Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

A Writer’s Passion (Guest Blogger, DiAnn Mills)

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How can a writer expect readers to be excited about a novel unless the writer feels the same passion? Does enthusiasm for story mean having passion for every word? Absolutely! Every grueling step of the process must be met with a committed spirit. Passion for Firewall kept me spellbound, as though the world around me had stopped while I wrote the novel. Research captured me with intrigue and … [Read more...]

A Weekend to Remember

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I often talk about how writing is a hard career for an extrovert. So often my writing is done in front of a computer and I wait for electronic feedback from my agent, editors, friends, readers. It can feel solitary because the face to face contact usually comes once a year at ACFW. This past weekend, my daughter and I changed that dynamic. We put over 600 miles on the car as we drove around … [Read more...]

Brainstorming, Here I Come

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I’m so excited. Today is the day I depart for my brainstorming retreat. This is the 12th annual retreat for this special group of writers. I’ve shared photos in the past and no doubt will share photos again, although I may not be first. Tamera and Tricia are also part of this “Plot, Play, & Pray Retreat.” Whenever I’m asked what is my favorite part of writing, my answer is “Brainstorming!” … [Read more...]

The Myths & Realities of Being a Published Author

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Most writers start off naïve to the realities of publication. I suppose in some ways the ignorance is a good thing. If I’d known years ago what I know today, I might not have jumped in the publication waters with as much vigor or determination. Writers only have to begin swimming to the opposite shore before we realize the distance is much longer and harder than we’d planned. Unforeseen … [Read more...]

Inspiration To Keep On Keeping On

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Writing is work. Sure, we authors like to pretend it's just a bunch of daydreaming and story crafting, but in truth, some days I feel like I have more in common with a dentist pulling teeth than an artist floating high on the creativity clouds. Stories can bog down. Characters can become uncooperative. Real life can steal time and energy away when deadlines loom. So how do we keep on keeping … [Read more...]

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