Notes from a Newbie
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1d ago
By Linda Dindzans @lindadindzans One recent early morning, I was fretting over fine points in the first rework of edits for my debut novel. Each word was critical. Should I change this may to might? Finally satisfied, I hit send. A Certain Man—a novel set in ancient Samaria at the time of Jesus—was on its way back to the editor. By nature, more Martha than Mary, I sighed and allowed myself one deep breath before turning to the next agenda item for the day—warming up my singing voice for the high soprano notes, then practicing some tricky spots in the composition Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen ..read more
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Just Show Up
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1w ago
By JPC Allen I thought nothing could be more difficult than writing a novel during a pandemic. Trying to make sense of the world at that time dried up most of my creative juices. And what little that was left was consumed by becoming a teacher to my children. Was I ever wrong. I began to write my latest cozy mystery, A Storm of Doubts, in December of 2021 when my first novel in the series released. Not a good time for my family. My brother-in-law died after years of declining health. In January, I pushed myself to write but the paltry words I put on paper seemed more suitable for a fire. Then ..read more
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Blooms and Baggage in “A Year in Flowers”
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1w ago
by Suzanne Woods Fisher @suzannewfisher Picture this: three best friends, teenage girls, elbow-deep in petals and dreams, working alongside their mentor in a cozy flower shop. Then, bam! Something terrible goes down, and they bolt, leaving behind a trail of shame. Shame packs a punch, doesn’t it? Call it what you will—personal insecurities, perceived flaws, secrets, mistakes, unconfessed sins— it doesn’t just mess with your head; it’s a full-body experience. Studies show feeling ashamed can crank up your stress levels, leading to a laundry list of health issues from anxiety to heart problems t ..read more
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So Many Books, So Little Time
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1w ago
by Angela Hunt When I turned fifty, I realized–with a start–that I would not live forever. That I probably had more time “behind” me than in front of me. I began to look at the books I write in a new way–considering that I have a limited amount of time in which to write, the books I choose to write should matter. REALLY matter. Of course, the Spirit can and does use anything, but I asked Him to guide me so that I spent my remaining time wisely. Then I realized something else–I have the spiritual gift of teaching, which I only use a couple of times a year, mostly when I’m invited to teach at a ..read more
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Be Yourself
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
2w ago
By Loretta Eidson @lorettajedison Did you ever think you could become an author? I didn’t. Well, not until the tug in my heart pulled me in that direction. Who was I to join the team of such an overwhelming, impressive profession? Who knew the journey would be so challenging? Starting at the bottom forced me to face my fears of rejection, step outside of my introvert personality, and learn the trade. Turkeys & Eagles is a profound book written by Peter Lord, published by Christian Books Pub House on June 1, 1987. Peter claims reading this story can transform your life as the depths of the ..read more
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Stealing the Heart of the Reader
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
3w ago
By Marie E. Bast @mariebast1 To steal the heart of the reader, a story must have a solid plot line and the protagonist must believe a lie about him or herself, which will cause obstacles and hinder them achieving their plot goal. This problem will become obvious at the inciting incident and first plot point. Each chapter, like a golf ball rolling across the green toward the cup, has a specific job to push the story forward. Starting with the hook, the writer must capture the interest of the reader and carry it page after page until The End. Here’s how it’s done The story needs to construct the ..read more
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I love that about you!
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
3w ago
by Julia Fenstermacher Growing up without my mother was hard. I did not realize how much I needed affirmation and acknowledgement until it came to me in my teen years. My Dad did his best to raise us three kids single-handedly. He was a purpose driven corporate ex-military man who traveled for work. When he was home, he cooked gourmet meals for us to entice us to eat our vegetables, beat us in scrabble and backgammon to make us better, and checked our report cards so that we could keep the car keys. He was a wonderful father, but not great at praise. But his girlfriend was. She floated into my ..read more
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ACFW New Releases: March 2024
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
3w ago
March 2024 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Contemporary Romance: For Better or For Granted by Amy R. Anguish — Divorce was never in the plans for Genevieve Stewart. Only four years into marriage, and everything has gone wrong. If only she could find her way back to the way things were before Scott’s job took all his time and energy, leaving nothing for her. Scott Stewart achieved his goal of becoming a high school principal younger than most in the state. Everything in life seems to be going exactly as planned until Genevi ..read more
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What Happens When You Finally Type “The End”?
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1M ago
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 It’s been more than two years since the writing began. It’s been more than four since the research started. A little over a month ago, on Jan. 16, I wrote this in my writing journal: “Reached 87,758 words. First draft completed.” Five days later, I wrote “First reread / editing completed.” It was there I stopped, almost mentally and emotionally spent. I need to do the second edit, which for me is the most serious one. But I stopped, to catch my breath, reflect and take stock, and consider how the past two years of my life have been devoted to a story that is about 25 ..read more
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Mesmerizing Mysteries and How to Master Them
American Christian Fiction Writers | The Voice of Christian Fiction
by ACFW
1M ago
By Sarah Sundin @sarahsundin What makes a satisfying mystery? As in all novels, we need intriguing lead characters, a captivating premise, and a setting that supports the story on both a physical and emotional level. But mysteries also have a cast of suspects and an interwoven plot with suspects and investigators acting and reacting to each other. Ideally, the reader figures out the mystery around the same time as the sleuth does. Too obvious and the reader is bored. Too opaque and the reader is annoyed. When I tackled the mystery subplot in Embers in the London Sky, I laid things down in adva ..read more
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