Oftentimes, writing simple scenes can be one of the best ways to practice showing rather than telling how a character is feeling. For example, take the act of exchanging gifts at Christmas. Writing a scene like this will allow you to gain more insight into your character in a few ways. Firstly, the gifts themselves can reflect both on the character giving and receiving the gift. Does character A know character B well enough to get them a gift they’d actually enjoy? And, if so, what would that gift be? And secondly, writing about the exchanging of gifts in-scene allows you to play with characters’ reactions to show the reader whether or not they are excited about the gift.

For example, let’s say character A gets character B a pair of socks. If they’re the type of person who would like a pair of fun socks, they’ll exclaim excitedly, thank character A, and perhaps try them on right away. If that isn’t the kind of gift they’d enjoy, however, they may speak slowly, use phrases like ‘this is interesting’, and wear a strained smile that doesn’t quite meet your eyes. Whether or not character A even notices the reaction is another telling character moment as well- is character A intuitive enough to notice what the audience can clearly see?

Writing such a scene will also allow you to play around with a family dynamic as well. As a writer, your goal should be to be able to establish the nature of relationships as quickly and concisely as possible. Which family members are closest? Who is friends with whom? Is anyone currently fighting or is there any tension underscoring the current family dynamic? These are all questions that can be answered through a simple gift exchange.

Writing Prompt: Write a scene (either with characters from your manuscript or new ones) where a family or a group of friends are exchanging gifts on Christmas. Use the different beats and moments in the gift exchange to establish the characters as individuals, their relationship dynamics, and to make their reactions clear to the reader by showing rather than telling.

The post Writing Prompt: Gift Exchange appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

When she gets home at first she hates it and faces some clumsy but cute setbacks like missing her bus or falling into the snow. Then she runs into her old high school boyfriend and/or high school crush who now runs a bakery or small coffee shop. They have some sarcastic banter because she only respects business and he’s a humble small-town baker so he doesn’t respect business, of course.

She starts to warm up to the town, and in turn baker boy, and starts to feel the magic of Christmas. Sometimes real magic is involved, but not always. Then, surprise, business boyfriend shows up and she’s forced to then choose between the two sides of herself. Spoiler alert: she 100% of the time stays in the small town and becomes the accountant slash helper at the baker boy’s shop.

Needless to say, Hallmark movies can be cliche and predictable. But for those who love them, they are also addictive. There’s a sort of comfort to the predictability as well as the colorful, bright, and cheery overall tone. They’re full of happy accidents, totally unrealistic turns of fate, and lots of bed and breakfast inns, local bakeries, and gazebos.

Now, picture putting your protagonist in the midst of this cliche and cheery town that we see in Hallmark movies, where there is an almost magical level of holiday spirit. Would they blend right into the plot, seamlessly fitting the role of the lead? Would they be confused, thinking they’ve stumbled into another dimension? Or would they just be downright angry and annoyed when a local inn owner told them they were the only one who could save their business (even though they’ve never met before)?

Writing Prompt: Put your protagonist or one of your characters in the midst of your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie. Because you won’t really have to think about the plot structure, focus on how your character would react differently to circumstances than a typical Hallmark movie protagonist. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with the juxtaposition and add some humor or even darker undertones, let your protagonist take the reigns!

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Throughout the 124 pages of this Dorrance-published book, author Jared Burkholder offers readers an alternative telling of the popular Christmas narrative by delving a little bit deeper into the biblical text to decipher what it does and does not say.

To get a better understanding of the root of his book and what inspired him to share this story, we are going to look through the eyes of the author himself.

Burkholder served as a youth pastor for six years, a missionary in the Dominican Republic for seven years and a lead pastor for nine years. He also worked as an egg truck driver for two and a half years, and a college professor and administrator for 20 years.

The experiences that he has gathered along this lifelong journey inspired him to begin writing, and he added Dorrance-published author to his already impressive resume.

For some authors, all that they need to start writing is a little spark of curiosity. Burkholder felt that spark when he read an article by Kenneth Bailey that inspired him to take a deeper look.

Perhaps his biggest inspiration for his book sprouted from his skepticism of the traditional Christmas story. Burkholder was mesmerized at how easily some people ignore or abandon details that are explicitly reflected in the text, and also was perplexed by parts of the traditional narrative that defy common sense.

Closer to The Real Christmas Story is more than just a children’s Christmas story book. In fact, readers of all ages whether young or old will be challenged to take a deeper look at the popular Christmas narrative.

Whether you choose to read this book on your own or with a small group, this book has become a discipleship tool that will promote healthy dialogue, challenge your critical thinking, and help you better understand the principles of Bible interpretation.

In short, this book may present something you may never have considered. Happy reading and happy New Year!

The post A Deeper Look into the Story of Christmas appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

What started out as a poem written in 2007 was transformed into a children’s book in April 2010 when John decided to send his poem to a publishing company.  Being a Pittsburgh sports fan led him to select Dorrance as his publisher.

At the core of his poem is the idea of bringing Santa Claus and his new team of reindeer into this century. This modernization includes an updated sled complete with a computer, GPS and safety equipment.  These updates allow Santa to deliver toys to children in America faster than ever.

The core of the book is centered on reminding people just how important Santa Claus is to not only our children, but to all of the people who still hold the spirit of Santa Claus and the familiar childhood memories centered around him near and dear to their hearts.

John urges readers to open his book with family and friends and to read his poem again to all of the children – young and old – who still believe.

To this day, each time John picks up his book and flips through the pages, he reflects on how nice it is to see and read something that was such a joy to write. Another point that shows how publishing your book with Dorrance is a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy holidays from Dorrance Publishing to you and your family!

The post The Christmas Spirit Lives with this Dorrance Book appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.