Edie Melson's Blog, page 172

Developing a Business Growth Plan for Writers

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Your business’s growth plan outlines where you want your company to grow in the next few years. Growing your business, whether through increased book sales or additional publications, is a way to increase revenue. What goals do you have for growth, and how do you plan to get there? Those are the questions. By the end of this five-step process, you should have a clear idea of what goals you want your business to achieve this year. Visually documenting the plan to achieve your business goals will provide a concise growth strategy that is easy-to-follow.

A business growth plan should be both realistic and ambitious. Last year, to increase my book sales, I wanted to be a guest on as many podcasts as possible. In eight months, I was interviewed on twenty-nine podcasts and ultimately won first place in the Christian Author Network Crown Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media. What strategies have you employed to help more readers find the value of your books?
Vision/Mission
Have you defined your business’s vision and mission? That is the place to start when developing your company’s growth plan. A vision is a measurable description of where you want your company to go. Christian Indie Publishing Association’s (CIPA) vision statement is “To become the premier Christian small publishing and indie author association. To be known for its value, discounts, and training.”
Next, you should develop your company’s mission statement. The mission statement should answer the question, why does your company exist? A clear and concise statement about your company’s value will bring clarity to all who read it. CIPA’s mission statement is “Equip Christian small publishers and indie authors with tools, resources, and discounts to sell more books. Help authors get their God-given message into the hands of more readers.”
Goals and Strategies
Goals measure the success of your organization’s performance. They include employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and profit. Define what you will measure. Do you want to measure customer satisfaction? I do. That is why I conducted a 2020 CIPA Member Satisfaction Survey. One of CIPA’s objectives is to obtain 80 percent member satisfaction on the annual survey. 
The next step is to define your company’s strategies. Strategies are the tasks your company will perform. Identify five to ten of the most critical issues. Define the major categories of work to be completed—your strategies—and who will do what by when. For example, to increase book sales, you could do a blog or podcast tour. Whatever tour you decide will become the strategy you employ to grow your book sales. When defining your strategies, start with a goal and end with an action to attain that goal. 
Priorities
Once you figure out your strategies, it is time to prioritize. What project should you accomplish first? Or what must you complete each month? Priorities may include problems to solve, goals to achieve, and capacities to develop. Your priorities should be measurable. For example, one of CIPA’s strategies is writing, publishing, and emailing a highly effective CIPA monthly newsletter to members by the first Tuesday of every month. When prioritizing, set priorities to be accomplished in the next thirty to ninety days.
Action steps are one of the most critical phases of developing your growth plan. Define the next step to getting the task performed. If your strategy is a blog tour, you would need to email bloggers to determine which one you will send a guest post to. 
After you created your business’s vision, mission, objectives, strategies, and priorities, document your plan on one to three pages. This simple document will help you stay focused on what is essential to your growth. It is easy to become busy and lose focus of your ultimate priorities. If you have employees, reviewing your company’s plan with them will get all of you on the same page. 
At the end of the year, review the plan, and celebrate the progress your company attained. Evaluate your plan to ensure your company is not moving in a different direction. If it is, update your business plan. 
If you would like to create a growth plan for your company, follow these five steps:
1. Determine your company’s vision—visualize what’s possible for your business. Where do you want to go? A vision should inspire you and your employees.
2. Create a clear and concise mission statement based upon the value your company provides or wants to provide. 
3. Define the measurable objectives or goals for your business.
4. Choose which strategies your company will perform.
5. Set your priorities by determining which tasks are most important.
Growth is a lengthy process, and it requires that you stay focused on what is most important to your company. A well thought out growth strategy will help you succeed. 
If you would like to learn more about developing a business plan, check out The 1 Hour Plan for Growth by Joe Calhoon.
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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHSSusan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERS which ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COMYou can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

Dear Writer, Love Your Audience

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

She pressed the thin book to her forehead. She didn’t care that she had found it at Goodwill and a third of its pages had a coffee stain. The title had grabbed her attention—Unfailing Love. 

I need a line, she thought. Even just one line of help. Something to keep me going.

She peered into the book, and her eyes were drawn to the last sentence on the right-hand page. “I’ve been there, too,” it said. She paused and whispered the line, “I’ve been there, too.” 

Next to this sentence was the smallest, handwritten arrow, easily missed. Written in blue ink. It pointed to the next page. 

She turned the page, and the back of it happened to be blank for the end of a chapter. She saw a note scribbled in blue. 

“This is why you bought the book,” the note said. “Because you needed to know you are loved and that someone has walked the same road you have. You’re not alone. You never were.” 

As writers, we “scribble” notes in books, but they happen to be printed black words on white paper. We encourage our readers that they don’t have to walk life’s road alone. God is with them. He cares. And so do we. 

Scripture is the book that anyone can open and find hope for life today. When we write and share from God’s Word, we invite readers to find the love, hope, and strength they need in God. We show that we’ve been there, too—we’ve struggled and needed victory. We show how God has been there for us and how He can be there for them. 

So dear writer, as you write the next chapter, article, or blog post, don’t forget to love your audience. It’s not just about sharing information. It’s about sharing from the heart. Relaying truth and love. Showing that we care and so does our Creator. 

4 Ways to L-O-V-E Your Audience

L – Listen to their concerns.Do you teach a Bible study for your target audience? What concerns do they bring up? What worries them, stresses them, or hounds them? Do you hear from your audience on social media? What kinds of things do they ask prayer for? What is the focus of their attention and time?

Love your audience by listening to what they care about and tailoring your blog posts and social media posts to meet those needs. We never share private prayer requests or conversations, but we can keep tucked away in our hearts the issues and concerns they face. Show that you care by supplying content that meets them where they live. 
O – Observe the trends.What blog posts do your readers comment on the most? Do you see a theme of what resonates with them? Which of your social media posts have the most comments? The most shares? See if you can observe trends in what draws readers to your website and social media pages, and develop similar content. Love your audience by consistently keeping your content relevant to their needs and encouraging to their hearts.

V – Value their strengths. Once in a while, I find an author who celebrates the strengths of his or her audience. It’s refreshing. As writers, we have a tendency to focus on human weakness because we are writing about struggles, felt need, and life transformation. But we can’t assume every reader possesses a certain problem. We are likely to inspire readers to practice what we’re writing, if we encourage them instead of discouraging them. 
What good habits might your readers already be practicing? How can you celebrate these? Love your readers by remembering what they may be doing right. 

E – Engage their hearts. Draw your readers close by sharing stories of how God has been there for you. Show from Scripture undeniable truths and bedrock promises. Give takeaway on every page. Talk to readers as you would to a friend. Ask questions so they can reflect on Scripture and apply it to their walk with God. Show your readers that they are loved by God and by you. Inspire them to trust God with every fiber of their being and to look for His work in their lives. 

Engage their hearts with powerful main ideas and a presentation of them that is both “wow” and memorable. Give them application of Scripture, and leave them with a deeper hunger for God, His help, and His ways. 

Love your audience by offering encouragement, practical how-to’s, motivations to follow God, and relevant insights. Let your writing be a place of strength, renewal, and hope. 

Which of the four ways above do you most often use to minister to your audience? Which do you appreciate the most about other writers? Share your answers in the comments below, and join the conversation!
TWEETABLEWriters, 4 Ways to L-O-V-E Your Readers from @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Katy Kauffman finds herself writing about life’s spiritual battles more than anything else. As an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, she has the privilege of working with writers and the Lighthouse team to create Bible study compilations and magazine issues. She recently started a monthly newsletter for writers called The Lighthouse Connection, and she contributes to three blogs on writing. Connect with Katy at her blog, Winning the Victory, and on Facebook and Twitter.

May I Bless You Today? A Writer's Blessing

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

There was too much noise for me as the New Year began, chaos both without and within.

So, I unplugged for a month. I stilled my soul. I listened to God. And sometimes I wrote down what I heard. 

I asked Him to help me learn how to be a blessing each day to all I encounter and thus live out my word-for-the-year – Blessing.
As I prayed, YOU came to mind – my fellow writers and speakers. Messengers of the Great Love Story.
And so, today, will you receive this blessing from a friend, a companion on the journey? 
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.1 Thessalonians 2.4 NLT
“Bless this Messenger”
What is the message revealed by your life story?

May you embrace the Good News of God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit’s empowering so that your whole being radiates this truth and testament.

As God entrusted you with words of life, may you run forth throughout the world as His messenger, seeking approval from only an audience of One.
May the derision or delight of people fade into nothing as your greatest joy becomes pleasing your heavenly Father. 
Be blessed to know He holds your heart in the palm of His hand and touches the lipsof His cherished messenger with flames. 
May your story set the world on fire.~ Lucinda Secrest McDowell

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”Isaiah 6.8 NLT
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Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, McDowell is the author of 15 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her award-winning books include Soul Strong, Life-Giving Choices, Dwelling Places, and Ordinary Graces. Lucinda, a member of the Redbud Writers Guild and AWSA, received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs monthly for ‘The Write Conversation.’ 

Whether coaching writers and speakers, pouring into young mamas, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. As a communications teacher, she has served on the faculty of Speak Up Conference, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Florida Christian Writers Conference, Asheville Christian Writers Conference and co-directs the annual spiritual retreat reNEW – retreat for New England Writing & Speaking. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, McDowell shares words from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at WWW.LUCINDASECRESTMCDOWELL.COM

Growing Your Reach with Borrowed Platforms and Piggyback Marketing

by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting
What’s in a term?Platforms borrowed or ownedPiggyback MarketingDo we understand what the above terms mean and how to harness the power of any of them, or the downfalls of some of them? The way we engage become strategies or methods that help us grow our reach, become more visible, and hopefully grown our owned platforms, so let’s examine each term.
Borrowed Platforms
Michael Hyatt defined a borrowed platform as follows
A borrowed platform, like a large number of Twitter followers, isn’t really a platform – it can be taken away from you. A really effective platform is one that you own, like a mailing list or a blog. This is the difference between borrowed or owned followers. Alas, the borrowed platform can change the rules and kick you off, block you, or make you invisible as we see FB doing all the time.
Hyatt and others talk of FB, twitter, etc. as borrowed platforms if you do not own or control them. He spent four years to get 1000 readers monthly and then it quickly grew to 20k. Once he knew how to keep 1000 followers, he could please many more and his followers would invite them. Thus, he built a large platform that he owns.
Boobkbub and Goodreads are platforms we borrow to announce new releases and get reviews and people promoting our books. The commonality there is that readers join to discover new books or find out more about favorite authors. They are a defined borrowed platforms of book lovers.
Piggyback marketing
Piggyback marketing, according to CaniRank.com, is where you use the popularity of one business trend or brand to give your own brand a boost. It uses a corporate or individual’s success to get noticed and promoted. It is defined as using the popularity or another brand or trend to garner attention. The slogan, it’s the real thing started with Coca-Cola, but many others borrowed it and added a twist to bring attention to their brand. It was even used to talk about Jesus-He’s the REAL thing.
A group can piggyback with one another in joining forces when they share the same audience. So, creating a team blog of successful people helps the whole group while piggybacking off each other’s success. 
We also piggyback when we do a guest post, interview, or even with an endorsement. We gain from their reputation and platform they built. They showcase you to their followers and you can gain more of your own followers if they like your content. So, with the blog post people can look up your website and subscribe to your newsletter to become part of your owned list.
We try to use the borrowed platform like FB to get people to subscribe to our newsletter/list also.
And, when we get off a borrowed platform, we weaken that borrowed platform (as big as FB is that takes a lot to make a dent, but Christians have been leaving them in significant quantities only they are so huge it has probably had little impact on them. Losing thousands when you have more than a billion is not that big a deal).
Piggyback examples
Charmin used the red carpet popularity of the Oscars with a congratulations to winners and words to look to the bottom, with a woman dressed for the Oscars walked out with a trail of toilet paper flowing out from under her gown. That’s called newsjacking. 
Harnessing trends and hashtags with a twist is another way to piggyback. That’s when an image from a trend is incorporated in an ad of another company or brand. That’s where Lego created an ad during the Oscars with a Lego figure in a tux holding up a tiny golden Lego like a trophy.
Memes that morph into something humorous and applied to other content with a new twist of humor also piggyback on the original meme success.
Adding to Our Reach and Power of Our Words
We may be using a combination of the borrowed platform and piggyback marketing. If we write regularly for a magazine we benefit from the reach of their audience. We may even get paid for the writing as they are using our expertise. It a contract that is mutually beneficial. Their numbers, such as when I wrote for Focus on the Family’ parenting magazine, can be very high and extend our reach greatly. Contracts define the ownership (rights) and often allow us to keep the writing as our own property where we can reuse it and they can post it and keep it up.
We can showcase that reach by sharing the readership of magazines and blogs that use our words regularly, such as being a regular Crosswalk contributor that has more than two million followers. It helps if we to show impact such as a screen image when our article is number one on Crosswalk or an email stating the article had 20k hits in the first few hours. 
Make the most of opportunities by understanding what they are and how you can best use them. Be kind to those who let you piggyback by mentioning them, linking to their sites, when they feature your writing, promoting their new releases, praying for them, and sending a letter of thanks. 
TWEETABLEGrowing Your Reach with Borrowed Platforms and Piggyback Marketing - @KarenHWhiting on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Karen Whiting (www.karenwhiting.com) is an international speaker, former television host of Puppets on Parade, certified writing and marketing coach, and award-winning author of twenty-seven books for women, children, and families. Her newest book, The Gift of Bread: Recipes for the Heart and the Table reflects her passion for bread and growing up helping at her grandparent’s restaurant. Check out her newest book Growing a Mother’s Heart: Devotions of Faith, Hope, and Love from Mothers Past, Present, and Future. It's full of heartwarming and teary eyed stories of moms.
Karen has a heart to grow tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She has written more than eight hundred articles for more than sixty publications and loves to let creativity splash over the pages of what she writes. She writes for Crosswalk. Connect with Karen on Twitter @KarenHWhiting Pinterest KarenWhiting FB KarenHWhiting

Keeping Cool When the Meal’s Overdue

by Martin Wiles @LinesFrom God
A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. Proverbs 15:18 NLT
“I’d like to take ya’ll to lunch at _________. Would that be okay?”
When the lead teacher sent the email, excitement crept over me. I enjoyed our In-Service day since I needed time to catch up on grading papers and to complete a few other writing projects. But since we only had a few parent-teacher conferences scheduled, the day was beginning to drag. I quickly accepted—as did all the other teachers.
But when her next email told us where she planned to take us, my anticipation drained. I had only been there half a dozen times. Although the food was good, the service was beyond slow. Knowing we had to be back in two hours for a conference—and realizing I had more work to do—my nerves kicked in.
As we walked into the restaurant, I noticed only a few customers sitting at tables. Ahead of us stood one couple—languishing at the register as the cashier took their order, a task that took her five minutes. I felt anxiety stepping on my back. Finally, our turn came. We ordered in succession and then walked to our table. The cashier gave us no drinks, something they normally do. My nervousness grew a little more.
Time passed quickly as we talked about school and life events. But after thirty minutes, I suggested our lead teacher check on our food. She stood in the line—a line that fluctuated as some walked out because of the slow service. When she encountered a man who had been waiting thirty minutes for his take-out order, she decided she wouldn’t ask about our food after all. 
We talked for another fifteen minutes, and again, I suggested she check on our food. We had waited for almost an hour and would not have time to eat and get back to our conference if we didn’t get our food pronto. She got no explanation, but our food finally began to arrive. And did I mention this was a soup and sandwich shop? How long does it take to prepare a cup of soup and half of a sandwich? I never had done either in a restaurant, but I imagined I could have done a better job. 
I’d like to say I kept my cool during this anxiety-producing episode. And I did do a better job than I have in the past. But as I thought about all I could have been doing back at school, and as I worried about being late for our appointment, my patience crouched low and my anxiety stood tall. Naturally, I didn’t enjoy my food since I had to gulp it. 
In years past, I would have approached the manager with an attitude and perhaps a few choice words. This time I kept my mouth shut—as the writer of Proverbs suggests. Doing so isn’t easy since it goes against my natural bent to get things done. Patience is a virtue—and one that takes a long time…even years…to develop for some. Me included. 
Like the lions in Daniel’s den, God closed my mouth that day. Oh, my peers and I expressed our frustrations at the table, but we left them there. We knew our witness for Christ would have been at stake had we chosen to express them publicly. 
God knows our personalities—whether we are naturally patient or struggle to be. When in situations where we want to react in ways that would not please Him, He can help us keep our cool and preserve our witness for Him—even when the meal is looooong overdue. 
Let God teach you how to be patient in situations where your patience has fled out the front door.
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Martin Wiles is the founder of Love Lines from God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com) and serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions, Senior Editor for Inspire a Fire, and Proof Editor for Courier Publishing. He has authored six books and has been published in numerous publications. His most recent book, A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Busy World, released in December 2019. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, author, and pastor.

Looking for Opportunities to Do All Things in Love

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt
It’s February, the month that arrives tossing out chocolates and heralding romance. 
If you’re single, there’s Singles Awareness Day – as if you’re not aware of your relationship status. 
Whether you embrace, tolerate, or try to ignore the love oozing out of February, the theme remains front and center, at least until all the Valentine’s Day candy disappears.
I came across a Scripture verse earlier in the month that has stayed with me, one appropriate for this month. You know how you read a passage and it’s as if God uses his yellow highlighter and says, “Don’t miss this verse.”
For me it was 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NASB): Let all that you do be done in love.
Nine words near the end of the book, right after Paul has told believers to be alert. To stand firm. To be strong. He then says to do everything in love.
A slight change in focus, yes?
Let’s do a quick word study. The word “all” means, well, all. Any. Every kind of. Doesn’t allow for anything we do to be excluded.
Cross reference 1 Corinthians 16:14 with Matthew 19:26, which says, “… with God all things are possible.
Same word for all – and again this means nothing is impossible with God. 
What about the word love?
The Greek language has different words for love: Storge love is familial love, the type of love Mary and Martha had for their brother, Lazarus (John 11:1-44).Phileo love is the warmth and affinity shared between close friends. When someone saw Jesus crying about the death of Lazarus, he said, “See how he loved him!” (John 11:36) The word for love there is Phileo.Eros love is romantic or sexual love, and is used in Song of Solomon to describe the love between a husband and wife.Agape love is the highest form of love, both everlasting and sacrificial. It is used in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, where we are told love is patient, kind, not easily angered, not proud, and much more.The love used in 1 Corinthians 16:14? It’s Agape love, the same love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 
You may be thinking, “How does this apply to me as a writer?”
You and I were created by the Creator to be creatives. And because we were created in His image, we are called to reflect Him to the world, both in our actions and our words – both spoken and written.)
One of the ways we can do this? By doing all things in love.When our writing journey takes longer then we expect, are we patient – or do we grumble about editors and agents?When another writer wins a contest or lands a contract, do we rejoice with them – or are we envious?When we pursue publication during a pandemic (still!), do we persevere with hope – or do we doubt and consider quitting?When we’re on deadline, are we gracious to our family – or are we so grumpy even our imaginary characters avoid us?How can you live out doing all things in love – one day, one opportunity, at a time?
TWEETABLELooking for Opportunities to Do All Things in Love - @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, The Best We’ve Been, the final book in Beth’s Thatcher Sisters Series with Tyndale House Publishers, releasers May 2020. Other books in the women’s fiction series include Things I Never Told You, which won the 2019 AWSA Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year, and Moments We Forget. Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.

The Character of a Christian Writer

by Joshua J. Masters @JoshuaJMasters
The standard trope of a writer’s life evokes visions of someone sitting in the lonely glow of a laptop as fingernails tap out the rhythm of a single-toned symphony, an arrangement for keyboard that results in the creation of a well-rounded, dynamic character. But what is the character of a Christian writer—not the characters we’re creating, but the character God is creating in us?
Ultimately, the call God placed on our lives to write should result in a deeper relationship with Him, a greater empowerment through the Holy Spirit, and the development of Christ-like character in our own lives. The greatest discipline in writing for God is seeking the character He wants to develop in us above the characters we want to develop in our stories.
Peter outlines that process in his second letter.
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:3-4a NLT)
God has already given us everything we need to live a godly life of character.
But what are these great promises? A published article? A signed contract with an agent?A book deal? Maybe God does have those things planned for you, but He has a greater concern. Your character.
Peter gives us a clear picture of the promises we should be seeking as he continues.
These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 1:4b)
Here’s a difficult truth. 
If our human desire for a contract or some other writing success outweighs our desire to become more Christ-like in our character, God may prolong or even deny our writing goals. This isn’t a punishment, but a protection from the world’s corruption. 
So, the question we must ask ourselves again and again is, “Am I writing for Him or am I writing for me and asking Him to bless it? Is the primary goal of our writing to be drawn closer to Him? Do we use our gift as a pathway to develop our own character? 
Peter gives is a clear path to evaluate and pursue that character. He starts with faith, which is only the beginning of our journey with Christ, and then asks us to make every effort to pursue seven character traits in response to God’s promises.
MORAL EXCELLENCE (v5)To our faith we’re called to add moral excellence. The Greek word used here could also be translated, “virtue with courage.” And sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing, doesn’t it? This character trait asks us to evaluate how we respond to others and how we respond to temptation. Do our relationships in the writing industry display integrity or does our temptations toward comparison and jealousy taint our careers? The closer we draw to Christ, the more we’ll respond to others and our sin with His perspective rather than our own. 
KNOWLEDGE (v5)To our faith and moral excellence, we’re told to add knowledge. Knowledge here refers to the understanding of spiritual truth. Our writing cannot reflect the truth of God if we’re not seeking spiritual truth in His word. Do we want to write about God or for God? If we’re not constantly growing in the knowledge of God, we’re only writing a misinformed opinion about God. That’s not only dangerous for us but could mislead our readers. Do we spend as much time researching the history and details of who God is as we do the history and details of our story?
SELF-CONTROL (v6)I’d like to stop the list at knowledge, but we’re instructed to add self-control. As we personalize our understanding of God’s word, we develop Christ’s character of self-control. This is more than just avoiding sin (although that’s a part of it). Self-control is about discipline—the discipline of prayer and investing in our relationship with God. And if He’s truly called you to write, then it means discipline in your writing as well. Are we gorging on an entire bag of Oreos while binging Batman movies on HBO Max when we should be writing? Okay, that’s mine. Insert your own sinful techniques of procrastination here, but our character always reveals itself in our personal lives, our relationships, and our careers. 
PATIENT ENDURANCE (v6) Do I really need to go into why a writer needs patient endurance? Moving on…
GODLINESS (v6) To our *ahem* patient endurance, we seek to add godliness. This isn’t the same as moral excellence. Moral excellence is about our response to our desires and how those desires affect others. Godliness is about our personal relationship with God. Are we being transformed to be more like Christ? 
How many of us want to see God transform our readers through our writing? 
Well, we can’t offer what we don’t have. If we’re not allowing God to continually transform us, our writing cannot have that effect on others. The first person God should change through my writing is me. You may still write a bestseller, but it will be your book not God’s.
BROTHERLY AFFECTION (v7) The Christian life was designed to be lived in community. As introverted as some of us feel, if you’re an author for Christ, your process isn’t supposed to be solitary. There’s an incredible Christian writing community available to all of us online and in local groups. Are you invested in your community? Are you building one another up and putting the needs of others above your own? We can view others as competition, or we can be intentional about supporting and showing love to one another—even when we’re facing a deadline. Showing Christ’s love to someone always bears more fruit than completing tasks on a to-do list.
LOVE FOR EVERYONE (v7)The final characteristic of a Christian writer (or any Christian) is a consuming compassion and love for those who don’t know Christ outside our immediate community. Does our writing, regardless of its genre, reflect the good news and promises of God? Does your life? Our first priority should be writing from our love for God, but our second should be writing from our love for people.
That doesn’t come from changing our writing style. 
It comes from changing our hearts. 
Here’s our final verses from Peter:The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (2 Peter 1:8–9 NLT)
Do we want our writing to be productive and useful for the Kingdom of God? Then we must do more than develop our craft for God, we must develop our character with God.
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Joshua J. Masters is a pastor, author, and speaker with a heart for encouraging others. His book on prayer,  AMERICAN PSALMS , was a Serious Writer’s Book of the Decade finalist. He’s been featured on CBN Television, HIS Radio, the Light Radio Network, and worked in the film industry as a member of SAG-AFTRA performer. He is a regular teacher and speaker for large groups. A self-proclaimed sci-fi and comic book geek, Josh loves film, pop culture and is known in some circles as THE BAT PASTOR. Joshua was raised in the White Mountains of New England and now serves as a pastor in South Carolina where he lives with his wife, Gina, and their miniature poodle, FRANKLIN THE PUP, who is the subject of his latest book. Josh would love to connect with you on his website,  JOSHUAJMASTERS.COM

Celebrate an Endless List of Newspaper Writing Topics

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites
What’s up in your neck of the woods? I hope that you have the pleasure of reading good news stories in your hometown newspaper. But if the bad news or difficult headlines to read far outweigh the “feel-good” stories in your paper, why not consider submitting freelance articles to the editor for possible publication? 
We’ve discussed before in this column about becoming a newspaper stringer (and you can find those articles archived by searching for my name), but let’s talk today about where you might find ideas for stories. 
Besides just the “newsy” stories that take place in your community, seek out some lifestyle pieces that will be interesting to community members. And if you’re at a loss for ideas, then consider checking out some of the many holidays and celebrations that are touted on a number of websites. Then, find a related article to go along with that holiday. 
Here are some of the sites that list holidays by the month, week, and year: 
www.holidayinsights.com
www.daysoftheyear.com
www.nationaldaycalendar.com
www.brownielocks.com
www.nationaltoday.com
www.nationalday365.com
(Please be aware that these are general market sites and will have a variety of national and worldly holidays and celebrations and anniversaries, along with various religious-based ones, too.)
You’ll find all sorts of silly, wacky, zany holidays and festivities to recognize on these various sites. Perusing the sites will help you brainstorm ideas for newspaper articles. 
Keep in mind, you’ll need to plan far ahead to choose a holiday, seek out a resource, write the article, and allow for publication time. For the sake of celebrating February holidays along with this column, let’s take a look at a few February holidays as examples. 
February is American Heart Month. You could interview several doctors in the area and share an article on the best health practices for a healthy heart. You might also know a community member who suffered a frightening heart-health issue that completely changed his or her way of life, who now spends much time giving back to the community with a new attitude about what’s truly important in this world.
Black History Month is celebrated in February. Seek out people of color to interview for feature articles. In fact, build a collection of articles to turn into an editor frequently, not just during the month of February. Pastors often have inspiring stories to tell about themselves or someone in the congregation that you might not be aware of. 
National Bird Feeding Month falls in February. Do you have a bird sanctuary in your hometown? Does an ornithologist from a nearby college live close by? Interview a bird expert to get tips for best bird-feeding practices this month. Hopefully, the person you interview can give you the directions for building or creating a simple bird feeder that families can do together. Include that in the article, too. 
National Marriage Week takes place in early February. Can you locate someone in your community who’s been married for more years than even they can remember? Interview both and ask the secret of a healthy marriage! 
For Thank a Letter Carrier Day, interview several postal workers and find out the wildest thing that’s ever happened to them while on the job! Compile the stories into a humorous article, and encourage readers to leave a thank you note for their letter carriers! 
February 14 is, fittingly, National Organ Donor Day. One of my most favorite articles that I had the pleasure of sharing in our newspaper was of a sweet young couple, who found out, after months of waiting, that her husband was actually a perfect match for her much-needed kidney transplant. He surprised her by scheduling the surgery on their fifth wedding anniversary and then surprised her with the test results! 
These few holidays don’t even touch the surface of all the silly, but actual, holidays celebrated in the month of February. And every month of the year. If you’re searching for new ideas for newspaper stories, those freelance submissions that have the potential to boost your writing resume, look no farther than the calendar on your desk. And get creative! 
Happy February! 
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Julie Lavender has enjoyed celebrating silly holidays with her husband and kids for years now, incorporating many of those celebrations into her homeschooling curriculum annually. She enjoys welcoming each day as a gift from God and especially likes any excuse to celebrate with ice cream cone! Julie celebrated the launch of her book, 365 Ways to Love Your Children: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, back in October, with a large cookies and cream milkshake!

A Special Invitation to the Carolina Christian Writers Conference

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden
Happy almost Valentine’s Day.
Have you already bought a special gift for your sweetie? If you are like my husband, he may ask you a few days before the occasion – What would you like for Valentine’s Day? May I make a suggestion? Registration for the Carolina Christian Writers Conference would be a fabulous Valentine’s Day gift for a writer. And if you don’t have a special someone in your life, gift yourself with a conference that will help you follow your writing dreams.
We are going to use a virtual format this year so you don’t even have to dress up, get in the car, or board a plane! You will have opportunities to meet with editors and professional writers just like always. These meetings will be held at the faculty member’s convenience either before or after the conference so you will not have to miss classes to participate in them. Once registered you need to email wendyeleech@gmail.com with your top three choices of people to meet with. If you have questions about who to meet with Wendy can help you with that as well.
If you are just getting started there are plenty of classes to help you learn the craft of writing such as Writing as a Career, Self-Editing, How to Write Articles, Building Blocks of Nonfiction, Using Fiction Techniques in Your Nonfiction, and more. If you have had a few things published, you may want to learn a new genre or explore an advanced form of writing in The Art of Laughter in Your Writing, How to Start a Podcast, Evaluating Your Publishing Options, and more. There are classes on the business side of writing, the craft, and marketing.
Courtney and Kelli will be with us to lead us in worship and we will have breakout rooms for every class.
If you have never attended a writers conference, don’t wait another minute. There is no better vehicle for encouragement, inspiration, networking, learning, and opportunities to pitch your work. There will also be an optional Friday morning session led by Larry Leech called “Article, Blog or Book,” which will give you an opportunity to discern whether your idea is long enough for a book or if you should work on an article or blog. Help get your manuscript ready for an editor’s eye. There is an extra charge for this information-packed workshop.
We are also offering a complimentary Friday morning class at 11 o’clock led by Linda Goldfarb. She will walk us through some “Tips for Navigating a Virtual Conference.”
Our two days will be packed and there is so much more. We also have a contest that benefits our scholarship fund. You don’t have to be registered for the conference to enter the contest. However the deadline is February 15 so don’t wait too long to send your entry. Visit fbs.org/writers for all information.
The Carolina Christian Writers Conference is also a great stepping stone for other conferences. In May of 2021 the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference will be held at Ridgecrest just up the road in North Carolina. If you feel you need a little help in getting ready to attend Blue Ridge, join us in March for some great feedback and tips as to how to get your manuscript ready to take to a larger conference. All info for that conference can be found at www.blueridgeconference.com.
Can’t wait to meet you at a conference soon. You will be so glad you took advantage of this career-changing opportunity.
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Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Linda is the author of 19 books and over 1000 magazine articles. She enjoys every meeting with editors and knowing we are all part of the same team. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com

Believing in Yourself as a Writer is Vital

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted
I have a confession. It’s hard to admit to the world but it’s true. I suffer from a severe lack of self-confidence.
Perhaps you chuckle and say, “Seriously?” But yes. It is true. From childhood, I have been fearful and lacking in self-confidence. Let me clarify, I had a wonderful childhood, with terrific parents so let go of any terrible thoughts you might be trying to diagnose. I’m simply being honest with you.
A lack of self-confidence is a common thing and if the truth is known, we’ve all fought the battle from time to time. My lack of confidence isn’t from childhood trauma, it’s simply part of who I am. It’s a weakness, not a disease or mental issue.
The difference between me and others is that 1) I admit it’s a weakness and 2) I’m not willing to allow it to freeze me in my tracks, no matter how hard it tries.
When it comes to our writing, we all face rejection and times when the words just won’t come. It’s part of the process of growing as an author. I’ve had very well-known authors talk with me about how they have fought through those moments of insecurity and it’s never easy. 
WHERE DOES A LACK OF SELF-CONFIDENCE COME FROM?
Sometimes it’s a lack of direction. This too is part of the process. As writers, we must experience different types and styles of writing to find where our niche is. There are times, this takes a while. When I began writing I thought I might write for children, little did I know, my heart was in adult fiction. I had to experience writing in different areas to find my sweet spot and know this was the direction I wanted to follow. Once I found that my confidence went up a few notches.
Sometimes it comes from having no physical support. This makes me sad having been raised by parents who supported me and encouraged me to try all sorts of things. Their encouragement taught me to try, seek out the desire, and decide if it was for me. Still, some writers do not have this type of support. What do you do if you don’t have this support? You begin by finding peers who share your love of writing. You spend time with them, learn with them, accept their encouragement and support. I began my first writing experience being part of an on-line critique group. From there, I grew to a point where I realized I needed to attend a conference. It’s not always easy, but you must reach out and seek peers.
Sometimes it comes from failure. It’s a joke with my friends. I’ve consistently been second place – to the point that my track coach in High School gave me the nickname Consistently Second Cindy. What do you think that did for my self-esteem? Yet what I found in myself, and it took some time to realize it, was despite the times I came in second, I never stopped striving. Eventually, I won. I have three best-selling books. Who could ask for greater proof that you are not second? My point is bloody knees should give us the incentive to push harder. I once told my brother I might be a loser on the track but I’m a winner in my effort. He has lovingly reminded me of that when I feel like my confidence wains. Pushing ahead, working to improve may not make me first place, but it certainly gives me a solid foundation. 
Sometimes you simply must believe in yourself. When I began writing novels, Appalachian Historical was called “literary”. Literary wasn’t “in.” Still, it was my niche. It was the sweet spot of my writing. Writing the narrative of my Appalachian stories in the lingo of the mountains, was not something folks did. It was frowned on, so when I got that first contract, my editor asked me why the narrative wasn’t more formal? My response was this. The story is in first person, it seems wrong to drop out of the character’s natural voice for the sake of formal. My character is telling the story. Why would she talk one way in dialogue and speak differently in the narrative? My editor was quiet for a moment before she said, “That makes perfect sense.” Going forward, my novels have remained such and one of the remarks readers give us, is “This writing is so real.” I had to believe in myself enough to give the editor a clear answer – to my surprise, she agreed.
It’s important to believe in yourself, be it for writing or your job. You’ve been gifted long before your birth, by the Father Himself, and if He believes in you that much…who are you to not believe? Even when the odds are stacked against you, plow through. You can do this. You can do this because you were chosen well in advance. It takes time and practice to hone your craft. A writer must focus and then first believe there is always room to learn but secondly, to believe in the gift and talent they have. Tell the stories God places on your heart and do not give in to fear or a lack of self-confidence. You will have your shares of ups and downs but success will follow. Now write and believe in yourself! 
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Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the executive editor for christiandevotions.us and inspireafire.com. Cindy is the lead managing editor for SonRise Devotionals and also Straight Street Books, both imprints of LPC/Iron Stream Media Publications. She is a mentor with Write Right and the director of the Asheville Chrisitan Writers Conference held each February at the Billy Graham Training Center, the Cove, Asheville, NC. Cindy is a best selling, award winning novelist. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.