Brilliant

Box Office

The Last Sin Eater

The Last Sin Eater is one of those rare books that chose me instead of the other way around. As much as I love Francine Rivers, I felt no particular urgency to read this book. My mother said it best: “The name sure doesn’t make it sound very enjoyable.” I had to agree. “Sin Eater” sounds like some kind of grotesque horror movie monster. I read half a dozen other phenomenal books by Francine Rivers, but this one I just tiptoed past it like it was a great, sleeping...

Author By Night

From the Not-So-Frazzled Files of a Frantic Author

Growing up, one of my favorite childhood books was From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s a Newberry Award–winning novel about a brother and sister who run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and stumble upon a mystery.

I think I liked it so much (and still do!) because I was a lot like Claudia (and still am!). For example, the back cover reads “When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully. She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents Claudia...

Write Real

10 Ways To Get Started In Writing

Dear Writer,

Thanks for contacting me about wanting to take the amazing plunge into the writer’s life. I love that you’re interested in exploring what it takes to be a published author. What I can tell you is best summed up in the following article. If you’re willing to count the cost and work hard at your craft, you’ll be well on your way as you pursue publication.

Making A Scene

The Voice of Your Character

Authors tend to be aware that if they’re writing in first person, all thoughts and narrative need to be in the character’s voice—not in the author’s voice. But what about when we’re writing in third person? Third person has various forms, the most prevalent today being “close third.” In this point of view (POV) the reader resides within the character’s head, seeing, feeling, thinking along with the character. The only voice closer in intimacy than close third is first person.

For Writers

The Big Yes! Yes!

“Lord, I can’t do this anymore. It hurts too much,” I cried. “I wasn’t meant to be a writer.” I looked up at the wall of award certificates and thought I heard the room laughing at me.

Not that there haven’t been a few successes along the way. I’ve managed to publish articles, short stories, poetry, and I write a newspaper column. I’ve even had an agent for five years. But...

Short Stories

Willie down-shifted and brought the battered truck to a shuddering stop in front of the high school. Veronica collected her books and walked to the truck.

“Hey, Uncle Willie, what’re you doing here?

“Please, let me go,” Allison begged her abductor. Her white empire muslin gown snagged on the saddle horn as she struggled to break free from his strong, yet strangely gentle grasp.

“Nope.” The man’s kind voice sounded vaguely familiar.