Some love him. Some hate him. Almost everyone has read (or seen a movie of) something he’s written. His plays have been performed more often than those of any other playwright.

And today is the anniversary of his birth – AND death (though his birth date is not absolutely certain). William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, was presumed born April 23, 1564 (he was baptized April 26, and apparently three days after birth was customary at that time), and died 52 years later, to the day.

Even if you haven’t read Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, or Macbeth, you know of them. And they have likely influenced your writing whether you know it or not. It is said that 1,700 words in his works were first used by him there, and many have become part of modern English. And the storylines, of course, have been redone over and over.

And in several places, including Chicago, today is “Talk Like Shakespeare” Day. So practice that  iambic pentameter, toss in a few “thee’s” and thou’s,” and maybe even pull out your high school anthology and read a play.

I shall see thee on Wednesday.

What’s your favorite Shakespeare play? What’s your opinion of him? Have you used a “Shakespeare storyline” in a story of your own?

Did you know that FaithWriters offers 12 different, interactive, writing courses? These courses, on everything from writing basics to poetry to writing a literary response, can be helpful to anyone. And now, some of them are available – FOR FREE – to all FaithWriters members.

Since our  recent author interviews have encouraged study and growth, the folks at FaithWriters  have decided to implement this change. As of now, Silver members can get two of these courses, Writing Basics 1 and Writing A Character Sketch, each a $20 value, for FREE! Click here if you’re a Silver member to access these courses.

For Gold members, the benefit is even greater! SIX of the twelve courses are free – a $120 value. If you’re a Gold member click here to access these six free courses.

Want to upgrade to Gold membership from silver? Click here to upgrade – and see what other benefits you get, including a chance to enter the Writing Challenge, free Private Messenger, and more, for only $65 a year.

Gold and silver members can also purchase the courses that are NOT free to them for $19.95 each at the links above.

And Platinum members? ALL the courses – a $240 value – are free. Click here, Platinum members, to access all twelve of the free courses.

And if you want to upgrade to Platinum (benefits include a chance to enter the Page Turner contest and a discount on editing)  click here – it’s only $10 a month.

Be sure to take advantage of these courses!

Which sounds most interesting to you?

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

AND, she has graciously offered to answer some questions for the folks at FaithWriters. So, read on to hear more about her writing process, advice for new writers, and more!

JOANNE SHER: How/where do you get ideas for your books?

DiANN MILLS: My ideas come from anywhere and everywhere: media stories, conversations, genealogy twists, sermons, and my wild imagination. The Chase came from a solved cold case from Houston’s FBI.

JOANNE: Ideas really can be found anywhere, can’t they? How did you first get published?

DiANN: Persistence and determination. I sold my first book, and I have yet to figure out how it all happened. I had a friend who offered to pitch it to an editor, and I agreed. The story of how I got started writing is more amusing. One day my husband said, “Stop telling me that someday you’re going to write a book. Just do it. Quit your job and write. If you can get anything published in a year, then you don’t have to go back to work.” I’m pretty stubborn so I accepted his challenge. Two years later, my first novel was released.

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FIRMING UP THAT SAGGING MIDDLE

By Lynda Lee Schab

There’s a lot of sagging going on in my house.

My son is sixteen. And if you have a teenager, you probably know what the term “sagging” means. While we don’t allow him to wear his pants too low, it’s not uncommon to glimpse the band of his boxers above the “waist” of his jeans. It doesn’t help that he has no butt, but that’s a whole other issue.

Then there’s the sagging of my, um, 40+ body parts. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

But those aren’t the types of sagging I’m talking about today. I want to talk about the Sagging Middle. No, not MY sagging middle, although that is included in the body part thing. I’m talking about my novel. I like to call it The Droop.

If you’re on Facebook, you may have seen my status the other day about how I hate my novel and am convinced that no one will ever want to read it! So I was having a moment and needed to vent for a minute. Sue me. Honestly, I’ve heard many authors express these same feelings at some point during the novel writing process. I do feel that much of my frustration had (still has, actually) to do with the fact that I’m now plodding through the middle of my story, which is by far the most difficult part for many authors.

Personally, I love writing beginnings. I’m pretty good at coming up with the opening pages. I also love wrapping everything up and writing the ending. But that middle…ugh! Unfortunately, the middle is the largest section of story. Which ultimately means I’ll be spending the majority of time frustrated. Not cool.

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If you’re a writer (and if you’re reading this, I’m assuming you are), you most likely enjoy playing with words. After all, that IS what writing is about, isn’t it? Choosing and maneuvering and finagling the 26 letters in the English language into words, and those words into sentences, to paragraphs, to chapters, etc. etc.

It’s amazing how many different words can be made with the two dozen and two letters at our disposal. And, of course, putting them in sentences is only ONE way to “play” with them. Another involves a game created by a man who was born 113 years ago today.

Today, my friends, is National Scrabble Day, in honor of the birth of this game’s creator, Alfred Butts, on April 13, 1899. After losing his job as an architect during the Depression, Butts created the popular word game in 1938. According to Wikipedia, the game is sold in 121 countries and there are 29 different language versions. Approximately 150 million sets have been sold worldwide, and sets are found in roughly one-third of American homes. (Including mine!)

I don’t know about you, but Facebook Scrabble is one of my favorite diversions. Somehow, it doesn’t feel like procrastination or avoidance of writing – I’m still working with words, right?? (Please let me live in my little delusional world, folks. I like it here )

And since it’s National Scrabble Day, perhaps I’ll spend a bit MORE time over there (or perhaps even pull out the “real-life” game and give it a play.

Are you a Scrabble fan? Do you plan to “celebrate” Scrabble day? Any fun Scrabble stories?

Where the Past Meets the Present

By Terri Tiffany

I study my favorite authors’ works.

I’m one of those people who underline in the books I own, trying to find a pattern in the style to how the book comes together.

I’ve been doing that this week. And I’ve found something.

Much of what I admire in my writers is their depth of layers and where they take their characters.

Deep into their head.

Memories filled with details that mingle with their thoughts and actions in the present.

Today I read where the character collected Bazooka bubblegum wrappers to order glasses that she would let her see through people and items. Fast forward, she remembered this childhood detail when she wished for that same ability in her current relationship.

Yeah, I love those snippets because they shoot me back into my own memories. Like the time I found a fifty cent piece frozen in a snow bank in my neighbor’s front yard. I saved that coin in my glass bear bank, pulling it out and feeling the cool metal in my hand.

For me, the coin was a gift, a promise that God would provide.

Our childhood memories and beliefs often stick with us, shaping us into who we are today.

I haven’t found any fifty cent pieces lately in any snow banks but I have been blessed in many other ways.

What memories still play a huge part in your life today?

**

Terri Tiffany counseled adults, owned a Christian bookstore and now resides in Texas with her husband. Her work has appeared in magazines, Sunday school take-home papers, and anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, Blue Mountain Arts. Please visit her at  http://terri-treasures.blogspot.com/.

Author Loree Lough has nearly 4,000,000 (yes, that’s FOUR MILLION) copies of her books in circulation. She has had 88 books published, three novels optioned for movies, more books slated for release between now and 2013, 68 short stories, over 2,500 articles in print, and 9,000 letters from fans. How’s that for a resume’!

Needless to say, Loree Lough knows a little something about this writing thing. Join interviewer and FaithWriters member, Lynda Lee Schab, as she chats with Loree about her writing, the world of publishing, and what it takes to be successful in this business.

LYNDA: Loree, I have gotten to know you over the past few years as we worked together on a novella project, and then I had the honor of you writing an endorsement for my debut novel. I have to say I have been totally blown away by your professionalism, your insight, and your encouragement. And I’m thrilled at this chance to find out even more about you and pick your brain a bit.

So let me start by asking, have you always wanted to be an author or did your love for writing come on gradually?

LOREE: First, I want to thank you for this invitation! I’m looking forward to meeting new people and getting better acquainted with folks who follow your blog!

As for the whole “When I knew I wanted to be an author” thing, well, once upon a time, I dreamed of being a ballerina. Alas, I quickly discovered that I was too short. Maybe a stewardess? Nope, too nearsighted. FBI agent, then…. Too short and too nearsighted. <sigh> Aren’t we blessed to live in a world, today, where a girl can be just about anything she wants to be…if she’s willing to work for it!

So the answer to the question is that I didn’t realize I wanted to write until I accepted a temporary position as a neighborhood correspondent. All it took to change my “temporary” to “until infinity and beyond” were editorial compliments that went hand in hand with assignments to write feature stories. One article led to another, and soon, editors at other publications were calling with “Can you write about [this] by Tuesday?” inquiries. And thus began my love of writing.

By the time the Fiction Addiction bug bit me a couple of years later, I was too far gone to say no!

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Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection. Watchman Nee

We at FaithWriters wish you a reflective Good Friday and a joyous Easter. He is Risen Indeed!

A cry at the cross
By Maria Egilsson

A mother’s cry
Strangled tight
Pierces the darkened sky
As a Son hangs
Upon that
God forsaken cross

Aching heart
Voice lost
From the tears
Of prayers
Which cover the tomb
Of a wounded heart
Like stones
Hardened
With pain and hurt

Where the beams cross
On the splintered wood
The crux of Grace
Will rise
Mary did you know
What is dead
Will resurrect
And a heart ripped asunder
Will rejoice once again
As the stone is rolled away

“And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46, 47.

To know Maria Egilsson is to know someone who is passionate about issues women face, their relationship with themselves, with God and the world around them. Maria can be contacted through her blog at http://thewoman2woman.blogspot.ca/

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITER-MAKE A WEBSITE

If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you’ve likely heard, more than once, the need to “show” and not “tell” – to get inside your characters and allow your readers to experience what they are experiencing, instead of just telling your audience what the character is going through. If you want your readers to connect with your characters, they need to go feel like they ARE your character.

This point hit me more strongly than it ever had several months ago, and popped up yet not long after.

My first novel-length manuscript  is a non-fiction book about God’s work in my family’s life during my husband’s health struggles. I was six months pregnant when my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he went through three brain surgeries and six weeks of daily radiation during that first year.

It was, needless to say, a very emotional, difficult time, full of struggles. And writing the book was emotional for me as well. Though, apparently, not emotional enough.

A while back, I had my full manuscript looked at by a dear friend who was also a professional editor. And after reading just the first dozen pages or so, she sent it back.

I had too much telling, and not enough showing.

After pondering it for a while, I realized exactly why that was. In order to show the emotions and struggles we’d been through, I had to relive it in my mind—only then could I truly show it in my writing.

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The FaithWriters Writing Challenge has, for years, been a mainstay of FaithWriters. The opportunity to grow in your writing, develop friendships among the writers, write to a topic and deadline, and more have long made it a favorite of FWers. And the cash prize for Best of the Best certainly wasn’t a deterrent either.

Well, starting when the challenge starts again this Thursday, April 5 after its break, there will be even more incentive.

Starting with the first topic for the upcoming quarter, FaithWriters will be awarding $20 (US) to the 1st place Editors’ Choice winner EVERY week.

Exciting, eh?

And that isn’t the only change related to the writing challenge starting this week. Another involves publication of the Editors’ Choice pieces. 

From now on, the Editors’ Choice winning entries for the 2nd and 4th quarters each year (April to June and October to December) will be used as content for FaithWriters’ Magazine in the following year.

The FaithWriters Magazine will be re-launched in January, 2013. (The 1st and 3rd quarters will remain themed and Editors’ Choice winners from those quarters will be used in future FaithWriters’ books.)

Check the magazine out by clicking here. Have a browse through the archives while you’re there (there’s a link to them in the left-hand margin). The magazine really was very good and provided the writers with exposure and a credit for their portfolio.

This change to random topics for the 2nd and 4th quarters each year will, of course, mean that these winning entries will not be used in a future FaithWriters’ book. However, the reality is that four FaithWriters’ books a year was always way too many. So this will also give Deb some room to catch up. For more details on this change, check out Deb’s post on the message boards.

You must be a FaithWriters Gold or Platinum member to enter the FaithWriters Writing Challenge. Click here to upgrade your membership Gold, and here to Platinum!

And one more thing – the FaithWriters site now has a full site search! Looking for a writer? Information on the challenge? Critique info? Just log in to the site and go to the member page, where you’ll find it right at the top. It’s a great little tool, and will make it easier to find whatever you need at the site.