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The Writer's PenCase, Uncategorized
Seamless Self–Editing––Part VIII

As this series draws to a close, here are a couple practical exercises you can do at home to…
February 21, 2017
Talking Character
Do You Know What Your Character Is Doing?

What is your main character’s goal? The thing that drives her through the story, no matter how many obstacles…
February 19, 2017
The Creative Tool Kit
3 Ways to {Creatively} Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again

“Falling in love in a Christian way is to say, ‘I am excited about your future and I want…
February 3, 2017
The Writer's PenCase
Seamless Self-Editing––Part VII

This time, we’re continuing our look at self-editing with tips from Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Browne and King.…
January 22, 2017
Talking Character
5 Character Development Exercises

Go shopping This non-writing exercise can help you connect with your character in a tangible way, by interacting with…
January 19, 2017
The Ministry of Writing
Know Your Manual — Seminary in 5: Old Testament Survey

Save money. Learn theology. Become a better writer. Minister more effective. That’s my hope for you. In this second…
January 10, 2017
The Creative Tool Kit
5 Habits To Spark Your Creativity in 2017

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” Twyla Tharp Every break…
January 3, 2017
5 For Writing
Procrastination and the Pen

By Doug Peterson I stepped slowly out onto the board of a high dive at our local swimming pool,…
December 28, 2016
The Writer's PenCase
Seamless Self-Editing––Part VI

We all want our manuscripts to be the best they can be. In the past, we’ve relied on unskilled…
December 22, 2016
Talking Character
How Selfish Is Your Protagonist?

We writers love our protagonists. We give them a few flaws and quirks, but we know that underneath their…
December 19, 2016
The Ministry of Writing
You are a Bible Interpreter — Seminary in 5: Interpretation of the Bible

Save money. Learn theology. Become a better writer. Minister more effective. That’s my hope for you. In this second…
December 10, 2016
The Creative Tool Kit
12 Days of Christmas for Creative Minds

Hey, creative peeps, here are twelve gift ideas (either for yourself or for others!) in honor of the 12…
December 3, 2016
5 For Writing
Two Writing Lessons From Tolkien

By Doug Peterson When J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit, was published in October of 1937, it was so popular…
November 29, 2016
Craft, Writing with Humor
Malapropisms — The Insanely Successful Yogi Berra Technique of Humor

Malapropisms “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Say what? A malapropism sounds more like a…
November 24, 2016
The Writer's PenCase
Seamless Self-Editing––Part V

Writers write because we love to use words, but let’s face it––even though we say we write for ourselves,…
November 22, 2016
Talking Character
Different Temperaments, Different Fears

The heroine of the mystery novel I am working on needs certain qualities to be a good sleuth. Things…
November 19, 2016
The Creative Tool Kit
15 Inspiring + Unique Settings to Write

One particular corner in our home will be missed once we move to the country. That would be my…
November 4, 2016
Craft, The Writer's PenCase
Seamless Self-Editing––Part IV

Getting published traditionally is difficult. Small publishers are more likely to accept a manuscript from a previously unpublished author,…
October 28, 2016
5 For Writing
What’s Wrong With Escapist Stories?

I still remember the day my fiction-writing teacher made it clear that he was not happy with me. However,…
October 28, 2016
Talking Character
Moving Beyond Clichés

I struggle when it comes to writing descriptions of character emotions. I know better than to simply tell the…
October 19, 2016
The Ministry of Writing
What do you believe about the Bible? — Seminary in 5: Bibliology

Save money. Learn theology. Become a better writer. Minister more effective. That’s my hope for you. In this second…
October 10, 2016
The Creative Tool Kit
5 Places to Stir Your Creative Senses, Part 2

{If you missed last month’s first installment on 5 Places to Stir Your Creative Senses, you may want to…
October 3, 2016
Craft, Writing with Humor
5 Easy Steps To Make Readers Laugh Using The Absurd

Ever laughed in an absurd situation or at an absurd time? Sure you have. We’ve all done it. Our friend…
September 24, 2016
The Writer's PenCase
Seamless Self-Editing—Part III

Let’s get our manuscript “publish-ready.” Refer to last month’s post for my definition. This time, we’ll look at basic…
September 22, 2016
Talking Character
Body Language: What Your Character Is Really Saying-Lisa Betz

If actions speak louder than words then a character’s body language is an important part of dialogue. And yet…
September 19, 2016