Novelist's Café

Writing Prompt: Cowboys

2010-09-15T13:15:00.001-04:00

Today, start your writing with the line: He didn't talk much but then again, cowboys usually didn't....

Market: Chicken Soup Devotionals

2010-09-13T18:37:00.002-04:00

Devotional Stories for Times of Trouble

Life has always been filled with trials, including illness, job loss, grief, addictions, and much more. God never promised that our earthly lives would be without difficulties, but he assured us that he will always be with us to share our burdens.

If you have a brief true story (up to 500 words) that shows God’s presence during a time of trouble, please share it along with an applicable Bible verse and a 2-3 sentence prayer. You will receive $100 for each published devotion. ($100 due to the shorter word count than our regular books.) The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2011. [Read More...]

Whatever Things Are True

2010-08-27T09:10:00.000-04:00

As Paul brings his letter to the Philippians to a close, he gives some oft repeated advice.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

This is a great verse for determining what to watch, read or listen to in our present culture. But that advice can go beyond our entertainment values to our thinking about our writing careers. Most writers I know have an internal dialogue that goes something like this:

My manuscript stinks. I'm never going to get published. I should give up now.

But that kind of thinking clearly doesn't match up to the Philippians 4:8 test. First those things are not true nor pure nor lovely. As you think about your writing, ask God to help you think only true thoughts. Instead of thinking my manuscript stinks and beating yourself up over it, try my manuscript needs some editing before I send it to the editor.

Today, commit to stop listening to Satan's lies and ask God to help you think about your writing truthfully. To focus on what is pure, what is lovely. That manuscript might just be worth saving after all.

Writing Prompt: Train Tracks

2010-08-25T12:38:00.000-04:00

Set a pivotal argument in your manuscript near train tracks.

Saying No

2010-08-23T11:22:00.000-04:00

C.J. Darlington had an excellent post on Scribble Chicks this week about saying no. She has a great question for writers struggling to find time to write so go check it out. :)

Where to Find Ideas

2010-08-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

When I'm running low on ideas, inspiration, or motivation I turn to my feed reader. Blogger has a built-in feed under your dashboard if you use Blogger. But even if you don't use Blogger, chances are good there are several blogs you read regularly.

If you haven't already I'd suggest using a feed reader to get all of your favorite blogs' content to you in a single glance.

On this quiet Sunday afternoon while I'm struggling for writing ideas, I scan through my feed and quickly get fresh inspiration as I see bloggers talking about reading and writing. But more importantly, I see bloggers talking about their everyday lives. Little snippets of their lives usually provide me just the jump I need to get started writing or in today's case, blogging. :)

Writing Tip

2010-08-16T07:25:00.001-04:00

"Sit down with the least expectation of yourself; say 'I am free to write the worst junk in the world'." -- Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

Quote

2010-08-13T06:35:00.000-04:00

Image by Stig Andersen

The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. - Robert Cormier

Writing Prompt: Wishes

2010-08-11T12:16:00.003-04:00

Today, write about wishes. What did you wish for as a child? What do you wish for now?

Image by Jef Bettens

Giving Back

2010-08-09T10:02:00.000-04:00

Have you ever paused to ask yourself, how can I 'give back' with my writing talents?

Regardless of where you are on your publishing journey, you can use your talents to help, encourage or soothe a hurting heart. Here are a few ways you can give back using your writing talents:

Volunteer to edit or write your church, school or organization's newsletter
Ask your church for a list of hurting or lonely people, write letters (not emails) to these people
Mentor a writer looking for help
Write your church or school's play
Create Bible lessons for a Sunday School class

These are just a few ideas. What unique ways have you found to share your writing talents? Leave them in the comments!

Writing Prompt: Long Lost Sister

2010-08-04T14:46:00.001-04:00

Imagine you are meeting your sister for the first time. Her existence has been kept a secret from you. Write the conversation you'd have with her. What would you ask her? What would you want her to know?

How To Make a Living Writing

2010-08-02T15:41:00.001-04:00

Chip MacGregor has some excellent ideas on Making a Living at Writing. If you've ever wanted to make a living at writing or know someone who does, then check his post out. :)

Writing Prompt: Differences

2010-08-01T12:22:00.001-04:00

Today, try writing about being different from everyone or everything else. What are the challenges of being different? What are the freedoms?

Inspiration: What Makes You Want to Write

2010-07-23T10:19:00.001-04:00

There's something about rainy days that just inspires me. What inspires you? What makes you want to write even if you're not sure what you want to say? Is it a favorite song? An old sweatshirt? A certain type of weather?

Whatever it is, share it in the comments!

Writing Prompt: The Ring

2010-07-21T10:27:00.001-04:00

She hated the ring and everything it symbolized.

Photo Credit: Daniel Manolache

Are You Building Your Foundation?

2010-07-20T17:38:00.000-04:00

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." - Henry David Thoreau

What is your BIG writing dream? Like having your book listed on the NY Times Best-Seller list? Winning a prestigious award for your writing? Or writing a gripping mystery series for young readers?

Once you’ve identified your dream ask yourself, what am I doing to put a foundation under that dream? Have you found a writing buddy? Joined a writing group? Developed the habit of writing every day? Taken a writing class? Or found a writing mentor?

If you aren’t actively working toward your dream, then grab a piece of paper and pen. Quickly, without censoring yourself, write down three steps you could take to bring yourself closer to achieving that dream. Then get to work!

Writing Prompt: Love Letter

2010-07-15T09:38:00.001-04:00

Write about finding a love letter written fifty years ago that's been hidden away. Who is it addressed to? Is it opened or closed? Why is it hidden?

Organizing

2010-07-13T11:23:00.001-04:00

I wasn't feeling very creative today and finally decided to just organize the files and folders on my computer. While doing so, I came across an excel sheet, I'd labeled 'Publication Tracker'. I scanned through it and found I hadn't updated it in a couple of ~~months~~ years.

So I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

I filled out my sheet, figuring I'd been published maybe a handful of times. Twenty at best. What I found was 53 published pieces! Fifty three!

Not only am I over the moon excited but I am now the owner of a neatly organized portfolio! :)

Limiting God

2010-07-12T08:50:00.008-04:00

How often do we limit God? Not just in our everyday lives but in our writing careers as well. Is there a publishing contract you've labeled 'unattainable'? Is there a contest you've said was 'impossible'?

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." - Luke 1:37

God knows the desires of your heart. Your dreams are not impossible. Whenever you're tempted to declare an obstacle impossible, try repeating Proverbs 16:3. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."

Ultimately what does or doesn't happen in your writing career isn't up to you. So relax. Stop worrying. Write the best novel or query or article you can and leave the results up to God. You be faithful with the words and the audience God has entrusted to you. ♥

Random Thoughts

2010-07-09T08:39:00.005-04:00

Dirty,

Stained,

the black blotches

make me smile

ink stains.

Writing Prompt: Secret Bicycle Ride

2010-07-07T08:57:00.001-04:00

Write about a secret bicycle ride taking place in the middle of the night.

Write with Passion

2010-07-05T10:10:00.012-04:00

From the archives...

Are you writing about the topics you truly care about? Are you writing the book you've always wanted to write or are you writing the book you think will sell?

I know some writers will say they have to pay the bills and this is true. Some writers do support their families through their writing income, but you can still write passionately.

Too many writers settle. They write about things they do not care about deeply. Don't be a writer who settles for writing about something you do not care deeply about.

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” - William Wordsworth

Write with passion today.

Just for Laughs

2010-06-18T09:48:00.000-04:00

What's the difference between a park bench and a writer?

A park bench can support a family.

Sorry. Today just felt like a good day for a laugh. :)

Domain Troubles

2010-06-17T15:13:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know if you can't access NovelistsCafe.com this week, it's not your imagination. My domain name company took a double payment from my bank account, overdrawing my account.

They're now refusing to help I'm transferring my domain name to another company ASAP, in the meantime the site might go up and down. You can also access, Novelist's Cafe this way:

www.NovelistsCafe.blogspot.com

Writing Prompt: Danger In The Shadows

2010-06-16T09:43:00.003-04:00

Today, start your work with the line: There is danger hiding in the shadows.
(You have no obligation to post your work in the comments but if you want to share, I'd love to see what you wrote.)