Blog Entries for: March, 2009

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Fellowship with the Word by Guest Blogger Jean Davis

Well, this is the fifth Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means--Guest Blogger Day! I'm thrilled to introduce you to writer and Christian Writer's Den reader, Jean Davis. Jean and I met several years ago when I was teaching at the Delaware Christian Writer's Conference. While we were getting to know each other, we discovered that both of us had stories about our dads in the anthology, Embrace of a Father. (How cool is that?) Jean's devotionals have been published in Devo’zine, The Upper Room, and Cup of Comfort Devotional for Women. She also has stories included in The Heart of A Mother and Whispering in God’s Ear. I hope you'll check out her blogs at www.iwitnesslife.com and www.writersadvance.blogspot.com. And if you'd like some copies of Embrace of a Father for Father's Day or for any man in your life, please visit my Bookstore! ;-)

I know you're going to enjoy Jean's blog today. It's a message we all need to hear!

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March 31, 2009 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

Interview and Book Give Away with Author and Speaker Jo Franz

Hi Gang! Please help me welcome Jo Franz. Jo is an award-winning author and national speaker for women's conferences, retreats, banquets, etc., and a speaker for colleges, universities, and association and business events. She has inspired audiences since 1984, and she gives God all the glory! She has stories in numerous books and contributed to the writing of several others before writing her memoir. Her newest book is for college students and high school seniors. I had the joy of meeting Jo several years ago at her booksigning at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta. I'm blessed to call her my friend!

You can reach Jo and read more about her and her ministry through these links:

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March 23, 2009 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

James Scott Bell on Writing

All you have to do is read one book by James Scott Bell and you know why Publishers Weekly calls him "A master of the cliffhanger, creating scene after scene of mounting suspense and revelation."

In addition to writing compelling fiction, James is an excellent writing instructor. So this week, instead of having to listen to me, you get to benefit from his expertise! Here are three ways to glean good stuff from author James Scott Bell:

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March 17, 2009 | 9 Comments | View or add comments

Punctuation Pitfalls, Part I

First of all, here's my disclaimer: I am NOT an expert in English. I don't have a degree in English and wouldn't dream of trying to tell you how to create perfectly-punctuated pieces. That said, I do a fair amount of critiquing and do feel fairly confident in offering some general hints to finding the most frequent errors I see. (And yes, I've seen variations of each of these examples) Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at punctuation pitfalls that can mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection in your writing life.

• When writing dialogue, place quotation marks around the spoken words, not the speaker tag.

    Correct:     "You didn't tell me that," Tom said.
    Incorrect:     "You didn't tell me that, Tom said."

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March 9, 2009 | 7 Comments | View or add comments

It's a Wonderful LIfe?

(This is a picture of my mother, my sister, Laura, and my sister, Gail, taken at my mother's 75th birthday party.)

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March 2, 2009 | 9 Comments | View or add comments

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