North Texas Christian Writers

In My Defense

Frank Ball — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:20 +0000

One effective fiction-writing technique is to put a character into a situation where she would have to do what she would never consider doing. Wives may joke about their husbands, saying, “The only reason he’s alive is that I haven’t killed him yet.” For Leigh Ann Bryant, that scenario turned out to be fact, not [...]

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Minutes in Heaven

Frank Ball — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:31:41 +0000

Cec and Shirley Murphey have been helping writers for decades. North Texas Christian Writers has a special appreciation for Cec and his wife. “North Texas needs a writers’ conference,” he said to Frank Ball in 2004. “If you’ll start one, I’ll help you.” At Cec’s home near Atlanta, they put together a plan, and the [...]

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Side by Side

Frank Ball — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:34 +0000

In 1927 Gus Kahn wrote the lyrics to the popular song “Side by Side.” Without money, but ragged and funny, we travel the road side by side. Seventy-seven years later, in his last public appearance, Southern Gospel singer George Younce offers his humorous rendition of “Side by Side.”

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A Change in Direction

Frank Ball — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:41 +0000

For the last nine years, the annual North Texas Christian Writers Conference has focused on improving writing skills, which has been a unique departure from the practice of inviting agents and editors to consider manuscripts that aren’t yet ready for publication. The NTCW approach has been good, but this year we want something even better. [...]

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Ukulele Talent

Frank Ball — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:35 +0000

We all have talent, but most of it remains hidden. Until we have put it to use, we might not know we have it. To be recognized, talent requires a huge investment. Relentless effort with a desire to improve is what separates great artists from wannabes. With a little investigation, we find that overnight successes [...]

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Making “Excellent” Even Better

Frank Ball — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:52 +0000

For nine years, North Texas Christian Writers has hosted an annual writers’ conference. More than twenty groups have been regularly meeting to help members improve their writing skills. Writing for Excellence seminars, mentoring clinics, and special weeknight classes with Frank Ball have provided affordable help for many. Professionals who have judged our writing contests have [...]

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Daffynitions

Frank Ball — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:43 +0000

Frank Ball used to collect stamps, coins, and rocks. Now he’s a collector of words with unexpected meanings, which he calls “daffynitions.” Here are three that were posted recently: Light Year — A twelve-month period when one’s diet actually worked Polarize — How arctic bears see where they are going Rubberneck — How a man [...]

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Effective Storytelling Changes Lives

Frank Ball — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:43 +0000

In 2003, the book Blind Sight. by James Pence, was published by Tyndale. Although it was well-written, with great characters and a wonderful plot, sales were less than spectacular. For the book to be read, people had to know about its importance, and that wasn’t happening in significant numbers. One might question whether the words [...]

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Kleptomaniac

Frank Ball — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:59 +0000

Some word sequences may be difficult to pronounce at any time, but it’s even harder when you must keep a straight face in a comedy routine. In 1968 Jack Webb appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for a tongue-twisting enactment of a police call, spoofing the hit detective series Dragnet. You can be [...]

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Keep the Crowd in the Game

Frank Ball — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:48 +0000

Tom had season tickets to the TCU home football games, but he didn’t always go. This week, Bill, his coworker in the next cubicle, invited him to see a movie instead. “No way,” Tom said. “This is the biggest game of the year. I’ve got to see who wins.” “If that’s all you want,” Bill [...]

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