For the past 23 years, Writer’s Digest has published a list of 101 best websites for writers. The majority are for professional writers, but there are some great sites that benefit students and everyday writers. In addition, there are a few for readers. Following are my favorites from this list, many of which I use…
Author: Jill Willis
Join the Storyteller Squad’s Book Club!
Are you a teen who likes to read fiction? Searching for some like-minded friends? Look no further. The Storyteller Squad has launched a book club that is perfect for you. Every other month, beginning in April, the Squad will host a discussion on a young adult novel ranked four stars or above on Amazon. On…
Good Friday. Is it really good?
Jesus lost his life on this day. How would anyone commemorate it as good? Why not call it Bad Friday? As a kid, I never could understand this. Now, after much Bible study, I comprehend the significance of Jesus allowing his human body to experience a painful death nailed to a cross. As God’s only…
Every Day is International Read to Me Day
If you love to read, here’s a way you can support global learning without leaving the comfort of your armchair. An Australian collective of educators and authors established International Read to Me Day (IRTMD) in 2015 to be celebrated on March 19 each year. The goal of this commemorative day is to draw attention to…
The Mother Lode of Book Reviews for Teens
Earlier this week, I asked my Facebook friends (most of whom are moms and grandmoms) how they selected books to purchase for their teens. Their responses varied, but most replied that they liked to read online reviews. What a coincidence. Last Saturday, the Storyteller Squad, of which I’m a founding member, gathered on a video…
Baking & Bonding
In my young adult novel, The Demons Among Us (launching in September), the sixteen-year-old main character, Joy, is learning to cook. An early scene with Joy and her mom baking homemade sweet potato fries is loosely based on the times my daughter, Julia, and I share a kitchen. Even though she’s now married and lives…
Writing about Ethnic Characters
I’ve heard Edwina Perkins speak twice. After her first presentation, entitled The Danger and Power of Words, I felt like I’d been sucker punched. I was more prepared the second time. After all, I’d invited her to be the guest speaker at our American Christian Fiction Writers N. Georgia Chapter meeting. Her message is powerful…
Top 10 Teen Reads
It’s the time of year when libraries tally their top ten check-outs of 2020. I thought it might be interesting to compare teen readers in the north to those in the south, so I called librarians in two states. They emailed me their young adult fiction lists THE SAME DAY. Gotta love librarians. Following are…
I’ve signed with a publisher!
What a long journey! When I sold my public relations firm in 2013 and decided to write a book, I had no idea what a steep learning curve I’d encounter. My end goal was to publish an alternative to the stories about witches, vampires and werewolves—something with a touch of paranormal, but biblically based. I…
Merry Christmas!
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Keep the faith, friends. While 2020 has tested our trust in God, we can rest assured that He has a plan for us, and it…