What Gives You Conference Confidence?

Post author By Dee Dee Parker - Developing Your Writer's Voice/The Writerly Cafe
Post date June 6, 2016
12 Comments on What Gives You Conference Confidence?

I want to thank everyone that read my first post of The Writerly Café, especially those who took the time to leave a comment. Comments provide us a two-way street of communication. They are our form of “chatter” that fills brick and mortar cafés. Comments build friendships and allows for exchanges of ideas.

This is evident from last month’s question:

Is writing your passion and if no one read your writing could you walk away? Most writers write foremost for the joy of writing and to ease the tug on their spirits to put words onto paper. I understand that tugging. I journal and blog because my words need an outlet! Do you agree, readers? Writing is a powerful form of self-expression. Most of you said that you would write if no one read your work.

Now, to change gears, so to speak. It is the season for writing conferences and I for one, could not be happier. I will be attended the BRMCWC (Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference) from May 22 until May 26. I have attended this conference for a good number of years. My writing has improved from the classes I’ve taken and from the encouragement leading professionals in our field have offered.

While preparing this column I thought back to my first conference experience. I was woefully unprepared and did not reap the potential rewards because of my lack of those preparations. Yes, I enjoyed the conference and took copious notes that I still refer to today but I could have gleaned so much more if I’d had CONFERENCE CONFIDENCE.

Conference Confidence comes from being prepared. I am blessed in knowing Edie Melson, director of BRMCWC, and from learning her great tips on preparing for the conference experience. Edie’s suggestions include an invaluable set-up of a conference notebook. I urge those who are first time attendees to read about conference preparations at Edie’s blog. Seasoned writers also benefit from Edie’s blog dedicated to helping writers at all stages of their careers hone their craft.

I learned early on to introduce myself to as many people, conference presenters and fellow attendees alike, and to offer them my business card.

I practiced my pitch and designed a one sheet for my fifteen-minute interviews thus allowing my confidence to rise with each encounter.

So, I throw these questions to you…do you have Conference Confidence, or do you feel lacking in this area? Let me say, I still shiver and quake when I meet some of the giants in our field and still get tongue tied at times. This is only natural. I do feel, however, preparation paves the way to a successful experience. What gives you conference confidence?

If you have any questions about conference preparations or comments that might help our café friends, please share in the comments sections.

Until our next gathering, thank you for pulling your chair up to the table once again.

Tags Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Conference Confidence, Dee Dee Parker, Edie Melson, The Write Conversation, The Writerly Cafe

A Pinch of Poetry

10 Tips for Beginning (and Expert) Poets

Post author By Heather Hook - A Pinch of Poetry
Post date June 5, 2016
No Comments on 10 Tips for Beginning (and Expert) Poets

Are you interested in trying to write poetry for the first time? Or maybe you’ve been writing poetry but haven’t totally committed yourself to it.

To help you sharpen your poetic skills, I’ve compiled a list of 10 tips (including links to helpful resources) that every beginning and expert poet needs to consider. Because writing is a continuous learning process, you can always build on your skill level whatever it may be.

Read poetry. A golden rule of any kind of writing is that you should become an avid reader, especially of the genre that you write. You will learn more about conventions, style and structure simply by reading the published works of others.
Learn techniques. Poetry is a unique genre that utilizes special techniques. If you pay attention to my blog, I occasionally do mini-lessons on poetic techniques and devices. You also can find a plethora of information on the web.
Practice poetry. You’ll never learn to write poetry (or any art) if you don’t practice. Don’t let fear hold you back from releasing your creativity.
Connect with other poets. Surrounding yourself with people who enjoy poetry, and particularly those who write it, will encourage you. You’ll learn things about the craft simply from mingling with them. Even in the writing community, a poet can feel isolated at times because poetry is that exceptional. Just like artists and musicians, poets need to connect with other poets.

[bctt tweet=”Just like any artists, poets need to connect with other poets. #poetry #poets”]

Get feedback. As scary as it can be, feedback is the foundation of a growing writer. Don’t be afraid to share your poetry with others. Join a critique group. Then buckle up and ask for honest feedback. You’ll find that every bit of advice will help strengthen your skill.
Take a class. Check with the local library for poetry events and classes. Most of these are free for members. Also, writing conferences and workshops happen throughout the year, and some offer sessions on poetry. Occasionally you can find free online classes for creative writing as well.
Attend a poetry event. Poetry readings happen in various places locally: schools, libraries, coffee shops, churches and more. Be on the lookout for these types of happenings. Again, immersing yourself in a community of poets will stimulate creativity and inspire you.
Use a model. Poetry takes on many forms, such as haiku and sonnet. Find a form you feel comfortable trying and do a little search to find examples or steps to follow. Free verse is the most flexible, but trying a new form will broaden your expertise.
Listen to music. Song lyrics are poetry in musical form. By studying some of your favorite songs, you will learn more about poetic techniques.
Read poetry. No it’s not a typo. In order to be a poet, you have to read poetry. You’ll learn a lot just by reading others’ works. The nice thing about poetry is that it’s readable over a lunch break or during extended waits at the doctor’s office.

[bctt tweet=”If you want to write poetry, you have to read it! #poets #poetry”]

Regrettably, I can only offer a limited lifetime guarantee on my tips. Simply know that each of these things has made a difference in my own poetic journey. My hope is that they will help you on yours too.

If you have any additional tips, I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comment section below.

Tags class, creative writing, critique group, music, poetry, poets, Resources, techniques, tips

5 For Writing Uncategorized

Writing for Magazines: Conducting Interviews

Post author By Doug Peterson - 5 for Writing: Rules to Write By
Post date June 4, 2016
2 Comments on Writing for Magazines: Conducting Interviews

By Doug Peterson

Whenever I show up to interview a source for a magazine story, it must look like I have traveled from the past, like some gray-haired Marty McFly going Back to the Future. That’s because one of the first things I do is pull out my ancient Sony cassette recorder—something only a time traveler would carry.

Yes, you heard right. Cassette recorder.

Whenever I unveil this dinosaur, the person I’m interviewing usually makes some comment about not having seen one of these things since he was a toddler. But just to show that I’m not entirely ancient, I also bring out a compact, digital recorder.

I like using both digital and cassette recorders when interviewing sources for a couple of reasons. First, I am paranoid about losing my recordings, so this gives me a backup, with one copy being digital and the other analog.

Second, I actually prefer to transcribe my interviews from the cassette recorder. Until they develop a program that can automatically transcribe a digital file from audio to text, I plan to transcribe from cassettes and keep the digital copy as my permanent copy.

Up to this point, my Almost An Author blogs have all had to do with fiction writing. But I also do a considerable amount of non-fiction magazine writing, so I thought I would take you through my process over the next few columns, beginning with the interview. My background is journalism, and I have been writing non-fiction stories since my college days in the 1970s (when cassette recorders actually were hip).

Over the past 40 years, this is the interview process that I have found to work best. Some of this may or may not be for you. So, for what it’s worth, here are my steps:

Prep Work. In most cases, my job is to interview university professors about their research or alumni about their careers. In preparation, I do anywhere from a half hour to an hour and a half of background research, depending on the complexity of the subject. From this research, I prepare roughly 40 or so questions.

The Interview. I typically arrive at the location of an interview about 20 minutes ahead of time. I use the extra time to take a final review of the questions. This also gives me some extra time to locate the office of the professor I’m interviewing, enabling me to arrive at his or her office exactly on time. (I’m also a bit obsessive about punctuality.)

Of course, before I record an interview, I first ask the source’s permission. I made this mistake only once, when I was in my twenties (when I was young and foolish), and I was interviewing a prominent British Christian author. He got pretty angry when he saw me tape recording, but he probably could have been more polite in the way he asked me to switch it off. (The British bloke probably hadn’t had his morning cup of tea yet.)

By the time I actually conduct an interview, I am usually familiar enough with the questions that I rarely refer to them—although I keep them handy and occasionally glance at them. Before I end an interview, I take a final scan of the questions to make sure I covered everything.

Transcribing. Whenever I transcribe the recording of the interview, I type as fast as I can go, not stopping to correct typos. After all, I’m the only one who is going to see the transcription, so who cares about typos, as long as the text is understandable to me.

What’s nice about transcribing is that, although it can be tedious, it allows me to revisit the interview, and I begin to get a sense of the story in my mind as I transcribe. I transcribe for about a half hour at a time and then take a break, keeping myself from going bonkers.

Finally, when the transcription is complete, I read through it in its entirety, underlining and highlighting key passages. I also jot notes along the left margin of the page, indicating what topic is being covered in the corresponding sections. That way, whenever I’m trying to locate a certain topic from the transcription, I simply look at the margin notes to find the relevant section. It’s easier than scanning the text.

For the kinds of stories I write, my interviews generally last about 45 minutes to an hour, and the transcribed text is anywhere from eight to 10 pages long—single-spaced.

With the interview transcribed, I am now ready to write, which is probably the least time-consuming part of the process.

I have found this system to be thorough, effective, and hopefully foolproof with my backup recordings. Therefore, I will probably continue to use this system until the day I retire—or until my prehistoric cassette recorder finally conks out, whichever comes first. My trusty recorder might very well outlast me.

* * *

5 for Writing

Get writing. Find the time to write. Then do it.
Learn by listening—and doing. Solicit feedback, discern what helps you.
Finish your story. Edit and rewrite, but don’t tinker forever. Reach the finish line.
Thrive on rejection. Get your story out there. Be fearless. Accept rejection.
Become a juggler. After one story is finished, be ready to start another. Consider writing two at once.

Bestsellers

Best Selling Author-Bette Lee Crosby

Post author By Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3
Post date June 3, 2016
No Comments on Best Selling Author-Bette Lee Crosby

Can you share a little about your recent book –

I just finished “Baby Girl” which is book 4 in the Memory House Series. “Baby Girl” is a mother’s story. It’s about the greatest sacrifice a mother can make when she wants only the best for her child. It’s about falling in and out of love, of losing and finding one’s self. It’s about the perilous journey from passionate young love to happy true love and understanding the differences between the two.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because I am a storyteller. It is part of my DNA. I come from a long line of Southerners who are by their very nature storytellers. What I hope people take away from my books is the feeling that although life has its ups and downs, if you look for the good side, you’ll find it.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

I wrote for business long before I turned to writing fiction. I began writing fiction about 10 years ago, but only published my first novel in 2010. After a less than rewarding experience with a traditional style publisher, I decided to go the Indie route and have been very happy doing so.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends upon the book. Some have taken as long as a year and some as short as three months.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

LOL – work every day. I do my best writing early in the day and I spend most of the day writing. When I feel that I am no longer being creative, I take a break, go for a walk, play with the dog, or make a cup of tea – then I come back refreshed and ready to work.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I get VERY into the head of my characters, so I often include short mini-chapters written in the first person viewpoint of different characters. That way the reader not only follows the storyline, but also know how the characters feel about one another.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Meeting so many wonderful friends and fans. That is very rewarding.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

I can’t honestly say there have been “dark” moments. When something doesn’t go the way I’d hoped it would, I try to look at it as a learning experience and say next time I’ll do better.

Which of your books is your favorite?

That’s a loaded question…kind of like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. But, I have to say my personal favorites are Spare Change and Passing through Perfect. Basically because in both books there is a character that I absolutely love. In Spare Change it is the 11 year old boy – Ethan Allen. And in Passing through Perfect it is Benjamin.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I don’t have a favorite author, I have favorite books. My favorite genre is definitely Southern Fiction.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?

The best advice I can give any aspiring author is to write because it is what they love to do, not because they think they’ll make a million dollars on that first book. And before you hit “publish” make certain that book is ready to be published – this means silky smooth and without errors.

What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox?

A good editor. A good proofreader. And a good formatter. – No matter how great a story is, it will get buried under negative comments if it isn’t edited and formatted properly.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

When I first started writing fiction, I started approaching literary agents and more times than I can count I got a rejection saying that it was a good story, but I simply didn’t have a platform. At the time I didn’t even know what a platform was. Now I do. It’s your following – the people who read your blog, like your Facebook Page and follow you on Goodreads and Twitter. So while rejections can be considered a “dark” moment, they in fact became a learning experience.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

Ethan Allen in Spare Change and Benjamin in Passing through Perfect.

Where do you get your ideas?

Mostly from life experiences. From stories of things that have happened to someone I know or love. It happens one way and I think about – what if I took that same scenario and let it happen another way.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Hitting the “Publish” button before their book is really ready.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Self-publishing platforms have made it very easy for almost anyone to publish a book now, but I think aspiring authors might learn from my experience and build a platform before they put that book out there. Polish their craft by writing blog posts geared toward the audience they will be writing for. If Science Fiction is your preferred genre, try writing some short stories and setting up your own blog. Review Science Fiction books on your blog. Write about the things you like to read about, then others who like Science Fiction will start to follow your blog and voila… you have a platform!

Bette Lee Crosby
USA Bestselling Author

USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another twenty literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, The Reviewer’s Choice Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and the Reader’s Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal.

Her published novels to date are: Cracks in the Sidewalk (2009), Spare Change (2011), The Twelfth Child (2012), Cupid’s Christmas (2012), What Matters Most (2013), Jubilee’s Journey (2013), Previously Loved Treasures (2014), Blueberry Hill, A Sister’s Story (2014) Passing through Perfect (2015) and Memory House (2015). She also authored “Life in the Land of IS” a memoir of Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as the world’s longest living quadriplegic.

Bette Lee Crosby’s book Passing through Perfect won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction and is a RONE Award Nominee.

Author Links:

Blog: http://betteleecrosby.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3222582.Bette_Lee_Crosby

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bette-Lee-Crosby/e/B005TLT1PK/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bette-lee-crosby/id662962062?mt=11

The Creative Tool Kit

3 Time-Saving Strategies To Up Your Writing Game

Post author By Cathy Baker - Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101
Post date June 3, 2016
1 Comment on 3 Time-Saving Strategies To Up Your Writing Game

You may ask what the following three strategies have to do with creativity.

I think we can all agree that time is our greatest natural resource so when the minutes of our days can be saved, the hours will take care of themselves, freeing up our time and energy to put towards more creative endeavors.

Below are three practical but sometimes missed opportunities to make the most of our time.

Harness your time on social media. No one does this better than Edie Melson at The Write Conversation. Her post, 9 Time-Saving Tips for Social Media, touches on scheduling, promoting others (a key to social media success), and seven other ways to harness your most valuable resource, your time. (Edie is also the author of Connections, Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers.)

Refuse to Cave to the Comparison Trap. Sylvia Path said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” When other writers are gaining traction that sticks like glue while we’re still spinning our wheels it’s tempting to start second guessing our skills, sometimes to the point of questioning our very calling to writing. Michele Cushatt recently published a post, Enough, that speaks to the beauty of dropping our competitive guard in order to embrace a bigger and more meaningful picture in the world of writing. Comparing ourselves to others depletes our confidence, time, and energy. And who has time for that?

Take Advantage of In-Between Moments. Many successful authors became so while working at least one full-time job, raising a family, volunteering at church, etc. One of my favorite contributor’s on this subject is Brian Hutcheson of The Positive Writer. His post How To Become A Prolific Writer While Holding Down A Day Job is superb. You’ll rarely find me without a pen and tiny moleskin notebook in the front pocket of my purse. I know, I know. I can also use Notes on my iPhone, and I do, but there’s something about the scratching sound of a pen on paper that lights my fire.

Your turn! What’s one time-saving tip you can share with the rest of us?

Thanks for stopping by!

Cathy Baker // Cultivating Creativity
http://www.cathybaker.org

Tags 3 Time Saving Strategies to Up Your Writing Game, Brian Hutcheson, Cathy Baker, Comparing Ourselves to Others, Connections, creativity, Cultivating Creativity, Edie Melson, Enough, How to Become a Prolific Writer While Holding Down a Day Job, Michele Cushatt, social media, Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers, Sylvia Path, The Positive Writer, The Write Conversation

Child's Craft

Overcoming Obstacles

Post author By Jill Roman Lord - A Child's Craft
Post date June 2, 2016
No Comments on Overcoming Obstacles

Obstacles. Disguised in various ways, they reveal the same evil – blocks to what we want to achieve or to where we want to go.

When I first began running, I recall my first 5K race. As I struggled up a grueling hill, an old woman (probably younger than I am today, but old to my young eyes back then…) flew up next to me, slowed her pace even with mine for long enough to say, “Child, lift your knees just a little bit higher to get up the hills and focus on the pavement, not the top of the hill.” With that, she soared on past.

Since that day, I lift my knees just a little bit higher and focus on the pavement with every hill I face. That was over 30 years ago. Hills are not grueling obstacles for me anymore. While I can’t say I enjoy them, I know how to manage them.

I wondered if I could apply this sage advice to other obstacles in my life. So I broke down the elements of her tactic.

Lift knees higher. This might equate to working harder. Seriously? Sometimes I work like crazy and still face obstacles. I can’t work any harder. Maybe it equates with trying something different. If the same stride isn’t working, try something new.

Focus on the pavement. Perhaps I should stay focused on the task at hand. Don’t keep my eyes on the seemingly impossible goal and all the hard work it takes to get there, but enjoy every step of the way and I’ll eventually get there.

So, what obstacles are you facing in your writing? What prevents you from getting to your finish line? Do you have writers block? Impossible deadlines? Can’t find the right word to fit your cadence? Can’t find the time? Too many words for your children’s book? Having trouble finding an agent or a publisher? Today I’ll offer a few suggestions.

Run. I think running fixes just about everything, but if you don’t run, then try walking, biking, or exercise to get your positive endorphins flowing. There are numerous studies backing up God’s amazing endorphins and the creativity linked with them. Here is one you can read. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10491702/Lacking-inspiration-Exercise-found-to-boost-creativity.html. Some of my best writing ideas were inspired during my runs. Check with your doctor first if you haven’t exercised in a while.

Get away from your computer and get out into God’s world. Sit outside. Breathe in the fresh air. Running outside takes care of this one too. Get the fresh oxygen flowing through your veins to fuel your body and your brain. This change of scenery, may ignite the imagination and get your creative juices flowing. It may clear the mind to start fresh when you return to your task. Even if you’re struggling with making a deadline, getting fresh air and exercise may be just what you need.

Write in a different place. Don’t trap yourself in your office, no matter how peaceful or productive it has been in the past. If it isn’t working for you at the moment, try a different location. Go to another room in your house, Starbucks, or Panera.

Keep writing. Thankfully that lady didn’t tell me to quit running and go home. She wanted to help me through the obstacle of what I was already doing. So keep writing.

In future blogs, we’ll discuss other ways to manage the obstacles we face with writing. But for now, keep lifting those knees a bit higher and focus on the pavement, not the obstacle looming before you.

Share what obstacles you may be facing below and if you have the solution for another’s obstacle, share that below as well.

Tags creativity, deadlines, endorphins, focus, obstacles in writing, writer's block, Writing tips

Polishing Your Message Uncategorized

Winds and Waves of Inspiration

Post author By Bobbi Bush - Polishing Your Message
Post date May 31, 2016
10 Comments on Winds and Waves of Inspiration

Are you a writer who hasn’t written a word?

How many waves of inspiration flow thru your mind before you finally pen (or type) your first words as a self-proclaimed writer?
I remember clearly the first few times I felt the stirring within to write. Emotions with no words bubbled inside like boiling water turning to vapor in effort to escape the heat of the moment. Each time I kept the lid on and eventually dismissed the thought.

Tags Am I a writer, flag, inspiration, military wives, Old Glory, Soldiers, waves, waves of inspiration, wind, writing

Touching Soul and Spirit

Dazed by the Fall

Post author By Nelson Hannah - Touching Soul and Spirit
Post date May 30, 2016
1 Comment on Dazed by the Fall

A couple of years ago, I was working in my barn and needed a small roll of wire hanging from a nail near the roof. I found my step-ladder, set it up on the level floor, and climbed up to retrieve the wire. For almost 25 years, I’d worked off a step ladder every day, so I didn’t even give it a thought. I just went up it like a squirrel. I stopped at the last OSHA approved rung—two steps from the top and reached to get the wire, but it was just out of my reach. So, I climbed up one more rung and reached to grab it.

The ladder went one way, and I went the other. In all those years of construction work, I’d never fallen off a ladder—not even the ones that were precariously set in really dangerous places. Here I was, with all four legs of the ladder squarely set on level ground, and now I was flying through the air with the greatest of ease. As I fell, it was if my life clicked into slow motion. I fell between an old cast iron warm morning coal heater that had belonged to my great-aunt and a roll of extremely sharp barbed wire. I landed with all my weight on the ball of my back (on my shoulder blades) with my feet in the air.

It’s amazing how much force can be achieved by two hundred or so pounds in the space of about 5 feet. I can now say this from personal experience: it’s not the fall that hurts; it really is the sudden stop that creates the biggest problem. When I hit it the floor, it knocked the breath out of me. I’m not sure how long I lay there because I was a little dazed and unsure what had happened or where I was. So I just lounged there in a crumpled pile on my shoulders with my legs and feet sticking up in the air and my head in the dirt—expecting at any moment to feel a rush of excruciating pain as my spirit and soul departed from my now shattered body. But the pain never came, so my thoughts of certain departure were a bit premature.

Instead, I rolled over on my side and my legs finished their plunge to earth. I was stunned. I couldn’t figure out what had happened or how I’d gotten into the position I now found myself in. So, baffled and bewildered I just lay there. As I looked up I could still see the little roll of wire still hanging from a nail near the roof of the barn. I could also see the ladder and it confused me a bit because the last thing I remembered was standing on the step marked “Do Not Stand On!” All of a sudden, reality hit me as I stared up at the wire and the empty ladder. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up…

It was at that precise moment I remembered the sequence of overextending my reach, losing my balance, and crashing to the floor like a meteor. I remembered from where I had fallen.

To figure out what had happened and to learn a valuable lesson from the experience, it was necessary for me to re-assemble the pieces of that event—one memory at a time—from the beginning to the end. It was essential for me to remember where I had fallen from and why. It would have been easy to have gotten up, brushed myself off, made sure no one had witnessed the crash, and then went on my merry way. No harm! No foul!

And that my friend is what we tend to do in our relationship with Christ. It is so easy to make a wrong turn in our relationship with Christ—to be on the right road but going in the wrong direction and not even know it—to become enamored with the good things of God, while forgetting to nurture and care for our relationship with God. We can easily get caught up in doing all the right things for God and not be within a hundred miles of God. We can be involved in a myriad of ministries, activities, or spiritual disciplines and totally loose contact with the Lover of our Souls. We can possess a fantastic spiritual resume and have no real relationship with the God, who loves us without measure. We can be on the right road—just going in the wrong direction.

In a relationship, action without affection is always a recipe for a disaster, i.e. a long fall with a loud crash. The sad thing is most of us don’t even feel the sudden jolt when we hit. We just roll around for a time and expect things to be the same. After a while we get up, dust ourselves off, make sure no one was looking, and go about the business of serving God, never realizing we have slipped and fallen, or that our relationship with him has cooled. If we never comprehend we have fallen—we will never see the need for a personal revival. If we don’t take a few moments now and then to remember what our relationship with Christ was like in the beginning, we will never look up and realize how far we have fallen.

WARFARE!

Why is it So Hard to Rest?

Post author By Mary G. Scro - Write for His Glory
Post date May 26, 2016
6 Comments on Why is it So Hard to Rest?

Why is it so hard to rest? To take a break? To “do nothing”?

Years ago, I remember the Lord telling me to rest, stay in His Word, and take it easy. But that didn’t work out with my schedule, so I didn’t make the time.

The next week something happened that knocked me flat on my back. I was not prepared because I didn’t listen to the Lord. I got through the tough time, but it was a whole lot more difficult than it needed to be.

God knew I needed to be strengthened to be able to handle what was coming. Since then I’ve learned to trust Him a bit more, although rest is always difficult.

This time God asked me to put down my writing for a season and focus on my husband, family, prayer, health, and work…in that order.

But wait! My publisher is closing their doors, so if I “do nothing” my books will not be available. If I don’t write on my blog (which I haven’t for over 3 months anyway), what will my readers think?

As I sit here 100% sure I’ve heard God correctly, I ponder why it’s difficult to obey.

Maybe it’s because I fear losing followers. No, I don’t think so; when I write and share, God brings the people who need to read what I’ve written.

Maybe it’s because I’m uncertain about my calling. No, I know He called me to write and I know the joy it brings me. I am a writer.

Maybe it’s because too much of my perceived value to God is in my writing. As Joyce Meyer says, it’s in my “do” instead of my “who”.

Yes, I can easily fall into measuring my worth by the visible response I get to my writing. That’s part of it, but not all.

So why is it so hard to rest? Like with most other things, I think the main reason this or any other season of rest is difficult is because I don’t understand it. I am called to write, now I need to stop? I don’t know why, I don’t know for how long, and I don’t know what this new season will bring.

My ministry name is Life Is Not A Formula. I think God gave me that name to remind me that it’s futile to try and figure things out, especially where God may be leading, or why He commands this or that. He wants me to trust Him completely with everything day by day, and that includes my writing.

So how is rest related to warfare? If I don’t obey, I will be out of God’s will for my life, and that’s not a safe place to be; I become enemy bait for him to steal, kill, and destroy what God wants to do. My writing can only be fruitful if I am writing under God’s inspiration.

Most importantly, I miss out on intimacy with my Daddy when I try to go where He is not leading.

I’ve learned it’s not worth the risk.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2b a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3b a time to tear down and a time to build,

7b a time to be silent and a time to speak,

(Ecclesiastes 3, NIV)

So I choose to accept and receive God’s season of rest from writing. I’ve already seen His hand of blessing in many ways over the past several weeks. Now that I’ve accepted it, I look forward with anticipation to what He’ll do in me and through me during this season of rest. It won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

And when He releases me to do so, I’ll write all about it!

Tags encouragement, faithfulness, obedience, rest, seasons, why is it so hard to rest

Pleasant Rosebud - Romantic Suspense

A TRIBUTE TO A SISTER (Thomas Garet series)

Post author By Sinmisola Ogúnyinka
Post date May 24, 2016
No Comments on A TRIBUTE TO A SISTER (Thomas Garet series)

Thomas watched Charles Taylor arraigned. He wanted to see it. The man looked young for a father of a teenager. His dark eyes seemed like an endless pit, Thomas saw no life in them. As his charges were read to him, he merely stared into space.

Lacy walked into the room with a tray of freshly brewed coffee and two giant chocolate chip muffins. The smell of the delicious mix wafted to Thomas’ nose and drew him to stare at his hostess.

She’d visited him every day of ten days till he was strong enough to leave the hospital, and offered him a place till he could decide what next.

Lacy placed the tray on the bed beside him and glanced at the screen of the 14” TV mounted on the wall ahead.

“You are seen as a hero,” she said.

Thomas moaned. “I am no hero.” He wanted truly to be nice to her. But he was here at her mercy.

She lived alone in a condo and though he was yet to ask, he thought she’d improvised her bedroom into a guest room. Whatever the case was, he had no plans of staying with her or in this town. His animal instincts told him to move on.

“It’s not what you say. Several people caught the event on—”

“I know what several people caught, Miss.”

The coffee smelt so good. As soon as she settled him into the room, she’d disappeared, only to return with this. Against his better judgment, he picked a muffin.

“I spoke with Aunt Ann just now.” She smiled. “She sends her love.” She chuckled. “Told me she knew I’d be with you sooner than later.”

“Why would she say that?”

“I don’t know.” She walked to the blinds and peeped. “It gets hotter every day. This weather can’t decide.”

“You told Mrs. Covender your plans to keep me.” He poured coffee.

It was just so American of her to serve him coffee late in the morning, and for him to accept it with gratitude. Though he showed none of it. He realized to his shame he hadn’t told her a single “thank you.”

She half-turned. “Plans to keep you?”

“Do you? Plan to keep me?”

She shook her head. “Who are you? Why did you follow me here?”

It dawned on him he had indeed. Maybe all along the way he’d refused to admit it but he couldn’t hide this anymore. He wanted to find her. He trained his eyes on her, and she stared right back.

“These are nice.” He raised the muffin and took a bite.

Several sips of the delicious coffee, and a giant muffin gone down, he rose.

She took a step toward him. “The doctor said you needed rest.”

“What did Aunt Ann say?” He drawled the old lady’s name. He did need to rest.

The bullet had nearly taken his shoulder off. He was glad to heal so fast. But he was a roamer, a stray dog. He could never stop in this place.

“That you’re a good man. And you will work for any kindness extended to you.”

He laughed, and she smiled. “I would. What kind of work can I do for you?”

“Tell me how you came to be here, and I’d be more than pleased to convert it to rent.”

He stiffened. “I won’t stay here.” He swayed and involuntarily sat on the bed. “This looks like only a room. Did you vacate your space for me? Why?”

“This is a friend’s place. She’s been away since the beginning of spring, and will be till the end of summer. She let me bring you here. At least until she returns.”

Her voice was low. Much as he had no plans to hurt her, he couldn’t do what she wanted. Hang around and—and get attached.

“Who’s Molly?”

His head jerked up, and he glared. How did she know?

“You’d wonder how I had such access to you at the hospital?” She walked to him and a meter away, stopped. Warm, grey eyes stared into his cold blue. “All through the first night, you asked to see Molly. Only Molly. When I got to the hospital in the morning, the nurse asked if I was Molly when I requested to see you. All harried.”

She’d lied?

He snickered. “Seriously?”

She sat beside him. “I may sound silly, but I did this, all of this, going through—being here. I did for Molly. I guess she must be a woman you love dearly.

“When I entered that hospital in the morning, I just wanted to be sure you were fine, and to know if your family had been contacted.”

“You lied to be beside me.”

She fixed her gaze on his chin. “Do you hate me for it?”

Hate her? His throat worked up a nasty comeback but her eyes. Molly’s eyes. They spoke to his soul.

“Molly was my wife. She was killed by a drunken driver eight years ago. A minor, I believe. She was seven months pregnant.”

Lacy did what he least expected. She cupped his face and smiled. “Welcome home.”

https://pixabay.com/en/shoe-laces-leather-hiking-974564/

Author bio:

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka is a pastor’s wife, mother, writer and movie producer. She has a university degree in Economics, and is a Craftsman of Christian Writers’ Guild. She lives with her family in Pretoria, South Africa.

Blog: www.sinmisolao.wordpress.com

Twitter: @sinmisolaog

Tags #ThomasGaret

Craft Writing with Humor

Three Tips for Collecting a Wealth of Humorous Material

Post author By Jean Wilund - Writing with Humor
Post date May 23, 2016
1 Comment on Three Tips for Collecting a Wealth of Humorous Material

Click to read 3 Tips for Collecting a Wealth of Humorous Material (@JeanWilund)

Comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Jr. may never suffer from comedic block, but those of us less endowed with a sharp wit and the skills to use them know the pain too well.

It’s hard enough to elicit a laugh, much less on a deadline.

Ensure you never get caught without the perfect line. Follow these three tips for collecting a wealth of material from which to draw:

1. Make A Note ASAP

Everyday life creates hilarious moments, but if we can’t remember them, they’re as useful as an award-winning BBQ recipe in a vegan cookbook.

How do we keep the treasure trove of humorous material from disappearing into the abyss of forgetfulness? Write it down. ASAP.

Using an old-fashioned, time-tested method, strategically scatter notepads and pens around your house, perhaps next to all your reading glasses.

A more modern and convenient method takes advantage of the technology we carry with us everywhere — even into the restroom. Our smart phone.

On iPhone, tell Siri to “Make a note.” It’s quick and easy. Plus, whatever Siri thinks we said may wind up creating even funnier material.

Don’t feel like talking to Siri? Use a tape recorder app. Or, avoid receiving the look in public by shooting off a text or email to yourself. The text or email, sitting unopened in your phone or laptop, will also act as a reminder to transfer the story or thought into your Humor notebook.

Locking the anecdotes and one-liners into my cell phone protects memorable moments from getting booted out of my short term memory by my immediate need to remember where I parked my car.

2. Create a Humor File and Notebook

Take an old-fashioned file folder and notebook, label them, and fill them with anything that strikes you as humorous.

At least once a week print out your text messages, emails and Siri notes and drop them into the file folder or copy them into your notebook.

As much as I love old fashioned pen and paper, I’m hooked on modern technology. The “search” function alone won me over. It makes finding a specific gem of wit easier than flipping through a thick notebook or drawer stuffed with scraps of paper.

My current favorite tool for collecting and organizing note-worthy material is Evernote. It’s available as an app and on-line, and it syncs across your devices. The free version offers all we need to keep saved information at our fingertips.

3. Write Down One Thought or Memory A Day

Form the daily habit of writing down at least one anecdote, thought, or simile into your notebook. It doesn’t have to be funny. You can work with it later and make it funny.

I keep my notebook by my bed. Each night I write at least one thing into it. Daily intentionality can become an involuntary, and helpful, habit later.

With a stash of memories, quotes, and stories within reach, half of our work is done.

Over time we’ll have gathered a wealth of material from which to draw when a humorous line is needed, because struggling to think of a clever simile on demand is as hard as . . . as . . . oh, never mind.

[bctt tweet=”Three Tips for Collecting a Wealth of Humorous Material #AmWriting #Humor #AlmostAnAuthor” username=””]

Tags Almost an Author, humor, Jean Wilund, Writing tips

The Efficiency Addict

Tracking Your Writing Research & Quotes

Post author By Cynthia Owens - The Efficiency Addict
Post date May 22, 2016
No Comments on Tracking Your Writing Research & Quotes

Tracking your research, reference articles, and quotes

Ever wonder what to do with all the research you’ve accumulated from your many writing projects? Do you ever get frustrated not being able to find that perfect quote or the specific data you know you have hidden somewhere in your pile of notes? Today we’re going to look at a simple system for tracking your research. We’ll see how to easily organize articles and quotes, then quickly find the information we’ve saved on a specific topic.

Highlighting and Note Taking for Articles

Start by reading your article with a pen or pencil handy. As you find critical information, highlight the section and write any keywords next to it. Keywords are words you might use to search for this information later.

Also, highlight sentences that would make great stand-alone quotes. For these I place a large Q in the margins.

Prepping the Article for Tracking

Once you’ve finished the article, it’s time to prep it for tracking. On the front page of the article, write, “Keywords–,” then list all the keywords you’ve noted throughout the article.

Next, you’ll want to add a code for the article. I use a three-part system:

The author’s last name + the article number + the year

A code for an article written by Jason Seib published on 10/26/2012 looks like:

Seib-001-12

Last name + the article number (in this case it was the first article I had collected from Jason) +12 (for 2012).

Put your code at the top of the article and your tracking prep is complete.

Users Tip* – Including the publication year in your code is quite helpful. If you’re searching for tips on how to use Facebook for marketing your book, you probably want an article written recently as opposed to one from several years ago. Having the publication year in your article’s code makes this easy to see.

Tracking Your Research

Now we’ll enter the article into a Research Tracking Spreadsheet. Below is an Excel file you can download to track your material. It includes two tabs, one for article notes and one for quotes.

Download the Research Tracking Spreadhseet (Excel File)

How to track research, quotes, and reference articles. — Screenshot: Reference Articles Tracking

How to track research, quotes, and references articles. — Screenshot: Quotes Tracking

Enter the information from your article. Then, when you need to find something, use the search feature in Excel to find all the items that match your keyword.

Saving Your Files

Now that you’ve collected enough data from your article to easily find it again, it’s time to file that article. Place your document in a three-ring binder arranged alphabetically by the article code. When you want to retrieve it, your spreadsheet will tell you exactly what code you need to look up in your notebook.

Similarly, if you keep electronic files as back up, name your electronic document by the same article code. Then put all your documents in a “Research Articles” folder.

Bonus Use: Researching with Books

You can also use this spreadsheet for tracking information you gather from books. Michael Hyatt shares his system for gathering data from books here: How to Retrieve What You’ve Read–Almost Instantly

The Research Tracking Spreadsheet covers what Michael calls “the master index.”

What tips do you have for keeping up with your writing research?

Sharables—Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Easily organize your research articles & quotes with this simple method. #WorkSmarter” username=”@EfficiencyAdict”]

Tags #WorkSmarter, Almost an Author, Cynthia Owens, Finding Quotes, The Efficiency Addict, Tracking Your Research

The Ministry of Writing

Better Understand God’s Instruction — Try Triangulation

Post author By Jake McCandless - The Ministry of Writing
Post date May 21, 2016
2 Comments on Better Understand God’s Instruction — Try Triangulation

Labeled for reuse from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Waas.png

As a Christian writer in your life or in your writing it is not merely about what you want to say or do. You are an ambassador of Christ. You are a soldier in His command. Therefore, you should be seeking Him consistently, walking in the Spirit so that you know His instructions.

I have no doubt that you are doing this, but being certain we are understanding the Spirit’s guidance is not always that easy. We can hear His voice. We can know that voice as we read in John 10. This is not so much a science, but is an art. It is something that is developed over time. Hearing God’s voice and being certain it is something you can continue to do better.

One way you could do this better is through triangulation.

I highly doubt you have heard this term in a sermon, but maybe you have heard it in an overly technical explanation about your cell phone or a GPS.

I grew up fishing on a local lake. One side of that lake was wide-open with no apparent landmarks on the surface, but underneath there were some serious honey-holes. The trick became finding those spots again after catching fish there the trip before. So to help find those spots we would locate a landmark on the shore. For example, we might chose to line up with the old concrete plant’s smokestack.

The issue would be the smokestack might put us close to the fishing hole, but not exactly. We could be in a three hundred yard circle of the key spot that was no bigger than a bucket. If we added another landmark then we would get closer. So maybe the smokestack on the east and the fourth buoy in the south. Those landmarks would get us close, but still not exactly where we wanted to be, but three landmarks put us exactly where we needed to be. The smokestack on the east, the fourth buoy in the south, and the boat ramp to the west — and we would find that exact spot. The three points of reference created a triangle.

Now days we don’t work so hard. The honey-hole is marked in our GPS and we can go right to it. The reason the GPS works so well is not because a signal from one satellite is locating us, but there are signals from at least three. The GPS uses the same principle of triangulation.

So now back to us hearing God’s voice. How many points of reference are you using to determine His instructions to you?

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, through His Word, through circumstances, and through other believers. All though through each source of His voice we can know all we need to know, it can be easy to misinterpret. But if we are consistently allowing multiple avenues in which for His voice to speak into our lives, when they line up we can be certain we are hearing clearly.

Each day as I have my “quiet time” with the Lord I don’t rely on just one avenue, but I try to allow for triangulation. I have a prayer journal in which I write my morning prayer and I write down what I feel the Spirit may be speaking to me. I also list circumstances that I believe may be important in determining His Will. So that is the point of reference of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

During my morning quiet time I read a portion of Scripture. This is a point of reference from His Word. I also try to find a reading plan that someone else has designed that way each day’s reading is objective. If left to me to pick passages I am going to consistently go to Jeremiah 29:11 and dream of that next book contract.

I also do one or two devotional type study books. This I refer to as my teacher point of reference. I am letting God use a teacher to speak into my life. I try to do two such books at a time. I like to have one that is more inspirational and then one that is more doctrine focused. I say a fun one and a boring one.

You may say all this is over kill, but by having usually four avenues for God to speak into my life if they all line up in some way then I feel with certainty I am hearing correctly. Now they don’t always line up, but when they do — triangulation works and I better understand God’s instruction.

Tags Author, Christian writer, Christian writing, devotional, encouragement, hearing God's voice, Knowing God's will, quiet time, seeking God, Writing Inspiration, Writing Instruction, Writing tips

History in the Making

How the Author of Winnie-the-Pooh Inspired Me

Post author By Sandra Hart - History in the Making
Post date May 20, 2016
No Comments on How the Author of Winnie-the-Pooh Inspired Me

The Complete Tales of Winnie The Pooh - Author's photo

by Sandra Merville Hart

I’ve always loved Winnie-the-Pooh.

The honey-loving bear captured my heart instantly as a child. I also fell in love with Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, and Christopher Robin in stories shown on TV.

I recently began reading The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne. It delighted me to find the same whimsical manner in the book because the shows remained relatively true to the writing.

Milne so captivates readers ninety years after he published the stories because he created lovable, believable characters with childlike innocence and allowed a young boy to be the hero.

Pooh describes himself as a “Bear of Very Little Brain” yet he often sits to think about things. His friend, Rabbit, worries about everything. Eeyore, a gray donkey, sees every event through the gloomiest possible lens. Piglet tries to be brave until scary circumstances bring out his timidity.

[bctt tweet=”Lovable, believable characters with childlike innocence make A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh a classic. #Author #Writers ” username=”via @Sandra_M_Hart”]

All Milne’s characters are credible. Children quickly spot some of their own characteristics in the different personalities. For example, children are often afraid of things they don’t understand and may be drawn to Piglet.

And what child doesn’t have a favorite food or snack? They relate to Pooh’s desire for honey.

Another facet of Winnie-the-Pooh is the story’s hero. Pooh and his friends often get into difficulties, which children understand. Christopher Robin, a young boy around the reader’s age, always knows exactly how to save his little friends. This begins to build confidence in young readers (or listeners!) that they can help, too.

Milne released Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926. The book brought recognition as a children’s author, but the path leading to his fame held a rocky beginning.

After he finished studying at Cambridge, he traveled to London in 1903. The talented writer wrote but earned little that first year.

He didn’t give up.

He continued to write. His earnings increased the following year, enough to support himself.

Milne’s lovable characters with believable traits and their friend, Christopher Robin, teach us the importance of authenticity. The author’s perseverance paid off. Had he given up when difficult times struck, the world would never know a lovable little bear named Pooh, a tragedy indeed.

What novel will you write? What lovable characters will you create? The world will never know if you give up.

Tags A.A. Milne, Author, become a writer, Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Piglet, Sandra Merville Hart, The Compete Tales of Winnie the Pooh, Winnie-the-Pooh

The Writer's PenCase

Plot Twists –– Part III

Post author By Donna L.H. Smith-Managing Editor
Post date May 19, 2016
No Comments on Plot Twists –– Part III

Continuing our look at crafting a spectacular plot twist, this time we’ll look in detail at a couple of the “tips” mentioned last time. #amwriting #plottwists [bctt tweet=”What questions will you ask yourself to maximize reader satisfaction?” username=”@donnalhsmith @a3forme”] What questions will you ask yourself to maximize reader satisfaction?

Tags plot twists, the Writer's Pencase, writing

Create. Motivate. Inspire. Support

Write, Wait…Marinate!

What a day. We’ve been fighting to stay in the zone, our fingers flying over the keyboard searching for that illusive magic. Mr. Deadline—arms crossed and watching with a smirk—ramps up the pressure.

Then, at last. We complete an article, story, or blogpost and in our humble opinion, the finished product is good. We are itching to click “submit” and get this fine piece of writing out into the world.

But wait. There’s one more thing we need to do, so with a groan, we hold back and click “save.”

Why?

The answer will be evident—tomorrow.

No matter how perfect our writing seems in the moment, after giving the words a few hours or days to marinate, needed changes will leap off the page.

And I do mean leap.

I will edit a manuscript ad nauseam, convinced it is submission-worthy, only to return days later and stare dumbfounded at overlooked mistakes. For crying out loud, did I really write “their” instead of “they’re” and use the same verb seven times? Mercy.

A tasty marinade propels an average piece of chicken from good to great—and the steeping process does the same with our writing. Engaging our work with fresh eyes and a clear head is like having superpowers: we have the ability to peer through the fog, locate problems, and brainstorm solutions.

We will see everything from typos and poor word choices to overall structural issues. And we will take great delight in the knowledge we didn’t hit “submit” prematurely.

Are we wasting time allowing a work-in-progress to sit for a couple of days? Absolutely not. We move on to other work. In fact, I love knowing I have a handful of projects out knocking on publication doors, a few marinating in various locations (a drawer, a friend’s computer, on a shelf, in the recesses of my brain), and others bubbling to life in a notebook of possibilities.

Are we ready? Write, wait…marinate. Then edit and send it packing!

Do you have a unique way to allow your work to marinate? What is the biggest issue your post-marinade superpower allowed you to see?

[bctt tweet=”Write, Wait…Marinate! #amwriting #A3″ username=”@A3forMe @lthomaswrites”]

Tags catching problems, catching typos, Create Motivate Inspire, editing, Leigh Ann Thomas, let writing marinate, wait before submitting, word choices, Write wait marinate

Write Justified

Mind Those Apostrophes

Post author By Judy Hagey - Write Justified
Post date May 17, 2016
1 Comment on Mind Those Apostrophes

When editors are asked to name their pet peeves, misuse of apostrophes ranks at or near the top of their list. The apostrophe, more than any other punctuation mark, is likely to be overused.

The Chicago of Manual of Style names only three primary uses for an apostrophe:

to show possession

Most singular (regular) nouns show possession by adding an apostrophe + s: horse’s mouth; company’s policy; Jamie’s daughter. An apostrophe is a less cumbersome way to show possession than the prepositional phrase the mouth belonging to the horse.

The possessive of most plural nouns is formed by adding an apostrophe after the s: girls’ toys, books’ pages, clocks’ batteries. However, in the case of nouns that do not add an s to form their plural, e.g. man – men, woman – women, child – children – the possessive is formed the same way as singular nouns: apostrophe + s.

In the case of nouns that end in s, the 16th (latest) edition of CMOS comes down on the side of apostrophe + s, thus Des Moines’s mayor attended the conference; Descartes’s thesis was included in the syllabus are the proper renderings.

to indicate missing letters

Use an apostrophe to indicate missing letters. Common contractions are the combination of a pronoun and verb such as we are – we’re; he/she is – he’s/she’s; they have – they’ve and be-verbs and most of the auxiliary verbs when followed by not: are not – aren’t; was not – wasn’t; have not – haven’t.

(It takes all my restraint, not to insert an apostrophe in this plaque hanging in my son and daughter-in-law’s home. In this case, family harmony trumps punctuation.)

and, to form the plurals of lower case letters.

Here, Chicago opts for a visual rather than a grammatical choice. In phrases like, “Mind your p’s and q’s,” apostrophes are used simply for ease in reading. But note that “dos and don’ts” rates only the apostrophe for the contraction don’t.

Don’t use an apostrophe in these situations:

to form the plural of a family name. We went along with the Smiths to the beach.
in possessive pronouns: hers, his, theirs, its, yours, etc.
when capital letters are used as words. Capital Bank’s IRAs are earning a higher interest rate than First Federal’s.
numerals are used as nouns. The hits from the 1990s continue to attract listeners. (No apostrophe in 1990s.)
abbreviations are plural. Fred and Edna cashed in their CDs to fund their retirement expenses.

Tags Almost an Author, apostrophe, contraction, editing, plural, possession, punctuation, writer

Platform and Branding

3 Can’t-Miss Tips For Steady Platform Growth

Post author By Susan Stilwell - Platforming
Post date May 16, 2016
4 Comments on 3 Can’t-Miss Tips For Steady Platform Growth

Smart writers invest in workshops, courses, and conferences. Smart and savvy writers will also invest time in building their platforms. These three steps repeated weekly, monthly or quarterly will ensure your platform grows at a steady rate.

Review Your Strategies

Look back over your blog and social media analytics. What content performed best for you? What networks gave your best results? Build on those strengths while taking a critical look at what didn’t perform as well. Should you make tweaks and try to improve, or abandon a failing strategy?

Numbers don’t lie, especially analytics, and so you’ll discover which social media networks fit best in your platform. Where are your readers? Where and how are you getting the best engagement? If a network isn’t getting the engagement you expected, what tweaks do you need to make?

Set SMART goals

Peter Drucker’s SMART management tool works well when setting platform goals:

Specific – Determine how much and what you will write, how you will network, what skills you need to learn, etc.
Measurable – Set goals for word count, number of articles to submit, posts to publish, manuscript progress, etc.
Attainable – Decide what works for you and your schedule, being careful to strike a balance that’s ambitious but also realistic.
Relevant – Goals must be timely and meaningful, moving you toward an identified objective.
Time-bound – Give yourself deadlines: daily (if appropriate), weekly, monthly, quarterly.

Don’t Neglect Relationships

Writing requires a good bit of solitary confinement, and it can be easy to retreat into your writing shell and neglect relationships. I need a good balance of non-writing friends who I can relax with, but I also deliberately cultivate friendships with other writers who understand the struggles and challenges of writing.

Consider joining a writing group or getting a critique partner. Find writer friends who will understand your goals and hold you accountable. Connect regularly to check progress and encourage each other.

Steady platform growth

Building your platform requires an investment of time and energy, along with regular evaluations. Set goals, connect with others, and know where you want to go with your writing. If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.

Shareables:

[bctt tweet=”Want to grow your #writer #platform? @3forme and @susanrstilwell share 3 can’t-miss tips: ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”SMART #platform goals for every #writer, via@3forme and @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”3 Tips for steady #platform growth for #writers, via @3forme @susanrstilwell ” via=”no”]

Tags analytics, Author Platforms, build a platform, critique group, Critique partner, platform, SMART goals, social media, steady platform growth, writer's groups

Talking Character

Give Them Something to Hate

Post author By Lisa E. Betz
Post date May 15, 2016
No Comments on Give Them Something to Hate

I hate making phone calls.

When it comes to picking up the phone, I always procrastinate as long as possible. It might take me a month to get around to calling for a haircut appointment or a wellness checkup. I cannot explain why I hate phone calls. It is simply part of who I am.

Unfortunately, no matter how much I wish I could avoid them, making phone calls is part of modern life. I will never enjoy it, but I do it when I have to.

Do your characters have something they dislike but can’t avoid?

Well-rounded characters need weaknesses as well as strengths. Giving them a specific task or two they detest will add depth, especially if that task is something they cannot avoid.

For example, what if a secretary hated making phone calls? Or filing papers? She couldn’t admit such a thing to her boss, could she? But her secret dislike has the potential to cause complications. She might procrastinate the filing until papers pile up and important documents get lost. She might put off phone calls until the last moment, adding stress to her life and creating emergencies that wouldn’t have occurred if she’d made the call when her boss first requested the information.

Can you see how a detested task will both ratchet up the tension and make your characters more interesting?

Make it authentic: The key is to find something in their temperament or background that gives a ring of authenticity to their particular dislikes. In my case, avoiding the telephone is a common attribute of introverts. Any character with an introverted temperament could believably suffer from the same “the-telephone-is-the-instrument-of-the-devil” mentality.

Make it plausible: Readers might wonder why the introverted character who hates phone calls is working as a secretary to begin with. So the character needs not only a chore to hate, but also a valid reason for not avoiding it. It may be the secretary is a whiz at administrative tasks, so phone calls are a necessary evil in a job she otherwise enjoys. Or maybe her dread of phone calls makes her hate her job, but expectations or necessity have forced her into a career as a secretary.

Same dislike, two very different stories.

What story are you trying to tell? How can an onerous task enhance both your plot and your character?

[bctt tweet=”Give your character something to hate. Your readers will love it. #writing ” username=””]

Tags character development, conflict, hated tasks, tension

A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life Uncategorized

Making a List and Checking It Twice

Post author By Carlton Hughes - Lighter Look at Writer's Life
Post date May 11, 2016
2 Comments on Making a List and Checking It Twice

The other day I was waiting on my son to get out of an event, and, because I was bored, I decided to make a list of the Top 10 Title Choices for my Autobiography.

I know, I know: my mind doesn’t work like most people’s. However, memoir is hot right now, so why not?

The first four titles describe my life on any given day:

10. Just One More Load of Laundry
9. Reply to All but Not to Me: My Pet Peeves
8. I Hate Raisins: Adventures in Trail Mix Avoidance
7. That’s VitaVeggieMeataMac: Lucy’s Biggest Fan

The everyday tasks and aggravations of life can distract from our writing (Can I get an ‘Amen’ with the laundry?), but we have to push through. And who doesn’t need a Lucy break every now and then to ease the pressures of life?

The next set deals with roles I play:

6. Dad, I Hit Myself! Tales of an Only Child
5. Clean Your Rooms, I Love You, Where’s the Couch: Modern Dad and Husband
4. College Professor Confidential: Will This Be on the Test?

Most writers I know are “bi-vocational.” We have “real” jobs and responsibilities we have to tend to before we can write. I guess you could say my teaching work supports my writing habit, and, thankfully, my family supports me. After all, family and relationships come first.

Speaking of writing (How’s that for a transition?), my final choices deal with this thing that we spend so much time talking about and pouring over:

3. Bang Your Head Against a Wall: A Primer on Getting Your Writing Published
2. Bang Your Head Against a Wall 2: A Primer on How Not to Get Your Writing Published

Oh, now I’m getting all up in your Kool-Aid! Many, many of you know what I’m talking about. Publication can be such a frustrating thing, and I think I’ve made every mistake in the book. I’ve had some successes and more failures than I can count, but isn’t that what life is all about? Try/fail, try/fail until you get it right.

I think I have decided on my top choice:

1. The Man Who Was Almost An Author

Writer Encouragement

When Plans Change

Post author By Elaine Cooper - Writer Encouragement
Post date May 10, 2016
2 Comments on When Plans Change

By Elaine Marie Cooper

Life can throw curveballs at you. You’re certain one moment what will take place tomorrow. Then the unexpected happens and you shake your head, wondering what happened.

Life happened. I think Scripture addresses this situation in James 4:13-17. We never know what plans God may have for our tomorrow.

The unexpected happened to me just this week as I had plans to attend a writer’s conference in Wheaton, Illinois, in June. But my knee doctor said otherwise. Surgery is in my immediate future instead. I wanted to cry but preferred to hold onto my tears until I arrived home.

Despite my grieving over this loss, I felt a deep inner peace that it would be OK. God was still in control and I could rest in Him, placing all my fears into His hands. I would miss visiting with my writer friends at the conference. I looked forward to classes and workshops. I had great plans! But God had other plans. And His ways are always best, despite my personal preference.

Christian friends responded to my upcoming summer of surgery with thoughts such as: I wonder what writing you’ll do while you’re laid up? I wonder what exciting plans God has for you instead?

Isn’t the friendship of fellow Christians a gift? They help us see the big picture; the God picture.

I pray that my “fork-in-the-road” testimony will encourage you in your writing plans. Sometimes the unexpected happens, and God redirects. Won’t it be exciting to see where He leads us?

Have a blessed—and hopefully surgery-free—summer of writing!

Image of doctor courtesy of stockimages via freedigitalphotos.net

Image of typewriter courtesy of Just2Shutter via freedigitalphotos.net

Tags change of plans, Elaine Marie Cooper, flexibility, surgery, writers

Grammar and Grace Uncategorized

Dangling Modifiers

Post author By Hope Toler Dougherty-Grammar and Grace
Post date May 9, 2016
10 Comments on Dangling Modifiers

Last month, I overheard a conversation about dangling modifiers. Lots of laughter. Lots of confusion. Lots of questions.

“What’s a dangling modifier?” “Wait. What’s a modifier?”

Let me explain.

A modifier adds description to a sentence. A modifier can be a word, a phrase, or a clause. In English, the modifier usually appears right before the noun it’s describing, but sometimes we find the modifier right after the word it describes.

Terrified, Penny prayed during the bumpy flight, which passed through a thunderstorm.

In the above sentence, terrified comes before Penny and describes her state of mind. Bumpy precedes flight. Which passed through a thunderstorm comes after flight.

In a dangling modifier situation, the modifier is placed near the wrong word. The construction makes the sentence confusing. Because the modifier doesn’t have a word to hang onto, it dangles, not attached to anything in the sentence.

Crushed by the Dear John text, the chocolate cake beckoned to Nancy from the countertop.

Crushed by the Dear John text comes before chocolate cake. Cake is the noun it’s supposed to modify, but cakes can’t be crushed by a Dear John text.

Here’s a correct way of writing the sentence: Crushed by the Dear John text, Nancy ate the chocolate cake that beckoned to her from the countertop.

Nancy is a person who can by crushed by a text, so the modifier is describing the correct word.

Try another one.

Thrilled by the letter of acceptance, the party plans commenced right away.

Plans can’t be thrilled. Thrilled by the letter of acceptance is dangling.

Write instead:

Thrilled by the letter of acceptance, Jordan commenced planning his party.

How about a one-word dangling modifier?

Sleepy, the bed looked inviting.

Do you see the problem? Bed can’t be sleepy.

A correct version would be—Sleepy, I crawled into the comfy bed.

When you start looking for dangling modifiers, you can find them easily, and a lot of times, they make for some funny sentences.

Have you found a dangling modifier lately that you can share in the comments? Please do!

Tags Almost an Author, editing, Grammar, grammar and grace, Hope Toler Dougherty, writing, Writing tips

Storyworld

The Heart of Civilization

Post author By A.D. Shrum - Storyworld Columnist
Post date May 8, 2016
2 Comments on The Heart of Civilization

In order to write fictitious people groups into your storyworld, you’ll need to consider the civilization in which these creatures live. That may seem like a daunting task, but if you start with the fundamental character of a culture, specifically its moral values, then the society almost builds itself. This is because the most important principles of a people group, whatever they happen to be, will reveal themselves in minor ways throughout everyday life.

Here are a handful of examples from books I’ve read:

In the clan culture of the Battletech universe, men and women are genetically bred for strength, reaction time, and intelligence. Scientists work tirelessly to create new technologies for warfare while engineers keep fifty-foot-tall battlemechs in top order. To advance through the ranks, an aspiring warrior must battle others and prove his worthiness. If the soldier gains enough honor and fame through conquest, he can dream that one day he might be added to his clan’s celebrated manuscript: The Remembrance.

Honor and resourcefulness are important in this society, but the virtue of military might dominates it. Everything from technology to child-rearing stems from the belief that combat prowess is highly valuable. I recommend Robert Thurston’s Battletech: Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy to anyone who wants to see a combat-oriented sci-fi culture. (For a similar ancient-world example, observe the Spartan culture in 300, where imperfect children are left to die and only the strongest rule).

Every day on the planet Oasis, alien creatures slowly and steadily collect their rainwater and harvest predictably grown crops. Buildings are methodically fashioned in identical patterns. In the unlikely event that a new town requires construction, its layout identically mirrors all prior settlements. All of the alien residents have matching robes, matching sandals, and matching gloves. All of these creatures stand about the same height and are of equal weight. No one ever questions the manner in which they live. Not because of a lack of permission, but because of a lack of interest.

One might think that the prized moral of this culture in Michel Faber’s The Book of Strange New Things is uniformity, but uniformity is only a byproduct of values these aliens hold even more dear. The Oasian culture values familiarity and caution above all else. Thus, nothing ever really changes. Well, until explorers from earth bring with them a Book of Strange New Things, but I won’t spoil what happens.

On a future Lunar colony, Men and women enter into (or freely leave) complicated, polygamous arrangements. Similarly, children are adopted or leave families at their discretion. When disagreements occur between individuals, courts are held informally and presided over by any random citizen nearby. Meanwhile, politics are discussed quietly behind closed airlocks, because when they aren’t, the government breaks up rallies where the people clamor for independence from earth.

The greatest values in Robert Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress are liberty and autonomy. And indeed, the entirety of the book deals with how a lunar colony might obtain its freedom from its earthly masters. As their rebellion gets underway, the lunar residents wonder if they’ll reenact America’s first war for independence or the second one in the 1860s. This should come as no surprise, since almost all of Heinlein’s books offer strong Libertarian agendas (the controversial and amazing Starship Troopers being an exception).

Before closing, I should note this is only relevant to sentient creatures that have morals, meaning aliens and species with intelligence akin to humanity. But forms of structure do exist within the animal kingdom, even if different from our own. Dogs will pick a pack leader, monkeys will teach offspring to use crude tools, and even the dumbest animals on the planet, fish, will organize into schools for safety. All this is done on instinct, without a discernable moral code. A simple fictitious species in your world will likely self-organize in a similar instinctual fashion, but only if it lacks humanity’s sentience. I also touch on this in my Alien Souls article.

A word to Christian speculative fiction writers: Neither combat skill, caution, or liberty are the most highly valued traits in Christianity. If your storyworld emphasizes a certain trait, even a good one, over the most important Christian principles, that society will have notable deficits. So if you’re trying to craft a utopia (or dystopia), keep in mind the principle values of the ideal culture: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phillipians 2:3-4. Also see Ephesians 4:1 through 6:9.

Also see my articles: Governance I and Governance II.

[Battletech image from http://wallpapercave.com/battletech-wallpaper]

[USIC emblem from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/books/review/michel-fabers-book-of-strange-new-things.html?_r=0]

[Lunar base image from http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/03/bryan-singer-will-adapt-robert-a-heinleins-novel-t.html]

A Little Red Ink Editing

What is a critique?

Post author By Bethany Kaczmarek - A Little Red Ink
Post date May 7, 2016
1 Comment on What is a critique?

What is a critique?

Well, it’s one of my favorites. A critique is very much like a macro edit, only the editor probably won’t comment in the margins of your manuscript. Rather than take the time to stop and comment throughout, the editor acts as a reader and sends you their notes at the end. (Hint: that’s why I like it.)

It’s still important to choose your freelance editor wisely, seeking out someone with a good track record and respect from others in the industry. But this is a step that, used wisely—especially if you’re someone who has spent the time to learn the craft well and doesn’t need help on the fundamentals of writing—can save you from paying for a full macro (or substantive) edit. You still probably need a line edit, a copy edit, or a proofread after this, though.

Let’s get a little more in-depth. What is a critique exactly?

A critique highlights your strengths.

While your editor reads, he or she is taking notes. Lines that made an impression, scenes that were meaningful, moments that characters won your affection. Any moment where they sat safely in the palm of your hand, caught up in the story and feeling exactly as you wanted them to—those will get some praise.

I might compliment your solid hook and satisfying resolution. Tell you how quickly I felt anchored to your story world. Anywhere from beginning to end, plot to pacing to POV and back—if you did it well, I’ll tell you so (and give an example or two).

While I’m reading and targeting items on my checklist, I’m noticing the problem areas as well.

A critique points out your weaknesses.

The first chapter didn’t grab my attention or empathy quickly enough. There was a three-page backstory info dump. Your main character isn’t very likable. Your antagonist is a bit cartoonish. The middle sags. This moment—which really needed to pack a punch—got weak-kneed and sat down.

Those are easy enough fixes. But there may be something more in depth.

What if I can’t keep up with all six POV characters? Or, perhaps, I can keep up with them, but one of them adds nothing to the plot—nothing complex, nothing that makes the POV worthwhile.

What if you have four minor characters who all do essentially the same thing? Can one or more of them be combined?

Perhaps a character’s motivation wasn’t compelling.

If you think this part of the edit might make you cry, don’t fear too, too much.

(Honestly? It might make you cry. I’ve gotten a few that have made me cry, because I’m not armadillo-skinned).

But there’s hope.

A critique makes suggestions.

When I do a critique for someone, I don’t merely point out their manuscript’s flaws and say, “Good luck with that.” I make suggestions. I brainstorm ideas. I come up with a compelling reason or two for something and list a few spots where that might be easy to work in.

A good editor will share ideas about how two minor characters could be combined.

She might suggest adding a scene or two. She might suggest cutting a scene or two.

Your editor could say, “Cut all the on-the-nose writing.” If there are details everyone knows happened, but they don’t move your plot forward? Snip, snip, snip.

[bctt tweet=”A critique is an editor’s professional opinion of your work. Ultimately, though, the choices are yours to make. #editing #critiquevsedit”]

A critique is subjective.

Ultimately, though, the choices are yours to make. A critique is an editor’s professional opinion of your work. If they know what works in your genre, trust them. But don’t let anyone make YOUR story THEIR story.

Sift through the advice.

Put the letter away for a few days and do nothing to your manuscript.

Definitely consider the major weaknesses. Work on those.

And then look at the brainstorming ideas again. A few of those ideas will be gems, maybe even be enough to help you fall in love with a story that was beginning to suck the life out of you. (Hey, it’s happened.) Figure out what you can do with them, and let them take your story to the next level.

And then go for it.

On your own.

A critique is the end of that bit of editing.

Unlike with a macro edit, where there may be a bit of back and forth on the editing (some go as many as three rounds), a critique is sort of a standalone. The editor reads your books, writes the critique up, and sends it to you.

That’s it.

What you do with it from there is all you.

To me, though, that’s fun. As an editor, I find it enjoyable work. As an author, I find it empowering. I know what to do to make my story better.

Question

Have you had a professional critique done? How did you feel about it?

Tags critique, editing, levels of editing, professional critique

Child's Craft Uncategorized

Let Jesus Do His Thing

Post author By Jill Roman Lord - A Child's Craft
Post date May 6, 2016
7 Comments on Let Jesus Do His Thing

I traveled to India with Samaritan’s Feet earlier this year, which I’ve already shared a few experiences in this blog. Please, let me share one more. It was our commission to wash children’s feet, place new shoes on their feet and pray with them. The shoes were merely vehicles in which we could pour Jesus’ love, hope and joy on those children. However, when we were going to a government school in a Hindu village, we were instructed not to pray with the children nor hug or even touch them much as touch was not a part of their culture. Okay then. How in the world were we supposed to pour the love, hope, and joy of Jesus on these children without touching them nor praying with them? And so we were on our way.

Those of us in the feet washing stations gently washed the children’s feet, asked them questions through our school-aged interpreters and placed new shoes on their feet. For many children, this was the first pair of shoes they had ever worn besides flip-flops. So we jumped with the children or taught them to run in place to try out their shoes. Then we sent them out to the courtyard to Jeffrey and Laura. Laura showered them with toy bracelets, rings and airplanes we’d brought and she loved on them. Jeffery led the children around like the pied piper. He had them repeating every move he made and soon they were laughing and giggling like only children can. Then we heard Jeffery shout, “I AM LOVED!” and the children quickly echoed, “I AM LOVED!” He marched and danced around with the children following. “I AM BEAUTIFUL!” And the precious voices echoed his words. As we washed the children’s feet, they anxiously awaited the opportunity to join in the parade. We quickened the process so they could participate with Jeffery and Laura. Soon the whole school was marching around giggling and shouting, “I HAVE JOY! I HAVE HOPE!” These children spoke Telegu. They had no idea what they were saying, but they seemed to be having the time of their lives.

The next day, Caleb Sir, our Indian host, sat us all down before our next excursion and showed us a newspaper from the village that day that featured a picture and article of us! He translated it for us and it basically stated that a group of foreigners from far away America came to wash our children’s feet and give them new shoes. In the process, they brought the children so much joy, hope and love that we are forever thankful for them. Wow. The word “Jesus” was never spoken in that village that day, but Jesus did His thing. He loved on those children and poured His joy and hope on those children through the feeble, unworthy travelers with Samaritans Feet. We just needed to let Jesus do His thing.

And we need to let Jesus do His thing in our writing. We may not have to preach and shout Jesus in bold letters to get our points across. We may not have to end all our stories with scripture or a prayer. Perhaps the word “Jesus” won’t even be mentioned in our work. But Jesus can still shine through. If we cover our writing in prayer, write what He leads us to write, or step out into new territories, if that’s where He’s leading us, then Jesus may still be seen. While we can’t physically touch our readers or hug them nor pray with them, Jesus can still touch lives through our writing. It may be that our work brings love, hope, joy, laughter, distraction, encouragement, wisdom, or knowledge to a reader. We may never know, but let’s write with our hearts focused on Jesus so He can do His thing.

I must sadly add that last week Jeffrey was killed in an accident. He was on another mission trip. While our hearts are broken over the loss of this incredible God-loving young man, so many lives were touched through His life. Jeffrey brought love, hope, and joy to children in a way they had never experienced because he let Jesus do His thing through him – even more of a reminder for us to let Jesus do His thing through our writing and through us. Don’t put it off any longer. Others may need to read your message today.

I miss you Jeffrey. You brought love, hope and joy to us, too. Thanks for touching my life.

Tags hope, jesus, joy, love, obedience, writing