Writer Organization

Writers use various methods for organizing projects. Here is one article we wanted to share with our readers.

I consider myself a born writer, and I’ve been lucky to be published by mainstream media since I was a teenager. The books, the articles, and the speeches I write are good because I get enthused about topics, do thorough research, ask hard questions and have a clear focus on my intended reader. Even more important: I’m organized. And that doesn’t come easy. Learn more.

Nancy and Kelly

 

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Outliners

There are two types of writers: seat of the pantsers and outliners.

Mention the word outline in a room full of writers, and you’re sure to ignite a firestorm of passionate debate. Writers either love outlines, or they hate them. We either find them liberating, or we can’t stand how confining they are.

My experience has been that more often than not, those who swear they dislike outlines are thinking of them in the wrong ways. Outlines are not meant to trap you into preset ideas or sap your creativity before you start the first draft. Outlines are also definitely not meant to be lifeless Roman-numeral lists. Learn more.

Nancy and Kelly

 

Critique Groups

Critique groups can be a very helpful tool for writers.

With a new year facing us, now might be the perfect time to think about starting or joining a critique group.

The first thing to do is ask before you start or join is: what is the purpose of a critique group? What do I want this group to do, or not to do? If you are already involved in one group, perhaps you need to assess what that group does for you, and decide to accumulate a different group of writers with different skills. And if you aren’t already in a group, consider what you think you need the most. Maybe you need to join two groups to meet different needs. Learn more.

Nancy and Kelly

Editors

We wanted to share an interesting article with you about editors.

The short answer to the above question we most often hear is this: Yes. Every book needs an editor. And while Joe gave us a nice set of tools for self-editing last week, I’d like to take a moment to answer this question on a more philosophical level.

I spend a lot of time on Facebook. And one day I floated the idea that not every writer and every book needs an editor.

That’s right. I said it. Learn more.

Kelly and Nancy

Critique Groups

Have you ever thought of joining a critique group?

With a new year facing us, now might be the perfect time to think about starting or joining a critique group.

The first thing to do is ask before you start or join is: what is the purpose of a critique group? What do I want this group to do, or not to do? If you are already involved in one group, perhaps you need to assess what that group does for you, and decide to accumulate a different group of writers with different skills. And if you aren’t already in a group, consider what you think you need the most. Maybe you need to join two groups to meet different needs. Learn more.

Nancy and Kelly

Wrenches and Writing

Today’s featured article is an inspiring one.

The day may come when life throws a wrench at the back of your head. I am talking about one of those wrenches that is the size of your left leg and flies at you from across the void. You won’t know where it came from, but when you get hit with it, your entire life feels smashed into tiny pieces. December 2014 was when I became the target of one particular wrench that had the word cancer etched into the handle. The earth tilted and my daily focus in life became pinpointed on cancer and getting rid of it. Writing exploded out the window. Learn more.

Kelly and Nancy

Words to Learn

Command of the English language is important for writers. This article is a great reminder for authors.

Tom’s an articulate physician, totally able to speak his mind and express a strong point of view. But when he repeatedly says “between you and I,” that grammatical error has the same effect as a big splotch of mustard on the front of his suit and tie.

Words matter-particularly, the wrong ones. Or the right ones used in the wrong way. Learn more.

Nancy and Kelly

Working and Writing

Working a job and writing can be very demanding. This article provides some helpful tips on doing both.

People often ask me, “How do you work a full-time job and write books?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and instead I sweetly reply, “I just make it work.”

Unlike many authors, I work a full-time for a local government, in addition to writing four books per year for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

While other authors may write for 14 hours straight on a Monday, I pop out of bed 5:30 a.m. and rush to a job located 20 miles from my home.  Learn more.

Kelly and Nancy

 

Goals for Writers

Goals for writers and works in progress are important to the writer journey.

So the new year has been and gone, and now we’re faced with twelve months ahead that have never been lived before. A new calendar can be as daunting as a blank page, however. Where to start? We don’t want to dilly-dally and waste time, because as we know, time is precious and the time for Jesus’ return is short. We also don’t want to fill in so much stuff that we are running around like a chicken with our head cut off.

With the new year stretching before you, here are some steps to take to ensure a successful year behind you this time next year:

Learn more.

http://www.acfwcolorado.com/inkwell/a-new-start/

Writing and Rejections

Writing is such a journey. Rejections come.

How many rejection letters did you get in 2015? Ten? Thirty? Sixty? Three-hundred?

If you have more than zero, you’re doing something right! I personally racked up more than sixty rejections for two different novels during the course of 2015. That’s not counting the slew of emails I received declining short stories I’d submitted to various markets.

Learn more.

Kelly and Nancy