I saw a movie the other night with friends. A movie we thought would be fun to watch and provide us with the humor we all desperately needed. But the movie was not good; so not good that I was glad when it finally ended and I could move on to having dinner with my friends.

Why did I dislike the movie so much?

Because…

• There were no suprises. The movie was dull and predictable. 
• It was too unrealistic which took away from the believibility of the story.
• The language and crude humor did not align with the movie rating
• The drama seemed deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously.

Whether you’re writing a script for a movie or a manuscript for a book, its important  to know the elements that are required to ensure you have a book that does not cause your reader to want to stop reading. So here are five elements to keep in mind from an article  by Alexander Limberg on thewritelife.com to ensure you have a  book that makes your reader keep reading until the end.

1.  Tell a memorable story
2.  Bait your audience
3.  Use emotional language
4.  Say it simply
5. Surprise the reader

https://thewritelife.com/nonfiction-writing-techniques/

Sharing the journey,

Jeaninne

In your strength I can crush an army. With my God I can scale any wall. Psalms 18:29, NLT

But I have given as much I know how to give. I have nothing else to say; I have nothing left to give!

Those are the words I told my editor after receiving her feedback about a manuscript I sent her to review. I had labored for hours writing the manuscript and felt like I had given it my all. Yet she sent it back letting me know that although the manuscript was good, she wanted more.

But then I recalled that is the job of a good editor. Their job is to read your manuscript from an objective point of view. Their job is to look at it from a panoramic perspective to see if there are any holes or other problems that need to be addressed to help it become the best manuscript it can be. Their job is to provide you with constructive feedback to help you see the weaknesses as well as the strengths of your manuscript. Their job is not to be your friend, but your editor.

But adding more when I”ve given it my all seems like an impossible feat when I don’t feel like I have anything else to give. That’s when I'm reminded of the words King David, a great soldier and warrior shared each time he faced a challenge in conquering the towns of his enemies: “In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale a wall.” Yes, I face a daunting challenge in adding more to my manuscript, but I too must believe that with the Lord's strength, I can crush this army of additional writing and with His help, leap over my wall of tiredness and get my manuscript where the editor believes it can be.

Is there a challenge you are facing today on your journey to become a Christian author? Whatever it is, be encouraged in knowing that you also have someone who can help you crush any problem you face today and help you climb over any wall that seeks to keep you from achieving your goal to write for the kingdom.

Sharing the Journey,

Jeaninne

I enjoy watching documentaries of how great athletes came

into being. And watching the documentary called The

Last Dance these last few weeks about Michael Jordan was

a reminder once again that great athletes aren't just born,

they are made.

You see, Michael Jordan's documentary illustrated that he

didn't become a great player simply because of his innate

talent; while that was a good start, Michael became a great

player because he practiced and perfected his craft. He

went to the court, night or day and practiced his basketball

skills. He trained and disciplined his body to do what it

needed to do each time he entered the basketball arena to

play a basketball game. He disciplined himself by saying no

to the distractions that kept him from focusing on his game,

and he learned how to take and use constructive criticism

from his high school, college and pro coaches to help

him become a great basketball player

.

Is it your desire to be like Mike? To be not

just a good writer, but a great one? Then practice your craft

daily to perfect your writing skills. Discipline your mind and

body by creating a set time and place to write. Be willing to

say no to the distractions that will seek to keep you from

writing, and be willing to accept criticism when needed to

help you become a better writer.

Being like Michael Jordan doesn't just have to be a lyric

you remember from an old commercial jingle. With hard

work and determination on your part, you can be like Mike

and become the great Christian writer God has called you

to be.

Sharing the journey,

Jeaninne

Questions for discussion: In what ways are you seeking to

be like Mike today? Share your comments here on my blog.

In an recent documentary about his life,an aged and famous singer was asked where he got his ideas for his great and enduring songs. Without hesitation, he responded: “I just listened-in and observed the world around me.”

In her book, An Introduction To Christian writing, Ethel Herr says that   ‘’Ideas swarm around us everywhere – in all we see, hear, read, touch, experience, do, feel and learn about. The secret is to reach out and grab the inspiration.”

 Here are seven places she recommends to reach out and grab your writing ideas:

Yourself – ideas can be found in your past and present experiences, hobbies, journals, dreams and lessons learned in daily life.

Your family – ideas can be found in familiar sayings, experiences, relationship problems and bits of colorful ancestral history.

Your friends – ideas can be found in their experiences, hobbies, distinctive points of view, insightful conversations

Your church – ideas can be found in sermons, church members, special projects and programs, attitudes

Your community – ideas can be found in neighbors, club and organizations, historical landmarks, social programs

The media – ideas can be found in stories of people doing interesting things, letters to the editor, classified ads, TV shows and movies

Miscellaneous sources – ideas can be found in books, travels, the content of your purse, conversations you overhear, the doctor’s waiting room

Are you struggling to find something to write about today?  Then look around, and you’ll find your ideas are everywhere!

Sharing the journey,

Jeaninne

Responding to the call of writing:  Name one place from which you generate your writing ideas? Post your comments on my blog. I enjoy hearing from you!

Grow in the grace and knowledge our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18. NLT

Have you ever put on an item of clothing, only to realize you had outgrown it, and it was time to move up to another size?Such was the case with the writer's conference I attend every year. After receiving my conference brochure recently in the mail , I highlighted the workshops I wanted to attend, but noticed that I only highlighted a few. After thinking over the reasons for my decision, I realized it was because I had outgrown my annual conference, and it was time to move on to another one to meet my needs.

As you prepare to write for publication , be sure to take advantage of the writing conferences that are offered to help you learn the industry and hone your craft as a Christian writer. But if you find you're disenchanted with a particular conference after you’ve attended it a number of times, it could mean it’s time for you to move up to another “size.”

Sharing the journey,

Jeaninne

Writer’s prayer: Father, thank you for the resources you send my way to help me develop my craft as a Christian writer. I plan to outgrow every one. Amen.