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How I Write: Linda Rondeau

March 21, 2022 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

Linda Rondeau’s been on both sides of the manuscript — as an author and as an editor. Today she shares about how she strengthened her writing skills.

Welcome! You’ve written several books in your career. Which was harder: the first book or the following books?

Writing is hard, whether the first or the most recent book. After fourteen published works, I’m still fearful when I start a new manuscript. I think the first book was the easiest because I was not encumbered with fears of failure; I was too enthralled with the ride. After the first book was published, I was overcome with the responsibilities of the aftermath—thinking about marketing as I was writing.

What’s your favorite book on writing? What do you like about it?

The best book on writing I have read is On Writing by Steven King. The first half was about his life and how he came into writing. The second half was basic concepts. I liked the book because he understood and encouraged every writer to follow their own style. It can be harmful for an author to think there is only one correct way to manage a manuscript or to even create one. While traditional concepts may be helpful, they are not commandments. Like the pirate’s code, they are guidelines.

What’s your favorite writers conference? What do you like about it?

I have to give the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference two thumbs up, at least for me. I attended the first one in 2001 and received the Writer of the Year award for a poem. God had called me to write in June of 2000, but I had no clue what I needed to do. At that conference, God cemented his call and reinforces that call each time I attend. Though the conference is managed by different folks, I still feel that same anointing.  

What’s your writing day like?

I must laugh whenever asked this question—I never know what my day will bring.

When my husband and I married, we made only one promise to each other: never a dull moment. Very few of my days resemble one another. I might have a plan when I wake up, but the Hubs and God are very good and rearranging my lofty ambitions.

I do have a few habits involved in my day-to-day life, certain must-do activities in order to function. When I get up, I’m in fog territory. I grab a cup of coffee and do brain exercises to wake up. Then I have my quiet time with God. I look at what I had written down as must do, should do, and maybe can wait a few days. I do try to plan out my writing and marketing tasks as well as my editing expectations, but I’ve learned to be flexible.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

So many things I had to learn in this process. Perhaps the most humbling was how much editing my works would require. The carpenter’s house barely stands and the plumber’s pipes are always leaking. No matter how much we think we know about writing, we are unable to be adequately objective of our own manuscripts. I was surprised because I thought I had a good command of English, grammar, and syntax. I was humbled as I learned the craft. Writing fiction is much different than writing  a term paper!

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don’t be in a hurry to get published. Learn the craft, get involved with writers’ groups, take online courses and/or attend writers’ conferences, join a critique group, and be patient. Good cooks are not born as good cooks, though they may have talent. To become a master chef takes preparation, thought, and practice.

Don’t start with a book. Perhaps start with a blog. If you’re writing fiction then start with some flash fiction, then perhaps short stories, and then evolve them into books.

How do you self-edit your manuscripts?

I often tell writers the person who edits their own work has a fool for an editor. I’m an editor and I desperately need a pair of objective eyes on my manuscript. That said, there are things we can do to polish our manuscripts other than proofreading. I go over each chapter a dozen times or more. I will look for inconsistences in description. Did my character with blue eyes all of a sudden have brown eyes? Did I change the name in places? I highly recommend the book Self-editing for Fiction Writers.

What does your revision process look like?

Revision is not the same as self-editing. Besides some of the above, I put my manuscript aside for a minimum of three-five days. I need to look at my work with fresh eyes and a less fatigued brain. Ideally, Steven King recommends six weeks or more. I often don’t have that much luxury of time.

While some authors prefer to work chapter by chapter, I prefer to complete the story first. Because I’m a more intuitive writer, I can’t really critique myself on story development until I’m finished.  Then, I examine the work for cohesiveness, consistency, impact, and relativity. Rather than look at the trees, I examine the manuscript as a forest.


Award-winning author, Linda Wood Rondeau writes stories that grip the heart, inspired by her nearly thirty years of social work. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys the occasional round of golf, visiting museums, and taking walks with her best friend in life, her husband of forty-five years. The couple resides in Hagerstown, Maryland where both are active in their local church. Readers may learn more about the author, read her blog, or sign up for her newsletter by visiting www.lindarondeau.com.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lwrondeau
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/linda-wood-rondeau
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Wood-Rondeau/e/B006FNG1BI
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/lindawoodrondeau
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorlindawoodrondeau/ 

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, editing tips, fiction writing, Linda Rondeau, self-editing, Stephen King, writing conferences, writing fiction, writing tips

How I Write: Angela Breidenbach

January 31, 2022 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

No two paths to publication are the same, even for the same author! Angela Breidenbach has published fiction and nonfiction books, and she’s here today to share from her experiences in both world’s.

Thank you so much for being here! What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre?

I write historical fiction with elements of romance and genealogy. I want to preserve the stories of people and history. I also write non-fiction because I love to teach and share so others can grow, too.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

Research is the most challenging for me because it’s so easy to get lost in the rabbit trails. When I realize I’ve gone down a trail, I start a new document and write a story idea with citations to the research. That helps me know I can go back and dive in again for a purpose. Otherwise, I’m just fascinated with learning. I have to be disciplined about it or I’d never come up for air.

Also, when I’m writing the story, I put a comment in my writing program (Scrivener) so I can research just that point later. Then I continue writing. But those rabbit trails can be really beneficial. That’s where the entire 6-book series for Queen of the Rockies ideas came from! The fifth book, Bride of the Rockies, was a rabbit trail that led me to the women who represented Montana at the 1893 World’s Fair.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

Writing a book takes 3-6 months for me. My favorite part is editing for the art. I spend more time there once I get the gist of the story on paper. Finalizing it, to me, means interior and cover design. That takes me a week or so because I play with the look until I’m happy. But I adore Vellum and the updates in that program.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books?

The first book in both fiction and nonfiction were the hardest because I had so much to learn about the craft and formatting. Now formatting is second nature. I know where I can play with elements. But writing in different arenas, fiction and nonfiction, creates a lot of different issues in the right and left brain. I can write both in the same day, but I have to take a break between them to switch gears. I’ll never stop learning. But adding to what I know or brushing up a skill is a lot easier than learning it all from a fire hose like the first books!

What conference do you most want to attend?

I’m looking forward to attending the London RootsTech conference one day. The amount of research I still want to do in Britain can happen, but I really love attending genealogy conferences. Hoping Covid-tide will end soon so I can go, meet more people across the pond, and sit in a lot of great research spots discovering things not on the internet.

How do you combat writer’s block?

Writer’s block makes me feel frozen. I’ve bonded with other writer friends. When I’m feeling stuck, I call or video conference or go to lunch with one of my friends. We’ll brainstorm until I’m excited to get the words on the page again. Works every time!

What advice do you have for new authors?

Go to as many different writing conferences as you can. Writing conferences have personalities too. Not every conference is suited to you. If one feels “off”, it’s not for you. Try another. You’ll meet your group of friends like I did. We all started out as newbies. Now literally all of us are multi-published, many multiple bestsellers. But none of us had sold a book when we started out. Bonding together, building our careers between friends has really made a difference. It’s especially important for those rough patches—we all have them—when we lose a family member, experience multiple rejections, or must make a hard choice financially. Those friends have made all the difference and I would not have achieved what I have without writing conferences and the friends who have run the race with me.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

I have at least 3 steps in my editing process before I send it to anyone else. I edit as I go when something doesn’t seem quite right to me. Then I upload the document to my ProWritingAid application and go through line-by-line. Then I load it to Vellum and see what it finds. Finally, I ask someone else to edit. That saves me a lot of money, but also teaches me in the process.

I always miss something. Everyone always misses something. But the surprise is often how I have “pet” words in every book. They’re not usually the same book to book. But there are a handful that connect with the tone, story, and world of the book that tend to repeat. So those are my last search/replace action before it goes anywhere else.


Would she give up her dream for love?

For botanist, Bettina Gilbert, mining is an offense against God’s green earth. With the shortage of women in Montana, Luke travels to Chicago to manage the Montana mining exhibition hoping to also find a wife. Only that pretty botanist keeps disrupting his mining presentations … and his chances of meeting the right woman! A city girl who despises his way of life would be the worst choice for a miner’s wife, wouldn’t she? 

Angela Breidenbach is a professional genealogist, media personality, conference speaker, bestselling author of eighteen books, and screenwriter. Angela lives in Montana with her hubby and Muse, a trained fe-lion, who shakes hands, rolls over, and jumps through a hoop. Surprisingly, Angela can also. Catch her show and podcast, Genealogy Publishing Coach!

https://AngelaBreidenbach.com
Social Media: @AngBreidenbachAmazon
Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Angela-Breidenbach/e/B00460W4F4
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/angela-breidenbach
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3370320.Angela_Breidenbach
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelaBreidenbach

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

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody (book review)

January 21, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

SAVE THE CAT!® by Blake Snyder is a popular screenwriting book series and storytelling methodology used by screenwriters, directors, and studio execs across Hollywood. Now, for the first time ever, bestselling author and writing teacher, Jessica Brody, takes the beloved Save the Cat! plotting principals and applies them to the craft of novel writing in this exciting new “workshop style” guide, featuring over 20 full beat sheets from popular novels throughout time.


Whether you’re writing your first novel or your seventeenth, Save the Cat! breaks down plot in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step method so you can write stories that resonate! This book can help you with any of the following:

Outlining a new novel
Revising an existing novel
Breaking out of the dreaded “writer’s block”
Fixing a “broken” novel
Reviewing a completed novel
Fleshing out/test driving a new idea to see if it “has legs”
Implementing feedback from agents and/or editors
Helping give constructive feedback to other writers

But above all else, SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A NOVEL will help you better understand the fundamentals and mechanics of plot, character transformation, and what makes a story work!


I think this may be my new favorite craft book ever.

As a fan and writer of character-driven fiction, I’ve always struggled to figure out plot structure. I’ve read a lot of books that talk about that and have learned bits from all of them, but this book explained structure in a way that I really understood. It could be that I’m just finally starting to understand structure after all of these years (and multiple craft books), but I really think the format of this book is what I connected with.

First, the author lists out and explains the different beats of every good story. Then she explains the nine different plot types. Finally, she takes the list of beats and applies it to each of the plot types to help the reader see what it looks like. (She also includes a list of the books that use the various plot types.)

If you want to learn how to write a novel and you learn best from lists and examples, I highly recommend this book. I will reference it often.

Get your copy here!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Filed Under: book reviews Tagged With: book review, fiction writing, How to Write a Novel, Jessica Brody, writing a book, writing fiction, writing tips

How I Write: Sally Jo Pitts

December 13, 2021 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Sally Jo Pitts paid attention when they said, “write what you know.” Wait’ll you find out what she writes! Here’s another fun interview full of great writing tips and ideas.

Thank you so much for talking with me today! What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre?

I write Mystery/Detective because I have worked as a private investigator with my husband in his detective agency for almost thirty years. I also write romance because I enjoy discovering the happily ever after!

I bet you have some amazing perspectives to add to your books! What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

The most difficult part  of writing in both genres is getting the rough draft on the page. I work through my  character and plot idea with dogged determination and attempt to write a scene a day. The first draft is a pretty ugly batch of dialogue, narrative, scene set ups, and notes that I proceed to shift here and there like puzzle pieces throughout the document. I use the Scrivener program which helps me move from scene to  scene and keeps my characters and research notes together in one workspace.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

The length of time to write a book has varied depending on the contractual time given for completion. The last three books in my mystery series took six months each: two months rough draft, one month first rewrite, two month rewrites of the rewrites, one month final edits.

Which was harder to write: the first book or the following books?

The first book, Autumn Vindication, was hardest because I had so much to learn. I knew about being a PI but not how to  portray the story and characters. I actually published two romance books before the first mystery book came out. The main characters totally changed from the original draft.

What’s your favorite book on writing?

The Story Equation by Susan May Warren. The book presents a very practical way to think through your characters and the purpose of the journey you are going to put them on.

What writing book do you want to read next?

Writing 21st Century Fiction by Donald Maass. He offers lots of examples of good writing and analyzes why. I am always ready to learn more.

What’s your favorite writers conference?

American Christian Fiction Writers. They offer excellent speakers and agent and editor appointments.

What does your revision process look like?

Here ya’ go. Lots of scribbled notes. This photo was during rewrites of Spring Betrayal and Designed for Love romance book launch going on at the same time.


About the Author: Sally Jo Pitts brings a career as a private investigator, high school guidance counselor and teacher of family and consumer sciences to the fiction page. Tapping into her real-world experiences she writes what she likes to read, faith-based stories, steeped in the mysteries of life’s relationships. She is author of the Hamilton Harbor Legacy romance series and the Seasons of Mystery series. Residing in north Florida with her spunky schnauzer Gibbs, Sally Jo enjoys hot mochas, old movies, and writing scenes from scribbled notes that clutter her house. You can connect with her at  and https://www.facebook.com/sallyjopitts

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, book review, editing tips, fiction writing, Sally Jo Pitts, self-editing, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

How I Write: Linda Shenton Matchett

November 22, 2021 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

Linda Shenton Matchett has self-published. She’s been traditionally published. Today, she’s a hybrid author who plots her way through historical romance novels, and she’s sharing her tips and suggestions for new writers. Linda, welcome!

What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre?

I write historical Christian fiction, primarily romance, but I also have five mysteries. I didn’t pick my genre, so much as fall into it.

My first book was a novella as part a group blog project. I had several completed manuscripts at the time, but none were publication ready, so I wrote a retelling of the biblical story of Ruth set during WWII. I followed that up with three more biblical retellings, but struggled when it came to writing anything else. I tried my hand at romance, but about halfway through each story, I’d flail about, not sure what to do with my characters. They did a lot of eating and driving places! Then I attended a mystery writing conference, and that took care of my plot problem! But as much as I enjoyed writing (and solving) the mysteries, I missed the “happily ever after” that comes with a romance…which leads me to the next question.

What’s your favorite book on writing? What do you like about it?

Victorine Lieske’s How to Write a Swoon-worthy Sweet Romance Novel was a game changer for me. The book is a nuts-and-bolts primer that provides an executable process to writing a romance. Too many how-to books are more theory than practice which can be frustrating when trying to apply the concepts. In Ms. Lieske’s book, the first section is an introduction to romance from the “meet-cute” to building emotional intimacy and the climax. In the second half of the book, she takes one of her own books and shows how she uses each technique.

I agree—I love that book! Now, what’s your favorite writers conference? What do you like about it?

Sisters in Crime New England Crime Bake is the mystery writing conference I found when first looking for a conference I could attend between November and April, the “off-season” for the bed and breakfast I ran. It is a smaller conference than most, only about 300 attendees, which means newbies are rubbing elbows with veterans like Archer Mayer, Dennis Lehane, Hallie Ephron, and others.

In addition to panels, lectures, and round-tables, participants can sign up to pitch to agents or editors and get a manuscript critique from an editor or published author. Topics range from skills and craft to marketing and business. So far, I’ve attended the conference for ten years and have learned at least one thing if not more every year.

What’s your writing day like?

I work a full-time job, so I schedule my writing time around those hours. I’m typically at my desk by 6 a.m. and write until about 7:30 when I leave for work. I work an afternoon/evening shift on Thursdays, so I am able to write until lunchtime. (I love Thursdays!). I use Saturdays to handle my social media and marketing.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different?

I am definitely a plotter. The first thing I do is devise the general idea of the story, including the era/year and decide what jobs my protagonists will hold. Then I determine the location of the story. I use a spreadsheet to outline each chapter, indicating the chapter goal/aim (such as setting up their worlds, the meet cute, conflict, tension, etc.) then write a description of exactly what happens in each scene. The other columns are POV, Texture (weather, location), Date, Hook (the last sentence of the chapter that will keep the reader turning pages), and Research (topics that I need to research before I begin writing). Sometimes my characters will “wander off the page,” but for the most part the story is written as planned.

If you’re self-published, why did you decide to go that route? If you’re traditionally published, why did you decide to go that route?

I’m a hybrid author which means I’m both traditionally and self-published. Initially, I wanted the “validation” that came with being traditionally published, and I’ve had good relationships with my publishers, but I enjoy the artistic control that comes with self-publishing. I also appreciate that I can release a book faster as an indie than a publisher can. I use professional cover designers and editors, so my books are of the same high quality as those that are traditionally published. Self-publishing has also allowed me to offer my books in many more online retailers than my publishers use, so I’ve sold books all over the world, which is very exciting.

What advice do you have for new authors?

1) Read! Read lots of books in your genre, but try other genres as well.
2) Write on a regular basis. Skills are learned by practicing You can’t get better if you don’t practice.
3) Join a critique group (not made up of family and friend). Scary, but necessary. You need honest feedback about what works and doesn’t work with your writing.
4) Have a plan for your writing business, because it is a business. Know where you want to go and the steps you’ll take to get there.

If you’ve ever worked with a freelance editor, how did you find that editor? How would you describe the experience?

I’ve worked with three different editors, two of which were continuity editors for multi-author projects, and one of which is my regular editor. I found my editor by referral through a group of Christian indie authors. I’ve been working with her for nearly two years, and the experience has been fantastic. She is fast and effective. In addition to copy editing, she includes comments about story flow if something is confusing or seems out of order/time. She also includes comments when she finds something amusing or interesting, and she always says something encouraging when she returns the manuscript. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.


Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where she is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII.

Website/blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaShentonMatchettAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/linda-shenton-matchett
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-shenton-matchett
Moments in History YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4b-o_6cD8HkHNyFP-wZwJg

Filed Under: interview Tagged With: author interview, editing tips, fiction writing, How to Write a Novel, writing fiction, writing tips, writing tools

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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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