by Carmen Peone “Just to let you know, I wouldn’t marry her!” said my working cattle ranch-owning contact. His words made my chest clench. Yet, his profound statement changed the course of my first romantic suspense story’s attitude. I didn’t want another weak woman saved by a macho man. I wanted real characters facing and overcoming trauma—like […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/get-up-and-get-out-find-your-research-gems-in-conversation/
by Parker J. Cole Earlier this month, I received a call from a vanity press. I’m not sure how they got my name, but I figure they’re another arm of Westbow Press which I published my first book under. At that time, I spent about three thousand dollars on them listing my book on different websites. Nothing else. I KNOW […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/the-publishers-that-prey-a-word-of-caution-about-vanity-presses/
by Carmen Peone Keep a notebook handy. I keep a notebook and index cards by my bed and a notebook in my purse. I also keep my phone on me when I ride horses and email myself notes, which is good for my horse to have to stop and be patient. I have a few […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/10-tips-to-improve-your-writing-9-18-2020/
by Shawn Lamb Since I write primarily for young adults, I am frequently asked about the content of my books. Is there anything inappropriate? Relationships? Language? Unbiblical concepts? This has led to innumerable discussions at events with concerned parents, and young people, who are particular about what they read. The type of event doesn’t […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/do-authors-have-a-responsibility-to-their-audience-9-11-2020/
by Carmen Peone Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. ~Proverbs 16:3 Every story starts with a spark—an idea. And when we commit our writing to the Lord, He will bless it. Sometimes all we have is the opening—a character, an event, or a location—but we don’t know where the story will go from there, or vice versa. […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/how-to-incubate-your-story-ideas/
by Shawn Lamb Each genre has various parameters that govern the flow and structure of storytelling. Examples: Mystery novels usual follow a private investigator, police, or a person with sleuthing tendencies. The case slowly unravels without revealing the truth until the end. These stories are usually in-depth character studies when dealing with “who done it”. Thrillers are non-stop suspense stories with dark overtones, and are heavily plot driven. Historical fiction, romance, and contemporary also […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/story-parameters-8-14-2020/
by Carmen Peone Backstory is the backbone of every character, even us. It’s God–given and shapes us into the men and women we are created to be. A character’s backstory is essential for stories that rely on empathy because compassion focuses on what the why of what happens means to the character. Backstory is vital for tension and conflict. Without them, readers tend to close […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/why-backstory-is-essential-and-how-to-use-it-correctly-7-21-2020/
by Shawn Lamb The typical writing course talks about protagonists and antagonists almost in a black-and-white contrast with very little gray areas. It is true that villains should be complex, yet the more one wants to prove a point, the more dramatic they tend to create the contrast between hero and villain. In […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/hero-villain-or-somewhere-in-between-7-10-2020/
by Carmen Peone Let’s face it, that first line is a bugger! It’s the hook that grabs the reader’s attention right from the beginning and should sink a barb straight into their curiosity. The first few lines are what will catapult readers into the story, and it’s your job to keep them turning pages. But if you can’t snatch their interest in the […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/hooked-on-beginnings-6-19-2020/
by Shawn Lamb Structure is hanger upon which plot is hung. The simplest structure is The Three-Act Method, which divides the story into three acts: beginning, middle and end. This method of storytelling has been around since the Greeks. For centuries, verbal folktales reigned in many countries since most of the populous couldn’t read or write. However, for […]
http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/story-structure-6-9-2020/
