The Steve Laube Agency is committed to providing top quality guidance to authors and speakers. Our years of experience and success brings a unique service to our clients. We focus primarily in the Christian marketplace and have put together an outstanding gallery of authors and speakers whose books continue to make an impact throughout the world.
Our Service Philosophy
Content
To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
Career
To help the author determine the next best step in their writing career. Giving counsel regarding the subtleties of the marketplace as well as the realities of the publishing community.
Contract
To help the author secure the best possible contract. One that partners with the best strategic publisher and one that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Recent Posts
Side Hacks for Overcoming Writers Block
Do you ever find yourself staring at a blank screen, your mind as barren as the Sahara Desert, while deadlines loom ominously overhead? Yeah, been there, done that. Writer’s block can feel like an insurmountable hurdle, but fear not! I’ve got a plan—a trusty arsenal of “top ten” hacks to kick that pesky writer’s block to the curb and get those creative juices flowing once again.
1. Timed Free Writing: Set a timer for 10 minutes and let your thoughts spill onto the page without inhibition. No spell-checking, no editing—just pure, unfiltered writing. Keep a scratch pad handy for these spontaneous bursts of creativity.
2. Take a Walk: Step outside, soak up some sunshine, and let the fresh air invigorate your mind. A change of scenery can work wonders for breaking through mental blocks and sparking inspiration.
3. Read Up: Dive into research on the topic you’re writing about. Ever gone down a rabbit hole while researching something, only to emerge an hour later armed with a wealth of knowledge? Embrace that curiosity and engage with your subject matter—it might just kickstart your writing process.
4. Change Locations: If your usual writing spot isn’t cutting it, switch things up. Head to a park, your porch, or a cozy café, armed with noise-canceling headphones and a steaming cup of coffee. Sometimes, a change of environment is all it takes to get those creative juices flowing.
5. Mind Map: Grab your markers and let your ideas flow onto the page in a colorful burst of creativity. Mind mapping can help you visualize your thoughts and organize your ideas before diving into the writing process.
6. Phone a Friend: Sometimes, talking through your ideas with a friend or colleague can help shake loose any mental blocks. A fresh perspective or a stimulating conversation might be just what you need to get unstuck.
7. Pen and Paper: Switching from typing to writing by hand can stimulate different parts of your brain and reignite your creativity. Grab a pen and let your thoughts flow freely onto the page.
8. Treat Yourself: Sometimes, a little indulgence can go a long way in boosting your mood and motivation. Reward yourself with your favorite snacks or sweets as a quick pick-me-up when you’re feeling stuck.
9. Seek Inspiration: Surround yourself with sources of inspiration—whether it’s music, art, or nature—to reignite your passion for writing and keep those creative juices flowing. For me, Beethoven’s Symphony #9 in D Minor really does the trick.
10. Declutter Your Space: A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind. Take a few moments to tidy up your desk and eliminate any distractions that might be hindering your focus.
These tips have been a lifesaver for me time and time again, and I hope they’ll help you conquer your writer’s block too. Remember, creativity is a journey, not a destination—so don’t be too hard on yourself. Embrace the process, trust in your abilities, and let your imagination soar. Happy writing!
Leave a CommentAdopting a Gameday Attitude
When I am with people who share my interests, I often say that one of the reasons I like sports is that they provide a metaphor for just about everything in life. Dealing with adversity, losing, winning, preparation, and teamwork have direct-line comparisons in much of life, including every aspect of publishing. This also includes one’s personal life. The term “Gameday” is a not-so-subtle codeword used by teammates of all sports to get emotionally ready to compete. It isn’t just a description of an upcoming event, but an attitude of rising to the occasion, meeting a challenge head-on, and mentally …
How to Write Good Dialogue With Angela Hunt
If you’ve ever transcribed a conversation between two people, you know the resulting text is a bunch of incomprehensible, run-on sentences and fragments. If you don’t believe me, just ask our blogifier. Shauna Letellier has to turn these episodes into actual blog posts. Natural conversation does not translate well onto the written page. When we write novels, we must realize that good, written dialogue does not actually imitate how real people talk. But we also don’t want our written dialogue to sound contrived and awkward. How do you write good dialogue that will propel your story forward? How do …
What Is the Oldest Book in Your Library?
I love books, especially old or rare ones. Back in college I spent a couple months working in the back room of the university library repairing their rare book collection. I’ll never forget the awe of holding a copy of a book by Theodore Beza, a student of John Calvin, dated in the 1600s. I also recall one summer in Washington D.C. around the now-defunct CBA booksellers convention when a friend and I wandered the stacks of the Library of Congress, discovering extremely rare treasures. The other day, I wondered what was the oldest book I owned in my library. …
Fun Fridays – May 10, 2024
A word can have a completely different meaning when placed in a different context. Take the word patience in the two examples below: ShareTweet