Empowering Christian leaders and authors to tell their inspiring story
FEATURE: Author Peggy Bayless Gustave on character development and dialogue.
When Peggy Bayless Gustave asked me to edit what would become her first published novel, Wooden Angel: The Guardian, I was amazed at how easily I was captured by Claudette, a character that, given my gender and reading preferences, shouldn’t have interested me at all.
Some call it the mythic structure. Others dub it the “Hero’s Journey.” Whatever the name, it is a familiar and highly effective structure of fiction storytelling, especially in the fantasy and science fiction genres. But did you know a memoir of your life can also have a “Hero’s Journey?”
As a writer, your readers are everything. Your acquisition and retention of readers will determine your success or failure at building a loyal audience. You can’t afford to make a poor first impression. Your readers expect quality writing that will grab their attention—and keep it.
When you were a kid, how clean was your room? If you were like me (a tad bit anal), everything was in its spot, the floor was clear, and the clothes put away. However, most youngsters I knew had rooms that were a cluttered mess—much like the first draft of anything you write.
Whatever it is you do—be it writing, editing, ghostwriting, coaching, or platform development—if you want to make monthly income from it, your greatest challenge is keeping new clients and their projects coming in when others are completed. By far, referrals are your best and easiest marketing strategy to create new customers.
Let’s face it. Most writers don’t eagerly embrace format. The rigidity of writing by guidelines is seen as an impediment to creativity. Problem is, every style of writing has a format, and every editor or publisher has a format you must follow—even for something as seemingly free-flowing as inspirational devotionals.
I’ll admit it—I’ve had therapy. More than once. I mean, I am a writer, and dealing with inner psychoses is just part of the creative experience, right? But while my reasons for therapy had nothing to do with my writing, the experience was beneficial to my craft in a way I never expected.
When writers look for ways to earn income from their work, they usually think of being a book author, writing a feature article for a magazine, or content writing for online sources. But what about writing fundraising communications for non-profit organizations?
Usually, memoirs are written by two different types of people: those who know they have an incredible story to tell, and others who wonder if their lives have anything at all incredible to say. As an editor and publisher, I’ve worked with both and have learned an encouraging fact…
FEATURE: Author Jacquelyn D. Murray on promoting her book, Cancer With Grace.
Since the debut of her book Cancer With Grace, edited and published through Adam Colwell’s WriteWorks, Jacquelyn D. Murray has sold 350 copies, mostly through face-to-face sales after speaking presentations. I sat down with her last week…
Request your FREE consulting appointment with Adam to discuss your book or writing / project needs