Categories
Writers Chat

Marketing Your Personal Brand with Bethany Jett

Bethany Jett on Branding almostanauthor.com

It’s hard getting traction as a writer without an audience. If you’re new to this noisy world of publishing, you’ll want to watch this jam-packed episode of Writers Chat with Bethany Jett to see how you can market your personal brand so your message doesn’t get buried. You won’t want to miss it!


Join us!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is a
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our
Facebook Group.

Categories
Talking Character

Writing Historical Characters

Sometimes fiction authors write about real people. Especially those who write historical fiction.

Real historical characters can add a sense of credibility or realism to a story. But they must be handled carefully, because your readers will know when you stray from the truth.

Well-known figures

If you are writing about a well-known figure, such as George Washington or Thomas Edison, you will need to do extensive research to ensure you have your facts straight. The good news is that someone so well known already has a lot written about them, so the facts are readily available. The bad news is that someone so well known already has a lot written about them, so your readers already know the facts and will notice your mistakes.

On the positive side, you already know their family history, their physical description, how they talked, what their voice sounded like, the name of their favorite pet, and a myriad of other details. Your job is to choose the details that are important for your story, without ignoring or twisting the facts you don’t mention.

On the negative side, you are stuck with whatever details are known about a person, even if those facts are inconvenient. Also, you must take care, because without doing sufficient research you can easily misrepresent the truth by making false assumptions, adding details carelessly, or promulgating the commonly-held-but-incorrect legends of the person’s history (such as George Washington and the cherry tree). Also, you risk annoying readers if you choose to invoke artistic license for the sake of your plot.

Other things to consider

The larger the role a well-known figure has in a story, the more research and care the writer must take in presenting them. Bringing George Washington into a scene or two is much easier to pull off than making him one of the main characters.

However you use well-known figures, don’t cheat your readers by making historical characters two-dimensional. Don’t be tempted to fall into lazy writing, assuming the reader already knows about the character so you don’t have to bother describing them. Historical characters deserve as much attention to description and characterization as fictional characters. Use the known details to your advantage. Which details would your POV character notice, and how would she feel about them?

Little-known historical people

Lesser-known historical figures can add the same note of credibility to your writing without the problems that come with using more well-known persons. There are plenty of real historical people who lived interesting lives, but for whom we now have only a handful of facts. That lack of information might frustrate a biographer, but it creates a prime opportunity for a fiction writer. The door is wide open to fill in all those blanks in whatever way suits your story.

Just take care that you stay within the boundaries of the facts that are known. You must honor the few details that are all that is left of the person’s legacy. When there are only a handful of details to keep track of, you have no excuse for getting them wrong.

Fictional characters based on real people

Sometimes a writer uncovers a fascinating historical person that would make a great story—except for a few bothersome details. If you cannot reconcile the facts with the story you want to write, or if the person’s story includes aspects you don’t want to face for one reason or another, there is another option: Create a completely fictional character based on the real one.

This technique allows you to start with the inspiration that a real person gives but then to develop a character that has the flaws, goals, attitudes and beliefs that suits your story, your themes, and your worldview.

Just be sure to play fair. If your fictional character bears more than a passing resemblance to a real person, don’t skew the character so far from the true story that it feels slanderous. Also, if a character is based significantly on a real person, give that person credit in an author’s note.

Bottom line: Don’t be afraid of including real historical characters in your story, but do your homework and don’t forget that real people need to be developed as much as fictional ones.

[bctt tweet=”Can a real historical character add punch to your story? #writing #writetips” username=””]

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical fiction and her blog about intentional living.

Connect with her:

Website: www.lisaebetz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaEBetzWriter/
Twitter: @LisaEBetz

Categories
Grammar and Grace

Choose the Correct Pronoun by Hope Toler Dougherty

Please stop using pronouns wrong!

Between you and I, I’m sick of people using the wrong pronoun. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong!

Don’t invite Kevin and I to a Super Bowl party this year.  Wrong. Wrong. Wrong!

Are you guilty of saying or writing sentences like the previous ones? You are not alone. I hear TV news anchors torture the language with the wrong pronoun. No, you’re not alone, but you are wrong.  You can, however, learn to use pronouns properly.

Here’s a post that explains correct usage:

http://www.almostanauthor.com/choose-correct-pronoun/.

And here’s one more post just in case you need more explanation about pronouns:

What are Pronouns?

You can learn the correct form. I’m sure of it.

Good luck and happy writing!

Hope Toler Dougherty holds a Master’s degree in English and taught at East Carolina University and York Technical College. Her publications include three novels Irish Encounter and Mars…With Venus Rising, and Rescued Hearts as well as nonfiction articles. A member of ACFW, RWA, and SinC, she writes for SeriousWriter.com. She and her husband live in North Carolina and enjoy visits with their two daughters and twin sons.

Author of Rescued Hearts
               Irish Encounter
              Mars…With Venus Rising
Visit Hope at www.hopetolerdougherty.com
Categories
Write for His Glory

The Journey From “I Can’t” to “I Will”

The journey from “I can’t” to “I will” starts with brutal honesty.

“I can’t give up my coffee.”

“I can’t give up my bedtime snack.”

“I can’t ______________.”

These responses are often heard when someone is instructed to give up certain things so they can become more healthy. Sometimes it’s a doctor, sometimes a friend who has achieved success. Either way, the person starts out defeated by a belief that they are a victim to some unseen force that is stopping them from making the right choices.

I’ve often been like that toward God with my writing.

“I can’t write every day, I don’t have time.”

“I can’t follow a schedule, I’m too unstructured.”

“I can’t do this, I don’t know how and it’s too hard.”

It’s easy to say “I can’t” and take on that victim mindset. But what I’ve really said is…

“I won’t take something else out of my day to make time to write.”

“I won’t discipline myself.”

“I won’t pray, trust God, and step out in faith.”

Saying “I won’t” is rebellion, pure and simple. I am not a victim, I have the power to choose. Unless I see that, take ownership of my choices, and repent, I will remain a helpless victim and see little or no change in my writing life. God wants to give me His best, and by digging my heels in and refusing to obey I’m saying, “Not interested, don’t trust you, I want my way.”

Hmmmm, isn’t that where everything started back in the garden?

To move forward, we need to be brutally honest with ourselves and admit that whether we say “I won’t” or “I can’t”, the result – and the rebellion – is the same. [bctt tweet=”When we say “I can” and “I will”, we demonstrate our faith and trust in God. The doors He can then open for us are truly amazing!” username=”@marygscro”]

Is anything we can do on our own worth the cost of missing His will for our writing?

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service [for this ministry],    (1 Timothy 1:12, AMP)

Can we all make the journey from “I can’t” to “I will”?

Yes we can…if only we WILL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Graziano Scro, a graduate of Christian Communicators Conference, is an inspirational author, speaker, and blogger who intuitively weaves analogies and personal testimony with practical biblical teaching. Whether “live” or at the keyboard, Mary loves sharing what God has done in her life to encourage others about the awesome life God has planned for us, IF we are willing to choose wisely in our everyday lives (John 8:31-32). And it’s not only about us – the more we invest in our own unique relationship with Jesus, the more visible He is to a world that desperately needs Him. You can reach Mary on:

Facebook: Mary Graziano Scro https://www.facebook.com/don.mary.scro

Twitter: @marygscro

LinkedIn: Mary Graziano Scro  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-scro/11/600/a4b

Blogs: Life Is Not A Formula at www.marygscro.com

 

Categories
Guest Posts

Finish the Work! By Carol Sparks

You never would have thought of such a thing on your own. It had to be God. He gave you an idea for a novel, short story, poem, or non-fiction book. You looked around, but you were the only one with that stunned look on your face and that peculiar-to-writers gleam in your eye.

Maybe you jumped right in with both feet, excited for a new project. Maybe you dipped the tip of your big toe into the idea of writing this particular thing and drew back as the deluge of information began roaring toward you. I agree; it’s overwhelming at first.

You worked on this new project for a while…until the luster wore off, until your life got busier for some reason, or until you began to question the initial impetus. Oh, it had seemed like such a good idea, but then the doubts and distractions arose.

  • Do you have adequate experience or education to write this sort of thing?
  • Don’t you have other responsibilities that are more important?
  • When are you supposed to find time to write something this challenging?
  • Since you can’t make it perfect, why even bother to write it at all?
  • Where will you find the resources to do the necessary research?
  • Isn’t someone else better qualified to write it?
  • Aren’t you too old/young/fat/skinny/rich/poor to write something like this?
  • Haven’t you been rejected by all those agents and publishers already?
  • How would you possibly get it published in today’s climate?
  • Who’s going to read it anyway?

I’ve said all these to myself. Your particular doubt may sound a little different, but it’s no less effective.

About twenty-five years after Jesus’ ascension, the small band of believers in Jerusalem faced big trouble. They were persecuted and oppressed in every way, and they were completely out of money. Things were desperate.

The apostle Paul responded out of the depth of his relationships. He called upon fledgling churches throughout the region to help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. The Corinthian church was among the first to raise their hands. They were generous and sincerely desired to help. But even into the next year, they hadn’t finished taking up their collection (2 Corinthians 8:10). I wonder why.

  • Maybe they felt inadequate, thinking they set their goal too high.
  • Maybe they got distracted by other responsibilities and problems.
  • Maybe, because they hadn’t heard anything recently, they thought the situation in Jerusalem was better now.
  • Maybe they just forgot after Titus left.

Things happen—to New Testament churches and to modern-day writers. And sometimes we need a “swift kick in the rump,” as we say here in East Tennessee. Paul generously provided that figurative kick to the Corinthians, but his words apply just as well to us writers.

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.  -2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV

 Paul goes on to remind his readers that it’s not about how much you give but your willingness to give (2 Cor 8:12). God will make it sufficient. “Your plenty,” Paul says, “will supply what they need” (2 Cor 8:14).

Do you need a “swift kick” to complete the task God has given you? Now is the time; finish the work! Match your earlier eagerness with a completed composition. God will use it to supply exactly what your future readers need.

What Bible verse or quote helps you stick to your writing goals? Please encourage us all by sharing in the comments below!

Bio.

Author Carole Sparks sometimes does “butt kickers” in her workouts because she needs a swift kick in the backside, and she’d prefer to administer it herself. Afterward, she’ll go finish at least one writing project, hopefully! If she’s not working out, you can probably catch up with her on Twitter or her blog.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Want to Write Middle Grade Fiction? Here’s Three (Content) Issues to Consider By Kell McKinney

One of the first writing rules I learned in journalism school is that you have to know your audience.  This rule applies to writing children’s fiction every bit as much as it does to news, only there’s a catch.

When you’re writing for children, it’s important to remember you’re writing for two audiences: the young reader and the adult gatekeeper. Whether that gatekeeper is a parent, grandparent, teacher or librarian, there’s almost always another set of discerning eyes on work intended for middle grade readers.

Continue reading “Want to Write Middle Grade Fiction? Here’s Three (Content) Issues to Consider By Kell McKinney”
Categories
Writers Chat

Learning to Love the Thing You Hate with Angelene Woodard

Angelene Woodard of www.unqualifiedmom.com shares how her feelings of overwhelm have blossomed into a ministry when she accepted her limitations and moved forward anyway. In this inspiring session of Writers Chat, Angelene encourages women to embrace their weakness and discover the strength God offers through Christ. She explores blogging, platform, marketing, and sleep deprivation, so enjoy!

Angelene Woodard has been a child of God for thirty years, a wife for eighteen years, a
mother for eleven years, and a writer for three years.

She launched the brand new Unqualified Mom blog (www.unqualifiedmom.com) in September 2017. Here she offers
spiritual insight, encouragement, and dose of humor to her fellow struggling mamas.

Angelene is a charter member of Word Weavers International (Nashville TN Chapter)
and serves as their Membership Coordinator and Group Division Manager. Most recently, she
accepted the invitation to become a contributing writer for the Homeschool Super Freak website.

She lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and their three children.

Join us!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is a
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our
Facebook Group.

Categories
The Ministry of Writing

Prophecy and End-Times Are Not Dirty Words by Jake McCandless

I’m sane.

I don’t even have a tin-foil hat.

I rarely can even find foil when I need it in the kitchen.

But I did leave the realm of a normal pastorate to write and speak full-time on end-time prophecy, and I find people don’t want to hear what I have to say. Many pastors and church leaders don’t want it shared in their church. I even have friends whispering—Jake’s gone crazy.

I get it. I have been there. As a pastor, I, too, worried about ruffling unnecessary feathers. And prophecy and end-time stuff can seem unnecessary especially when two-thousand years ago Jesus said He would come back soon. Obviously, God’s timing is much slower than ours. But still what the Bible does say has to go down sometime, our people need to know.

I also get that there are so many more immediate needs within our churches and culture, but still prophecy and the end-times are not dirty words. Especially when a quarter to even a third of the Bible includes it.

I also get that there has been some true tin-foil hat-wearers that have abused and are currently abusing the truth of prophecy and the end-times. How many times have we heard the rapture is going to happen on this day? Or so and so must be the Antichrist? But we have all been warned with the cliché, “Don’t let one or a thousand bad apples ruin the whole batch!”

Disaster Nebula Apocalypse Bumm End Time

I also get that there is a lack of consensus (to put it mildly) on the interpretation of Bible prophecy, but that surely doesn’t mean we throw the prophecy out with the bath water. On the contrary, we should be working harder to figure this stuff out.

And one more way that I get it. I get the question, “How do we know this Jake guy is right?” Well, we don’t. I don’t even know. I just know I am going to work just as hard as I do in exegesis of the text like I do in all texts, being careful to follow conservative, trusted methods interpretation.

(Photo credit to: MaxPixel.freegreatpicture.com-Disaster-Nebula-Apocalypse-Bumm-End-Time-22730 69)

The end-times and prophecy are not dirty words, nor are they a subject to avoid. Let me give you three reasons why.

  1. End-time Prophecy Tells Us the Future, and Therefore Our Trajectory Now.

Think how awesome it is that we have an itinerary of the future in our hands. Christians, we are blessed—we can know how this maze of life shakes out. This should cause us to seek to know about the end-times. And regardless of where we are in the prophetic timeline, prophecy reveals the trajectory that we are on. The subject is relevant at any-time.

  1. End-Time Prophecy is How God Proves Himself.

So much Bible prophecy has been fulfilled, and its fulfillment is remarkable. Somehow in God’s infinite wisdom He saw fit to prove Himself by foretelling what would happen, and then fulfilling it precisely. Listen to this passage in Isaiah:

 “Present your case,” says the Lord. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King. “Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable. – Isaiah 41:21–24

  1. End-time Prophecy Shows that We Don’t Fare to Well in the End-Times.

As confusing as it this sounds, this is the reason I am doing what I do. Bible prophecy does not just tell about political, military, or environmental events at the end, but also tells how we will be in terms of our faith and morality. Two warnings motivate me. The first is from Matthew 24:10, where it says many will turn away. This is talking to us. We need to prepare to hold-on. Secondly, I am motivated from a warning in 2 Thessalonians, where we read that there will be a great deception. We have to know the truth about the end-times so we won’t be deceived.

So, what does this have to do with writers because this is a site for writers?  Well, honestly, I was looking for a place to vent and give a shameless plug, but we can always find a moral to a story, so, how about—writers don’t be afraid of the haters keep on doing what God has called you to do. Man, that is good.

And for you who would like to brave and invite this non tin-foil wearing prophecy guy to your church check out my website www.prophecysimplified.com and contact my booking agent Cherrilynn Bisbano at Cherrilynn@seriouswriter.com. And I’d love to come to your church.

And writers, I really do have a point for you. We need to be rightly dividing the Bible even end-time prophecy and including it in our work.

Jake McCandless is the Executive Director and lead speaker for Prophecy Simplified. Jake is an award-winning author and writes for several publications. He has as Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Central Baptist College and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, he spent twelve years at Mount Vernon (AR) Baptist Church as a lead pastor and directed a seminary extension center. Before that, Jake served as a student pastor and youth evangelist. Jake is married to Amanda. She’s an elementary school teacher. They have two daughters, Andrea and Addison. Jake enjoys time with family, ministry, hunting, bass fishing, coffee, and college football.

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Be The Magazine Writer with Extras – by W. Terry Whalin

Magazine editors are experts in their publication. I know this fact because I’ve been a magazine editor a couple of different times. When I was Associate Editor at Decision magazine, we were publishing 1.8 million copies of each issue. An editorial assistant read through the submissions whether they came electronically or hard copy in the mail. From reading a few paragraphs, she could tell if the writer was familiar with our publication and had sent something to be seriously considered.

Continue reading “Be The Magazine Writer with Extras – by W. Terry Whalin”
Categories
A Pinch of Poetry The Poet's Pen

How Do I Love You? Let Poetry Lead the Way by Darlo Gemeinhardt

February is the month that has the honor of hosting Valentine’s Day, also called Feast of Saint Valentine, an annual holiday celebrated on February 14th. Each year over a billion Valentine cards are purchased.

The oldest known valentine still in existence is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Love poems can be written in any form such as a sonnet, sestina, or free verse. They can be romantic, sweet, or heartfelt. Some of the most famous love poem include:

HOW I LOVE THEE by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 A RED RED ROSE by Robert Burns

 LOVE’S PHILOSOPHY by Percy Bysshe Shelley

 THE SONNETS by William Shakespeare.

For some real inspiration turn to the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13 in The Message says,

          Love never gives up.

          Love cares more for others than for self.

          Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

          Love doesn’t strut,

          Doesn’t have a swelled head,

          Doesn’t force itself on others,

          Isn’t always “me first,”

          Doesn’t fly off the handle,

          Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

          Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

          Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

          Puts up with anything,

          Trusts God always,

          Always looks for the best,

          Never looks back,

          But keeps going to the end.

Take the time to look these and others up. Read them and be inspired. And this Valentine’s Day, instead of buying a card, why not try your hand at writing a love poem for that special person in your life.

Maybe you’ll write something profound like:

     Roses are Red
I’ll be blue
If I can’t spend
Valentine’s Day with you.

I think it needs a little work. But, you get the idea.

Darlo writes MG Novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. www.fromthedogpen.com

Categories
Writer Encouragement

A REAL Writer by Elaine Cooper

A recent string of truck commercials makes me chuckle every time. They claim the participants are not actors but “real people.” My imagination gets carried away. I envision my favorite BBC dramas with, instead of “real” actors, perhaps marionettes portraying the characters.  Or the incredible dancing in the play “Hamilton” depicted, not with Broadway stars, but with puppets or paper dolls!

If actors are not “real people,” then exactly what are they??

Continue reading “A REAL Writer by Elaine Cooper”
Categories
Platform and Branding

The Writer’s Many Hats by Vincent Davis

When you tell others that you are a writer, one image appears in their mind: you crowded over a dusty desk, scattered papers all around with empty cups of Starbucks coffee abounding, as you pound away on a old typewriter like a mad scientist.

If you’re lucky, you’ve experienced a few crazed moment of a creative rush like this. However, you likely also know that being a writer requires much more than crafting fancy sentences.

The modern writer, if she wants to be even marginally successful, must wear many different hats.

Here are a few hats the writer must wear:

  1. Social media expert
  2. Website designer
  3. SEO analyst
  4. E-mail marketing guru
  5. Graphic designer
  6. Copywriter
  7. Editor
  8. Launch and Campaign strategist
  9. Speaker
  10. Amazon specialist
  11. Boss (making sure you stick to deadlines)
  12. Manager (making sure you maintain your health and happiness)

These are just a few roles the author must play to be successful. This isn’t even covering the freelance aspect that many authors take on to supplement their writing income.

Whether you are self-published or traditionally published, you need to have a basic understanding of these aspects of the author’s life to optimize your book’s sales.

Who Am I? And Why Am I Talking To You About This?

 I’m just an author like you. With no team and little resources, I’ve researched all these various aspects of the author life, and have managed to push my first novel into the Amazon Bestsellers list. I’ve also been able to live off my book’s revenue, and if you focus on all these roles as well, I think you can too.

I want to help distill the things I’ve learned so that you can become an expert in some of these fields, or you can look to a freelancer like myself or the others on A3 to help you if your efforts are better used elsewhere.

Buckle up and dust off your favorite hats, cause we’re going to be trying them all on!

Vincent B. Davis II is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and soldier. His first novel The Man with Two Names was published in July 2017 and has since become an Amazon International Best Seller. He is passionate about helping authors improve their brand and platform. He works with publishing companies and individual clients to help them sell more books in the modern publishing environment. Vincent is also the Senior Editor for blueridgeconference.com. If you are interested in contributing a blog for the site, or have any other queries, you can reach him at Vincent@thirteenthpress.com

 

Categories
Guest post archive

Language Difference in Writing by Sinmisola Ogunyinka

A little kid screams, “I want my pop.”

There begins a translation of what this kid wants. Someone would think it’s a soda. Another may think it’s candy. Surprise, because where I originally come from, it’s a form of saying “dad.” Soda itself in my home country is a chemical used to make soap locally.

Language continues to amaze me. When I started considering writing for an international market, because initially I only wrote for the Nigerian market, I discovered I was close to being a total illiterate.

Nigeria’s official language is English. The country was colonized by the British and so written formally, we use British form. However, over the years, there is the street language, which is called “broken” or “pidgin” English, and then there is the informal way of speaking and writing English the “Nigerian” way, many now call, Ninglish. Most of the words in Ninglish however, do not exist in the English dictionary. Imagine words like “pepperish.” It’s meant to mean “hot” or “spicy” or food with a lot of pepper in it. Otherwise in Ninglish, hot is about the temperature, and spicy means it has a lot of spices, not pepper.

Have I confused someone already? I often get so confused myself.

Let’s dabble a little into weights and measures. Ounces and pounds, grams and kilograms, miles and kilometers, and the weather! It’s a totally different language. Dialects of English we can’t even begin to imagine. Some have little or no semblance to the meaning of the other. Many times, the word is used differently. And even when they mean the same, they are spelt differently. For example, center and centre, favor and favour.

I had to go online and find the American and British words dictionary, something I plan to own eventually, so I can study the two languages, or should I say, dialects of English.

When I hold a purse, I’m assumed to be holding what I believe Americans refer to as a wallet. And when I carry my handbag, it’s America’s purse.

On and on, I can fill several pages with the differences.

As a writer, the first thing is to know your audience. Are you writing for the local market, or for the international market? I have discovered there is also acceptable international English, though I am yet to read anything is this “dialect.”

One consolation I have is that most people understand both main dialects especially when you consider the context in which the words are used.

Then, it is important to know the setting of the story, and the way the people speak, or rather, how they use words where your story is set. We will be surprised how much of “street” language is used everywhere in the world.

For non-fiction, it is so much about the audience, than the setting, unless you are writing about a geographic location or related matters.

One mistake a writer should never make is to assume everyone understands what s/he is saying, or rather, writing.

We speak differently, we think differently so a writer should be vast enough to write “differently.”

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer and movie producer. She has a university degree in Economics and is a graduate of Christian Writers’ Guild’s Craftsman program. She lives with her family in Philadelphia, PA.

Blog: www.sinmisolao.wordpress.com

Twitter: @sinmisolaog

Categories
Writers Chat

Writing Convincing Non-Fiction with Diana Flegal

writing convincing non-fiction diana flegal almostanauthor.com

Diana Flegal, agent with Hartline Literary Agency, joins us for Writers Chat to share her best insider tips for writers wanting to get their non-fiction published.

Ever wondered how many followers you need for a publisher-friendly platform? Ever wondered how to adapt your spoken messages into book form? Ever wondered how publishing works? It’s all here! Enjoy.

Diana Flegal has been an agent with Hartline Literary Agency for eleven years. She
represents mainstream and inspirational titles, fiction and nonfiction, but nothing that conflicts
with the Christian worldview. She is currently looking for nonfiction authors with a substantial
platform, as well as outstanding contemporary women’s fiction, issue fiction, and formula
romance. ​

When she is not reading submissions or stealing away with a recreational read, she is hiking in
the mountains, or kayaking the many lakes of her home state, North Carolina.

Categories
Fantasy-Sci-Fi

The Bones of Your Fantasy World by Laura Zimmerman

For many, the new year often comes with aspirations of drafting a brand-new novel. Each new idea creates the necessity of laying down the bones of the work—the plot. There are some who are Plotters—those who plan the plot and characters before writing, and some who are Pantsers—those who write as ideas come. Whichever category you may fall into, you will need to sit down and hammer out the specifics of plot at some point in the writing process.

Continue reading “The Bones of Your Fantasy World by Laura Zimmerman”
Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Getting Through the Fog by Carlton Hughes

lighter look at a writer's life

A new year is normally a time of reflection, of goal-setting, of looking forward to possibilities. That’s normally the way it is for me, but this year was different.

Right after New Year’s Day, I was diagnosed with the flu. I haven’t been that sick in years, and my vision-casting, planning, and reflections melted away. I spent several days in bed barely able to think, and then, when I was able to return to work to try to function, my mind remained in a fog. I would do my work and then return home and collapse on the couch. The illness took a lot out of me.

I gradually returned to the land of the living . . . and of writing. Thankfully, I did not have any major deadlines during my down time, but I did have some things on the “back burner.” Two friends had sent invitations to do guest posts on their blogs, with the stipulation that I could take my time in submitting. What a blessing to have friends without deadlines!

One thing I learned through it all is that I have to be patient with myself. I’m certainly not getting any younger, and the bounce-back time for illnesses like the flu is longer than it used to be. I made lists—sometimes in the middle of the night when the thoughts came—and wrote rough, rough (really, really rough) drafts as I could. I even spent time thinking about a new project, and I hopefully I will actually remember those thoughts when I sit down to put something on paper.

I used the down time to truly rest, and, in the end, I think that’s what I needed. It would have been nice to be able to rest without the sneezing, coughing, and aching feelings, but, hey, I took it as it came. So, when life happens, roll with it, rest, and make lists. Those big tasks will be waiting on you when you emerge from the fog.

Carlton Hughes wears many hats—some serious, some goofy.

During weekdays, he sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher (wah-wah wah-wah-wah) as a community college professor of communication and journalism. On Sundays and Wednesdays, you’ll find him playing games, performing songs with motions, and doing object lessons in his role as a children’s pastor. He and his wife also attempt to keep up with their two college-age boys.

In his “spare” time, Carlton is a freelance writer who has been published in numerous books, including several recent releases from Worthy Publishing: The Wonders of Nature, So God Made a Dog, Just Breathe, Let the Earth Rejoice, and the forthcoming Everyday Grace for Men. He has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul and other publications and is represented by Cyle Young of the Hartline Agency. He contributes regularly to two writing blogs, almostanauthor.com and inspiredprompt.com. He specializes in humorous observations of everyday life, connecting those experiences with spiritual application.

Carlton loves watching classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy, eating way too much chocolate, and rooting for his favorite college and high school basketball teams. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child.

Categories
5 For Writing

Vigorous Writing: What Do You Do When Your Novel ‘Hits the Wall’? by Doug Peterson

Marathon runners and novelists share one thing in common. They both have to deal with “hitting the wall.”

Although I ran cross-country in high school (I was terrible), I have never run a marathon. But from what I understand, marathon runners often hit a wall anywhere from around mile 15 to mile 20—somewhere past the mid point.

By mile 15, you have depleted your glycogen stores, which were built up from whatever you ate before the race. Suddenly, your body is breaking down muscle and fat tissue, and your mind is beginning to fog up. Fatigue hits you like…well, like a wall.

This description sounds an awful lot like a writer at the midpoint of a novel. For writers, ideas are our glycogen stores, and when we hit the midpoint of our novel, we often find ourselves sorely lacking in fresh ideas. We may have gotten off to a quick start and we may even know how we want to end the novel, but we’ve run out of good ideas to carry us through the murky middle.

In fact, this happened to me recently. I had plenty of good ideas that carried me about three-quarters of the way through my novel—and I have a pretty good idea how I want to finish the story. But I have hit a wall. The ideas are used up, and my brain is beginning to fog. This is where a lot of runners—and writers—are tempted to toss in the towel.

For runners, one recommendation to deal with this problem is to refuel your body throughout the race with water, Gatorade, or carbohydrates before you hit the wall. If you wait until you hit the wall, you’re in for a lot of pain.

It’s the same with writers. If you look ahead and see that your ideas are running thin, don’t want for the pain to set in. Stop what you’re doing, brainstorm, replenish your ideas, and then do a little more outlining before moving forward.

I like to meet a daily writing quota, so the idea of stopping the process to do more brainstorming and outlining is frustrating; it feels like I’m going nowhere. So I have to force myself to take the time necessary to replenish my ideas—but it pays off in the long run.

Another tip that trainers often give to runners as they approach the wall is to interact with spectators along the route. This might be something as simple as waving, talking to spectators, or giving a thumbs-up. Some sports psychologists also suggest having a running buddy with whom to interact. All of this interaction has the dual benefit of distracting you from your pain and giving you the encouragement you need.

Again, writers can borrow this advice. When you hit the wall, turn to others for help.

Many of us are attracted to writing because it’s a solitary sport, and you like working alone. But there are points when you need somebody that you can bounce your ideas off of. You need a little help from your friends.

The good news is that if you keep pushing, keep brainstorming, keep outlining, and keep bouncing ideas off of friends, you might find yourself moving into what runners call the “final kick.” A runner’s body, which only miles ago verged on giving up, will suddenly summon up newfound energy in the final few miles of a marathon. Likewise, a writer who felt like giving up only a half dozen chapters earlier will kick into high gear, and the ideas will start coming fast and furious.

So stick with it, and you’ll find it worth it in the end as you cross the finish line and put the last period on the last sentence of the last paragraph of your novel.

Then, just like a marathon runner, it’s time to collapse. And celebrate.

* * *

5 for Writing

  1. Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
  2. Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
  3. Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
  4. Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
  5. Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.

 

Categories
A3 Contributor Book Release Bestsellers

Story Foundations for the Serious Writer by Best-Selling Author DiAnn Mills

Story ideas can be like fireworks. They soar and explode in beautiful colors…then their dance fizzles to the ground and we turn our attention to the next one. But story ideas don’t have to fade away. A writer can take those wild moments of inspiration and build a credible, colorful, creative, and compelling story.

Where do story ideas come from when we’ve spent hours brainstorming and feel like giving up? Buster Moon from Sing says: “When you’ve reached rock bottom, there’s only one way to go, and that’s up!”

Here are suggestions to give your story idea bestseller (up) status.

  • Pieces of a conversation…juicy tidbits that move us to explore story and character
  • An article in the news that grasps our attention
  • Books we’ve read—fiction or non-fiction
  • Music—including lyrics
  • Poetry
  • Nature—with all its beauty and danger
  • A movie you’d have written differently
  • The behavior of family or friends
  • Historic events about people and places
  • Genealogy
  • Personal experiences
  • Dreams

          Deep within our subconscious activity lies this realm where plot problems find answers, character situations resolve, and new characters are born.

I know you have a story idea. It’s banging against your head and heart, keeping you awake at night. You’re not sure what to do with all the information, and you fear you may lose it. So, let’s turn your burning thoughts into a book project.

Ready? Are your fingers poised on your keyboard? The exercises below will take a little time but so worth the effort.

Step One

Write your story idea in one sentence. Don’t concern yourself with character names, setting, and genre.

A few examples:

  1. A young mother confesses to her police officer husband she is not only addicted to drugs, but she also deals them.
  2. A businessman discovers the owner of his company is smuggling assault rifles into the country.
  3. A newly married couple is left behind on a wagon train when the husband is suspected of carrying a terrible disease.
  4. A young woman travels west to marry a man she’s never met—only to discover he doesn’t exist.
  5. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s means a middle-aged woman must become the caretaker for her mother, with whom she already has a strained relationship.
  6. A couple is wakened by thieves in their home. While the husband attempts to overpower the intruders, the wife is killed.
  7. During wartime, a prince is forced to take the throne for his ailing father. Then the prince learns he’s not the real heir, but the son of the warring king.
  8. The inhabitants of a planet wracked by pollution face extinction. Their only solution is to exterminate half of the population.

Take a deep breath and congratulate yourself. You’ve given your story life.

Now perfect your one-sentence storyline. Tweak it until you’re satisfied. Do you envision your protagonist(s) and antagonist(s)?

 Step Two

Take your one-sentence idea and write at least one paragraph about your story. Extend the idea to include what you know about your characters and the storyline. (Close your eyes while you write this.) Don’t worry about grammar and punctuation. Simply envision the story. When you’re finished, save and edit your paragraph(s).

Step Three

What is your story’s genre? Consider the list below and find a home for your idea.

  1. Contemporary
  2. Historical
  3. Romance
  4. Suspense/Thriller
  5. Mystery
  6. Western
  7. Women’s Fiction
  8. Speculative (includes science fiction, fantasy, allegory, etc.)
  9. Young Adult

Story ideas often mix genres with romance, such as:

Contemporary Romance

Historical Romance

Romantic Suspense

By including a thread of romance, writers increase their readership. It’s been said that 80 percent of book buyers are women. Half of them buy romance. Do the math and consider adding a spark of love to your project.

Where do you find the foundation for your story ideas?

Her latest book, High Treason, will be released February 6th.

DiAnn Mills is an award-winning, bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. She is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/diannmills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills or any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

 

Categories
Literary Women in Histor

The Power of Place by Kathryn Ross

“… a hermitage, which is about an acre of ground—an island, planted with all variety of trees, shrubs and flowers that will grow in this country, abundance of little winding walks, differently embellished with little seats and banks; in the midst is placed a hermit’s cell, made of the roots of trees, the floor is paved with pebbles, there is a couch made of matting, and little wooden stools, a table with a manuscript on it, a pair of spectacles, a leathern bottle; and hung up in different parts, an hourglass, a weatherglass and several mathematical instruments, a shelf of books, another of wood platters and bowls, another of earthen ones, in short everything that you might imagine necessary for a recluse.”

Mary Delany, Artist and Bluestocking, 1748

Continue reading “The Power of Place by Kathryn Ross”
Categories
Writers Chat

How to Start Your Own Podcast with Jillian Lancour

Podcasting with Jillian Lancour almostanauthor.com

Ever dreamed of giving your audience the gift of audio? Ever since the golden age of radio, millions of people have been reached who would never have read the message. If you want to learn the nuts and bolts of how to start your own podcast, this is a must-see.

About Jillian Lancour

Jillian is a blogger, podcaster, and lifestyle influencer. She is married to her Bible College sweetheart and has two beautiful daughters. She grew up on the stage acting and then graduated from a performing arts high school in central Florida. Jillian went on to study theatre in college but ended up as a Christian life coaching major. 2009 began her journey as a social media brander. She’s designed blogs for various clients, created social media graphics for blogs, books, and events. She is now focused on her brand, She Lives Vintage where she empowers women to chase the dreams that keep them awake at night. ((Lifestyle and BossGirl Blog and Podcast.))

You can find her website at SheLivesVintage.com and on all social media at @SheLivesVintage.

Categories
Bestsellers

BEST SELLING AUTHOR-LIZ TOLSMA

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.

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.tolsma.9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizTolsma

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-tolsma-64992ab7?trk=hp-identity-name

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/liztolsma/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorliztolsma/

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaj5gp7Yvk4

Categories
Copywrite/Advertising

Watch Your Language, Content Writers! We’re Not Advertisers by Holland Webb

Content Marketing (noun) def: marketing that tries to attract customers by distributing informational content potentially useful to the target audience, rather than by advertising products and services in the traditional way: content marketing through blogs and email newsletters.

Continue reading “Watch Your Language, Content Writers! We’re Not Advertisers by Holland Webb”
Categories
Guest post archive

Why We Should Be Careful When Naming Characters-Ashley

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:

https://ashleyschaller.wordpress.com

Categories
Support

On Writing: This is the Year

 

This is the year—the year we finish the manuscript and click send.

The year we commit to being a writer with goals and purpose.

The year we bind our fears and bring a message of hope to a world struggling to breathe.

This is the year the following questions will no longer haunt us:

  

  • What makes me think I can be a writer?

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn (Romans 11:29).

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News (Ephesians 3:7).

 

  • Will I ever finish this manuscript?

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Charles Spurgeon

If you’re running a 26-mile marathon, remember that every mile is run one step at a time. If you are writing a book, do it one page at a time. If you’re trying to master a new language, try it one word at a time. There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you’ll find that no job is all that intimidating.  Charles Swindoll

Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success. William Wilberforce

Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing.  Ravi Zacharias

  

  • Another rejection. Will I ever be published?

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation (Romans 5:3-4).

Do not be lazy. Run each day’s race with all your might, so that at the end you will receive the victory wreath from God. Keep on running even when you have had a fall. The victory wreath is won by him who does not stay down, but always gets up again, grasps the banner of faith and keeps on running in the assurance that Jesus is Victor.  Basilea Schlink

2018 is the year.

Fire the laptop. Prime the pen.

Keep writing!

[bctt tweet=”This is the year—the year we finish the manuscript and click send. @A3writers @LThomasWrites #Writing #Publishing” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”This is the year we commit to being a writer with goals and purpose. @A3writers @LThomasWrites #Writing #Publishing” via=”no”]

(Scripture quotations NLT)

 

Leigh Ann Thomas is the author of three books, including Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride (SonRise Devotionals). A regular contributor to AlmostAnAuthor.com, Just18Summers.com, and InTheQuiver.com, she has also published with Southern Writers Suite T, The Write Conversation, and Power for Living. She is a contributing author in 10 books and her award-winning fiction is included in three editions of Southern Writers Magazine’s Best Short Stories. You can find Leigh Ann on her front porch daydreaming story plots, or blogging at LeighAThomas.com.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lthomaswrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

 

 

 

Categories
Genre Romancing Your Story

Crafting the Romantic Heroine––Part III

Here’s what we know so far about Susie, our romantic heroine. We’ve made her Jewish, with fears of rejection, and by profession, a rabbi. What she notices when she looks in the mirror, is her nose. Because of it’s length, she thinks she’s ugly. Her voice is smooth and soothing, but she stutters when she gets nervous. She has flowing chestnut hair with great styling body. Her eyes are dark and beautiful, lips the perfect proportion.

[bctt tweet=”The romantic heroine’s flaws leave room for complementary strengths in the hero.” username=”@A3writers @donnalhsmith @AlmostanAuthor”] #amwriting #RomancingYourStory #AlmostAnAuthor #CraftingTheHeroine

This time, let’s change her name to suit who she is.

Naming Your Heroine

We’ve been calling her Susie, but maybe we should find a good Jewish name for her, such as Hannah, or Tovah, or Rebekkah. What do you think? Tovah reminds me of the actress, Tovah Feldshuh. I like the name. No one but a Jewish girl would have a name like that. Tovah’s her first name.

Maybe Cohen should be her last name. Tovah Cohen is a great Jewish name. Cohens, as I understand it, are descendants of the Levites, those charged with taking care of the tabernacle and the temple. Sounds good for a woman rabbi.

Connotations

Thinking of the connotations of the name you choose for your romance heroine is important. And, it’s precisely why in renaming Susie to Tovah, we’ve left little doubt as to Tovah’s heritage, background, and race.

If you name your heroine Bree, what nicknames would other characters come up with? Breezy, as in air-headed? You probably don’t want that connotation.

Once you have this basic information about your heroine, you can begin to add personality traits, backstory, and all those things to make Tovah a three-dimensional character.

Before diving into Tovah too deeply, we can begin to craft the hero. We’ll get to him next time.

[bctt tweet=”In naming your romantic heroine, choose a name that will reflect and personify your leading lady.” username=”@A3writers @donnalhsmith @AlmostanAuthor”] #amwriting #RomancingYourStory #AlmostAnAuthor #CraftingTheHeroine

How are you liking Tovah so far? Leave a comment and let me know.

Donna L.H. Smith is married and lives in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman and holds two degrees in communications, with experience in publication and broadcasting. She blogs regularly and serves two Christian writer’s organizations. Her first novel, Meghan’s Choice, was an Operation First Novel semi-finalist. For more information, visit her website at www.donnalhsmith.com. Facebook: Donna L.H. Smith Twitter: @donnalhsmith