What’s more important—Beta Readers or a Developmental Editor? What’s the difference?
I’m a firm believer in writers’ workshops, especially for beginning authors. As long as it’s a good workshop committed to giving hard feedback, there’s no better way to hear what real readers really think of your work. Beta readers are like workshop readers for your...
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Authors: Write a Slogan that Works
“Let’s do it.” “I’m lovin’ it.” “Mmmm, mmmm, good.” “In 15 minutes, save 15% or more on car insurance.” You can probably name all four of these companies just based on their slogans, and probably pass a test with 100 more. You’re bombarded with slogans every day of...
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Is Your Faith Worth Persecuting?
Let me tell you a brief story. In the early days of the Christian Church, the first two hundred or so years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, the Church grew rapidly. Large numbers of believers were added to the faith. As it ballooned in...
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The Nativity: A Tale of Faith and Fear
I cry every time I read Christmas books. I don’t know why. The Christmas story from the Bible, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas…it doesn’t matter. One of my favorite Christmas books is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara...
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9 Actually Seriously Really Thoughtful Gift Ideas for a Writer
Writers are tough to buy for. Your literary shot glasses, each featuring the portrait of a long-dead author, are well-intentioned and thoughtful. Well, not thoughtful, more creepy. But you tried. Most writers don’t need another notebook, or a glow-in-the-dark pen...
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Acting, Empathy, and the Art of Authentic Dialogue
Over the years I’ve found that writers who can also act often write better dialogue. If you can believably act your dialogue out, you can write it. Writers who sound stilted, awkward, and, for lack of a better word, cringey, when they read dialogue out loud typically...
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Sharing Is Not an Endorsement
When you step out in ministry, haters will find you. That’s how satan works. Satan has limited resources. I don’t know that he’s overly concerned with complacent Christians. But when you begin to step out and take risks for the Lord, satan will show up. One of my...
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VidAngel Perpetuates the Problem It Purports to Solve
When I was a kid, we had a slew of movies recorded off of network TV. It wasn’t necessarily because my parents didn’t want to pay for them, it was because the TV versions were edited for language and content. In Christmas Vacation, when the neighbor asks where Clark...
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Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Sure, I memorized a bunch of facts in school, but everything I’ve ever really learned, I learned by taking on a project that was way over my head. Years ago, I started doing freelance website design. I primarily did the design and client management, and I paid a...
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I’m a Christian, but…
Are we, as Christians, perpetuating our own negative stereotypes? The other day I was writing a grant for something, and I started to write “We are a Christian faith-based organization, but we are committed to serving all members of the local community, regardless of...
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