William Boekestein, pastor of Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, MI, was recently appointed as the social media coordinator for Reformed Fellowship, publisher of the The Outlook. In his continuing task to help Reformed Fellowship build an online presence and engage meaningful internet discussion, he posted yesterday (October 20, 2016) a link to my article on Fiction's … Continue reading The Delight and Truth of Fiction
When you're submitting a manuscript to publishing professionals, you want to avoid written work that screams, "Amateur!" While editors may be able to plow past glaring errors and see the potential of your epic story, why create roadblocks? You may think your manuscript looks fine, but someone in the industry can spot amateur mistakes at a glance. Formatting is the foundation … Continue reading 5 Basic formatting mistakes
Have you ever heard the whip-poor-will cry down the twilight? Years since I've heard the haunting chant, it still echoes in my mind. A chance glance recently reverberated melody and memories. As a subscriber to Iowa Outdoors magazine, I receive its lovely DNR calendar each year. Each month features a gorgeous picture showcasing Iowa's natural beauty. The dates are sprinkled … Continue reading Looking for whip-poor-wills
Next time you see a writer, you may want to offer a sandwich. If you're meeting with a group of writers, bring a platter of sandwiches. I'm talking about the sandwich method of critique recommended by Eva Marie Everson and Janice Elsheimer in Word Weavers, a small book describing how Word Weavers International began as well as how to … Continue reading Critique sandwiches
What fun to place the final Matthew in the Middle book into the hands of the grandson to whom it's dedicated! The first book in the series, Matthew Muddles Through, is dedicated to my oldest grandson. The second book, Matthew Makes Strides, is dedicated to my second grandson. And this third book, Matthew Moves Ahead, is dedicated to my … Continue reading Dedicating Matthew, Take Three
Few things thrill a writer more than holding a hard copy of a finally-published book. It's a rush to see your name on the cover, but it's also such fun to see how the colors and artwork look in real life. With all three of my Matthew in the Middle books, I've been pleased that … Continue reading Matthew is moving ahead!
Matthew Moves Ahead, the third book in the Matthew in the Middle series is now available on Amazon! After three long years of waiting, Matthew Vos is finally going to the Cadet International Camporee! He’s earning money to buy supplies, but the lawnmower slips from his grip and cuts through a customer’s garden. Matthew’s hopes … Continue reading Matthew Moves Ahead!
How does a writer fuel the creative muse? What role could poetry or music play? Could sermons or scripture generate creativity? For years, I've believed poetry--or at least being familiar with good poetry--elevated prose. The instructor for my first creative writing course (more than 20 years ago) taught a unit on poetry before teaching prose, … Continue reading What inspires creativity?
Congratulations to my friend, Susan Lawrence, for her well-deserved win with The Atonement for Emily Adams in the Women's Fiction/General Fiction category of the 2014 Grace Awards. You can read the announcement here: Grace Awards 2014 Winners ~ in Faith Based Fiction. Here's my interview with Susan in May of 2014. Susan is an extraordinary storyteller and a humble, godly … Continue reading Grace Awards 2014 Winners ~ in Faith Based Fiction
My book boy Matthew has moved into his final phase. He'll leap only a few more hurdles before crossing the finish line. Matthew Moves Ahead is the third and last novel of the Matthew in the Middle series. My wonderful online critique group reviewed all the chapters in it, and I'm finalizing end matter prior to submitting it to the proofreader. I'm … Continue reading Matthew has moved ahead
Glenda Faye Mathes 