I’m Bored?
I’m Bored? I slouched in my chair, blowing a sigh out my lips and making a funny sound.My sister looked up from across the room. “What’s wrong?”“Oh, nothing. I’m just bored.”“You have writer’s block again?”“No, I know what’s coming next. I even know what words I want to use to […]
“How Do You Come Up With Good Names?”
“How Do You Come Up With Good Names?” I was sitting at a table with some young friends of mine, and we began to talk about writing. One sweet girl asked me what all the names of my characters were. I gave her a few. Her round blue eyes reflected […]
The Hero Must Have a Name!
The Hero Must Have a Name! “Haven’t you named the hero yet?”“Not yet.”“When are you going to get around to that?”“When I hear a name that sounds right.”“When will that be?”“I don’t know.”“How can you write a book about a character that has no name?”“He has a name in my […]
Find it Flawed
Find it Flawed My older sister, a cousin, and I were sitting in my aunt’s living room making potholders. After discussing the variety of topics young girls do, we turned our minds to more spiritual things. We spoke about God and how He is perfect. He never says or does […]
Jumping Hurdles in Self-Publishing
Jumping Hurdles in Self-Publishing If there is not at least one hurdle in the path before you, then you are probably going the wrong way. As a Christian, I am fully aware that the evil one will try to attack my faith at every opportunity. Jesus Christ has given me […]
5 Ways to Inspire Yourself to Write
5 Ways to Inspire Yourself to Write “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I am inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” – Peter De Vries. Everyone needs a little encouragement in their writing journey to become inspired because, without inspiration, the story dies. So, here […]
The Hero and the Savior
The Hero and the Savior Spoiler alert! If you have not read my book, buy it now and come back to the post after you’ve read it all the way through! “You’ve heard it said: no hero, no story. I will add this: no Savior, no hero.” Let’s start by […]
My House Full of Editors
My House Full of Editors Things done alone rarely succeed and aren’t a fraction as much fun as they can be. I live with my parents and seven siblings on a beautiful plot of land in Alabama {pictured above}. Despite all our responsibilities as a family, we find time to […]
Creating a Plot With the Bible
Creating a Plot With the Bible I said it once, and I’ll say it again “God was the first to inspire man to write, and His stories, themes, characters, and settings will all be recreated time and again through all of life.” Let me be clear: God did not write a […]
The Chapter One Dilemma
The Chapter One Dilemma {A note from Alyson: all the strategies and rules of this blog series apply primarily to adventure novels. Not all standards and regulations will carry into other genres.} Remember COC? We’ve used the Chapter One Criteria to create all the key elements that make a first chapter […]