The Christian Book Association and Christian Retail Association know their audience. Appealing to Christians across all denominations is not easy, but when it comes to fiction, they developed guidelines that ensure the books in their member bookstores will appeal to all Christian customers. If several customers...
We've all been there—reading a book or watching a movie where a character says absolutely nothing, yet you feel the character's emotions. Just imagine: two characters sit at a table, face to face, in a dim room. The air between them is thick with tension,...
As a reviewer, I tend to look at the books waiting for a free review the longest—those at the four-month mark. Because I target these books that have been passed over by other reviewers, I understand why they may not have been picked up. If...
Romance is the most profitable fiction genre. Because of this, many writers hope to break into the market. It is also the easiest genre in which to become a traditionally published author because publishing companies know romances always sell. However, erotica does not sell as...
In the nineteenth century, women writers were not taken seriously. Consequently, some of the best female authors of the time, authors we continue to love today, took male or neutral names in the hopes of having their work published and read. The Brontë sisters, Charlotte,...
How many times have you been told that when you write, you should “show, not tell”? Is your writing too demonstrative with little experience? Tired of writing a telling narrative and looking for ways to share the experience of your story? First of all, you...
Stories are built on contrasts. One of the most interesting contrasts or maybe surprises in a story is the journey from deception to honesty, where a narrative begins with a lie and ends with an unexpected yet satisfying truth. This storytelling technique creates intrigue, tension,...
I love a good story about the visual arts. I believe it was books like Irving Stone’s “The Agony and the Ecstasy” (a biographical novel about Michaelangelo), that inspired me to seriously study the arts. Other authors have equally inspired my fascination with the arts,...
Sidekicks have been an essential part of storytelling for centuries, from classic literature to modern fantasy and even superhero sagas. They offer comic relief, moral support, and, at times, protect the protagonist. But how compelling the sidekick would be if you flipped the script and...
Walking into a coffee shop, I’m looking forward to a cozy visit with a dear friend. We’ll chat the hour away until our drinks get cold, but it’ll be a good visit. Glancing around, I see tables lined with young people, all glued to their...
