VondaSkelton.com

Chip MacGregor's Answers to Basic, Basic, Basic Questions

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Since my time is short this week, I appreciate Agent Chip MacGregor's willingness to share two of his recent blog posts. Do you have questions about terms within the publishing industry? Are you confused about the differences between royalties, advances, and earning out? Have questions about book proposals?

Get Up and Go!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I don't know about you, but I'm tired. I'm tired of the sickness and the conflict and the hardship. I'm tired of rushing here and there, feeling that I don't have time to slow down and rest. I'm tired of the striving.

Love by Guest Blogger Shelly Moran

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Our guest blogger today is Shelly Moran of NC. Shelly and I met when I spoke at her church several years ago. She confessed she was interested in writing and the rest is history! I know you're going to enjoy Shelly's "...random musings and obscure scribblings as (she tries) to figure out God."

Interview and Book Give Away with Author and Speaker Marybeth Whalen

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Marybeth Whalen. Marybeth is the wife of Curt and mom of six children, ages teen to toddler and they live outside Charlotte, NC. She's a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions.

Following Up with Agents and Editors

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Now that a few weeks have passed since the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, I thought it would be a good time to cover a few points about submitting to agents and editors. Perhaps you've been busy rewriting chapters, tweaking proposals, or finalizing query letters.

Urgent! Please Send Me Your Blue Ridge and Gideon Conference Kudos!!!

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I know it's not Tuesday. But there were many award finalists and winners from our group at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival, and I don't want to miss the opportunity to let everyone know!

A Half-Truth is a Whole Lie

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

A half-truth is a whole lie. It's a recurring theme in a couple of my books. Not that I've ever had a problem with stretching the truth or anything. No, not me. After all, my daddy WAS in the oil business and we really DID live near Paris--two impressive details for a ten-year-old who had just moved to a new town...in the middle of the school year...without her daddy.

Interview and Book Give Away with Thelma Wells

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

We're with Thelma Wells today to talk about her new book, Don't Give In...God Wants You to Win! And you can win a copy of her book by leaving a comment. The winner will be announced next week, so don't forget to check back.

Interview and Book Give Away with Author Janet Thompson

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I watched Janet Thompson onstage several years ago when I attended a LifeWay training session on mentoring. I remember sitting in the audience, thinking how much I'd love to do what she was doing--speaking onstage to women. Fast forward eight years or so here we are! See, we just never know what God has in store for us!

Conference Etiquette: Mind Your Manners

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Now, before I start, I need to offer a quick disclaimer about this week's entry: This is NOT written because anyone here at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference has done anything that offended me or hurt me or made me want to smack them. And if you don't know why I would use that particular term, please refer to last week's post. ;-)

Put on Your Grown-Up Britches and Get to Work!

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

I received an email recently from an unpublished writer. She wanted to know how to get her book published. At least that's what she said she wanted. But as I read her note, I realized the specifics of her request told an entirely different story.

What is My Motive?

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Today's question is, "What Is My Motive?" And oh, what a booger this is for us as writers! The answer to that question is often complex, and I hate to admit it, but the battle is a life-long process. Even after years of evaluating my heart, I continually struggle to know my motives.

Interview and Book Give Away with Author Yvonne Ortega

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Hi, writers! Today I'm honored to introduce to you, Yvonne Ortega. Yvonne is not only a speaker and author, but she's also a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and cancer survivor. She is the author of Hope for the Journey through Cancer (Revell) and a contributing author to The Embrace of a Father (Bethany House).

Formatting Basics

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you've read The Christian Writer's Den blog for any length of time, you know that I believe in writer's conferences. As a matter of fact, you can read about how I sold my first article at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference over grits and bacon. It's true! Just ask Jesse Florea of Focus on the Family.

The Synopsis: Short & Sweet

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

You've just completed the Great American Novel. You've created compelling characters and plopped them right smack in the middle of emotional/physical conflict. You've engaged the reader with your perfectly executed plot and subplots. You've edited and proofed and allowed your baby to be critiqued by your writer's group. Now it's time to share the pictures and see if anyone wants to hold her.