Brilliant

Big Screen/Your Scene

Big Screen/Your Scene

Craft Tips and Techniques from Today’s Blockbusters

Back to Deep Magic of Narnia: How to Write a Successful Sequel

I love series books. I can’t help it—I get to know a character or a group of people and I want to stick around with them, to know them and watch them journey on. I am sure this is what made Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series a must-buy on my list. And why I flock to movies one, two, three, four, five, and six (whatever order you want to put them in) of Star Wars and Harry Potter. As soon as we hear the word “sequel,” whether to a great book or movie, we’re caught up in the magic, the images, and...

Author By Night

Ketchup on the Keyboard

Flipping through the latest CBD catalog, I’ve come to a conclusion. Let’s face it—more women write Christian novels than men do. Is this because women are better at writing novels than men are? Or is it because some women, if they are married and are not the main breadwinner of the home, simply have more time and opportunity? I don’t know the answer.

Short Stories

“Before I make a commitment,” he’d said, “I need your word.”

No doubt I patted my beehive hairdo and smacked my DoubleMint before replying, “Love, honor, cherish—the works. Just give me the ring.”

“I’m serious, Linny. Promise.”

“I can’t believe you’re not done yet. You’ve been working on that sermon all week.” Linda capped the bottle of polish and held her fingers out to dry. If they dawdled much longer, they’d be late to their own party.

“ “Still need a joke for point number three.” Larry looked up from his yellow legal pad and Bible. “What do you think of this: Knock, knock—”

Making A Scene

WRITING EFFECTIVE PROLOGUES—Part I

Prologues tend to have a bad reputation—for good reason. Too many are poorly written. Many agents and editors say to avoid them altogether, simply because they’ve seen too many bad ones. Some readers will tell you they don’t even read prologues because they don’t expect them to add anything to the story. Can you imagine? The opening to your book—and a reader chooses to skip it? Agh!

Write Real

Response to a Pulitzer

I read the amazing Pulitzer Prize–winning book Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. It took my breath away. Such beautiful, deep, thick, rich prose, like the finest of dark French chocolate. One paragraph I read stuck me in the heart. A dying man relays what he sees as he watches his young son play:

For Writers

Web Sites, Writing and the World Wide Web...Oh My!

In this world of the Information Superhighway, Internet, World Wide Web, and interconnected technical communities, a ticket on the electronic train is more than worth its weight in gold.