• Lent for Christian Writers

    - By 

    The season of Lent has a rich history in the Christian tradition, calling for believers to prepare for Easter and meditate on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. As writers, our work always calls for observation and reflection of the events, emotions, people, and scenes around us. So how can we allow this rich period of Lenten reflection and discipline infuse into our writing? Set a writing goal on your Lenten journey Lent is a forty-day journey between Ash Wednesday and Easter. On Ash Wednesday, crosses of ashes are painted on the forehead to show our human frailty. At the same…

  • How To Write Romantic Relationships (Without Getting Cheesy)

    - By 

    I love a good story with some romantic element. It has a way of sweeping me into the characters’ lives and drawing me deeply into their trials and triumphs. Of course there are books that focus on romance as their main genre, but a solid romantic relationship can add dimension to almost any story. The problem is pulling it off without overusing any looks of longing or overdramatic reconciliations (not every argument has to end with someone flying across the world with two dozen roses). Here are some tips on how to write romantic relationships that add depth to your…

  • Let the Holiday Season Inspire Your Writing

    - By 

    With less than a week until Christmas Day, we at Xulon Press are aglow with the joy that the holidays bring. As book lovers, we know just how stimulating the excitement of the holiday season can be for creative work—and, at the same time, how distracting it can be with endless to-do lists, gift buying, and traveling. Don’t let the busyness of the holiday season distract you from the writing inspiration that awaits! Here are a few ways that you can let the spirit of the season breathe life into your latest writing project: Use holiday travel as fodder for…

  • 5 Infographics That Every Writer Should See

    - By 

    You have just hit the dreaded writer’s block, and you need a break. Maybe you need to inspire your writing or renew your message—or you just don’t know if you should use an adjective or an adverb in your last sentence. In any case, you will find yourself searching the furthest reaches of the Internet for something to fill up your writing bucket that has run dry. As visual (and sometimes impatient) creatures, writers need quick inspiration to nourish those sparks of creativity. Infographics have fit this need perfectly because they are filled with concise, focused information. The flood of…