Monthly Archives: July 2011
How To Help A Grieving Friend, by Stephanie Grace Whitson—A Review
Though I have lost many loved ones in my forty-five years of life, and grieved bitterly over each loss, I have yet, as of this writing, not lost that very person whose presence (or lack thereof) impacted my every day. Neither, have I lost a person whose opinion I require for most all of my … Continue reading
How to Eliminate Characters without Overdosing on Chocolate
You’ve started writing your masterpiece. Low and behold, that small Microsoft Word file has now blossomed. Before your eyes, the document now has 40,000 words, 50,000 words, and 75,000 words … 100,000 words. The excitement makes the carpal tunnel in your wrist worth the pain. Then your agent or trusted mentor suggests you sharpen your … Continue reading
Called to Write
If I knew then what I know now, would I still pursue writing fiction? Sometimes I ask myself that question, and I always come up with the same answer: yes, by God’s grace. My lack of skill and knowledge, getting plots organized in my mind and on paper, too many “how to” books to read, … Continue reading
Tantalizing Love Scenes
Love scenes have been around for the test of time, many fiction novels have them whether their romance or not. Even in Christian writing. Creating tantalizing love scenes can be a daunting task. Sometimes their overdone, reading like a manual, or they’re redundant. Saying, her heart hammered, becomes the favorite phrase in many love scenes. So, how do I create … Continue reading
Apple Peeling 19th Century!
Back in 1970, my dad planted 6 apple trees in the yard where I now live. He had Lodi, Harrelson, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, and Macintosh. The trees he planted were semi-dwarf, which means they have a short life span, so our trees are now dying out one by one. I’m really going to miss … Continue reading
Fiction Fun – Miguel and Mary Ann
Hello readers. It’s Fiction Fun Friday. As Connie explained two weeks ago, each of us will take the topic of a first kiss interrupted by an animal and create a scene. We will present a story in our own unique, individual style and genre. I generally write contemporary romance, and since I grew up in El … Continue reading
Split Ends–A Review
Yeah, yeah, I know. Book review sites are supposed to have reviews on the latest, most recently published books. But that’s not what I’m about. I just want to give you a good read and if that read was published a whole four years (that’s years, not eternities) ago, that’s what I’m gonna do. I just … Continue reading
We Have a Winner!
Connie Cortright is the winner of Abandoned Hearts by Regina Tittel. Congratulations, Connie! If you didn’t win and you would like a copy of Regina’s book, check at Amazon.com, Smashwords, or Pubit. Thank you to all who commented. God bless, Mildred
Life After Life
I tend to hear about friends and family my own age that have passed on. Now, you may think I’m just melancholy today, but that’s far from the truth. I’m not trying to sound morose or crotchety. The reality of the next life brings me great. joy. And I suppose it’s a subject a person … Continue reading
Writing a Great Opening Hook Sentence
Today we’ll focus on the components of a great first sentence. The first sentence your reader will read is the opening hook. You want to grab him/her—make them wonder what your book is about. How many writing classes and conferences have you attended, how many agents/editors have you pitched to — all to hear the … Continue reading
June's books
June on Pinterest
Mildred's books
A New Life
Building Amanda's Future
Search the site for Mildred’s many titles
Love Returned
Connie on Pinterest
Our Favorite Sites
Give Us This Day
American Christian Fiction Writers