(originally published as a guest post on JerryJenkins.com) There’s no way around it: If you want to write a story that pulls in readers, you must include compelling characters. They need to feel: Believable Mysterious Relatable But that’s difficult to pull off—one reason most stories are unpublishable. Maybe you’re feeling this tension right now. Maybe you’ve…
Author: Tami Nantz
Tone in Writing: A Simple Guide for Authors
(originally published as a guest post on JerryJenkins.com) If you’re confused about the difference between “voice” and “tone” in writing, you aren’t alone. Many writers conflate the two. Whether you’re writing a novel, a blog post, an article, or a poem, it’s important to know the difference so you can communicate with readers in a way…
Through the Tunnel to the Towers, This Foundation Honors 9/11’s Fallen Heroes
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” — Arthur Ashe One gorgeous, sunny September morning in 2001, the “city that never sleeps” bustled like any other Tuesday morning, with students hurrying to school and…
Time for a Change
Can I be real for a second? I’m in a rut. Well, let’s be totally honest…it’s more like a ditch. A really deep ditch. Or maybe a ravine. One of those steep, ivy covered, snake infested bottomless gullies. Whatever it is, I’ve been there a while. As I write this, I’m sitting in a pizza…
I Miss Her
I don’t remember the time or the day, but I do remember the date. February 15, 2007 – the day after my mom went to heaven. I had this thing I needed to do. For mom, and honestly, for me. I definitely needed to do it for me. Before she died, mom kept fretting about…
Bullying Isn’t Okay, Even In Politics
I never thought I’d find myself agreeing with Kanye {Kardashian} West and a rapper named Chance. I honestly don’t remember exactly how it all started. Kanye, at some point in recent days, tweeted about his affection for President Trump, and once twitter nearly broke upon learning this devastating news, he doubled down. If that wasn’t…
How to be Gluten Free Without Annoying Everyone
So, you’re gluten free. Regardless of how you got there, it stinks to be told you can’t have the very ingredient central to the staple of the standard American diet. There’s no question about it, it’s a challenge. Slightly worse than that may be the reaction you get when you share your news, order in…
This Mom Started Her Own Shoe Company, Now it Helps Toddlers With Disabilities
In 2004, Cause Haun was a mom on a mission. In search of a shoe that combined cutting edge style and quality design for her son’s growing little feet, she came up empty. So, like any devoted, entrepreneur-minded American mom, she decided to do something about it. She started her own shoe company and named…
This Father and Son’s Car Wash Isn’t Just Detailing Cars – It’s Enriching Lives
When you take your car to the Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, Florida, you will no doubt be greeted with enthusiasm by a top of the line, hard working team that absolutely loves providing you with a second to none product that far exceeds that of its local competitors. A shining example of teamwork…
Changing the Lives of Special Needs Kids Worldwide, One Conversation at a Time
In classrooms all over America, teachers begin the school day with a routine. A “good morning,” a quick rundown of the class roster, a collection of yesterday’s homework and, for younger grades, maybe a fun, interactive song to start the day. For Chris Ulmer’s special-needs class, the first 10 minutes of each day begin a…
In a Country Ravaged by Human Trafficking, This Company Offers the Resident’s Hope
Do a quick Google search on the republic of Nepal, and you’ll quickly learn that it’s a country known for more than just the Earth’s tallest mountain peak and its breathtaking landscape. Nepal is a nation living in deep despair, not only because of the 2015 earthquake that killed more than 8,000 people and injured…
In the “Purpose Hotel”, You Can Change The World While You Sleep
My daughter and I walked the rugged, uneven path back toward camp in complete shock over what we had just seen. I knew the remote village we were visiting in northern Togo had a very limited water supply, but I had no idea that the spot we’d just visited was the only water source available…
