Jerry B. Jenkins's Blog, page 33

Giving the Reader Credit

We are trying to make the same kinds of points that preachers do. But no one complains that his preacher is too preachy. That would be like saying a ballerina is too dancy. But preachiness on paper offends readers’ sensibilities.

Writing as a Process of Discovery

About half the novelists I know are outliners, and half are not. Some need the safety net of an outline. Some outline so completely that the writing becomes filling in the blanks, yet somehow it works.

I prefer to write …

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Don’t ever apologize for . . .

You simply need to remember that publishing has to be a byproduct of your writing, not the end goal.

Start Small

Write for the joy of it, to see your name in print, even if you’re giving your work away or being paid in copies. You need to work countless clichés out of your system, tone writing muscles and learn both the business and the craft.

I want to publish your book

CWG Publishing (CWGP) is where writers with a work-in-progress would complete a six-month, mentored course called Published, and then we would publish their book.

To Whom Are You Writing?

Force yourself to write to one person at a time. It’ll change how you word things. You’ll find it brings more power to each word.

Dealing with Writer’s Block

Writing is tough. People who don’t, can’t, or won’t write have no idea how difficult it is to consistently put coherent words together. If you hope to one day become a real author, you need to get past the idea that writing is a hobby—something you do in your spare time. It’s a calling and it’s work.

Writers Conference Tips

I hope you’re planning to come to the Christian Writers Guild’s Writing For the Soul™ conference in Colorado Springs this February (for all the details visit http://www.ChristianWritersGuild.com/... but regardless where you go, you’ll be happier and more productive if you follow a few simple guidelines.

Reading While Writing

Whenever I’m on deadline, I like to be reading another book at the same time. It’s seldom a novel, as I look for something wholly aside from what I’m immersed in writing. The reading allows an escape from the 24-hour-a-day obsession with my own story without throwing me off track.

My Latest Novel: The Breakthrough

As the youngest bureau chief and head of the Chicago Police Department’s Major Case Squad, Boone Drake’s life is on track: He recently married Haeley, adopted her son, and rediscovered his faith. But Boone can’t fight the feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong . . . again.