April 9, 2019

Why Human Life Has Inherent Value (Imago Dei Explained)

Do you think all human life is sacred? Most people quickly respond with a head nod in the affirmative or, the more confident among us, with a stretched out arm. The World Health Organization estimates roughly 40 people commit suicide per second. That's 1 Million people ending their own life each year. By 2020, they expect this number to double and CBS News reports that over 10 Million people consider suicide each year. In 2017, Statista reports there were 1.28 Million violent crimes in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 650,000 babies were aborted in 2015 in the USA alone with approximately 56 Million babies aborted worldwide according to the Guttmacher Institute - Induced Abortions Worldwide. Between 1982 and 2011, a mass shooting occurred in the USA roughly once every 200 days and between 2011 and 2014 that reduced to once every 64 days. In the USA, nearly 2 Million cases of self-harm are reported each year which amounts to every 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males according to Healthy Place.

February 20, 2019

How to Write Stories That Actually Keep Readers Hooked

Is your work "good enough"? If you aren't asking this of yourself, you should be. Too often, we creatives are blind to our own abilities - our own limits. You've heard the saying before, "If it was easy, everyone would do it." Does that adage hold true for your work? Is it true regarding what you've just created and shared with that special literary agent or potential client? I hope it isn't, but if it is, relax. Let's work through the art of writing captivating stories so that you can put your best foot forward and build your platform for the long haul.

February 11, 2019

What Happens When You Lose a Loved One

For the first time in my adult life, I'm on the cusp of losing a loved one. I was in my teens when my grandfather passed away and it all seemed a bit more distant than. It was a thing that happened, an acquaintance that was no longer around. It was a name that was retired from conversation. Now, as an adult with a family of my own, my grandmother is facing serious health issues and I'm trying to process and understand what it all means and what to do about it.

January 31, 2019

Interview with Author Heather Macht

Welcome to the (virtual) interview platform, Heather Macht! Heather is the author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW (Pelican, 2019) and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015). She has a degree in Fine Arts, is an active member of the SCBWI, and is the Assistant Administrator, the Newsletter Coordinator, and a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story. She loves spending her Saturday’s in bookstores or in libraries with friends. Heather is happily married and currently resides in Florida next door to a quiet beach. When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, reading poetry, and watching scary movies with her husband and children.

January 16, 2019

Interview with Author / Illustrator Abi Cushman

I've been so excited to share this interview with the #writingcommunity! Abi Cushman is an award winning children's book author and illustrator based in Connecticut. Her debut picture book, Soaked, comes out Summer 2020 from Viking Children's Books. You can find her on Twitter @AbiCushman or Instagram @Abi.Cushman. Are you ready to gleam some insight from, and share in the journey of, this talented lady? Let's go!

January 8, 2019

Interview with Author / Illustrator Valeria Wicker – Part 2

What an exciting opportunity we have to gleam more publishing insight from successful #kidlit and #SCBWI author/illustrator Valeria Wicker! If you haven't read our first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory. Buzzing in the news was her children's book sale with literary agent extraordinaire Adria Goetz from Martin Literary Management. The sale was for her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, and a second untitled picture book to Sasha Henriques at Little, Brown/Patterson. Valeria stopped by for a conversation on her debut picture book and to share more (including some illustration dummies!!!) on her life as a soon-to-be published author/illustrator.

September 27, 2018

Why Multitasking Is Destroying Your Productivity

Do you start something new just as you get tracking on something old? You're not alone. Often referred to as having an idea fairy on your shoulder, it's normal and natural to find a greater sense of joy chasing new ideas with new potential rather than old ideas that have reality attached. But you don't need to be someone who can't focus on just one thing. You can learn the skill of singular focus to achieve a greater level of success in all areas of life.

September 26, 2018

How Life’s Highs Are Always Followed by Lows

They say what goes up must come down, but that's not true when underground. It makes me wonder what else they say, that turns out false at the end of the day.