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Techniques for Layering Emotion into your scene: Action

By on October 2, 2012 in 2. Create Your Story, b. Building a Scene, How do I write Emotions?, Truth or Dare: Conversations with an aspiring novelist, What is Storyworld, and how do I write it?

“I’m getting the feeling you don’t love me anymore.” Sally sat down, smiling, into her chair at the coffee shop.  “I love you.  I just love my friends at ACFW and MBT too,”  I said from the coffee counter.  Between school starting and the various writers conferences over the past two months, we’d barely had time to chat.   “Prove it,” she said. “Show me the love.”    “I’m here, aren’t I?”  I was dressed in a football sweatshirt, wearing my Uggs and old jeans. “On my way to a football game. Doesn’t that say love?”   She raised an eyebrow.  “Which brings me to the topic of our conversation today – showing emotions through action. And I’m not talking about facial expressions or even physical reactions. I’m talking about […]

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One Thing Marketing: Inside-Out Marketing

By on September 30, 2012 in 3. Publish your Story, How do I enter a Contest?, How do I Promote my book?, Learn the art of Social Networking, Melissa Tagg, One Thing Marketing, Social Media Primer

Sometimes marketing just feels…blah. Another Facebook update. Another updated business card. Another newsletter that you wonder who’s even reading. A great way to spice up your marketing efforts is to go the “inside-out” route. And no, I don’t mean wearing your clothes inside-out. Though, if that sounds fun to you, go for it. I’m talking about looking at the already-existing elements of your book—or even you—that are perfect for a marketing project. Examples: In May 2012, author Katie Ganshert released her debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter. On her website, Katie invited readers to write their own “wildflowers from winter” stories—times when they were in a “winter” season of life, but caught glimpses of God at work even in their difficult circumstances. Tons of bloggers participated! Or, check out what author Beth […]

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Featured Fiction Friday Presents: Sarah Sundin

By on September 28, 2012 in Featured Book, Featured Fiction, Featured Fiction Fridays, Interviews, Writing Life

Well, the Frasier Winners have been announced. The hard work of the judges has decided the winners, and today we will take a look at the novel of another of our esteemed judges… Sarah Sundin and her book With Every Letter. Q: Sarah can you tell us a little bit about your story? As part of a morale-building program, World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, they develop a deep friendship. But when they’re both transferred to Algeria, will their future be held hostage by the past—or will they reveal their identities? Q: What is one piece of writing advice you could give to the MBT Audience? Cultivate both teachability and persistence. Teachability will help […]

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Pitch + Premise = Spine

By on September 27, 2012 in Crafting a Strong Premise, Delivering Convincing Proposals, How do I Pitch my Book?, Rachel Hauck

Maybe you first heard of the “story spine” from Stanley Williams’ book, The Moral Premise. But I actually thought of the concept all by my lonesome the winter of 2011 at the first Deep Thinkers Retreat. Because it became clear to me we HAVE to know what the story is about in order to develop the character and the plot. The pitch is that one or two lines, the concept, of the story that you tell editors or agents. Or you friends when they ask, “What’s your story about.”  You must be able to tell it in one or two succinct sentences. If you ramble or start telling too much, then you’re not nailing the core of your story. For example, my pitch for Dining with Joy was “It’s about a cooking show […]

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