The Oregon Christian Writers Conference in Canby, Ore., is just around the corner and it’s been a year-long wait for me. Immediately after last summer’s conference I began counting down for the next one. It is a time unlike any other and I love all the chances I have to learn from those so well versed in their craft. This time last year, I had an unpolished, weak 70,000 word manuscript, no website or blog, and high expectations. Well, I still have high hopes, but a fresh new novel of 94,000 words and a weekly blog and website. Now I’m a bit more prepared! Aside from top-notch speakers and workshops,...
My “story” behind the story
In my childhood, my head was always filled with stories like the Chronicles of Narnia, the BFG, Call of the Wild and so many more. I gobbled up all the horse stories I could find. When I hit the sixth grade, I ran out of books that interested me, so I started reading Christian fiction and was hooked. Around that same time, I got my first horse and began training and honing my riding skills. My horse was a registered Arabian mare named LL Naseem. I found a book of legendary Arabian stallions and found my horse was a descendent of one of them. My very first novel was born...
Plans in the works
I’m working on gathering stories from authors of all stages – published or unpublished – to learn the history behind their first novel. What was it that sparked their first urge to write the story, character or plot. Know of someone with a fun story to share? Want to share a story of your own? Leave a comment with your email and I’ll contact you! On Monday, I’ll share some of the history behind my novels.
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Blog Highlights: Agent Rachelle Gardner
Here is a repost of an excellent post by literary agent Rachelle Gardner, the ultimate resource for writers who are serious about publication. 11 Completely Non-Writing-Related Ideas (On becoming a better writer!) 1. Be creative any way you can. Cook new recipes. Paint a picture. Design a garden. Compose a song. Build something with Legos. Organize the garage. 2. Pay attention. Observe the mannerisms of people around you. Listen to how they speak. Marvel at the way they’re dressed. Notice their shoes and their posture and the look in their eye. 3. Be an armchair shrink. Analyze people’s behavior. Ask yourself how their actions reveal their character. Wonder about their...
News and announcements
First off, I’d like to announce that my wonderful critique partner, Heidi, has started up a blog with a very interesting story – how her training for a marathon is like writing a novel. 🙂 Check it out at: http://heidichiavaroli.blogspot.com As a side note- here are the links to my other awesome critique partners! Sandy Ardoin – http://www.sandraardoin.com/ Edwina Cowgill – http://musingsofedwina.blogspot.com/ Next – I’m excited to say my rewrite of my NaNoWriMo manuscript is completed (now for little edits here and there). It has been retitled – “Beautiful Pretense” and I’m now preparing the manuscript proposal for the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. Finally – I have to highlight...