Verse of the Day

"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests. . . . Your task is to be true, not popular. (Luke 6:26 MSG)

Verse of the Day

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2 ESV)

Verse of the Day

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

Brainstorming as Revision

Because we had some extra slots at the end of this month, we asked Beth Vogt to guest blog for us today.

Call me crazy, but I love editing and revising.

I sometimes get caught up in the challenge of tightening my sentences, downsizing my word count and selecting just the right word. It’s difficult to write “The End” and hit the send button. (I just decided to rewrite that last sentence before I moved on to the rest of this blog post. Ah, such is the writing life of an editor!)

As writers we often focus on what’s not working when we revise. We look for all the errors: grammar, punctuation, spelling, run-on sentences, and rambling thoughts. I’d like to challenge you to jump outside the revising box and think about what could work.

Huh?

One of the best ways to revise your work in progress (WIP) is to brainstorm the next draft with other writers. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, brainstorming offers an overlooked tool that takes your writing deeper and might guide you in an unexpected new direction.

After you’ve assembled your “dream team”, how do you effectively brainstorm to improve your writing?

1.     Hand out the most recent copy of your WIP. Let the members of your writers group read what you’ve written.

2.     Give your brainstormers some basic information. Tell them what you’re aiming for in the chapter and where you’re struggling. Say something like, “It just drops off at the end. I don’t know how to wrap it up.”

3.     Let individuals ask you questions. When my non-fiction critique group helps me revise, someone else takes notes while we talk and then e-mails me the notes afterward. That way, I have a record of all the innovative thoughts and suggestions.

4.     Be open to any ideas to improve your WIP. You may not implement every idea, but don’t reject any of them outright. Mull over all the suggestions. I’ve heard that Disney Imagineers, who develop all the ground-breaking designs for Walt Disney theme parks, toss a dollar in a bowl if they denigrate another Imagineer’s idea during brainstorming sessions.

When you hit a wall or don’t know what road to take with your writing, unleashing the questions, ideas, and input of brainstorming partners helps you see new possibilities.

Hot links:

Brainstorm: http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html

Disney Imagineers: http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/who_imagineering.html

 Beth K. Vogt was happily minding her own business writing non-fiction when she was lured to the Dark Side with an offer of cookies. (Thanks, Evangeline!) She edits Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, and is privileged to meet weekly with bestselling author Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark to work on her WIP, Wish You Were Here. Visit her blog www.thewritingroad.com

 

Verse of the Day

Joshua speaking to the children of Israel after they were dwelling in the land God promised them:

Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! (Joshua 23:14 NLT)

It's still applicable today.

2010 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance

The RITA awards are the Romance Writer of America's book awards for published authors. I'm posting the finalists in the Inspirational Romance category. (In the inspirational cetegory every genre is lumped together, so historical, contemporary, romantic suspense . . . are represented by this finalist list.)


2010 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists
The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander
Thomas Nelson, Inc., Women of Faith Fiction
Editors: Ami McConnell and Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-1-59554-632-6

A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Editor: Natalie Hanemann
ISBN: 978-0-59554-809-2

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
Editor: Melissa Endlich
ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1

Entertaining Angels by Judy Duarte
Kensington Publishing Corp.
Editor: John Scognamiglio
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2016-5

An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon
Baker Publishing Group, Revell Books
Editor: Jennifer Leep
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3311-7

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
Bethany House Publishers
Editor: Karen Schurrer
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0707-5

Breach of Trust by Diann Mills
Tyndale House Publishers
Editor: Stephanie Boerne
ISBN: 978-1-414-32047-2

The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah
Editor: Jessica Barnes
ISBN: 978-0-307-44474-5

Verse of the Day

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55:10–11 NLT)

Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Heart Of StoneZondervan (March 1, 2010)

by

Jill Marie Landis





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Marie Landis is the bestselling author of over twenty novels. She has won numerous awards for her sweeping emotional romances, such as Summer Moon and Magnolia Creek. In recent years, as market demands turned to tales of vampires, erotica, and hotter, sexier historical romances, Jill turned to writing Inspirational Western Romances for Steeple Hill Books. She truly feels back in the saddle again, working on stories that are a joy to write. With her toes in the sand and head in the clouds, Jill now lives in Hawaii with her husband, Steve.











ABOUT THE BOOK

Laura Foster, free from the bondage of an unspeakable childhood has struggled to make a new life for herself. Now the owner of an elegant boardinghouse in Glory, Texas, she is known as a wealthy, respectable widow. But Laura never forgets that she is always just one step ahead of her past.



When Reverend Brand McCormick comes calling, Laura does all she can to discourage him as a suitor. She knows that if her past were discovered, Brand’s reputation would be ruined. But it’d not only Laura’s past that threatens to bring Brand down─it’s also his own.



When a stranger in town threatens to reveal too many secrets, Laura is faced with a heartbreaking choice: Should she leave Glory forever and save Brand’s future? Or is it worth risking his name─and her heart─by telling him the truth?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Heart Of Stone, go HERE

Review to come later.

Verse of the Day

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20–21 ESV)

Verse of the Day

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48 NIV)