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Writing Tips from Dyann Shepard

August 14, 2023 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

What is your favorite craft book? 

To be very honest I have not read a lot of books on writing. Embarrassing, I know. I have taken classes through Speak Up conference and Hope Writers, though. I liked Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont and Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy. Eat that Frog is not specifically a writing book but the principles of doing the most difficult task first are transferable to writing because it is so easy to procrastinate.

Which do you think is the most underrated craft book?

I don’t have a book to note as the most underrated writing book. My goal for 2024 is to read more books about writing. I want to my writing to be excellent and to glorify Jesus.

What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?  

My favorite is the Speak Up conference in July. I love the courses, the keynotes and the fellowship of Christian writers. My heart is filled to overflowing each year.

What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?

I enjoy the wonderful tips and tools from AWSA and Word Weavers, Inc., as well as Hope*Writers.

Who is your writing mentor/inspiration?

Carol Kent is definitely my inspiration. I have had the privilege of being in a mentoring program with Carol for the past two years. She is encouraging, inspiring and always looking for ways to make others shine.  Each month she provides focused learning and an opportunity for us to ask questions.

What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?

To be honest, I haven’t had advice that I considered really bad.  I can always learn from others. What I have learned is to have more than one person read my writing.  Sometimes, a reader simply doesn’t get you.  I learned this when I wrote a piece for publication and submitted it for critique to two different editors.  One editor said I should remove a particular paragraph. The other editor said that same paragraph was her favorite and most meaningful.  

Why was it bad?

I did not see this as a bad experience but as an opportunity to learn. This experience taught me not be discouraged and to have more than one person critique my work.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Pray for your readers.  Pray for the one who needs to hear what God has put on your heart to share.

What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?

Keep honing your craft. Keep learning, then learn, learn and learn some more.

What is your best self-editing tip or advice?

Do not edit as you write.  Dump it all out on the page, then go back and edit. Remove everything that is not pointing the reader to the message you want to convey.

Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.

Don’t give up and don’t fall prey to comparison.  Someone needs to hear God’s message through your voice.

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.

My newest release is my book, “Wisdom: Capturing the Power of our Words.” The book is based on a study of the tongue in Proverbs and my upcoming release is “Parables and Paradigms- 52 Devotional Essays of walking with Jesus in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.”  This is the working title but it may change. It will be released later in the year or early in 2024.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

It is never too late and you are never too old to have a new calling from God. I wrote my first blog in December 2018 at the age of 71. God was pouring into my life many lessons I wanted to pass on.  I had never written before.  I didn’t like writing as a student. Suddenly, I could not stop writing.  It is my passion.  I realize I have limited years left and my heart’s desire is to share through the joys and sorrows of my life the truth that God will never leave you or forsake you.  As long as you have breath, God can and will use you if you are willing. I love the promise of Psalm 92:14 “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.


Dyann Shepard is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, and mentor. She loves to share the power of God to redeem, restore, and renew our lives especially through tumultuous storms.  Her passion is writing and speaking about the transforming power of Jesus in our daily lives when we open our hearts to Him.  A retired CPA, Dyann is a former staff member of CRU and was a Stephen’s Minister for many years.

www.dyannshepard.com

www.personalparables.com

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, editing tips, self-editing, writing advice, writing tips, writing tools

Writing Tips from Susan Mathis

July 31, 2023 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

What is your favorite craft book?

Plot and Structure – James Scott Bell

Which do you think is the most underrated craft book? Why?

Writing the Breakout Novel – Donald Maass   It’s a practical, empowering classic craft book.

What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?

ACFW-CS Write in the Springs. On April 19-20, 2024, Misty Beller will present “Writing for Success: From story concept to published author” at Glen Eyrie Conference Center’s Great Hall! This conference is limited to eighty people, so it’s personal, relational, and inspiring.

What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?

It may sound silly, but the online Thesaurus because I can pop on there and find just the right word when I get stuck. Smiles.

Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?

Melanie Dobson. I’ve enjoyed watching her grow and love love love her writing. She inspires me to grow and try new things, too.

What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?

After a career as a journalist, the editorial director at Focus on the Family, and a published author of fifteen non-fiction books and hundreds of articles, an agent said I couldn’t/shouldn’t write fiction. WRONG! I’ve written eleven award-winning stories to date. If God inspires you to write, then you should write.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Be a lifelong learner. Never, ever think you know it all. Keep on learning.

What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?

Study the craft. Read craft books. Watch videos. Join a writers group. Go to writers conferences.

What is your best self-editing tip or advice?

Your brain works in two different realms…the creative and the logical/editing. Don’t mix your creative writing with your self-editing. Do each at different times. For me, when I’m writing, I have a hot cup of tea and scented candle to set my creative mood. When I’m editing, it’s cold tea, a hard chair, and an all-business mood. And I do them on different days. It works!

Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.

Never give up. If God’s called you to write, keep writing, even if it’s a random scene every day.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thanks for having me on your blog, Karin. LOVE your stories!


Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.

A Summer at Thousand Island House

She came to work with the children, not fall in love.

Part-nanny, part entertainer, Addison Bell has always had an enduring love for children. So what better way to spend her creative energy than to spend the summer nannying at the renowned Thousand Island House on Staple’s Island? As Addi thrives in her work, she attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy.

But when Jimmy goes missing, Addi finds both her job and her reputation in danger. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the Thousand Islands community?


Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than twenty-five times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has ten in her fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Peyton’s Promise, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment andA Summer at Thousand Island House.

Her book awards include two Illumination Book Awards, three American Fiction Awards, two Indie Excellence Book Awards, and four Literary Titan Book Awards. Reagan’s Reward is a Selah Awards finalist. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, two children’s picture books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan makes her home in Colorado Springs and enjoys traveling around the world but returns each summer to enjoy the Thousand Islands. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.

Where can people find you online?

Buy links: Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Wild Heart Books

Book trailer: A Summer at Thousand Island House book trailer

Social media links: Website |Author Central |  Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Blog | Goodreads l Instagram| Book Bub| 

Filed Under: best practices Tagged With: author interview, editing tips, fiction writing, historical fiction, self-editing, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

Writing Tips from Michele McCarthy

July 3, 2023 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

What is your favorite craft book?

I don’t know that this is considered a craft book, but one I use is Children’s Writer’s Word Book-Mogilner

Which do you think is the most underrated craft book? Why?

Your Guide to Marketing Christian Books- Sarah Bolme—we can all use pointers in the marketing arena.

What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?

Florida Christian Writers Conference

What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?

I will go with Rene Tatullupe’s Lyrical Language Lab—as a children’s writer, I need that rhythm and beat reminder!

Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?

My writing inspiration comes from the hundreds of books I’ve read, enjoying a phrase or humor that paints a picture in my mind.

What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?

I’ve been blessed; seems I have encouragers all around me.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Let your words sit for a while. Come back with a fresh perspective.

What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?

In the natural, write. Jot ideas down quickly. Read. In the Spiritual, pray. Does God have you on a specific assignment? Are you being led by Him?

What is your best self-editing tip or advice?

Give your work time, set it aside, come back to it. Allow others to contribute opinions or ideas.

Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.

Get involved in a critique group, perhaps through Word Weavers. Each meeting gives you encouragement and sage advice for this big adventure.

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release.

Across the Sky. Two books with the same title, one a picture book, the other an elementary to adult chapter book. Both point to God’s love letter written across the sky through the constellations that tell the story of Christ.


Michel McCarthy is an author, teacher, and speaker. She taught middle school grammar and reading. She’s a wife, mom, and grandmom to six grandchildren. If she has a piece of paper, she’ll doodle and draw, and she can’t keep her head out of a book.She enjoys journaling and writing poetry, but she never thought she would become an author. Never say never! 

You can find her online at www.michelemccarthybooks.com

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, editing tips, fiction writing, self-editing, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

Stein on Writing by Sol Stein (book review)

May 29, 2023 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Stein on Writing provides immediately useful advice for all writers of fiction and nonfiction, whether they are newcomers or old hands, students or instructors, amateurs or professionals. As the always clear and direct Stein explains here, “This is not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions–how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place.”

With examples from bestsellers as well as from students’ drafts, Stein offers detailed sections on characterization, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, trimming away flabby wording, the so-called “triage” method of revision, using the techniques of fiction to enliven nonfiction, and more.


A long read but worth the time, this book is a bit outdated but still incredibly relevant.

Written in 1995, many things in publishing have changed since this was published (the entire last chapter of this book is basically worthless as a resources guide), but the heart of writing never misses a beat — you need fully developed characters, a solid plot, and tension in novels, and nonfiction needs to tell the truth in a captivating way.

Whether your write fiction, nonfiction, or articles, there really is something for every writer in this book. Not to mention its fascinating to see how much has changed in less than 30 years, especially regarding commercial or “popular” fiction. Stein seemed to have a bit of an issue with popular fiction (what we call genre fiction today). I wasn’t writing in 1995 so I don’t know what the industry standards were, but most of the craft techniques he taught in this book do, in fact, apply to today’s genre fiction–craft matters, and successful writers spend years studying it.

If you want to write better books, I highly recommend this one. Get your copy here!

Filed Under: book reviews Tagged With: book review, how to write, how to write fiction, self-editing, writing books, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

Writing Tips from Rebecca Price Janney

May 22, 2023 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

What is your favorite craft book?

I read more of those when I was first starting out, but as an established author of 26 books, I gravitate toward the inspirational, as opposed to the theoretical. My favorites would be Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, Reeve Lindbergh’s Under a Wing, and, in general, the works of George MacDonald and Catherine Marshall. I also have benefited from Karen Chase’s marketing book, Brand Author.

What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?
AWSA Conference

What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?
My publisher, Elk Lake, regularly leads its authors to all kinds of helpful resources from a variety of sources. I am currently enjoying Robin Dykstra’s videos.

Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?
C.S. Lewis—his multi-faceted genres encourage me to step outside my comfort zones to write what’s on my heart at any given season. Jan Karon—I love the way she writes about the sacredness of the every day, always with a winsome hope grounded in the gospel.

What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?
“Just the facts, ma’am.’ For my first years as a writer, I avoided descriptive elements because my editor (who did much more good than harm) was a bare-bones kind of person. Also right up there was, “Stick to one genre.” I hate being typecast as an author when I can slip between genres and audiences.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
“Read good writing.” By immersing myself in the writing of excellent storytellers, I have become better at my own writing.

What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?
Manage your distractions. Stay focused. The world is too much with us, sucking our creativity dry. I read that David McCullough writes in a shed without a phone or computer because he wants to stay focused on the writing before him. I haven’t mastered that exactly, but I do try to limit the amount of time I spend on emails and social media. Click bait is the worst.

What is your best self-editing tip or advice?
No one ever “arrives” as a writer. Everyone needs a good editor to come beside us and help us hone, hone, hone. There is always some improvement or discovery ahead. Come humbly before God each time you sit down to write. This is his gift, to be used according to his good purposes, inspired by him.

Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.
Always stay connected to the Source of all creativity. If you’re certain God has called you to this work, don’t let anything get in the way, including yourself.

Tell us about your newest release/upcoming release. 
Easton at Sunset, the sixth and final book in my award-winning Easton Series with Elk Lake Publishing. This is a split-fiction novel in which the two main characters, bound by their ancestry, live in the 18th century and today. The novels were originally inspired by Jan Karon’s Mitford Series.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I love speaking about American history almost as much as writing about it. Thanks for the opportunity to share some of my writing journey!


REBECCA PRICE JANNEY is a historian and multi-award-winning author of twenty-six books, including her beloved Easton Series. Books three and four, Easton at the Crossroads and Easton at the Pass, captured 2019 and 2020 Golden Scroll Awards for Historical Novel of the Year, along with her other winning novels Sweet, Sweet Spirit: One Woman’s Spiritual Journey to the Asbury College Revival, and Morning Glory.

She began writing professionally at the age of fourteen and by the following year was covering the Philadelphia Phillies. With her love of American history, she earned degrees in that subject from Lafayette College and Princeton Seminary, and a doctorate from Biblical Seminary. Rebecca is a popular speaker and appears regularly on radio shows and her podcast, “American Stories.” She is the Regent (President) of the Bethlehem, PA Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and resides with her husband, son, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley where her ancestors have lived since the 1740s.

Find her online at www.rebeccapricejanney.com, “American Stories” with Rebecca Price Janney on Spotify, Facebook, LinkedIn, MeWe, or Instagram.

Filed Under: interview, Uncategorized Tagged With: author interview, editing tips, fiction writing, historical fiction, self-editing, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

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Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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