Blog Entries for: April, 2009

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Interview and Book Give Away with Author Yvonne Ortega

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). (That book has my story about my daddy in it, too!) She has also been published in CBN.com, Spirit-Led Writer, The Secret Place, The Quiet Hour, The Virginia Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors VAADAC Views, and other magazines. You can find out more about her at her website.

Vonda: So now, let's get started. Welcome to The Christian Writer's Den, Yvonne.

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April 27, 2009 | 12 Comments | View or add comments

Formatting Basics

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 best use of your conference dollars is to take advantage of all the opportunities the events offer, including submitting pieces for critique, entering the contests, and scheduling appointments with professionals.  Last week we discussed the synopsis part of the process. This week I'd like to continue our conversation by talking about how to format your manuscript. Remember, you have one chance to make a good first impression. It's your job to prepare as much as possible for that moment. Here are the basics:

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April 21, 2009 | 3 Comments | View or add comments

The Synopsis: Short & Sweet

You've just completed the Great American Novel. You've done everything you've been told to do. 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. So you register for a writer's conference where editors, agents, critiquers, and contest judges may ask for a synopsis.

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April 13, 2009 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

Who Is It About?

So many times, there are conflicts and disappointments in life because it's all about us. It's all about what we want, what we think, and how it will affect us. It's about our opinions, our goals, and our way of doing things.

When I began this journey of sincerely trying to be more like Christ (instead of just trying to follow rules), I found two verses that influenced my choices.

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April 6, 2009 | 8 Comments | View or add comments

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