I remember vividly a conversation I had with my mother. Years ago, about my writing. I was in high school, but I wasn't as rebellious as I could've been. My stories were still barely prodding in the direction of "secular". But one or two curse words were enough to raise the alarm bell. We had … Continue reading Balancing the Scales: Being a Christian Writer
Demise of Publishing?
After studying the different ways that the marketing and publishing industries have changed, even in the last few years, I would say that I am more encouraged about the future than discouraged. That is not to say that my level of discouragement has not also grown. After all, it is much harder for an author … Continue reading Demise of Publishing?
The Wanderer, Pt. 5
The first part of this series can be found here. I apologize in advance for the short length of this part. I didn't anticipate this series becoming as long at it has, and I'm still searching for the best way to continue it. After dinner, Paul approached him again. He approached with that same stubborn … Continue reading The Wanderer, Pt. 5
The Wanderer, Pt. 4
The first part of this story can be found here. In the morning, James awoke with a start. A sudden large noise, like a rifle echoing out from the trees. He sat up and looked around. Paul was sitting near the fireplace. Henry was nowhere to be seen. He’d barely moved when Paul said, “Sleep well?” … Continue reading The Wanderer, Pt. 4
How Important is Grammar?
Grammar can be one of the "ugly words" of the writing community. That's because, if it's not used in the right way, grammar can stifle writing just as fast as smashing someone's keyboard. Without the way to express their ideas, many would-be writers simply give up. Faced with a wall of rules, they view grammar … Continue reading How Important is Grammar?
The Wanderer, Pt. 3
Part One Part Two The wanderer shrank from the sudden light. A shadow occupied the doorway. It raised a lantern, spreading struggling beams across the ground. One of the hunters stared at him with low eyebrows. The hardness of the face surprised him. It was as if he’d stumbled upon a mountain, and behind … Continue reading The Wanderer, Pt. 3
Sharing My Work
For me, at least, it's natural to be apprehensive about sharing my writing. Not any writing at all-- for papers and essays, I have no problems at all. Because while those have my voice, they don't reflect me nearly as well as my stories and poems. I don't put as much of my heart into … Continue reading Sharing My Work
The Wanderer, Pt. 2
Without further ado, here is Part Two to the short story that I began last week. Here is the first part of the story, if you're interested. The wanderer kept thinking about the men. The image of the hunters crossing the maze of trunks seared his mind. They were the only spot of light left. His … Continue reading The Wanderer, Pt. 2
The Wanderer, Pt. 1
Here is a beginning to a short story that I wrote solely to get my mind going. However, I might expand on it in the future if I like the direction it takes. So, without further ado... Eventually, he stopped counting the cross-ties. The town was too far. The sun was draping the hills, climbing … Continue reading The Wanderer, Pt. 1
5 Traits of a Good Antagonist
The term "good antagonist" seems an oxymoron (even though many fictional antagonists are just as in the right morally as the protagonist). However, you should make your antagonist as well-rounded as possible. You don't want to make him impossible to defeat, but you don't want the protagonist to walk all over her either. To make … Continue reading 5 Traits of a Good Antagonist