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A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
I post the first and third Tuesday of the month.
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Catching up
First, happy national coffee day! I've had my two cups already, and I'm good to go. Since attending the conference two weeks ago then...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 29, 20201 min read
0 comments


Pros and cons of the virtual ACFW conference AND book suggestions
Last week, I was supposed to be in St. Louis attending the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) annual conference. I still attended,...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 22, 20202 min read
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The editing blues and how to push through them
*Congratulations, catbooks72! You won a copy of Jen's book, Storing Up Trouble. Please message me, and I'll pass your address on to Jen....

Megan DiMaria
Jul 28, 20202 min read
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A peek into a successful author's process and a novel giveaway!
I'm delighted to host my friend and USA Today Bestselling Author, Jen Turano. I've been a fan of Jen's since her first book released. If...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 21, 20204 min read
9 comments


How to gather FREE writing tips and find inspiration from the pros
Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m always up for getting some topnotch advice from industry professionals. In addition to going to writing...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 28, 20202 min read
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Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 4
Three weeks ago, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Two weeks ago, we talked about...

Megan DiMaria
Oct 29, 20193 min read
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Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 3
Two weeks ago, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Last week, we talked about using...

Megan DiMaria
Oct 22, 20192 min read
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Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 2
In last week's post, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Today we'll talk about using...

Megan DiMaria
Oct 15, 20193 min read
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Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 1
Writing effective dialogue is essential to the success of your work whether you write fiction or nonfiction. Dialogue will either draw...

Megan DiMaria
Oct 8, 20193 min read
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Writing tips from USA Today Best-Selling Author Jen Turano
I'm pleased to host my friend, Jen Turano. Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen is a USA Today...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 24, 20194 min read
17 comments


Writers, deal with rejection the way a Downton Abbey star dealt with hers.
Strategies to keep yourself in the game AND to get to the next level. Getting a publishing contract isn't an easy thing. I'm sure I'm not...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 17, 20192 min read
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Gaining perspective: editing and rewriting
It's a part of every book's journey: editing and rewriting. It would be wonderful if you could dash the words onto the page with ease and...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 10, 20191 min read
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Twenty simple tips for stronger writing
Sometimes, I go through my old files from past writing seminars and conferences to brush up on what I've learned. Today, I compiled a...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 13, 20192 min read
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Tips on how perspective colors your character's world
There's truth and then there's a character's perspective. Both can be honest, even if the reality is experienced in different ways. I...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 6, 20192 min read
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The essential needs of your novel’s protagonist
Your protagonist—the main character of your novel—has some specific needs that must be addressed up front that will compel the reader to...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 30, 20192 min read
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Choosing the best word in your writing
As writers, we work with words the way a sculptor uses chisels, files, and hammers. The words we choose and the way we arrange them...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 9, 20193 min read
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Writers: resources and tips for crafting better descriptions
You've heard the quote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It's from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The saying implies...

Megan DiMaria
May 7, 20192 min read
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Tips and guidelines for author critique groups
Participating in a critique group can be one of the best things you can do to help move forward in your writing skills. A crit group will...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 30, 20193 min read
0 comments


Eleven tips for revealing your novel's characters
Hi! I'm back after my Lenten break. I didn't blog, but I haven't neglected my writing. I like simple tips, ones that make you say ah-ha...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 23, 20191 min read
0 comments


Want to be a writer? Here's some advice:
Want to be a writer? Are you thinking about it? And thinking? START NOW. If you don't know how to start, get a how-to book out of the...

Megan DiMaria
Feb 19, 20191 min read
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