A writer's tears . . . frustration when the story won't gel, or the words don't come, or the tempo seems off, or the characters won't cooperate. Small things in this world, but to the isolation of a writer in the zone, these things can raise the blood pressure, cause a surge…

                                 Believe me, I'm not making any comparisons of real courage (i.e. Tom Cruise's notorious comments of his work being equal to that of soldiers in Afghanistan) to what can be found in the resevoirs of creative storytelling. I'm speaking strictly of the creative courage it can take to tell a story…

  In case you missed it:       Set for . . . Revenge   Revenge is the third entry in the Degrees of Darkness Series by Winter Austin, published by Crimson Romance and due out November 11th (2013). We're reunited with Remy LeBeau attempting to put his past behind him once and for…

  Do not be wise in your own eyes;   fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body   and nourishment to your bones.   Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV)

                            I realize and am quick to admit that what I may think is absurd when it comes to dishing out writing rules might not be agreeable to publishing professionals. Does that change my mind? Nevah . . . I will also agree to a certain value in establishing writing rules in order…

                                         Traveling down the road today to Novel Rocket. Come with me?   Father, thank you for your grace and beauty. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                             Life is full of storms. All kinds. There are usually a few that stand out in our minds over the years of life. Be they actual weather, emotional, or spiritual storms, we recognize we don't escape planet earth without experiencing our share of them. I find it peculiar when writers are advised to…

             A wonderful tool for fiction if used properly in conversation, slang can define characters and add colorful dialogue. The key, as with any part of constructing stories, is to use it well. My personal favorite reaction to things I like: Cool! Yes, it's old, but it's tried and true and has survived…

                That is if you write romance for the CBA. Romance best not be linked to sex or portrayed as leading to a sexual conclusion if you happen to write in the romance genre for Christian fiction. The interesting irony in this proclamation is you can exhibit both a world's-eye-view and a godly…

  An oracle is within my heart   concerning the sinfulness of the wicked. There is no fear of God   before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself   too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;   he has ceased to…