• Writer’s Block: Publishing 101

    As writers, we often share a dream: to see our stories in print. In today’s video, we talk about the basics of publishing: some common publishing vocabulary, types of publishing, the reality of rejection, and what you, as a young writer, can be doing today to prepare to perhaps publish one day. As always, there’s a writing activity for you at the end. Join us on YouTube, and take a moment to comment or share your thoughts on today’s video.

  • The Challenge to Write Simply

    Welcome back to Writer’s Block, a creative writing club designed for young writers. In this month’s meeting, we talk about how less can definitely be more with our writing, but writing simply is much harder than we might think! In today’s video, we talk about ways to write tightly and clear. The writing activity is one you won’t want to miss. Join us on YouTube, and take a moment to comment or share your thoughts on today’s class. Write on! ~ Kristen

  • Calling Teen Writers! There’s a New Club for You

    If you’re a teen writer, this club is for you! This month, I’m launching Writer’s Block, a creative writing club for young writers. Each meeting, we’ll learn about an aspect of the writing craft and have a chance to practice with a writing challenge. At some point, all of us writers deal with the dreaded writer’s block, or creative brain freeze, but we’re not going to let it slow us down. Instead, we’re going to combat it with the best solutions possible: practical skills and lots of practice! Learn more about my vision for this club and how I hope it can be a way to encourage and equip young…

  • Where Do You Find Inspiration?

    A common question people ask writers is where we find our inspiration. Regardless of your trade or career, you find inspiration for your craft somewhere or from something. However, the source isn’t always remarkable and doesn’t have to be. Today, I’d like to share some places I find inspiration to help encourage you to seek out your own. From Creation The Genesis record of creation repeats the words “And God saw that it was good” multiple times. Although man’s sin corrupted God’s flawless design, we still see the intentional purpose God crafted into His creation. No wonder when I run, hike, or otherwise adventure in this world, I constantly find…

  • Italy in 10 Snapshots

    Hello, friends! Thanks for joining me on my Italian adventure. Over the next several months, I’ll unpack more of this trip and its correlation to my upcoming novel, but for now, I’m limiting myself to 10 top moments, one for each day I was in Italy. Day 1: The Streets of Orvieto After an eventful rental car experience in Rome and finally finding our Air B&B in Orvieto, my colleague and I enjoyed a few moments roaming the cobbled streets before settling into our adorable apartment. After all, this was a working trip as well as an adventure. Day 2: The Duomo in Orvieto This breathtaking cathedral is a centerpiece…