First Line Inspiration

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 19 Comments

“An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.” ~Stephen King One of the most important lines in a story is that very first one that you write. But as important as that is to grab the attention of a reader, a first line can …

My Journey to Hollyhill – Part 1

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 38 Comments

Thanks to all of you who commented on Wednesday’s post with suggestions for future character interviews. I’ll be sharing some of those in the weeks to come since character interviews are one of my favorite things to write. Janet mentioned Jocie from my Hollyhill books. That had me remembering about how much I enjoyed letting Jocie take over a story. In …

Christmas Joys and Smiles

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 24 Comments

One of the best thing about sending out a newsletter is getting to hear from so many of you in return. I’ve enjoyed reading about the special Christmas memories and family traditions shared with me. I hope you will enjoy these I’m sharing forward from Kay and Linda Sue. Kay shares a couple of stories. First let’s hear how her …

A Hollyhill Christmas Eve Scene

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 22 Comments

“Merry Christmas Eve to you. May your heart be filled with the magic of the season.” Have you ever had big plans of good times on Christmas Eve and then you get a cold – dozens of sneezes, a box of tissues, a red nose miserable cold – to spoil everything. In this Christmas scene from Summer of Joy, my …

Book Fun – A New Giveaway Chance

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 68 Comments

I once read that one of the best ways a writer can promote a book is to give it away. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but over the years I’ve given away many books. I like to give away books and wish I could give away even more. I went to an author event once where authors …

Down to the Last Mystery Photo This Go Around

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 39 Comments

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand. ~Neil Armstrong Back when I started these Mystery Photo Games several years ago, I had no idea that I would continue them on. But I’ve had fun straining my brain to come up with the mystery photos and many of you have said how much you’ve enjoyed …

Do You Like Appalachian Stories?

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 19 Comments

The Appalachian Mountains are full of stories. The people there are full of personality and the settings can be beautiful and sometimes challenging. If you’ve read any of my stories, you know most of them have Kentucky history. So, my Appalachian stories have Kentucky settings, but the Appalachian Mountains run through several states. There are many stories that writers can …

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #11

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 298 Comments

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #11 Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes! The hunt BEGINS on 3/14 at noon MST with Stop #1 …

The Magic of Christmas Eve

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 20 Comments

  Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it — you feel it, you know it, you believe it. ~Kevin Alan Milne One of the times when that magic is so real, especially for kids, is on Christmas Eve. I do remember feeling that magic, that anticipation, that feeling of wonder. Do you? The picture is of my family’s tree …