Cindy A. Christiansen

Four Tips For A Spell-binding Beginning

What makes a reader pick up your book, read the first page and then either put it back on the shelf or buy it? It's having all the key ingredients to a spell-binding beginning. You can accomplish a great beginning with four easy tips: 1. Establish ... Read >

Warning: Attention Deficit Disorder vs. Anxiety Disorder

If your child has been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, autism or any other condition on the spectrum, you might want to take a closer look at Anxiety Disorder. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of two. A doctor put him on a psychostimulant drug (for ... Read >

Writing: Sensational Scenes and Sequels

A book is easy to write when it is broken down into pieces. No, I'm not talking about chapters. Look harder. Books are broken down into scenes. Before we can discuss it though, we must first understand point-of-view (POV). Sense this was covered in anoth... Read >

What Not To Do When Starting Your First Book

Do you want to be a writer? Writing is part of one's soul. You don't have to think about what to write. The ideas ooze from you. You probably already have five to ten ideas luring at the back of your mind. As you set your New Year's goal for writing or fi... Read >

Four Tips In Understanding Your Writing Goal

If you are here, you have already decided you want to write a book. Do you just like writing, or do you have an idea of what to write about? Here are four tips that will help you formulate an idea into a bestseller. These tips include: epiphany, premise, ... Read >

Camping in Our US Forests

Camping in our beautiful National Forests is a priviledge. My family and I have been camping in Utah for over twenty years. We never tire of the unique and varied beauty of the the state. But there is a concern about the future of this priviledge. This... Read >

Easy Steps To a Published Book

Confused about getting published? Some excellent authors never do get published. Why? An author must be very determined and willing to put themselves and their work out there for possible criticism. Getting published doesn't happen overnight. There's a... Read >

Writing: It's My Turn to Talk

The second largest problem I see in contest entries is writing perspective. Beginning writers tend to be confused on whose point-of-view they need to be in to share the story. The author wants to tell the story and share everyone's thoughts at the same ... Read >

What's Stopping Me From Becoming Published?

When it comes to writing, confict is the key. It's the number one problem I've seen with the contest entries I've judged. Conflict is not arguing, bickering or fighting. I'm talking about floods, deaths, commitments, fears, love,or ambition that you put ... Read >

Tips for Sending the Perfect Text or Email

Texting, emailing, twitteringâ€"it's all the rage. But recently I got myself into trouble with a typed communication. Let's talk about communication. It's a process of exchanging information to share knowledge, express feelings, state our positions, or... Read >

Writing With Cognitive Issues

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS) is a frustrating and debilitating illness. Pain becomes your life. I should know, I'm living with it.More than four million people in the United States suffer with it. It destroys once healthy individuals, ends careers, an... Read >

Cruelty To Animals Is An Ugly Sight

Animal abuse is a serious crime. Statistics have proven that animal abuse can lead to other types of serious abuse and deviant behavoir. Here are some of the typical abusive situations we experiences on our farm: * ROCKING THROWING IS A GREAT SPORT. R... Read >

Tips on Judging Writing Contest Judges

You receive your contest entry back. You are so excited! You look at your total score: 20/100. How is that possible? You want to throttle a couple of the judges. Here is a few of their comments: * Have you ever read a book in your life!! * Your char... Read >