• “For the Kids” vs. “To the Kids”: How to Write Your Children’s Book

      Are you writing and self-publishing a children’s book? It’s vital to consider a few critical questions, which will ultimately determine your word choices and content within your book. Aside from deciding the basics, such as fiction or non-fiction and the theme or overall topic, the next most important thing to determine is your target audience. Start by answering these basic questions: Who would you like to read this book? Who are you, as the author, speaking to exactly? Are you writing to Christians or non-Christians? Is it a book kids can read themselves? Is this a book meant for…

  • What’s Unique About Your Story?

    Each of us has a unique story; a story we may not think is special, but to some it may be the encouragement they need to make sense of their lives. Maybe you have been feeling the tug of God on your heart to write your testimonial down on paper, yet you keep asking yourself, “Who would want to read my story?” The answer is everyone, but it’s important to locate what is distinctive about your story that might create a positive influence among readers. As May is the month devoted to celebrating testimonials, let’s try to generate ideas to discover…

  • Realistic and Respectful Romance

    The man, the woman, or the look that says so much between the two: romance shouldn’t have to just reside in grocery store romance novels or anything from Nicholas Sparks. A growing trend in Christian fiction today is romantic fiction, a genre that thrives on endearing, appropriate romance and that has made household names of authors Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and Dee Henderson. Yet a challenge that is always in the background of Christian romance is conveying realistic romance without tittering on giving too much detail. It’s drawing the line between sweet kisses shared on a moonlit doorstep, to full…

  • Christian fiction is a strong creative writing format

    Christian fiction is a strong creative writing format to portray Christian-based ideas, stimulating topics and reach audiences. You, as the writer, are creatively inputting biblical content, such as interpretations of Bible verses, coupled in dramatic tales with suspenseful plot twists. Your characters may have dark secrets, or have to face emotional dilemmas with complex narratives in adventurous settings, with a healthy dose of conflict. It’s very convenient to use direct, matter-of-fact writing styles, to portray all of the above, to tell readers what God may want in your Christian fiction books, but showing them may create a deeper resonance in…