4 Benefits to Writing Prompts

by | Dec 18, 2012 | Uncategorized

by Shellie NeuemeierMarried for over 20 years, Shellie and her husband have four wonderful kiddos and two goofy greyhounds.  Shellie writes because it keeps her away from her husband’s power tools and because every now and then, she doesn’t have the choice, it...

A Writer’s Life in the Waiting Room

by | Dec 17, 2012 | Uncategorized

by Stephanie MorrillIn general, I’m a big fan of Dr. Seuss. I loved his books as a kid, and I love reading them to my kids as well. Until recently, though, I had never read Oh, the Places You’ll Go! It wasn’t on my bookshelf until I graduated...

A whole lotta winners

by | Dec 14, 2012 | Uncategorized

by Stephanie MorrillIt hit me this week as our last contest wrapped up that this is also the end of our 2012 contests, and it’s time to giveaway some stuff!I’m really excited to share the list of everyone who placed in a 2012 Go Teen Writers contest:1....

A Time to Give

by | Dec 13, 2012 | Writing

by Jill WilliamsonIn case you haven’t noticed, it’s almost Christmas! I love Christmas. I wanted a Christmas wedding. I wanted to carry a bouquet of poinsettias, I wanted a Christmas tree where people could put the wedding gifts, I wanted hooded...

When Does Backstory and Exposition Work?

by | Dec 11, 2012 | Writing

by Jill WilliamsonBackstory and exposition are tricky things to handle in fiction. You’ve all likely heard the cautions against both, but it’s practically impossible to write a story without including some. Your characters’ lives are...

Tips for writing a novella (and a giveaway!)

by | Dec 10, 2012 | Uncategorized

by Golden Keyes ParsonsGolden Keyes Parsons is a popular retreat and conference speaker and author of historical novels. Her book, “In The Shadow Of The Sun King,” (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a three-book series based on her family genealogy, released Fall...

Punctuation 101: The Semicolon

by | Dec 7, 2012 | Writing

by Jill WilliamsonIt’s time for another episode of Punctuation 101, where we talk about something that seems super boring but will really help you out as a writer more than you care to admit. Are you ready?Today’s...

Top 20 from “Why did we come here?”

by | Dec 6, 2012 | Writing

We received 116 entries to our last writing contest – wow! Congratulations to those in the top 20: (Listed in alpha order)Allison PerdueBethany BaldwinBritt M.Danielle C.Ellen CoatneyGeorge ArkleyGillian AdamsHannah MummertJessi RobertsJessica StarickaJill...

A way to add depth and conflict to characters

by | Dec 5, 2012 | Writing

by Stephanie MorrillOne way to add depth to your important characters is to determine their philosophies about life. And to maximize conflict, the life philosophies of various characters should contradict each other. (Though it can also be fun to have two characters...