Writers Tips

By Trieste Vaillancourt Do you ever watch The Voice on NBC? During the show, musical artists are given the opportunity to grow and be coached by others who have been successful in their field—musicians like Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Alicia Keys. These coaches often advise artists to find their connecting point to a song. They ask: “How …

by Steven James Picture a snowball rolling down a mountain. Picking up speed. Gaining momentum. Eventually becoming an avalanche. As it travels along, it grows in magnitude, just like the tension of your story will do. The narrative momentum of the promises you make early in the book will continue to build, creating endings that tumult into unforgettable climaxes. Tension …

by Chris Fabry Writing is losing yourself. When you are into the story, the essay, whatever you’re creating, you lose yourself. At least, that’s supposed to happen. I had heard that concept from many writers—that they get into the writing and don’t realize they’re writing. Was there something wrong with me? How could I get to that point? Here’s a tip that can help you move into the hard …

By Francine Rivers What does it mean to have a “voice” as a writer? Every person has unique DNA. We also have unique fingerprints and retinas. There are billions of us, but each human being is individual and distinctive—an original creation. That’s true of the way we express ourselves as well. Sit with a group of friends and you will …

by Carrie Stuart Parks My “day job,” the one I can’t give up until a vast number of people go on a buying frenzy and purchase enough books to put me on the New York Times bestseller list, is teaching art. Specifically, I teach people to draw faces. Most of them aren’t artists. In fact, most students, on a good …