September 25, 2018

How to Build Confidence in Public Speaking in 3 Simple Steps

Have butterflies visited you an hour before you were supposed to speak publicly? Ever felt nauseous thinking about a speaking engagement? Wonder how so many public speakers and presenters seem flawless on stage and in front of groups small and large? You don't need to wonder. In fact, you can become a confident public speaker. You can present clear, concise, captivating information to any audience with these 3 steps. No gimmicks. Just timeless, effective tools. These 3 strategies are all you need to become a public speaking role model for others.

September 21, 2018

Interview with Illustrator Jessika von Innerebner

It's a special treat to have successfully published illustrator Jessika von Innerebner, who is represented by veteran agent Kelly Sonnack with Andrea Brown Literary Agency, stop by for an interview! She's known as Jess von I to her friends (which now includes you!) and is a full-time freelance children’s book illustrator who travels the world. Morning cups of coffee, long-boarding and laughing at corny puns are a few of her favorite things. Some newly released projects include, Grow Up Ant-Man with Marvel, Miranda & Maude the Princess and Absolutely-Not-A-Princess with ABRAMS and Rox’s Secret Code with POW! The rest, well, we'll soon find out!

September 19, 2018

Overcoming the Anxiety of Being Evaluated

It's performance evaluation time. I don't know about you, but this time of the year always makes me wonder what I'm going to say about myself. People typically fall on one side or the other. They are their worst critic or they are God's gift to humanity.

September 18, 2018

Why Real Wealth Has Nothing to Do With Your House or Lifestyle

I often wonder what my responsibilities are in the eyes of God in the many roles and spheres of influence I'm placed in. Thankfully, the Holy Scriptures are chalk full of practical examples for guidance in many, if not all, of these circumstances. Proverbs 19:14 says, "House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." While considering this, a few thoughts come to mind that I you'll find rewarding to consider also.

August 22, 2018

Interview with Author Stephanie Campisi

I'm pleased to introduce Stephanie Campisi, an Australian-born, Washington-based picture book author who lives in a self-described haunted house in a haunted town - creepy! Stephanie is a copywriter by day; think 9am-5pm (and beyond) writing ads and labels for every day products. Her latest picture book, Luis and Tabitha, is about two star-crossed cat lovers. She has two more picture books coming out in 2019, holds an honors degree in linguistics from the University of Melbourne, and keeps busy in the gym or tending to various animals on her property.

August 3, 2018

Interview with Author Lisa Wheeler

What a joy it is to be able to glean experience from successful and prolific author Lisa Wheeler. She grew up near Pittsburgh, PA but has been in Michigan since she was almost 16. Though she has written all her life, Lisa didn’t attempt publication until the age of 32. (See, YOU are in good company!) After nearly 4 years and about 225 rejections, she sold her first book. She credits the support and encouragement of her husband, Glen, for taking those first baby steps and never looking back. Lisa totally loves the world of children’s books and says she "cannot imagine any other life".

August 1, 2018

When You Should Show Your First Draft (and When You Shouldn’t)

It's a terrifying moment when you've spent time pouring your heart out on the pages and wonder who you should share it with. Will they understand you? Will they laugh at you? Will they give you helpful or hurtful feedback? Are you as good as you think or worse than you thought? Writing is a vulnerable business that demands courage at every turn. It takes courage to start and more courage to finish. So when, exactly, do you share your manuscript with someone else?

July 31, 2018

5 Essential Writing Strategies for Authors

Great writing rarely happens by accident. Whether you’re writing novels, children’s books, or short stories, there are a handful of foundational storytelling strategies that consistently separate engaging authors from forgettable ones. These writing strategies will help you create stronger openings, better characters, tighter plots, and more emotionally compelling stories.