pages of Run With The Horses by Eugene H. Peterson
Who is your favorite author to read?
Inheriting my grandfather’s library of Oswald Chambers early writings is one of my most cherished collections.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?
Your writing will never be good enough for you. So finish your manuscript and submit the darn thing. The editors will make it better.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
If people are reading your work rejection is guaranteed. Between the ease of posting online and “everybody gets a voice” haters are only a click away. Erica once kicked me out of a funk by reminding me, “Not everybody is going to like you all the time. I love you but nobody is that good. Get over it and move on.” Ya, she’s a tough one and I love her for it.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
I finally got to share my 8th-grade dance, parachute pants, pretty girl in a red dress story in The MANUAL TO MIDDLE SCHOOL book. It’s on page 54 if you want a good laugh.
Where do you get your ideas?
Who needs help and how can I assist?
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Self-doubt and fear of rejection lend itself to the excuse of not finishing. Get’er done!
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
Go to an agent with a manuscript proposal that is well composed. Do your research on what you’re asking them to pitch to publishers. An agent is far more likely to take you on if you have original work or a unique way of presenting a tried and true topic.
Jonathan Catherman has worked in private and public education for 23 years. As a sociologist and educator, Jonathan is dedicated to understanding what mindsets, skillsets, and toolsets best influences the character and leadership development of today’s emerging generation. An international bestselling author, award-winning cultural strategist, education consultant, and founder of 1M Mentoring Jonathan speaks worldwide to diverse audiences of all ages. His contagious energy and passionate speaking style engages and inspires while his clear vision and practical instruction clarifies what leadership principles and structural relations empower greatness in people and organizations. For his success in the development and delivery of youth mentoring resources and programing Jonathan was awarded the 2016 President’s Volunteer Service Award and Martin Luther King Drum Major for Service Award. Jonathan and his bride Erica have been married for 20 years. Together with and their two sons the family enjoys the warmth and hospitality of North Carolina where they call a small community near Charlotte home.
The One Page Sell Sheet is like a mini resume. The sell sheet gives the agent or publisher pertinent information while enticing them to read on. It is not to be confused with the sell sheet sent to bookstores to promote your book or the one sheet presented to agents and publishers at a conference.
The use of fancy fonts and colors is not recommended on your One Page Sell Sheet.
Your headshot and photo of the cover of the book (if available) should be the only photos included on this page.
Always adhere to the submission guidelines which can be found at the agency or publishers website.
Grab the attention of the agent or publisher by including the following.
The first line: The title, genre, and word count
Title: Don’t underestimate the importance of your title. Yes, the publisher may change it, but the title draws the reader in and it eludes to the genre and content of the book.
Genre: Is your book fiction or non-fiction. List any sub-categories. An extended list of subcategories can be found on Amazon.
Word Count: Most writing programs keep the word count for you. If not, the rule of thumb to obtain a word count is to multiply the number of pages by 300.
Tagline–
A one-line pitch of your book. This is optional for fiction at some agencies. It’s also called a catchphrase. The tagline should be brief, catchy, and true to the story.
Back book cover paragraph-
Is not the synopsis. It is about 200 words that will hook the reader and convince them they need to buy your book. Read the back covers of the best sellers in your genre to get an idea. Think of your back cover paragraph as a sales pitch. If your book is part of a series, mention it here.
Abbreviated bio with author photo-
Keep the bio brief. Annotate how many years you’ve been writing along with some recent publications. The proposal has another section to expound on your bio. Please use a recent photo. I’ve been surprised when I met an author in person and they look nothing like the headshot on their proposal.
Remember, it’s one page.
Also remember, you can do this!
You accomplished something many people aspire to do. You wrote a book.
Creating your one sheet is nothing compared to all the time and energy you invest in your characters, research, and editing.
If you have any questions, I’m here for you. No question is silly or insignificant.
Contact me at editor@thewriteproposal.com.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer and the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services. Cherrilynn spent two years as Managing editor of Serious Writer’s, Almost an Author, Top 100 writing websites. She is managing editor of Stand Firm-Reasons column.
She hosts Genre Chat where she’s privileged to interview expert writers. Cherrilynn co-hosts Fulfilled Prophecy Friday with well-known prophecy speaker Jake McCandless.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. She’s published in many online magazines and contributes to Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers blog. Contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul- Miracles, Breaking the Chains and Heart Reno books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard; earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years, Michael, Sr.
My most recent book, published in January 2016 by Harper Collins Christian, is called The Confessions of X. It is a historical fiction about St. Augustine of Hippo’s concubine. The story follows her from childhood to young womanhood, when she first met Augustine, then through her common-law marriage with Augustine, the birth of their son, and beyond. The novel received Christianity Today’s Book of the Year Award for 2017.
My first novel, Unveiling, is being republished by Paraclete Press in the spring of 2018. It’s the story of an art conservator, Rachel Piers, who is sent to Rome by her New York museum to restore what is believed to be a lost medieval masterpiece. The story is about what happens to Rachel as she slowly uncovers—unveils—the painting, and how what she finds changes her life. Unveiling won the Award of Merit from the Christianity Today book awards.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
That’s a hard one to answer because from a very young age, I have always wanted to write stories.
I don’t believe that art is a vehicle merely for conveying a “message” as if it is only the message that counts and not the story itself. The “felt life” that fiction seeks to incarnate is too complex and too rich to be reduced to concepts or ideas. My ultimate goal is that the finished artefact is “real” as far as human experience and emotion is concerned and that the historical setting is authentic. It is the humanity of the characters that I care about. I would be just as interested in portraying an atheist as I would a person of faith for even the atheist reveals man’s hunger for the divine.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember and publishing novels for 20 years or so, give or take, although my output has been meager considering the fact that I have raised four children and worked as a professor of English at various universities during this time.
I am now able to write full time and I have two novels coming out in 2018. My first novel, Unveiling, sat in a drawer for ten years until Paraclete Press picked it up. The second edition of Unveiling is forthcoming from Paraclete in spring 2018.
How long does it take you to write a book?
That really depends on what the novel is about. Unveiling is a contemporary novel set in present day Rome and so the research only involved medieval painting and conservation techniques.
The Confessions of X is set at the end of the Roman Empire in the fourth century. I had to research not only the time period but also Augustine’s works. As he was the most prolific writer of the ancient world, this took a long time—four years of research and four years of writing the novel.
I have another novel coming out in August 2018 by Crooked Lane Books and this one is set in Elizabethan times—1580s London. This has taken me less time to research mostly because I am not researching the writings of a certain historical figure but only the times. It is the first in a murder mystery series set at the court of Elizabeth the First.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
I’m pretty disciplined as I have found that my Muse tends towards indolence if I don’t keep her in check. Writing only when inspiration strikes is a very haphazard affair, at least for me. When my children were small, I used to write at night but now they are grown, I prefer the mornings. I like to write every day for four to six hours. More if I am on a deadline. I have friends who have a beautiful house on Orcas Island and they have been gracious enough to allow me to stay there over the years and write. When I am there I am able to write ten to twelve hours a day.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I don’t think so unless it’s re-reading what I wrote the day before and going over it before I start writing anything new. Not a very interesting quirk.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
My greatest joy is the act of writing itself. There is nothing like being totally absorbed in the world of a novel, in the life of its characters.
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
My darkest moments come after the novel is published and I fear that the novel will never be read by anyone. I can’t bear to think that no one but me will ever come to know the characters. That is because the act of writing makes me come to love them. I want others to love them too.
Which of your books is your favorite?
That’s an impossible question to answer. It’s a bit like asking a mother which child she loves the best. All my novels are my favorites in that I love all my characters.
Who is your favorite author to read?
I have several and they are so different: Sigrid Undset, Marguerite Yourcenar, Patrick O’Brian, Hemingway, Melville, Flannery O’Connor, Virginia Woolf, Jo Nesbo, Dennis Lehane, Joseph Kannon. But if I have to pick one, I would choose Cormac McCarthy.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?
Keep writing. It’s not about publishing a novel, it’s about the craft of writing a novel. Keep reading. Only reading the works of others will replenish the creative reservoir.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
Quite a few. Rejection taught me to persevere. It taught me the difference between being a writer and being an author and that the first is what counts.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
The concubine (“X”) in The Confessions of X. She is a strong and loving woman who suffers greatly but is not destroyed by tragedy. My favorite scene in the novel is the last chapter where she is reunited with Augustine in Hippo Regius in AD 430.
Where do you get your ideas?
I don’t really have ideas so much as I “see” characters and scenes. When I was twelve and at Loreto Convent School in Manchester, England, we were reading Augustine’s Confessions. I remember putting up my hand and asking Sister Bernadette who the mysterious woman was that Augustine referred to as “Una”—the One. She told me that no one knew, that his concubine had been “lost to history.” This phrase stuck with me and forty years later, I decided to find out who she was. Over the years, she has been a mysterious presence on the periphery of my imagination.
In Unveiling, my protagonist, Rachel Piers, and the novel’s plot emerged from the synthesis of two paintings I used to go and look at in the National Art Gallery in Washington, DC: a modernist portrait of a woman by Modigliani and a late medieval religious triptych by Rogier Van der Weyden. The portrait showed a woman who was sad; the triptych showed the grief of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalen weeping at the foot of the cross. Somehow the grief of these women from different centuries fused. Although I didn’t understand it at the time, I think Unveiling seeks to understand and heal grief.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
They confuse being an author with being a writer. An author publishes books; a writer writes. I believe that the love of words and the craft of writing itself has to come first. Being published and becoming known as an author is a by-product of writing rather than the reason for writing.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
Given the polarized state of our culture, breaking into a market is very, very hard to do. Having a good agent is a must but, after that, there is not much a writer can do except write the stories that they know in their bones. Trying to conform to a market which is constantly shifting with the fashion can be soul-destroying as well as talent-destroying. The old adage “write what you know” is a good one.
Suzanne M. Wolfe grew up in Manchester, England, and read English Literature at Oxford University. She is Writer in Residence at Seattle Pacific University and is the author of Unveiling: A Novel (Paraclete Press, 2004), a second edition of which is forthcoming from Paraclete Press in Spring 2018. Her latest novel is The Confessions of X (HCC, 2016) which won Christianity Today’s Book of the Year Award for 2017. Twenty-five years ago, she and her husband, Greg Wolfe, co-founded Image Journal, a journal of the arts and faith. They have also co-authored many books on literature and prayer including Books That Build Character: How to Teach Your Child Moral Values Through Stories, (with William Kirkpatrick, Simon & Shuster, 1994) and Bless This House: Prayers For Children and Families, (Jossey-Bass, 2004). She has written numerous essays and blogs including This is My Body (Image Journal, issue # 64; The Spirit of Food, ed. by Leslie Leyland Fields, Cascade Books, 2010) and Smelling a Rat, (Good Letters, www.pantheon.com, Oct. 15, 2015). The first novel of a murder mystery series set in Elizabethan London is forthcoming from Crooked Lane Books in August 2018. She lives in Seattle, Washington.
Congratulations, the agent, and publisher liked what they read in your Cover Letter, and opened the door to the rest of your proposal. Now, you want to make their experience easy and rewarding.
The top three pages most busy agents and publishers look at are the Biographical Sketch, Marketing Plan, and Story Synopsis. Your Table of Contents is the map to get them there fast. A happy agent is a signing agent and publishers like an author who is thorough.
(Always follow the submission guidelines for agents and publishers. You can find them at their website.)
Below is an example of a fiction proposal:
Table of Contents
One Page Sell Sheet…………………………………………………………………………………3
Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 19 years, Michael, Sr. She loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats
Welcome Lauren, can you share a little about your recent book –
The Hideaway is the story of a young woman who, while restoring her grandmother’s bed & breakfast, learns much more about her grandmother’s early years than she ever imagined. My next book, Hurricane Season, comes out in April 2018. It is the story of Betsy and Ty Franklin, owners of Franklin Dairy Farm in southern Alabama, their unconventional search for a full life, and relationships that must be mended along the way.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I don’t set out with a particular theme or message that I want to get across to readers. I usually start with either a setting or a character
and add layers as the story comes to me. One of my favorite things about reading is when an author (or a character) says something that makes me think, “Oh, me too! I feel that too!” I always hope to give that same experience of connection and affirmation to my readers. I hope they leave both entertained and encouraged.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? I’ve been writing in various ways since I was old enough to spell (diaries, journals, essays, etc.) I started writing fiction with the hope of publication in 2011. I queried The Hideaway to agents for about nine months before my publisher expressed interest. (In an unexpected turn of events, my publisher was interested in the book before I had an agent.)
How long does it take you to write a book? Various amounts of time. I wrote the first draft of The Hideaway in 10 months. Hurricane Season roughly a little over a year.
What’s your writing work schedule like? It varies depending on my kids’ schedules. When they’re in school and I’m in the middle of a book, I try to get in at least 2-3 hours of writing every day. Sometimes things get crazy and the writing doesn’t happen, and other days, I write most of the day while the kids are at school. My brain works best in the morning, and I never write at night!
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? Not sure how interesting it is, but I write best if I have coffee and total quiet (or the white noise app on my phone if I’m somewhere other than home.)
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? The crazy few months between first hearing that Thomas Nelson was interested in The Hideaway and learning that they’d offered me a contract. It was total shock and glee. Another great joy was the launch party for The Hideaway. It was so special to have so many friends and family members come to celebrate with me. They knew how long I’d been working toward this goal and they were so happy for me.
Which of your books is your favorite? Oh too hard to choose! Right now, I’ll say The Hideaway because it’s the only published one, but Hurricane Season is pretty special.
Who is your favorite author to read? I have so many. Sue Monk Kidd, Sarah Addison Allen, Nanci Kincaid, Pat Conroy, Anthony Doerr, Tom Franklin, Ariel Lawhon…
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? I’d say if you want to write—if you have ideas bouncing around in your head–try to find pockets of time to sit down and get your story down. You’ll feel better once it’s out. And no one finds extra bits of time during the day—you often have to carve it out. Get up a little bit earlier, write in the carpool line, etc.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? Forty-one times, to be specific! That’s how many rejection letters I received from agents as I queried The Hideaway, not to mention the query letters that went unanswered. Some of them hurt more than others, but overall, each one made me even more determined to find the agent or editor who believed in the story as much as I did.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? In The Hideaway, I love Sarah’s opening scene where she talks about the sights, sounds, and scents of New Orleans. Similarly, I love the scene where she sits in the courtyard behind her house. It takes me directly to the French Quarter in my mind. I love the chapter where Mags and her crew go to the beach for the weekend and she writes the letter to Jenny.
Where do you get your ideas? They come from everywhere—bits of conversation I overhear, things I read, personality quirks of someone I come in contact with. Sometimes it’s a setting I love and I build a story around that place.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? Thinking that as soon as they finish their story, it’s ready to query to agents. Sometimes they don’t realize how much editing and revision is necessary to get a story into shape. And it’s crucial that someone else read the story too—someone with fresh eyes. Preferably by someone not related to you!
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? I don’t know if there’s a way to truly break into it other than just writing the best story you possibly can. You can’t control how agents and editors will respond to it, but often persistence helps. Write your story, and if that one doesn’t get attention, write another one. Rinse, repeat.
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren K. Denton now lives with her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, faith, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. On any given day, she’d rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books. The Hideaway is her debut novel. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, releases April 3, 2018.
A good cover letter is like an intriguing door, it invites the agent or publisher into your proposal. The publisher or agent will open wide the door with four loud and clear knocks (paragraphs)
Knock One- Hook and Outline
The hook– One sentence that grabs the readers attention. Use antidotes, humor, facts, or a question.
The Outline- Summerize book in two to three sentences.
Knock Two-Book Facts/Marketing
Facts should include one sentence with gene and word count.
Status of completion includes one sentence with a completion date for nonfiction books. Most publishers and agents want a fiction book completed before submitting a proposal.
Marketing should include two to three sentences that include the target audience and one or two comparative titles.
Knock Three-Outline/Plot of Book
Fiction Outline should be 2-3 sentences and include
The central theme of the story
The protagonist and his goal
The antagonist and his issue
Plot twist
Ending
Non-Fiction should be 2-3 sentences and include
Focus of Book
Problem
How book solves the problem
Knock Four-Biography
This portion should be three to four sentences and include
Major achievements-book, articles, blogs and other published work
Education and Work
Social Media presence
An overview of what makes you the person to write this book.
Before you Knock
Check for grammatical errors
Take time to run your document through Grammarly or another grammar program. Have someone else read your cover letter for errors.
Double check agent or publisher website for submission guidelines
Did you spell the name correctly?
Does that agent or publisher represent the genre of your book?
The entire letter must be one page
Thousands of cover letters beckon the publishers and agents, these four loud knocks will get you one step closer to an open door.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is the Managing Editor at Serious Writer & Almost an Author -Top 100 writing websites
Host of Genre Chat & Fulfilled Prophecy Friday
Speaker with Women Speakers & By Design ministries. 20 years military service. Resides in Rhode Island with her Husband and son.
Can you share a little about your recent book – the story of a Jewish Christian woman living in Prague during the second world war. Before Germany invaded, she was a concert violinist, and even though the Nazis have forbidden Jews from owning instruments, she continues to play her violin. A German officer is billeted in the flat below where she and her grandmother live. Her music soothes his demons. When she and her grandmother get their notices that they are to be deported to the Terezin concentration camp, he can’t bear the thought of losing her music. He has to figure out a way to preserve her music and protect her.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? Simply put, I write because I have stories to tell. I have so many ideas inside of me that I will never live long enough to write all the books that I could. God has given me this gift, and I must use it to his glory. A recurring theme in my book tends to be God’s gracious, tender sovereign care for us.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? I have been writing seriously since 2002. Like we say in the business, life got in the way for a while. We homeschooled our children for six years and adopted a little girl with multiple special needs. My first contract came just a few weeks after we sent all three of our children to school in 2011. God’s timing was gracious. I would have never been able to take care of my family and write unless the kids were in school.
How long does it take you to write a book? I can comfortably write a full-length novel in about nine months. I’ve been known to do it in about five or six months if needed.
What’s your writing work schedule like? I work five days a week, writing a chapter in the morning and taking care of social media in the afternoon. I have accountability partners that help to keep me on track. And it’s always good motivation to be under a deadline.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? No, I can’t really say that I do. I think I write much like many other authors write.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? It’s always a thrill when I get to hold the print copy of my book in my hands for the first time. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself to make sure that being a published author isn’t a dream.
What has been your darkest moment(s)? My first publisher of my World War II books decided not to give me another contract. I was gutted and doubted my abilities. But I’m not the first author this has happened to, and I certainly won’t be the last. It opened other opportunities to me and gave me a chance to work on my craft. I looked at my strengths and my weaknesses and went back to the drawing board to become a better writer.
Which of your books is your favorite? People always ask me this question, and it’s like making me choose who is my favorite child. If you are forcing me to pick, I would have to say this newest release, The Melody of the Soul, is my favorite, followed by my first book, Snow on the Tulips. I think that’s because both of them deal in some ways with my family’s heritage.
Who is your favorite author to read? Wow, there are so many talented authors in the Christian market right now. I’ve always loved reading Deb Raney’s work, and I’m a big fan of Kristy Cambron and new author Jamie Jo Wright.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? Doubting yourself can be the biggest dream killer. We all have moments when we despair of ever getting published or even of ever getting another book contract. But believe in yourself and in the gift God has given you. Work at your craft. Learn all that you can. If you do that, your dream can come true.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? I’ve lost count how many times I’ve experienced rejection. Those rejections, hard as they were, shaped me into the author I am today because they made me work all the harder to be a better author. If I had just gotten contract after contract, I wouldn’t have had to learn to be a good writer.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? The very last chapter of my new book, The Melody of the Soul, is one of my very favorite scenes. It is extremely emotional, and even though I wrote it, I cannot read it without crying. And that’s all I’m going to say about it. You’ll have to read the book to find out more 🙂
Where do you get your ideas? I like to read articles and stories about World War II and about little-known aspects of the war. Many of my ideas come from there. Sometimes, though, ideas just pop into my head. I can’t really explain it, but that’s how it happens.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? They don’t want to put the time and effort it takes into learning how to be a better writer. It takes a long time to get to the point that you’re good enough writer to be published. Very few of us broke into the market on our first try. When you get a rejection, you pick yourself up and get back to work. When someone gives you advice, you listen to it and weigh it and learn from it.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? Going to writer’s conferences and getting involved in writer’s groups is one of the best ways to learn about the craft and to network with other writers, with editors, with agents, and with publishers. That’s where I would suggest getting started.
Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels and prairie romance novellas. The Rails to Love collection released in October 2016. The Matchmaker Brides collection releases in February 2017, and her next WWII novel, The Melody of the Soul, is scheduled to release in April 2017. She is a popular speaker and an editor. She has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband and their two daughters. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog, The Story behind the Story, at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), and LinkedIn. She is also a regular contributor to the Pencildancer blog and the Midwest Almanac blog.
My two innocent characters were named Solomon and Sammi. I really liked both names and felt like they fit the pair. What could go wrong?
Um…a lot.
My sister, who had been reading through my novella, barged into my room, intent on showing me I had messed up.
Sammi had said or done something and my sister assumed it had been Solomon. I read the sentence aloud, and my sister’s mind was blown. You see, she’d only seen the S at the beginning of the name and hadn’t bothered reading the rest. The result, confusion. The last thing I want to do is confuse my readers, distract from the story, or lose a possible fan.
I looked for a solution.
I learned to pick names that don’t look the same. I now keep a baby name book on hand as I write. This helps when my main character stumbles across a man in town and I need to find a quick name.
Maybe you have two really similar names and need to change one. I find that when I flip through my name book, I usually stumble upon some names I love. Other times, I find a name can be spelled differently and this can be used to fix my problem.
What about you? What are some ways you choose names for your characters?
Ashley Schaller enjoys reading about reckless, headstrong heroes, prefers tea over coffee,
and loves dollhouse miniatures. When not writing, she can often be found curled up with a book.
You can find out more about Ashley and what she writers here:
The best investment is a good investment, but what is a good investment? One that has lasting personal and professional value.
As a writer, you may also edit part-time or even own your own publishing imprint and operate a small publishing press. In addition to writing, perhaps you edit professionally. No matter your place in the industry, you value the authors and publishers and clients you work with, as well as the readers you write for. And, you value your professional editing skills.
PENCON is a professional conference for editors, and it’s also for anyone who desires to strengthen their personal editing skills. This includes but is not limited to self-publishers, small presses, publishers, authors who are also editors, homeschool groups whose high school students are interested in the editing industry, and educational institutions whose departments focus on the publishing industry.
At PENCON 2018, we guarantee you lasting personal and professional value. Value in friendships. Value in a community that thinks—and speaks—just like you. Value in professional networking. Value in continuing education. Value in stretching your business—and yourself—as you meet new professionals in your field of expertise and learn from their experiences.
How much value do you want?
We’re celebrating our fifth anniversary and are meeting in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 3–5, 2018. Collectively, our faculty comes prepared with more than 100 years of experience in the publishing industry and backgrounds in
indie publishing,
marketing,
business,
children’s and YA editing,
graphic design,
Our faculty also represents several Christian publishing houses. And our keynote speaker is Robert Hudson, the author of The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style.
You want to sign up! We know you do—and we’d love to talk with you. Early-bird registration ends January 31, 2018. Get a deal and snap up more than a handful of value by registering early for PENCON. We can’t wait to see you there!
Owner of TM Editorial, Tisha Martin specializes in historical fiction, academic editing, and creative nonfiction. An active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN, she appreciates the writing and editing communities. Tisha is editor and proofreader for beginning and best-selling authors, professional editing agencies, and publishing houses. As Assistant Director of PENCON, she enjoys organizing the conference, networking with others, and creating advertising content for the Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Connect with Tisha on Facebook or follow her Pinterest board for writers and editors.
It’s titled Army of God and it’s set against the backdrop of the account of Noah’s Ark as told in the book of Genesis. It tells the story of how the animals of the ark rose up to defend it against the army of a revenge-seeking enemy. The story is told through the eyes of two people, Noah (good) and a man named Shechem (condemned), whose lives are inexorably entwined. It attempts to bring to life the characters of the period in a suspense-filled, action-packed adventure. And yet it is more than just an action thriller. Army of God is a character study of the eight people chosen by God for salvation aboard the ark, and the ruthless leaders of those condemned to destruction. And the animals . . . they are more than just cargo.
Why do you write what you do?
I was strongly influenced by the writing of Jerry B. Jenkins, whom I consider to be a mentor. His Left Behind series of end times novels got me hooked on the idea of writing Christian fiction. In my case, however, I chose to concentrate on one of the most beloved stories of the Old Testament, Noah’s Ark. I had wanted to tell a story about how the animals defended the ark for over ten years before ever writing my first scene.
What are you currently working on?
It’s an apocalyptic thriller that asks the question: What if you woke up one day and found that all the many blessings we take for granted (blue skies, birds, flowers, fresh air, mobility, unlimited food, etc.) suddenly began to disappear one by one over the course of a year?
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?
Having written just the one novel, that’s hard to pinpoint. I would say that of all the stories that have been written with Noah’s Ark as the backdrop, mine is the first to treat the animals as more than just passengers called to salvation aboard the great ship. They are, in fact, protagonists.
How does your writing process work?
As a first time novelist, I found it helpful to work with an outline. This is especially true since my story had multiple subplots. When I’m writing, I usually put in a full day (8 or more hours), locking myself in my office, or, if I’m on the road, in the quiet room of a public library. I’ve even gone out and written in the car if I have trouble finding solitude. Many times, especially if I’m on a roll, I’ll return to the office and continue writing until eight or nine o’clock at night. Because I have back issues, I alternate between sitting and standing with the use of an adjustable desk.
Dennis Bailey is a retired police detective, sex crimes investigator, and devoted researcher of the Word of God. His experience in the criminal justice system gives him a unique insight into the workings of the perverse criminal mind. Combined with his investigative and analytical skills, he uses this knowledge to search the Scriptures for personalities from which to create unforgettable characters and storylines.
As an English major in the 90s, I was excited to learn my craft and be creative. However, I was clueless about what to create. Then one day, I bought a book that changed how I viewed my passion for writing.
The late Bob Briner’s classic The Roaring Lambs challenged Christians to use their talents to create positive and redemptive art across the spectrum of entertainment: sports, music, art, television, and film. Briner called Hollywood a “Mission field!”[i]
Recently, I sat down with 30 year Hollywood veteran Brian Bird (The Case for Christ, When Calls The Heart) to talk about how the lambs (the church) can roar in this mission field.
Martin Johnson: I know you are a fan of the Roaring Lambs, how has the film industry changed since it came out in the 90s?
Brian Bird: Oh yes, love the book! Prior to the book, For much of the 20th century, I think Christians working in the arts were few and far between, with the exception of music. There were a handful of believers working in the film industry, but a lot of that activity was specifically on church films, small-time evangelistic church films. But there was not a real attempt to break into the mainstream audience with Christian films; for the most part, evangelicals were M.I.A.
Martin Johnson: You used an interesting word there, evangelicals. As a filmmaker, what does it mean to be an evangelical filmmaker?
Brian Bird: There are filmmakers who are Christians who make sermons on film. There are Christian filmmakers who don’t make specifically evangelistic films, and there are filmmakers who are evangelicals who don’t make Christian films. You can even be a non-believer and make a terrific evangelical film. It’s all about telling great stories.
Martin Johnson: Briner expressed how the church needs writers. What do you hope to accomplish at the end of the day?
Brian Bird: My personal mission is to tell stories that stir up cravings in people’s souls, make them want to know God—to be effective as I can be at communicating my Christian worldview through good story-telling, to tell stories that don’t beat people over the head, but, stir up soul cravings. To me those are the best kind of faith films. Sometimes evangelistic films can be neither good evangelism nor good filmmaking; because their intent from the beginning is propaganda. There are good uses for propaganda. Propaganda in the most generous sense of the world can be put to good use as evangelism. The Jesus films have been effective at that. A good example of that is The Jesus Film—very effective. Those kinds of films are good and effective, but that is not what I’ve been called to do. I’ve been called to just tell great, true, redemptive stories that are not there just to entertain, but to provoke hearts to greater self-reflection and get people talking about the water cooler. In my view, the story of Jesus and his work on the cross needs to be shared between two flesh and blood people having a conversation. Not by a picture on a wall.
Martin Johnson: What is the main roadblock keeping Christian film from being successful at the box office?
Brian Bird: Ourselves. . .the church! If evangelicals are going to make a difference in the giant media conversation going on across the world, we, have to pursue excellence in our crafts of communicating. The church must support the gifts of creative evangelicals when it does the message and the art can soar! During the Renaissance, the church supported all the great artists of that time and people like Michelangelo were able to strive for excellence because of that support. Art in humans is always a reflection of the creativity behind the creation of the universe. The Renaissance artists were trying to bring heaven to earth with their creations, as CS Lewis said… all art from men is an attempt to copy heaven. We are made in the image of our creator; it is in our DNA to create. This was evident in the Renaissance, the Reformation; the church stopped supporting the arts. The theology of the church began to view all art as worldly and considered it sinful. But that is so counterintuitive to the truth in the Bible. The view of art became worldly, it was considered sinful. God was the first writer … in the beginning was the Word (John 1:1–4). The Bible is full of references to the beauty and art in creation, and yet for several hundred years the church left art behind in favor of the “good enough principal.” We need to get back to pursuing excellence in Hollywood and that to me is the biggest obstacle facing us, the good enough principle. That’s where art has been relegated in the church and it has to stop—this attitude that art doesn’t have to be excellent, all it has to be is useful. We need to strive for excellence, not for our own glory—but for the glory of our creator, God. We can trust Him with our talents.
Brian Bird on the set of, “When Calls the Heart”
Martin Johnson: I’m glad you mentioned trusting God, Briner says that the lambs can trust their Shepherd.
Brian Bird: Throughout history, all art has been passed down from one generation to the next through a process called “Copy the Master.” In an art class, for example, the Master, or the teacher, is at the front of the room painting or sculpting, and the students are at their canvass. They copy the Master but bring themselves to the canvass in order to learn our art. Well, we are all in the class with the author of the universe—that’s quite a source to copy from. And we can trust our Master with every creative bone in our bodies.
Martin Johnson: Briner says art is a full-time ministry. What do you think?
Brian Bird: He was absolutely right; it is how we answer our God-given calling. Every person who finds Jesus needs to strive to become a minister out of the skills and talents God has gifted them with, both inside and outside the church.
Martin Johnson: Briner points out that part of our ministry is being the salt of the earth. Thus, for Christians to be roaring lambs in Hollywood we can’t just be just entertaining, we need to be ministers of the gospel.
Brian Bird We should be telling great stories, but they have to stir up soul cravings in people. We need to tell stories that help people realize there is more to life than what this world offers. Great stories have great messages. If they’re not entertaining though, they are not good stories. We have to do both. We have to tell stories that transfix our audiences; you have to keep your audience entertained so they can organically receive the meta-narrative or message, that is at the heart of your story.
Martin Johnson: In closing, what do you see the church doing to become the roaring lambs Briner described in his book?
Brian Bird: I think that is starting to happen. I think there’s a new renaissance beginning. I am witnessing it around me, in younger people that I mentor in filmmaking. I have this film coming out September 14th I executive produced called The Heart of Man and I shepherded a group of incredibly young talented filmmakers. I am so proud of them and proud of what we are making. I think it’s about all of us who are in this business encouraging one another to push for excellence, not to settle for just good enough, to practice the 10,000 -hour rule and to be bold. Some people who are born with a spark of genius need to put in their 10,000 hours in order to get really good at what they do. That’s how genius become experts. All of us are born with that spark because we are made in the image of the author of all things. But if we sit on our hands and don’t put in the time to become experts, we will never be the roaring lambs Bob Briner was hoping for.
[i] Briner, P (1993). The Roaring Lambs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Brian Bird “When Calls the Heart Devotion” with Michelle Cox
Martin is a forty-three-year-old award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book after three years of researching, editing and remembering.
While majoring in English, he walked away from the Christian faith to experience the grandeur and luster of college life. While dating, he delved into different spiritual beliefs—from Hinduism to Catholicism and Judaism.Martin’s journey took him on a journey for answers.
In March of 1997, Martin received his answer. Albeit, not the answer he wanted. Nearly dying in a severe car accident, he survived with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side.
After enduring eleven months of humiliating rehabilitation and therapy, Martin found himself at the foot of the cross with a choice to make. It was then Martin realized to truly live, he had to die. Not physically but in every other area of his life. There could be no compromise.
Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries Martin shares his testimony. Martin explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives.
As a submissions reader, I now understand why my past book proposal was not accepted.
Each day I read proposals with bad grammar, misspelled names, or the submission guidelines ignored. I’ve had authors claim their manuscript is the next bestseller, better than J.K. Rowling, a must for every school in America, and sent by God to bless the world.
I shake my head and send them a “pass” email or delete the submission. Why would I pass on the next best seller?
Avoidable mistakes, like I made in my first book proposal.
So, how can we get our proposal noticed?
DO
Follow submission guidelines- Most agents will delete the submission if guidelines aren’t followed. When an author does not follow submission guidelines the agent believes the writer cannot follow any instructions.
Take time to research agents- Spell the name correctly. Research what genre the agent represents. The agent I work with represents family friendly content as stated on the website. I’ve had three erotica submission in one month. (The delete button is my friend.)
Send an edited manuscript- An unedited manuscript denotes unprofessionalism. Agents want to represent authors who are ready to publish.
Have a Social Media Platform– Let’s face it, writing is a business. The more people you know, the more speaking engagements you book, and followers you have, the more books you sell. If you don’t have social media accounts, choose two platforms and build your followers. Build a website before you send your proposal.
DON’T
Say your book is anointed by God and we must represent you– Confidence is great, an agent loves to work with a confident writer. However, there is a fine line between confidence and exaggeration.
Address your proposal to many agents in one email- Your Manuscript will be rejected by most agents if they see other email address in the “CC” or “To” sections of the email. In the body of the proposal state “simultaneous submissions,” this alerts the agent that other agencies are receiving your work.
Harass the agent with multiple emails- Agents are busy. Most submission guidelines give a response time. Three months seems to be the average. If you have not heard from the agent within the time frame stated on their site, chances are they passed on your manuscript.
Give up– Agents desire to see you succeed. Agents also look for specific genres. If one agent passes on your proposal, keep submitting to other agents. Meanwhile, make sure your manuscript is edited by a professional editor, have Beta Readers review your book, build your social media platform, and sharpen your writing skills.
If you follow these do’s and don’ts, you will have a much better chance of success.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is a speaker, editor, coach, and writer. Her passion for helping people is evident. She is Managing Editor at Almost an Author. As host of “Genre Chat” she interviews established authors in a specific genre.
She considers it an honor to encourage ladies with the Word of God, as she travels to speak.
Cherrilynn is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, Amramp, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Refresh, Broken but Priceless, and other online magazines. Contributor to Breaking The Chains–Strategies for Overcoming Spiritual Bondage.
She earned her Leadership Certification through Christian Leaders Institute and continues toward a Chaplaincy certification. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard; earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her fifteen-year-old autistic son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 18 years, Michael, Sr.
Why is it that closets have become a place where we store our junk? About this time every year, I have this annual tradition of cleaning out my closets. It may have started as a result of attempting to make room for the abundance received on Christmas Day, but I’d like to think my tradition stems from the fact that there’s something promising, something hopeful about starting the year fresh and uncluttered.
But the process to get there is painful. It’s hard to let go of things. This year was no exception. In addition to cleaning out our master bedroom closet, my family and I attempted to clean out our basement too. Little did we know, the endeavor would ignite an emotional landmine! We quickly became grumpy and tired. My husband and I got into a huge disagreement over expectations. Yet as painful as the process was, the end result was worth it. Nothing beats the feeling of clean closets (and a clean basement) once it’s finished. There’s space. There’s room to breathe. There’s freedom.
Our relationship with the Lord is much the same way. We clutter our hearts and store a ton of junk there. But God desires more for us than that. He doesn’t want us to live burdened down by the weight of our mess. In Matthew 11:30, God invites us to keep company with Him so that we can learn to live freely and lightly (MSG). Who doesn’t want to live life with margin to breathe and room to live freely and lightly? Yet most of us refuse this invitation. Why? Because we must first go through some pain before we can achieve “clean closets.” Fortunately, God promises that we don’t have to go through the fire alone.
I was recently reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. It’s the story of three friends who were thrown into a blazing furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship a false god. Despite their circumstances, the friends remained steadfast in their faith. As a result, God not only stood with them in the fire, but He also rescued them. The story explains that when one of the King’s servants went to check on the friends, he reported “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25 (NIV). All those who witnessed the event “saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:27 (NIV).
Friends, we do not have to fear. We serve a mighty and tender God who only allows us to experience the fire for our good and for His glory. God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire two thousand years ago is the same God who willingly stands with us today in whatever painful circumstance we face – whether it’s cleaning out the clutter in our hearts, battling cancer, going through a divorce, or experiencing financial devastation. His Word promises that He will walk with us through the pain, and when we reach the other side we will not be scorched or smell like fire. Instead, others will look at us and see Jesus, the One who saves. Why? Because when we’re willing to accept the invitation to walk through the fire, we can’t help but reflect the One who rescues us.
There’s nothing like starting the New Year fresh. So let’s seek our tender Savior together and ask Him to declutter the closet of our hearts so that we can abide in Him unhindered and free!
Rachel Hofstetter: I am a daughter of the King, a wife and a mother who recently left the workforce to homeschool my two boys. I am passionate about the importance of parents rising to the call to shepherd their children towards a relationship with Christ. God’s standard for those who have been given a trust is that they must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV). It is for this reason that my husband and I lead a life group at our church for families with young children. I also enjoy writing, working in the yard, home decorating, and running.
Dad was the creative genius in our family. His fingers drew cartoons on paper napkins and released lullabies from the strings of his guitar. As an aspiring author, I was almost embarrassed for him to read the opening scenes of my first serious writing project. Halfway through, he told me that he had gotten so lost in the story he forgot his son had written it. That day, a thirteen-year-old amateur felt like Steven King. For a week I was convinced that I had sprouted ten feet taller and needed to duck under doorways. From then on, writing was an addiction!
Even the smell of books enticed me. As we walked through the local bookstore, the smell of the crisp, new volumes was more alluring than homemade cookies… well almost. As I plundered through the shelves, Dad looked at the hundreds of hardbacks and paperbacks, and he noted that each of their authors had set out to write the great American novel. Hundreds of writers, hundreds of books, and some of them might never be picked up off the shelf. Then he pointed to a bookshelf and said, “See all those authors? You’ve got them all beat!”
I didn’t have them all beat! I wasn’t anywhere near publication, much less reaching the bestseller list. But Dad knew that, and I’m sure he wasn’t comparing my twenty-page working manuscript to a John Grisham novel. He was doing what a great father does – giving me empowerment to aim for greatness.
He had put a picture in my head of sitting in the middle of the bookstore, holding a book signing for my first novel. I still haven’t gotten there, but that picture gets a little clearer every day.
A chronic brain disease called PSP took dad from us in 2016. His disease attacked his ability to communicate, to articulate the thoughts and words in his head. Dad was the artist, the poet, and here he was, unable to even say “I love you,” without tracing the letters on my hand.
It’s so painful to think that my kids will have to wait until heaven to meet him, that I won’t be able to seek his wisdom as I chase the dreams of my life. But he’s instilled in me a supply of his wisdom, and the gift of looking at the world and seeing it as beautifully as he did.
The vision of a successful writing career was something we shared. For me, this has become far more than a simple dream. It’s become a promise; a promise I am working to fulfill. Part of that vision is to walk into that same bookstore and see my novel on the shelf.
For a writer, putting words on paper is as vital to our existence as the oxygen we breathe. Writing is the purest and most beautiful form of communication. It’s how God chose to communicate with us.
Words are powerful. Words start wars, summon peace and change lives. No matter how new we are to the craft, our heavenly Father has given each of us the same thing my Dad gave to me – empowerment to aim for greatness.
Reading is a more intimate form of communication than anything else. It is almost a telepathic connection between writer and reader. It influences your emotions, brings you in to share in the experience of the characters, and can affect who you become. Reading opens your mind, convicts your heart and exposes hidden truths.
As writers, God has given us empowerment to aim for greatness. We are artists, called to wield the power of words; to tell our stories and in doing so, share with others the legacies of those who have inspired us.
Who has inspired you? Join the conversation.
Caleb Walton lives in the small town of Patrick, South Carolina with his family. Caleb is an aspiring suspense and non-fiction writer, who approaches life and writing with passion and faith.
Welcome Michele, Can you share a little about your recent book –The Jealous Son is a contemporary suspense novel based on the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible’s Book of Genesis. Part drama, part murder mystery, it’s a story that begs the questions of how a broken family can possibly piece itself back together once tragedy strikes and all seems lost, how one can rise above grief and despair to find hope and forgiveness, and whether God is still in the midst despite it all.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? I think I was born to write! I believe God called me to write modern-day novels based on Bible stories in the Old Testament to carry His messages to readers in today’s world. My books are all independent from one another since they are based on individual stories but each is an edgy, fast-paced, contemporary novel filled with intrigue, suspense, and a little romance so that they universally entertain and inspire today’s readers. My goal is to continue to fulfill this purpose and get my books into as many hands as possible, and hopefully, have them made into movies as well!
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?I dreamed of being a novelist when I was ten-years-old and wrote my first “book” in a spiral-bound notebook about a girl and her dog, but that dream was put on hold as life and its myriad responsibilities took hold, including careers as a news reporter, advertising agency owner and marketing director to help pay the bills; I self-published my first novel, The Faithful One, based on the Book of Job, in 2009, got a contract from a small Christian publisher for that book and my next one, The Peace Maker, based on the story of David and Abigail in the First Book of Samuel in 2012, and then got a contract with Morgan James Publishing for those two books and my next novel, The Runaway Prophet, based on the Book of Jonah, in 2016.
How long does it take you to write a book? I think that depends on a lot of factors including whether you have a day job, family responsibilities, etc.; I had both (my kids were young and I was running a full-time ad agency out of my home!) when I wrote my first novel, The Faithful One, so that one took about eight years (plus I was new to publishing and ended up self-published); my second, The Peace Maker, only took me two years since my three kids were teenagers, I was not employed and I had a publisher (with an editor); my third, The Runaway Prophet, took me four years because I was working full-time in the corporate world and I wanted to find a new publisher, which took some time; my fourth (and latest) novel The Jealous Son only took me a year to write and edit since I had quit my day job and my kids were all grown and my husband and I were empty-nesters!
What’s your writing work schedule like? I write best in the morning between the hours of 7 am and noon when my energy is at its peak (I’ve had my coffee!)…then it seems like my energy begins to wane a little, so I use the afternoon to answer emails, phone calls, work on copy projects or editing my students’ works, etc.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? I always try to remember to pray before I sit down to write that the Holy Spirit guide me and my writing and begin with a prayer and/or a few moments of meditation and yoga stretching to get my blood (and thoughts) flowing.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? Wow, there have been many…but I’ll just name a few: the first time I did a live author Q&A session with a ladies church book group which embraced me and my books and said they could really relate to me and stories; seeing my books re-published by my new publisher with covers that I absolutely loved; speaking at writers’ conferences and teaching my college writing students – each class full of eager writers is new, exciting and joyful!
What has been your darkest moment(s)? Writing, editing and publishing my first novel was the toughest part of my journey…I originally had written a book which won first prize at the Maryland Writers Association fiction contest but I lost the prize of literary agency representation because the agency was located in New York and “9-11” just happened (that book turned into a memoir that isn’t published yet); then I got the idea to write a modern day story based on the Book of Job (looking back I see God had a plan to heal me from the Job-like trials I was going through…losing my marriage, my business, it seemed like my kids who were teenagers and my health through the disease of alcoholism. Fortunately, I found redemption like Job and my character in The Faithful One through a new marriage, my new author career, great relationships with my kids (and grandkids) and recovery. But writing and publishing that first book (and getting lots of rejection letters from editors and agents) was tough.
Which of your books is your favorite? My latest – which is hopefully my best since I believe I continue to grow and progress as a writer with each book.
Who is your favorite author to read? I like Sandra Brown, John Grisham, Kristin Hannah, Khaled Hosseini
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to? Don’t be impatient or in a hurry (my biggest vice, which has cost me time and money, especially when it comes to having to re-edit, or rushing into a publishing contract with the wrong publisher). Take your time, weigh all of the pros and cons, pray about each decision and then go for it! (and if you make mistakes, just learn from them).
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection?How did they shape you? I received more than 100 rejection letters from literary agents and editors the first time I tried to get published; but the journey of writing, trying to get published, rejections, getting published, and challenges with my first publisher all made me persevere, become a better writer and a better person – and have helped me to help other writers become authors.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? It’s a tossup between Chessa Richards (the Abigail character in The Peace Maker) and Eliza Trellis (the Eve character in The Jealous Son) – they are both very vulnerable but strong women who face some rough challenges and have to make very tough choices – but come out even stronger in the end.
Where do you get your ideas? I got the idea for The Faithful One from God (I was actually writing another novel at the time when I believe God tapped me on the shoulder to “write a modern-day novel based on the Book of Job” – which helped me through my Job-like trials I was going through; a friend suggested a write about Abigail which turned into The Peace Maker (he knew I was going through a rough divorce and facing challenges like my character); I decided to write The Runaway Prophet after studying the Book of Jonah in a Bible study; and the idea came to me to write The Jealous Son because I have two sons who have a sibling rivalry (as do my sister and I) and I have two friends who recently lost children. They say write what you know (or are interested in) so the ideas come to me for each new book based on my life experiences and/or those of others I know.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? Telling not showing (a mistake I made in the early days, which thankfully editors helped me with along the way and I now teach my writing students).
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? Attend writers’ conferences, meet and talk to your peers, take writing classes or attend workshops to improve your craft, constantly be willing to learn, and persevere! Also, you are your own best marketer and publicist but don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Michele Chynoweth is the award-winning author of Modern Day Bible Stories The Runaway Prophet, The Peace Maker and The Faithful One, contemporary, Bible-based novels full of suspense and romance. Prior to becoming a full-time author, speaker, and book coach, Michele worked in marketing, publicity, and journalism for 30 years. In addition to being an author, Michele is a college instructor teaching the courses “Writing Your First Book” and “Publishing and Marketing Your Book” through the Cecil College Continuing Education Program in Maryland. She is also an accomplished inspirational speaker and has presented many writing workshops at writers’ conferences across the U.S., and an experienced book coach who uses her many years of expertise in writing, editing, publishing, and marketing to help other writers become successful authors. To find out more visit her website: www.michelechynoweth.com
Caroline, please tell us about your most Recent Book
The Vestige revolves around the questions: What if the end of the world has already occurred? What if our final demise happened slowly, secret . . . and we’ve been oblivious to it all?
Julie Stryker, my main character, has spent her life in the scenic streets of Charleston, South Carolina, bicycling to the local college, working at a coffeehouse, watching her family fall apart and back together. She has plans, dreams—all of which seem out of reach. Then she meets a handsome stranger at work, and she believes her life is on the brink of a much-needed change. But after a tragic accident, Julie is whisked away from the only home she’s ever known and confronted with a life-altering secret: The end of the world has already occurred and a portion of humankind has been kept oblivious.
Tossed into a hidden world of deception, Julie must confront the truth within herself and reveal the government’s layers before the end of the world becomes a permanent reality.
I first began exploring the book’s concept while sitting at Starbucks one day. I realized my life was pretty. The people around me sipping their lattes were pretty. The shopping mall across the highway was filled with pretty things. But when I checked my Yahoo news feed and saw disturbing headlines, I concluded that my life is nothing more than an illusion: The world isn’t a pretty place, yet it is unbelievably easy for people to go throughout their day without noticing the dirt.
Unlike my previous publications, The Vestige is a call to action, a call to awareness.
Why do you write what you do?
I’ve been passionate about young adult fiction for as long as I can remember. I love YA readers and their eagerness to engage with stories, which is one reason why I’ve chosen to write predominately for a YA audience. All of my books contain a heavy military influence and science fiction undertone—this is due to my fascination with the end of the world scenarios and soldier culture/mentality.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing the last installment of The Prime Way Trilogy, working to start Local Publishing with ministry My Local, and brainstorming ideas for The Vestige’s sequel. Besides author projects, I’m also in the process of finishing college at Belmont University.
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?
Literary rebel would best describe me as an author. The moment I feel one of my books is becoming genre indicative, I change it to ensure it stands out. I like to take an innovative approach to writing, make sure each book contains a specific message and caters to a purpose-chosen audience.
Unlike other YA SciFi books, my work bridges the gap between the past, present, and future, and shows the instability of our world through the eyes of relatable characters.
How does your writing process work?
Outlining is the first step in my writing process. I like to enter a project with an idea of where it’s headed. Once I have a basic outline in place, I begin writing. Each chapter is sketched out in great detail before it is written. After I’ve put together a rough draft, I revise and undergo several rounds of edits.
A unique part of my process is pinpointing a project’s message and purpose. I have to believe in a story’s value before I can write with urgency.
Caroline George, author of THE PRIME WAY TRILOGY and THE VESTIGE, resides in Nashville where she spends the majority of her time in hipster coffeehouses, sipping lavender mochas and undertaking over-the-top projects. She is a two-time Georgia Author of the Year nominee, speaker, blogger and writer for teen magazine PURSUE. Caroline studies publishing and public relations at Belmont University and works as a publicist for local artists.
My most recent published novel is called The Pan: Experiencing Neverland. It is a teenage action adventure novel based on the Peter Pan story. Unlike most fantasy based Peter Pan stories, this one is dark and humanistic, dipped in realism and based on true historical locations, facts, and characters.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
Writing has always been an escape for me. I write to escape reality, explore new worlds, or revisit history. But I also write to encourage people. I want people to be inspired by my stories. Sometimes I teach a lesson or focus on a truth (usually historical). Sometimes I encourage people in their walk with God.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing before I could write. It was just something I always did—tell stories. At the age of three, I would dictate stories to my older sister and she would write them down for me in little booklets. Writing was a way I coped with the oddities of middle and high school life.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I don’t have a lot of free time, so it usually takes about two years. I usually work on several projects at a time. I’m too ADD to focus on just one. I switch up my time from novels to screenplays.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
I’m not a traditional writer. I work on film sets about 12 to 14 hours a day or more—so I make notes on my phone throughout the day. I’ll write during lunch. If I get off work in time, I’ll write after work at a coffee shop for an hour or two a night. If I had to pay writer’s rent, I would owe Starbucks thousands of dollars, I’m sure, as most of my writing is done on the road, visiting all the Starbucks in the southeast. When I’m not on a film, my creative juices start flowing around ten at night and I will write until sun up.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
It’s hard for me to write at home. I mostly write at coffee shops where I’m more inspired. I also wear headphones as I’m easily distracted. I usually listen to music that would be a good theme for my story. Right now I’m finishing a World War 2 novel and created a playlist on Youtube of classical songs that I wrote into the book. I’m also writing a screenplay on the life of Louie Armstrong, so naturally, I created a playlist of his songs, and how they will appear in the story. But even if I’m not listening to music, I cannot write unless I have earbuds blocking my ears, and a coffee at my side.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
It is always cool to see your name in print. I think perhaps the greatest thing is to receive letters from people who tell me how my story inspired them to be a better person or drew them closer to God. I wrote a Christmas novel called Saint Nicholas, the Christmas Story. It is historical fiction based on the true Santa Claus. It’s about giving and loving others. It’s about self-sacrifice. It’s about helping the poor and less fortunate. I received a number of letters telling me how the story inspired people to be more involved with giving and helping the poor. I’m also a songwriter. I wrote a song about being in the dumps of life and how a touch from God can change all that. I received a letter one night from a woman named Mary who planned to kill herself. She told me God directed her to my song on internet radio at 3 am right before she was going to pull the trigger. Mary said she could relate to the song and it literally saved her life. Instead of pulling the trigger, she cried out to God for help. That’s probably my greatest writer moment ever…to save a life.
[bctt tweet=”That’s probably my greatest writer moment ever…to save a life.- Matthew Eldridge” username=””]
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
When I was writing my recent World War 2 project (still in the works), I had to do a lot of research about the Holocaust. I saw pictures and videos of the most inhumane tortures and killings. The research put me in such a dark, depressive place. These people were flesh and blood with a soul just like you and me. Their lives were stripped from them in the most unimaginable ways. There were many nights after writing and researching I would break down and just sob and sob and sob, asking God how he could allow it to happen. There were times when I felt suicidal after months of looking at pictures and reading torture stories. I would call my prayer warrior friends and beg them to pray for me. It’s my most powerful novel to date, but I don’t think I could write something so heavy again. I often live inside of my stories. I’m very sensitive and feel as if I’m the actual characters I write about at the moment. Even my two editing friends couldn’t handle reading through it—they said it was too painful, although it is an uplifting story.
Which of your books is your favorite?
Of my novels, probably the special edition of The Pan: Experiencing Neverland. It’s not your typical Peter Pan story. It’s more of a mysterious, dark, action adventure with a lot of historical truth. There’s very little fantasy in it. And a lot of it was psychological healing for me to write, based on my own problems from my childhood. I also love the fact that the proceeds from this novel goes to help fund missions to impoverished Native American reservations.
Who is your favorite author to read?
Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti used to be my favorite authors. Dekker writes darker material than he used to, and Peretti is pretty much retired. As of now, I don’t have a current favorite. Both were influential in my early years of writing.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?
[bctt tweet=”If you write to fit a particular genre of what’s popular, or what people want, or just to sell books, or even to be famous, it’s not going to be authentic” username=””]
Write what you are passionate about. Write what you know. Write what you love. If you write to fit a particular genre of what’s popular, or what people want, or just to sell books, or even to be famous, it’s not going to be authentic. You won’t enjoy it. You’ll be wasting your time. But if you write what you are passionate about, you’ll enjoy every moment of it. My last two screenplays and latest novel revolve around musicians. I’m passionate about music and play eight or nine instruments myself. It excites me to write about what I love and know—especially when it involves social injustice or poverty, mixed with history. I’m passionate about helping the poor and orphans, so I combine all these in my stories.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
My first novel was rejected 25 times before I gave up. I decided to learn about self-publishing and it was wonderful for my first experience. Over 11,000 copies have been downloaded and it was awesome to see my book sit at number one on Amazon during the Christmas season in its category. The next two novels I didn’t even try for an agent, and started my own publishing co. However, I am seeking an agent for my newest novel and screenplay. I’m inspired by stories of authors who received 60 or more rejection letters but never gave up—then sold millions.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
I seem to either fall in love with or hate most of my characters. I believe all my lead characters have strong personalities people seem to love or hate. Of course I love Peter Pan in The Pan: Experiencing Neverland. I also love Saint Nicholas in Saint Nicholas, the Christmas Story. I love the character, Josh, a prodigy child violinist in my upcoming WW2 novel. I can’t tell you my favorite scene from The Pan, because it would give too much away, wouldn’t it? ;0)
Where do you get your ideas?
This is the funny thing—I have no clue. Something strikes me and I’ll get goose bumps and know I’m supposed to make a novel of it. Like I said, I prefer historical fiction, so it is often something in history that intrigues me. The strangest one was how I got the idea for Whiter Than Snow, my young adult, very true historical fiction version of the Snow White story. I’ve never been a fan of the Disney Snow White version, and it was the one princess story I never really read to my daughters. But one night I had a dream that Snow White was a real person and that the story was based on truth—that I needed to write the truth about her life. I woke up the next morning and furiously researched her life, devouring every little bit of history I could find on her. I was utterly shocked to find out the stories were all based on truth—about a beautiful young woman named Margarete Von Waldeck who was in love with Prince Philip II of Spain, and he was in love with her. However, there was a problem; for political reasons, Prince Philip was engaged to Queen Mary, or Bloody Mary, who martyred hundreds upon hundreds of protestant Christians. Not only is this a love story, but it’s a story about saving the lives of others through self sacrifice.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
I used to teach high school Scriptwriting and Language Arts, and I’ve met a lot of indie writers. One common mistake I see is poor editing. They’ll have a great story with tons of mistakes that get in the way. Or they’ll have a good story that could be great. The problem I believe is that they get anxious after their first draft and want to publish it right away. Instead, my suggestion would be to sit on it for a few months after you wrote it—take a break and then go back and edit it. Your mind will be fresh and you’ll come up with new ideas. Also, have a fresh pair of eyes on it. Let your writer friends read it and give you advice or edits. Editing is more than just fixing punctuation or spelling.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
I started writing for newspapers and magazines. I have also done CD reviews, band interviews, etc. However, that was fifteen years ago. I honestly would say start by writing something incredible. Pour your soul into it. If it’s good, people will recommend it to their friends. We live in the digital age where word of mouth of a great book works wonders for indie writers.
Amazon
Matthew Eldridge’s debut novel, Saint Nicholas, the Christmas Story, made it to the #1 Best Seller for religious fiction ebooks on Amazon. Penned the next Christmas Classic, this novel will be one that will be remembered for a lifetime. Matthew’s second novel, Whiter Than Snow, spent five days at #1 Best Seller for Fairy Tales fiction e-books, and his latest novel, The Pan: Experiencing Neverland, climbed to number one in action and adventures for teens upon release.
Matthew writes a variety of styles including young adult fiction, historical fiction with a modern flair, teen fiction, and screen plays.
Matthew’s newest novel, The Pan: Experiencing Neverland, is a teenage action adventure adaptation of the Peter Pan and Wendy story. Profits from the 2nd version of The Pan go to missions for impoverished Native American communities.
Outside of writing, Matthew is a professional musician, singer, composer, and songwriter. He also works in the film industry as an actor, musician, double, and stand-in for famous actors such as Adam Sandler, Jason Bateman, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, Ed Helms, Theo James, Sam Claflin, Ethan Hawke, Carey Elwes, Adam Goldberg, Tim Guinee, Will Forte, Billy Burke and others.
We have explored four of the major responsibilities placed upon any director in the production of any stage or any production for the screen. The first three were: research, the script, reality level and the last is small but very important.
Moments
Moments are just that, moments that are placed within view of the audience that convey certain thoughts, doctrine, or emotion. When watching Blade Runner 2049 you can see the hundreds of placements of ads: Coke, Seiko, PanAm, Peugeot and many, many others. These are visual “Easter Eggs” for the audience to notice. Almost every sequel has some sort of moment that connects the film before it. We see Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates and later in the movie Blended. The two movies have nothing to do with each other, in fact each plays two completely different characters, but in one memorable scene at a convenient store we see Ten Second Tom make a quick appearance. Tom comes up to the counter and says, “Hi, I’m Tom.” Twice. At the end of the scene he comes back up to the same cashier and says, “Hi, I’m Tom.” For those who never saw 50 First Dates, this scene means nothing. But, to those who did see it, it is a moment of remembrance, a strong nod to another movie that Sandler and Barrymore both starred in. In Guardians of the Galaxy, the Collector has Howard the Duck, Cosmo the Dog, and even a Chitauri from the first Avengers movie in his collection.
Moments are often hidden but very satisfying when found. Disney is famous for putting in hidden messages or special appearances in their movies. High School Musical 2 has a quick appearance by Miley Cyrus. One of Disney’s newest movies, Moana, has a ton of these “Easter Eggs.” Flounder from The Little Mermaid shows up, Maui turns into Sven from Frozen, Wreck it Ralph shows up in the credits, Baymax from Big Hero Six makes an appearance in the boat filled with angry coconuts as well. These moments are great at beginning conversations, creating buzz, connecting films and shows, and continuing excitement for a franchise. But moments are not just hidden messages or advertisements. Moments are the things that enhance your particular universe, that propel your plot, that give the subtext behind things that are happening.
An example would be a movie with a character needing redemption built into the main plot. As the leads are in a coffee shop, we see a shot of the outside and a church steeple majestically rising in the background. Though subtle, this gives a sense that there might be some religious or even anti-religious themes in the production as that character begins to realize that they need redemption. Stage plays are a little more difficult because your options for set pieces are a little more limited. But moments are still extremely possible. Moments can be created from the action of the cast and not just well-placed items.
In the case of Jesus’ crucifixion, Golgotha was at a place where there was a lot of foot traffic. Instead of a static crucifixion scene, have groups walking past showing different levels of interest. Have one man and young son come by and the father forces the boy to stop and watch the crucifixion. While another, say mother and daughter walk by and the mother shields her daughter’s eyes from the spectacle. This creates movement and these moments can add to the depth of plot instead of being a distraction.
Moments cannot save a movie from a poor plot or bad acting, but it can enhance every aspect of any production. When adding moments make sure they are deliberate. Every set piece, prop, actions of cast members, angles of filming, everything has a reason. People watch all the Marvel movies and wait in anticipation for the moment Stan Lee shows up. You can see everyone in the audience reacting, pointing to the screen as he makes his one or two cameos in every movie. It is a moment that is now expected and a moment that people get to take home and discuss, tweet, and share.
Putting anything from screen to stage or screen is an awesome and great responsibility. If you have taken on this role then it is up to you to do the research, decide how the dialogue is viewed by others, create either a world based on reality or implied reality, and finally create moments that will reach out and make a memory in the hearts of those viewing.
Dr. Jim Tippins is currently President of On the Edge Productions, Inc., a resource for Christian scripts and minister aids. An award winning author, Dr. Tippins is proud to share the stories that God has laid on his heart. He has produced, written, and directed scripts, musicals, reviews, and plays all over the country. He has performed with the Kentucky Opera, Overture Opera Company, Theater of the Republic, Swamp Fox Players, Community Choral Society, Florence Symphony and Long Bay Symphony. To see resources and more information, please visit,
www.ontheedgeproductions.org. Or join his blog at drjimtippins.com
