And speaking of Jerry Jenkins, here’s the time he and Stephen King got together and talked shop. Both of these authors know a little somethin’ about somethin’ when it comes to story. And both have sold millions of copies. Lots of food for thought with this unlikely pair. Enjoy!

https://www.writersdigest.com/improve-my-writing/writing-advice-from-stephen-king-and-jerry-jenkins

Some poignant quotes:

Jenkins: As to why people like to escape into other worlds, that has to do with this world. People are longing for something beyond themselves and their current circumstances. They want either hope or escape—or both.

King: I have no particular spiritual insights, but I think every writer who does this on a daily basis has a “back channel” to the subconscious that can be accessed pretty easily. Mine is wide and deep. I never write with an ax to grind, but I sense strongly that this world is a thin place indeed, simply a veil over a brighter and more amazing truth. To me, every ant, cloud and star seems to proclaim that there is more to existence than we know.

Jerry Jenkins was one of my first writing mentors. When I was first learning, I took a two year apprenticeship through his writing guild. I also had some pivotal moments at his Writing for the Soul conferences. Enjoy this practice breakdown on how to show in fiction.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing James L. Rubart and he weighed in on the writing journey.

Jim has a great heart and I always enjoy talking to him. Last year we were at the Vision Christian Conference together, and I first met him at an ACFW conference years ago.

Enjoy!

This spoke to me today. It caused me to think back over the years.

If we’re doing it right, we’re being our most authentic selves in writing. Often we uncover (or remember) who that is as we write.

One of my most healing times was when I joined my Colorado critique group, and I’m pretty sure this is what was going on. They gave me the confidence to be my most authentic self. And it was fun. As time passed, I got stronger.

What about you? What healing have you experienced through writing?

The good news is that there’s always more healing available as we come back to the page. No matter what stage of life we’re in, there’s always more to explore.

Keep writing. Keep moving forward. We need to know what you discover because that just might be the thing that unlocks something in us.

You are desperately needed in this world and your voice and your perspective matters.

Chloe Zhao gave this acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards for Hamnet. I came across this excerpt tonight on Instagram. Sharing it with you because this message hits deep. 🎯And it’s one that I passionately believe in.

It takes courage. Are we willing to be truly vulnerable in our writing? It’s scary, but that’s where the power lies.

How are you doing with this? What are your greatest fears about being vulnerable in your writing?

I used to worry I’d be ostracized when my book came out. 🫢😳 But the opposite was true. The very people I was worried about the most ended up being some of my biggest fans. 😂

What’s the most vulnerable scene you’ve ever written?

Is there a favorite scene written by another author that blew you away? Analyze it. Do you think the author was pulling from their own life somehow?

Last night I learned that my friend, Bob Spiller, lost his fight with pancreatic cancer. This news has hit me hard, and I’ve been dreading this day since his diagnosis.

Bob was a writing mentor of mine, and also my critique group partner. Later on, he was a client. Just now, it’s hard to say everything that he meant to me. So I thought perhaps I’d just let him speak for himself.

Before he was diagnosed, we started doing YouTube classes and it was loads of fun. I’m sure he would have taught 1000 more if he’d been able. The links are below.

Bob changed the trajectory of my writing when I was unpublished. I’m certain I wouldn’t have been published for another 10 years if not for him.

He taught me so much and I’m so glad that his words of wisdom will live on to teach others. He loved writers and he was always cheering them on. So let his videos do that for you.

He’d tell you to keep going and never give up.

He’d encourage you no matter where you’re at in your journey.

He’d never judge and he’d always have something funny to say about whatever situation you might be in.

I’m going to miss him.

And just like we talked about in the Fireside Chat last night, his footsteps will be echoing in my writing to come.

In our words, the footsteps of those we love will always echo and they will never die. That is their gift to us, and we are the memory keepers. So may we remember well. <3

Page Sculpting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5l1IpLP8hU

Evocation: How to Evoke Emotion in Your Readers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzZkfLcLuQk

A New Way to Think About Show Don’t Tell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAuQadD7xzk

The Birth, Care & Feeding of Critique Groups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooft9Y1QY7s

Introducing Characters: 5 Methods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FyM0g_tnFs