Edie Melson's Blog, page 227

Before You Share Online T.H.I.N.K.

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I didn’t always enjoy social media. 

Before I spent time on the various networks I assumed that interactions there were at best, shallow, with little or no real-world value. I’d formed my opinions by listening to the comments and complaints of others.
It wasn’t until I actually took time to interact online that I discovered there were lots of things of value being shared. The people I’ve met and the skills I’ve learned through online connections have added so much to my life—professionally and personally.

These have run the gamut of spam sales notices to misleading articles. But even these experiences have been, in a strange way, valuable. They’ve helped me develop my own set of guidelines to keep me from adding to the worthless noise that clutters up our digital universe.
I think of these things as a series of filters that help me keep out any junk that might otherwise slip through. I call it my T. H. I. N. K. before you share online system.
Here’s how it works:T – Transparent. I want to be transparent in all that I do. I don’t those who interact with me online—through social media or my blogs—to feel like I have a hidden agenda. 
H – Honest. I don’t even want to mislead anyone on purpose. I don’t want to build myself up as something I’m not, or present myself in a way that isn’t true.
I –  Inspiring. I want the things I share online to inspire others. I don’t mean I have to be the inspiration, but I want to share things that challenge us all to do more than we ever thought we could.
N – Nice. This poor little word is, in my opinion, under-utilized. I would like to see it regain some of it’s strength. There’s a lot to be said for being nice. And I try to hold to that standard with every single thing I post online. I can say this for certain, out of all the things in life I’ve regretted, being nice has never been one of them.
K – Knowledge. I want to make sure I’m sharing actual knowledge online, not just noise. This means what I share needs to be helpful in some way.
This T.H.I.N.K. filter hasn’t watered down my online message. 
Quite the contrary. 

My online focus is stronger because I take care to filter it. I can still share things that may be tough, I can teach others to do what I’ve done, and I can introduce my online connections to people and things I find valuable.
Now it’s your turn. How do you decide what to share online? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLEST. H. I. N. K. Before You Share Online - a #socialmedia filter from @EdieMelson  (Click to Tweet)

How do you decide what to share online thru #socialmedia  #blogging? @EdieMelson has a system to help (Click to Tweet)

Words that Fill Others with Courage

by Audrey Frank @audreycfrank

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” The people were encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah (2 Chronicles 32:8, NRSV).
Like a present wrapped in beautiful paper, tied with a silver bow, the Hebrew word for encouragement is a gift. Upon opening it, one discovers that it contains not just one treasure inside, but many. Sāmak in its fullness means to sustain, uphold; to lay (one’s hand upon); to be braced, be steadfast; to lean upon, rely upon, gain confidence; to strengthen, refresh (Kohlenberger III, John R, Swanson, James, A Concise Dictionary of the Hebrew, 1996). 
Think about it! The gifts of sāmakwe can give others with our words!Sustain, uphold.
I once helped a friend complete a half marathon. We had already run many metaphorical marathons together as she made the brave healing journey from childhood trauma and abuse. On this day, she was bringing physicality to the race she had been running for years. Within a mile of the finish line, she began to weep, her body screaming that it could not finish. I laced her arm over my shoulders and ran her across the final distance. She was meant to finish that race and all it represented in her life. And I was meant to be there to sustain and uphold her so she could. 
Fellow writer, our words have sustaining, upholding power to lace weak arms across our shoulders and carry them across their finish lines. Perhaps someone is within sight of her finish line today and your words are meant to be the arms that uphold her across the final distance.
Lay one’s hand upon
As the king passed through our medieval city in North Africa, our son leaned forward on his Daddy’s shoulders to get a closer look. The King caught his eye, and seeing he was a foreigner, drew nearer. Laying his hand upon our little boy, he smiled broadly and spoke the traditional blessing of peace to him. The effect in the pressing crowd was communal; the joy of it spread to everyone. Our son’s favor with the king was talked about for a long time afterward.
Our words have the power to communicate the King of king’s favor to the individuals and the crowd. He is looking across the masses for those who will lean near and dare to look into His eyes. God can use our humble craft to lay His hand of blessing upon the small and the great. Perhaps today someone is leaning in, hoping for a glimpse of the King, and your words will be the means of seeing and touching Him.
To Gain Confidence
Many around us are falling away in the battle right now. Leaders in the body of Christ are abandoning their faith, and for every public figure who walks away, there are scores of unknown others following suit. We need confidence to face our great enemy. 
King Hezekiah understood this. When facing battle with the King of Assyria, he encouraged his people with these words in 2 Chronicles 32:8: “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”
The words gave confidence to the people of Judah that day. They hold the same power for us this day. The Lord is with us to help us and to fight our battles. We can share these timeless words with our readers.
Let us use our words to sustain and uphold the weak with truth written in grace and strength. Through us, may the King of kings lay His hand upon those who draw near. As we write today, may we help the fearful gain confidence to face the enemy.
Lord, thank you for being with us to help us and to fight our battles. Write words through me that fill others with courage. Amen.
TWEETABLEWords that Fill Others with Courage - @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of  Instead , giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.
Her upcoming book, Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World, is an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available for pre-order now at https://www.amazon.com/author/audreyc...
You can also find Audrey at www.audreyfrank.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook

14 Ways to Carve Out Time to Write

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I think one of the biggest obstacles writers face is finding the time to write. It's a common myth to think that time just magically appears.
Truthfully, we never FIND time to write, we have to carve out time to write. 
That’s what separates the wanna-be from the professional.
Here are my tips to make sure I get my writing time in every day.
1. Make an appointment. I’ve learned that if I don’t have it on my calendar, it doesn’t happen. For me, that’s true. My days fill up fast, but if I have a time scheduled to write, then it happens.
2. Quit with the guilt. For some reason we make everyone else’s dreams and goals a priority. Why do we neglect our own? Is God’s call less important because it’s me?
3. Get ready to make choices. Truthfully you can’t do it all. No one can. How important is writing to you? If you’re like me, you can’t live without writing. A day without writing feels like a failure. It’s the way I process life. But I still have to make choices.
4. Watch the clock (especially online). It’s not enough to sit down at the computer. We also have to turn off the Internet and actually write. Surfing social media doesn’t count. Reading blogs about writing doesn’t count. These are important parts of being an author, but they’re NOT writing!
5. Don’t go it alone.Yes, the act of writing is a solitary process. But you still need a tribe. We need encouragement, accountability, and honesty. As writers we’re not good at objective evaluation. We tend to swing between extremes. Either our writing feels like it’s brilliant, or it’s junk. We need the perspective other writers can bring to the table. And yes, they need to be writers. Non-writers don’t understand the process.
6. Evaluate your writing buddies. Yes, we all need writing buddies. But they need to be working writers. Not people who like to sit around and talk about writing. Make sure they’re people who understand the discipline and drive it takes to succeed. You need people who will hold you accountable, not people who’ll help you come with excuses not to write.
7. Be courageous.Failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a writer. Often failure teaches us more than success. The worst thing that can happen to a writer is to not write.
8. Learn to write when you don’t feel like it. This is one of the biggest differences between the professional and the amateur. The pros know you have to write whether you’re in the mood or not.
9. Be willing to write junk. So often you have to write junk to get to the jewels. The only thing you can’t fix is a blank page.
10. Schedule a write-in. Make a date, meet some friends at a local coffee shop and write. Having a group will spur you to higher word counts and amp up the accountability factor.
11. Build in rewards. When I set a goal, I like an incentive. So I build in small rewards for making word count. 
12. Take a break. When I get stuck, it helps to do something. I take a short walk, do a quick chore like load the dishwasher. The physical action stimulates my mind. It's also healthy for your back.
13. Write in the spaces. Some days we only have short bits of time in which to write. It’s a myth that we have to have large chunks of time to get something done. An hour is still an hour, even if it’s broken into fifteen minute chunks.
14. Write regularly.When I started out, my kids were young. I couldn’t write during the daytime. So my husband and I worked out a schedule. I’d be with the family during the day and evening. When everyone went to sleep, I’d get back up and write until three or four o’clock in the morning. Then my husband would get the kids up and off to school in the morning while I slept in. It wasn’t a normal schedule, but it was a schedule.
These are my tips to carve out time to write. What would you add to the list? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES14 Ways to Carve Out Time to Write - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don’t fall for the myth – you must MAKE time to write! 14 Tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Compose an Effective Social Media Update

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Twitter, as many of you already know, is my Social Media Sweet Spot—my easy button, if you will. It’s my go-to place to send and receive information. Because of that, I compose all my social media updates from a Twitter mindset. So no matter where I'm sending the update, I compose it with Twitter in mind.
I know that Twitter is NOT the sweet spot for many of you reading this blog.
Part of that is because you’re not really sure what constitutes a good tweet. You’ve heard just enough about hashtags and twitter etiquette to make you cringe at the thought of composing your own tweet. So rather than failing, you either stick to retweeting what others share or just pass on the whole thing.
Today, I’m going to break it down for you and share my tips to composing the (almost) perfect tweet every time.

A perfect tweet makes someone’s life a little bit better, and does so in a way that’s easy to share with others.
Components of a Perfect TweetThere are certain things that good tweets have. Not every tweet will have every one of these, but here are the list of things that make a tweet good.An attention grabbing headline—this is the main focus of your tweet and can be a statement or a question. It makes others what to learn more, take action, join the conversation and/or share what they’ve read.A clear attribution—I’m a writer, so authorship is important to me. If someone says something brilliant, I really want them to get the credit. So when possible, I include the person’s name and/or twitter handle. (A twitter handle is your Twitter user name. My Twitter handle is @EdieMelson).Hashtags—stop groaning! You knew I was going to include this one. A hashtag is a number sign (#) that’s put in front of a group of letters and/or numbers. This makes that particular topic searchable anywhere within the Twitter universe. There is a specific number of hashtags that’s ideal. For the highest number of shares, use two. One is good, two is best, three or more is not so good.A link—if you’re referencing something you’ve found online, you’ll want to include the URL. Be sure to shorten the link. Hootsuite will do it for you, but if you don’t use Hootsuite or a scheduling program, I recommend www.bitly.com. If you’re just posting a question or a quote, there’s not always a reason to include a link.Format Your TweetThere is a general order in the way you arrange the components of your tweet.
Do NOTstart your tweet off with an @ sign (Like @EdieMelson) unless you are replying to something I said. A reply tweet will only be seen by those who follow BOTH you and the person you’re replying to.
Hashtags can be used at the beginning, middle or end or your tweet. But the best way to use them is organically, within the body of the tweet. Second would be toward the end. Lastly, at the beginning.
Finally, we all know Twitter has raised the character limit from 140 to 280. But I do NOT recommend you use all 280—not even all 140—characters. Numerous studies have shown that the optimum length of a tweet is just under 100 characters.
Here's the order I tend to like best:HeadlineAttributionLinkHashtagsExample and ExplanationHere is a tweet I composed for this post:
Compose an Effective #SocialMedia Update – Tips from @EdieMelson #writing  http://bit.ly/2Poh4CN
Breaking it Down: Compose an Effective Social Media Update—is my headline, my attention grabber.
#SocialMedia and #Writing—are the two hashtags I’ve chosen to use. They reflect the focus of the tweet and are popular hashtags.
@EdieMelson—is my attribution. I used it in this tweet because I’m composing the tweet for ClickToTweet, which means someone else will be sending the tweet out. If I was just sending this out, I would NOT use @EdieMelson because the tweet would originate with my Twitter account and everyone already knows it’s me.
http://bit.ly/2Poh4CN—is my shortened URL or Link. This URL will take the person clicking on it directly to this post.
Common Questions 1. What if the blog post I'm referencing is a guest post, which attribution do I use - the author of the post or the owner of the blog?  If possible, it's good to use both attributions. Here's how I would handle that:
Is Your Manuscript Written to Death? - via @VaughnRoycroft 
on @WriterUnboxed owl.li/xHH8x #writing 
2. What if the person I'm referencing doesn't have a Twitter handle or I don't have time to research it? People who don't include their social media info is a big pet peeve of mine. If it's not easy to find, or you can't find it, just use the person's name. 
3. What if I don't have room for everything? This happens frequently with Twitter. After all, we only have 140 characters. If I don't have room to include the author of the post and the blog name, I prioritize and use the author's name. If I don't have room to use two hashtags, I only use one. The key is to stay flexible and don't overthink this.
4. Do I have to always use two hashtags? No, use the hashtags that make sense and what you have room for.
Now it's your turn. What questions do you have about composing updates? Do you have format you like to use? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESCompose an Effective #SocialMedia Update – Tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Perfect #SocialMedia updates add value in a way that’s easy to share - tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A Contest to Help Tame the Elusive Beast of Author Marketing

by Angela Breidenbach @AngBreidenbach
Where are great examples of successful author marketing?
What if your marketing is actually stellar, but you honestly have no clue?
Up until now, there’s been no tangible measure of excellence in Christian author marketing for books, book series, or brand. Some people may even be scared of the elusive beast of author marketing.
Welcome to an innovative opportunity to answer all those questions, and more. The Christian Authors Network is pleased to announce the inaugural #CANCROWN AWARDSto recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors. 
Christian authors want to get their books, book series, and brands out to readers, retailers, and librarians. The messages in those books reflect the love and glory of God. But without an excellent marketing plan that very message may go unread. The #CANCrown Awards recognize authors for excellence in marketing and media and gain continued after the contest.
Readers have to hear about those books to find them. By recognizing marketing and media expertise, the #CANCrown Awards helps us all through highlighting stellar examples. Examples in three categories for books, book series, and author brands:Visual MediaBroadcastingWeb Presence 
These three categories cover physical materials, social media, major media, websites, blogs, and newsletters respectively. 
The CAN Crown Awards are open Aug. 28 - Sep. 28, 2019. Judging by independent individuals with knowledge in marketing and media. Finalists will be announced and will receive finalist logos/badges for their websites and materials. The Christian Authors Network will be sure to share finalist and winning entries to bring attention to these excellent author marketing plans. But you power up the promotion for your book, book series, or author brand as a finalist. Winners, your book, book series, or author brand is promoted through the  #CANCrown Awards channels of influence all for the price of entry. Best bang for the marketing buck ever!
Winners (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) will be awarded at the Crown Awards banquet, Saturday, November 16th, 2019 during the International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. Presentations will include an overview of each winners’ campaign to an audience of filmmakers, publishing industry, and then out into the public to reach readers, retailers, and librarians.
Award design and entry pages are on the CAN website. Entry fee for non-members is $80. Entry fee for CAN members is $65.
Access the entry forms on our CAN Website:            https://christianauthorsnetwork.comICVM Nashville 2019 Conference Page:        https://www.icvm.com/nashville-2019CAN/ICVM Conference Nov. 12-16, 2019, opening with a network ice cream social on the 12th. Meet people in both the film and publishing industry.
FAQ:Have you wanted to get your book turned into a movie? Or learn screenwriting? Or get novelization contracts from filmmakers? 
What's ICVM? International Christian Visual Media.
What's CAN? Christian Authors Network. 
Don’t miss an awesome event for book-to-screen and screen-to-book education and opportunity between the Christian film and publishing industries. It’s at the ICVM/CAN conference where we’ll highlight your book, book series, or author brand through the finalist and winning entry recognition during the Crown Awards Banquet. 
We’ll be watching for your entry!Angela Breidenbach, Christian Authors Network president
TWEETABLEA Contest to Help Tame the Elusive Beast of Author Marketing - @AngBreidenbach on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Angela Breidenbach writes bestselling romance, is a media personality, and president of the Christian Authors Network. She received the NSDAR Outstanding Broadcasting Award for producing and hosting the documentary, Daughters of the American Revolution: A Patriotic Education, at Montana state, Pacific NW Regional, and National levels. 5x5 Productions manages Angela's screenwriting while Tamela Hancock Murray represents Angela's books. https://AngelaBreidenbach.comAll social media: @AngBreidenbach

The Discipline of Being a Writer—What Does it Take?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Many people long to be a writer. They are avid readers and usually devour everything they can find on the printed page. The art of communicating through the written word fascinates them until they aspire to write. But with the interest comes many questions. The following are a few that may help with your decision.What kind of education does a writer require for success?
No matter what type of writing, a person needs a strong grasp of English and grammar. Colleges and universities have excellent courses to develop these skills. If need be, a person can take an English/grammar course at a local college. 
In the past, an editor would correct content, spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors, but today's publisher expects a near-perfect manuscript upon submission.
How do I get started?
A writer begins by understanding what he/she wants to write. That can be a difficult process when so many wonderful options are tugging at our hearts. Many times writers work at different genres and types before settling on a niche. The first question to ask is: what do I enjoy reading the most? Successful writers create what they prefer to read. 
How do I learn how to write?
Begin by reading in the genre most suited to you. Study the how-to books to strengthen the craft. Read marketing and promotion books. Explore online blogs, podcasts, websites, and webinars that teach every facet of a writing career.
Research for the best conference(s) that helps the writer reach goals and objectives.
How do I develop a schedule?
Writing is a solitary career. Most of our time is spent behind a computer screen. A person must feel comfortable and look forward to creating.
A writer has five tasks to complete regularly.WriteRead the bestsellers in the selected genre and study them like a textbook.Read the how-to books.Form an active relationship with readers via social media. Exercise and nutritionally sound eating           
Where do I find an agent?
A literary agent is a person who contracts with a writer to represent the person in the publishing world for the purpose of selling a manuscript. This person provides a service for the writer. The agent is paid an already designated percentage when the writer is paid. 
The agent must be as passionate about the writing project as the writer.
Agents are found at writing conferences, through a referral from another writer, a directory, or online in one of the multiple ways available. A writer contacts the proposed agent and learns how to properly submit.
Where can I sell my manuscripts?
Publishers are listed in a market directory according to particulars about their publishing house, what they are looking for, many times what they pay, and how to submit. Some publishers require an agent, and some do not.
Self-publishing may be for you. Research what all is needed before gathering a team of professionals to help you.
What if I decide I’m not happy in my current genre, and I want to write something different?
If a writer isn’t happy with the type of writing, investigate how to change. Weigh the pros and cons before jumping into a new field. Seek out professional advice. Make the best decision possible.
What’s the number one job of a writer?
Let God be the boss. Work harder than you ever have before but understand God is in control.
What about you? Do you have a question that is stopping you from writing?
TWEETABLEThe Discipline of Being a Writer—What Does it Take - @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 
She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Connect here: DiAnnMills.com

8 Tips for Writers to Stay Safe Online

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never be hacked. Especially since, as writers today, this is where we spend so much of our time. But there are a LOT of things we can do to lower the odds of it happening.
This week I want to give you some tips on how to keep from being hacked online. This advice will continue to change because inevitably, the more wise we become at protecting ourselves, the more cunning those wishing us harm become.The majority of times we get hacked it’s because we clicked a link that uploaded a virus which opened us up to hackers. 
This is the bad news, but there’s also good news. This kind of hacking is preventable, and here are some steps to take to stay safe online.
1. Be wise. This seems basic, but so many times we just ignore our better judgment. How many of us have been sucked in by direct messages like these? “Have you heard the rumors your fiend is spreading about you?” or “This is a hilarious video just uploaded about you.” Stop. Think. Then DON’T click that link!
2. Assume it’s a lie. Awhile back, I got an email from an online company confirming a large purchase with my credit card. I knew I hadn’t made any purchases, but still had to fight the urge to panic. My gut response was to reply to the email. Thankfully, I took a step back and looked more closely at the email. I noticed several things that made me suspicious. I immediately did an online search for scams involving that company and came up with pages of recent victims. I contacted the company directly (not through the info in their email) and confirmed the email was a ruse to steal my information.
3. Never give out sensitive information. Let me repeat, NEVER GIVE OUT SENSITIVE INFORMATION! Companies don’t ask for bank account info, passwords or other information over the internet. First, if you’re a customer, they already have all of your information they need. Keeping up with personal passwords is a liability for companies. 
4. Stop accepting friend requests on Facebook from people you don’t know. No, you can't get hacked by accepting a friend request from someone. BUT people who are categorized as your friend have more access to you. If you’ve read my blog for long, you know that I run my personal FB profile as a public forum. BUT I still don’t allow “FRIEND” access to strangers. There was a time when we could look at common friends as a sort of endorsement for accepting a connect. That time is GONE. The only time I might consider looking further at a possible friendship would be if we had HUNDREDS of friends in common.
5. Never share personal data while you’re on a public Wi-Fi. This includes logging into sites when you must type in a password. It’s okay to bring up a site you’re already logged into, but NEVER type a password in a public place. Not only is it a risk, but it’s so easy to counterfeit a public Wi-Fi and make it look legitimate.
6. Use two-level authentication whenever possible. For instance, when I log into my Google account from a new device or new location, I receive a text message with an additional code I must type in. This has saved me so many times. A lot of networks offer this option and I always sign up for it. It may seem frustrating when you’re in a hurry. The truth is, when we’re rushed is when we’re not paying attention and we’re often more vulnerable.
7. For PC users, invest in a good security program. And good programs don’t necessarily mean expensive programs. AVG is an excellent option and has free options.
8. Have a different password for EVERY site you’re on. And change your passwords every six months. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I cannot emphasize this strong enough. Your password must be different for every account you have. That can seem overwhelming. If you’re like me you probably have dozens of accounts, so how can we keep up with all those passwords? Trust me, it’s not with sticky notes or a file on your computer. Every single time I share this information, someone confesses that they have a file on their computer and no one will know it’s there because it’s labeled INFO or something similar.
Instead, take advantage of some wonderful programs. Some charge a small fee, others are free—all have the highest security rating available. And they all have apps so you can access your accounts from your mobile devices.
LastPass1Password Keepass X (for Mac) and Keepass (for PC)I’ve heard people suggest that these programs are a security risk. The experts disagree and so do I. Look for ones that have AES-256 encryption (and ideally two-factor authentication) to make certain your information stays safe.
There are also blank booklets available in stores and through online retailers for those of you who are old school and want something you can hold in your hand. I’ve seen them at local discount stores, as well as high end specialty stores.
Now it’s your turn, what are some tricks you use to stay safe online? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

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For Writers: What – Because – But

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

I used to struggle with GMC (goal, motivation & conflict). I loved the concept, and quickly jumped on the band wagon. I got the book  GMC: Goal Motivation and Conflict, by Debra Dixon . I devoured it. It was an easy read, since she uses movies as examples. 
I had no trouble following Dorothy's GMCs as she traversed Oz. Then I closed the book, made some GMC charts, and sat at my desk to put what I'd learned to use. And that's when I disconnected. 
Oh, the conflict part was easy. There's no mixing of signals on that. Anything that kept my protagonist from the goal is conflict. 
Even the goals weren't so hard, once someone explained the external goal is the character's story goal. That made sense. The internal goal took a little head-banging in the beginning, but I'd go back to the book until I got it.
By the way, in the class I took, Debra Dixon explained in Romance (the class was sponsored by a local RWA chapter) the goal is never to get married - or even fall in love. No, in romance, the heroine's goal should be the hero's conflict and vice versa. And it makes sense. I love things that make sense—I can understand them. And put them to use.
So, I had conflict and goal down, external at least. Internal was another story. Every time I tried to find the motivation, I listed another goal. I kept mixing those two things up. 
Being the persistent little scribe that I am, I took another class. This one was a month long, online, and taught by Laurie Schnebly Campbell. It's called  Plotting Via Motivation  and well worth your time. I'm sure I was her most thick-headed student. Every time I listed a motivation, she told me it was a goal. I'd write what I thought was a motivation. She'd tell me that's a goal.
Why was this so hard for me? Finally, she just started asking, "Why?" Ane: "Because she blah blah blah.Laurie: "Why?"Ane: Well, because she … more blah blah.Laurie: "Why?"
I wanted to reach through the computer screen and slap her! But finally, I hit it. My character's deepest core motivation. But was I going to have to go through that exercise with evert POV character for every book? Some of my books have three POV characters!
Then one of my critique partners Michelle Griep called for a brainstorm session. I'd shared all this with her and our other CP as soon as I'd learned it. They embraced it. But Michelle is a smart cookie. She changed those three little words to:
Wants, Because, ButWhoa! That boils all the fat out of that turkey. She was talking my language—simple. Yeah, I know what my character wants. And she wants it because (fill in the blank). But is easy. What stops her from getting it? 
Why didn't I think of that? So how do you manage to find the GMCs in your story? And if you want to borrow our WBBs, be our guest. Michelle gets the credit. 
TWEETABLESFor Writers: What – Because – But. #Writing Tips from @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Goal, Motivation and Conflict for writers explained by @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Ane Mulligan has been a voracious reader ever since her mom instilled within her a love of reading at age three, escaping into worlds otherwise unknown. But when Ane saw Mary Martin in PETER PAN,she was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. She submerged herself in drama through high school and college. Years later, her two loves collided, and a bestselling, award-winning novelist emerged. She resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand The Write Conversation.

Verti-coming and Verti-going

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea


Have you ever had one of those world-tipping inner ear things? It’s about the worst kind of imbalance. It started small when it happened to me. My body kept trying to lean to one side. I felt like any minute somebody might come up behind me and try to stick a couple of sugar packets under my left foot. 
Then, as inner-ear malfunctions are wont to do, the thing accelerated and suddenly the world was very…how can I describe it? Very “Star Ship Enterprise.” The kind of Enterprise where some space anomaly has the ship flailing back and forth. I felt fine as long as I was lying down. But it was a busy season. I’d been meeting myself coming and going and lying down made me remember everything I needed to do.At one point I thought I could sneak up on a couple of to-do list items without my ears knowing. I was moving slowly, oh so slowly…when suddenly, “Red Alert!” Thrusters were off-line. It felt like I was boldly verti-going where no one has verti-gone before.
Fortunately I’m not a great housekeeper when I’m overly busy so there was a nice, soft pile of laundry in the floor. I crash-landed there, thinking how thankful I was that it was clean laundry and not dirty. I had several minutes of contemplative time, staring up at the ceiling, waiting for it to stop spinning and for the nausea to let up. In those moments, I decided that resting—even with a big to-do list—wasn’t such a bad thing.
I have to force myself regularly to reevaluate my busyness. To step back from it and really analyze it. Sometimes I do it by choice. Sometimes, I confess, the Lord compels me. At least once while lying in a pile of laundry. 
Balancing often requires more than just reorganizing a schedule. It’s requires making decisions about what God has called me to do and what He hasn’t. The truth is, the Lord will never call me to do anything he won’t give me enough time to do. The schedule becomes overwhelming when He gives me a to-do list, and then I add more to it myself. I end up with no balance, overdoing things that don’t matter and underdoing those that do. There aren’t enough sugar packets to fix that kind of imbalance.
When we’re persistently out of balance, we find ourselves vulnerable to burn-out, illness, depression—shields up, red alert! Stepping back and reevaluating doesn’t mean we put ourselves first. Actually, as we seek the Lord first, we find ourselves free to serve Him better, and to serve Him more carefully and intentionally. That’s exactly how we’re called to serve. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15-17, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is,” (HCSB).
Sometimes wise-walking looks more like lying down—listening, seeking—even resting. Paying “careful attention” will keep us from stumbling out of the will of God.
So rather than having every moment filled with busyness, life is better when I seek Him first, and then just plain give Him space to work. Yes, “space.” All of it. Because that kind of space is the final, final frontier.
TWEETABLEVerti-coming and Verti-going - thoughts on rest in a busy season from @RhondaRhea on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Rhonda Rhea is a humor columnist for lots of great magazines, including HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway and more. She is the author of 10 nonfiction books, including How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Person? and coauthors fiction with her daughter, Kaley Faith Rhea. She and her daughters host the TV show, That’s My Mom, for Christian Television Network’s KNLJ. Rhonda enjoys traveling the country speaking at all kinds of conferences and events. She and her pastor/hubs have five grown children and live in the St. Louis area.

Finding a Unique Way to Reach Your Readers

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

“Ping! Ping! Ping!”
While on vacation in Mexico, I was enjoying some much-needed time on the beach with my eyes closed, just soaking up the warmth of the sun and the smell of the ocean, and I heard a familiar sound. 
“Ping! Ping! Ping!”I knew immediately what that sound meant and what I would do! It was the metallic sound of the Popsicle man wheeling his cart down the beach and clicking his ring finger against the handle of his cart. I got my pesos and ran to get my favorite—a coconut Popsicle (I’ve never found these in the states).
As I was savoring my treat, I was thinking about this busy vendor. He, unlike some of his competitors, was always busy selling to a host of beachgoers. I got to thinking, why is he always busy and some of his competitors weren’t?
First, I have never been disappointed with my purchase from this vendor. It is always icy cold and tastes like the Caribbean. Second, he uses an interesting branding tool as he sells. He doesn’t bark about his wares. He doesn’t do any flashy advertising. He doesn’t even say a word to those he passes on the beach. He just does that simple, “Ping! Ping! Ping!”that lets me know he’s in my area. And he’s the only one who does it.
To be great at selling what we have to offer, we have to have a really good product. We have to deliver consistently on the customer experience by always living up to their expectation. And, perhaps just as important, we need to offer a unique call to action that our clients will hear through all the noise in the marketplace.
What are you doing that is your unique call to action? How can your clients hear your call even through the noise?
“Ping! Ping! Ping!”
TWEETABLEFinding a Unique Way to Reach Your Readers - @CathyFyock on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Cathy Fyock is The Business Book Strategist, and works with professionals and thought leaders who want to write as a business development strategy. She is the author of nine books, including her most recent with coauthor Lois Creamer, The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches. Since starting her business in 2014 she's helped more than 150 professionals become published authors. You can reach her at Cathy@CathyFyock.com.