Comments on: Tools for the Writer’s Life: Day 1

By: Bill Giovannetti

Bill Giovannetti — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:38:14 +0000

James Scott Bell’s “The Art of War for Writers” is fantastic! I’m reading it now. Short chapters (2 pages), inspirational and practical.

Another resource: editors-for-hire who act as writing coaches. Cindy Martinusen Coloma, Andy Meisenheimer, The Writer’s Spa, and others.

By: Johnnie

Johnnie — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:55:20 +0000

Writing for the Soul by Jerry Jenkins is an inspirational book. Of course, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is a must.

The Florida Christian Writers Conference (March 4-7) is my favorite and this will be my fourth year to attend. I met the lovely ladies of my critique group, the Kindred Heart Writers, the first year I went to the FCWC and the conference doubles as our annual reunion. (You’ll be there, too, won’t you, Rachel?)

I also belong to an online critique group through American Christian Fiction Writers.

Conferences and critique groups have helped me tremendously on my writing journey. I still have a couple of hurdles to cross, but I’m much closer to reaching my dreams than four years ago.

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:58:51 +0000

Oops that should have said “on writing well” by Zinsser.

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:57:07 +0000

Favorite books:
On Writing, Zinsser (for nonfiction writers)
Writing the Breakout Novel, Maas
Stein on Writing, Stein
It’s a Bunny Eat Bunny World, Litowinsky (children’t publishing)

favorite conferences:
Mount Hermon
SCBWI LA (children’s writers)

favorite workshops:
Founders Workshops (children’s writers)

Found all my crit groups on line.

My cousin teaches high-school English so I have his girls to read my manuscripts and I was involved with our youth group at church (the girls there are less helpful because they know me and wouldn’t want to hurt my feelings.)

By: Janet Ann Collins

Janet Ann Collins — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:02:50 +0000

I can’t believe nobody mentioned the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. It’s wonderful!

By: Cecelia Dowdy

Cecelia Dowdy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:02:46 +0000

I found Stephen King’s book, On Writing to be helpful (warning though, it’s not a Christian writing book and there is some profanity in there), but it tells of his journey to publication, plus, he gives some great writing tips.

Conferences that have helped me to land publishing contracts: Romance Writers of America national conference and American Christian Fiction Writers conference. I’ve gleaned great knowledge from both of those!

~Cecelia Dowdy~
http://www.ceceliadowdy.com
http://www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com

By: Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:17:40 +0000

Great post. I tell ya, I couldn’t have gotten anywhere without ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). They have a great conference and some of the most supportive and helpful writers out there.

I found my crit group through ACFW and now have joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) and found another crit group more geared toward my genre (paranormal) and it’s been FANTASTIC!

Conferences sure can throw a lot at you, even the disappointing stats of getting published, but the being around other writers is what energizes me, for sure.

Thanks for the post, Rachel.

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:56:23 +0000

Thank you for your comments!

David, I understand where you are coming from. The reality of publishing does become clear at these conferences. You see all of the hopeful writers soaking up the information offered, and you learn how hard you have to work to even have a chance at getting published. Succeeding in publishing is a lot like finally getting to the Olympics. You need to train hard by going to conferences and investing in your writing to have a chance at the gold medal–a successful book. The harder you have to work for the gold, the more rewarding it is, right?

Writers’ Conferences allow you to know what steps you need to work on as you “train.” And conferences can be very encouraging. I leave conferences inspired by the speakers and thankful for the time spent with the authors and faculty.

By: David Todd

David Todd — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:26:58 +0000

I have attended five writers conferences since 2003: two regional ones and three national ones (Write to Publish; Glorieta; and Blue Ridge). The main difference they have made for me is knowledge about the publishing industry. I had no clue before my first conference.

Unfortunately, I don’t find conferences inspiring or energizing. I find them deflating and demotivating, as each conference I learn of new hurdles that make me understand all the more what a miniscule chance I have of being published, even if I write a publishable book.

By: Teri Dawn Smith

Teri Dawn Smith — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:38:46 +0000

I must mention ACFW. It’s such an awesome writer’s association. The conference is top notch, and the warm community of writers encourages like no other. As for books, Donald Maass’ The Fire in Fiction inspires me every time I pick it up. One other tool I use was recommended by Gail Martin: The Synonym Finder. It’s the best I’ve seen for searching for an illusive word.

Thanks for the post!