Falling behind … and feeling thankful

Usually I’m very disciplined in my work and always meet deadlines. But the last few weeks I’ve fallen behind on projects that don’t have firm deadlines because “life got in the way.” My husband Jack has had health problems, and taking care of him has been a higher priority than work. I’ve managed to meet all deadlines … Read more

Another Great Organization for Our Troops

I’m editing a manuscript on using Biblical principles to overcome the everyday problems of life. It’s an excellent guide to dealing with challenges from a Biblical perspective. My friend Fr. Jerry Sherbourne introduced me to the author, Ben Ferguson. Fr. Jerry had met Ben, who is known as “the pastor to our pastors in camo,” through Adopt-a-Chaplain (AAC). … Read more

The Value of Brainstorming

In an earlier post, I talked about the value of critique groups. I failed to mention one important benefit: brainstorming. In a critique group, you can tell your fellow writers if you’re stuck on something or if you’re trying to decide between two storylines, scenes, or options. The whole group pitches in with suggestions, reactions, … Read more

Connecting – Part II: Search Engines

In the last post, I talked about the main way clients and I connect: referrals. Today, I’ll talk about a different way of connecting that happens much less often. Clients don’t often find me through search engines, but when they do, my circle of connections is greatly expanded. In late 2004, I received a phone … Read more

Connecting – Part I: Referrals

One of my clients is an executive coach, Barbara A. F. Greene, MCC. She always talks about connecting rather than networking. Networking often turns into an exercise of making contacts for the benefit of the person making the contact, but connecting brings people together in win-win situations. Thinking about this, I considered how my clients find me … Read more

Five Angels!

You probably know by now that I get as excited about a great review for a client’s book as the author. Grace Anne Schaefer just received a 5-Angel review from Fallen Angels Reviews for The New Day Dawns. Linda L writes in part: “Ms. Schaefer pens a thoroughly delightful tale that transports the reader into a time … Read more

Do You Know Any Aspiring Teen Writers?

EPIC, an organization of writers, publishers, and other professionals in the e-book industry, is sponsoring the 2007 EPIC New Voices Writing Competition for middle school and high school students. Students in public, private, or home schools may enter short story (fiction), essay (nonfiction), and poetry categories at either the middle school or high school level. … Read more

Obits and Blessings

If you asked writers whether they would want to write obituaries, most would probably not choose that as some of their favorite writing. But I’m blessed every time I write an obituary for someone in my church family. Writing the obituary for the funeral bulletin and the church newsletter is my memorial to the deceased and … Read more

Wow!

I get as excited about good reviews for books I’ve edited as the authors do, and I’m pleased to report that my clients have received a number of excellent reviews. This week, David Bowles received a wonderful fan letter and a fabulous review of Spring House.   The Jonesborough (TN) Herald & Tribune carried a full page review … Read more