Guest post by Frank Viola
Many people have asked me for advice on writing and publishing. I’ve written six books published by four different publishers, and thankfully, each one has done well. While I claim no expertise in this area, I can share from what I’ve experienced so far.
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It seems every writer has created a top 10 writing tips list. I have viewed dozens of these lists and compiled the best of the best for Christian writers. Collectively they contain valuable insight about the writing process.
1. Write only when you have something to say. (Playwright David Hare).
2. The reader is a friend, not an adversary, not a spectator. (Jonathan Franzen)
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Feeling down in the dumps as you face a blank page? Afraid your brain-freeze might not thaw anytime soon? You might try taking a big bite of a red hot chili pepper. The searing chemical reaction you’ll experience is Capsicum stimulating your mouth’s nerve endings.
But a burning mouth is not where you’ll get your bounce from chili peppers. Expect a rush of creativity as the Capsaicin releases endorphins in your brain to extinguish the fire in your mouth. Endorphins are natural painkillers and produce a temporary high. Theoretically, the more chili peppers you eat, the more creative you’ll be. The question is, do you want to suffer that much for your art? [Read More]
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Writing takes tenacity. Successful writers know there is nothing more important than planting your rear firmly in a chair and sitting there until the day’s work is done. However, this kind of sedentary activity takes its toll pretty quickly, so it’s important to have an exercise plan that goes beyond walking over to the refrigerator to see what’s inside.
Mayo Clinic researcher Dr. James Levine said, “Getting out there and taking a walk is what it’s all about. You don’t have to join a gym, you don’t have to check your pulse. You just have to switch off the TV, get off the sofa and go for a walk.” [Read More]
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Guest post by Michael Hemmingson
Writers differ in their needs and preferences for space in which they create. If you’re fortunate enough to have a writing room in your house, or have an office away from home, then you’re one of the envious few. Writers must be able to create their own writing space, and it’s as much psychological as it is physical.
It’s said that Louis L’Amour, the legendary Western storyteller could write anywhere, on the back of a horse or on the median in Times Square in New York City. He had incredible powers of concentration and once he was in the zone, nothing could distract him. [Read More]
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