Edie Melson's Blog, page 235

Writing and Cooking

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPickTam

All the beautiful produce is hitting the grocery stores as well as farmers’ markets throughout the area. The colors and smells are mesmerizing. The choices abound. As a classically trained cook, the joy I get walking through the bounty is probably like the joy my hubby gets as he walks through a chocolate shop! Both of us take our time, imagining the taste and thinking through just what we will buy. And buy, we will. Share we must. 
What does food have to do with writing? 
The cook of the home has many choices about what he or she will cook. We have an abundance of food items to create something special to be shared with others. As we journey through life, we writers have many choices to make as well:What topic will write about?Will we write fiction or nonfiction?Will we try to be published traditionally or independently?Will we co-write?
Like perusing through the markets and gathering ideas of how to use the various foods, as writers we watch and listen to people and actions around us and also gather ideas. We become like sponges absorbing the activities and conversations around us. 
As a cook mulls over her recipe choices, writers mull over how they will share the thoughts whirling through their minds:Will it be a blog post?Will it be a devotional?Will it be a magazine article?Will it be part of a book?
Once the recipe, or writing piece, has been chosen, it’s time to move to the next step. The prepping or in cooking terms, mise en place (everything in place) is next and necessary in both scenarios. Writers do their research and put it all together to be used when needed. A cook gathers all his ingredients ready to be added at the right time. 
Once the first draft has been composed, it’s much like the cook’s dish—it’s time to let it sit and simmer. Time to let the words blend just like the ingredients of the food; both need to work together to have the perfect taste intended. 
We know that foods should have a good taste, but can words do the same? I believe so. I think a ripe slice of summer watermelon has a good taste and takes me to a happy place! Kind words can do the same thing through encouragement to your soul. But unkind words can leave a bitterness similar to horseradish, a bitter food. Words of anger can be like a spicy hot pepper. Both leave a memory that’s not so good in your mind. 
But there is another type of taste connected to words, and that is through spiritual food:
Taste and see that the Lord is good; Psalm 34:8a NIV              Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go   hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NIV
As writers, are we offering up words that direct people to the best taste ever? Do our words point to the Bread that gives life to all who accept it? 
The next time we go through a market with all the colorful produce, think about the many ways Jesus can be shared through our words. How boring would the market be if it had row upon row of small red tomatoes. Just like each and every tomato we pick up is different and unique in its formation and color, each and every word we choose can be used to draw someone closer to God. 
Will you join me in sharing the abundance and wonderful taste of Jesus to those around us?
TWEETABLEWriting & Cooking - offering up words that direct others to the best taste ever from @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s been married to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 37 years, a mom to their grown daughter, Kristen, and wrapped around the paw of a little dog named Hattie. Born and raised in Ohio, her family now resides in South Carolina. She is the President of Word Weavers Upstate SC, member of ACFW and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. She’s the Blog Editor for Word Weavers International. A Conference Assistant for Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. A monthly contributor for The Write Conversation. A contributor in the 2018 Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. Also a regular contributor to several other blogs. 
Connect with Tammy: Blog:http://www.tammykarasek.com  Email: tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

Living the Writing Dream—Even When You Don’t Know What It Is Anymore

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

I’ve learned to never lock myself into an idea. Complacency sets in which can show up like arthritis on a rainy day. 
My southern grandmother could predict when her joints would act up by observing nature. “The cows are layin’ down. It’s gonna’ rain today,” she’d say. Sure enough, those cows were spot on. We moderns don’t bother with that sort of thing. We’re too busy checking our cell phones or grinding away on our computers. Of course, we can ask Alexa and she’ll give us a detailed weather report and just about anything else we want to know. 
My car warns me when weather is bad or traffic is slow along my route which, incidentally, it knows on any given day. Reminds me of Hal in 2001 Space Odyssey, a film that gave me nightmares well into my twenties. 
Our computers do have limitations, though. They can’t tell us how to live our dream when we wonder if we still know what it is. We thought we knew, but then life interfered and challenged us at every turn. Until, at last, we agreed to the metamorphosis that God had been planning all along. That reminder—that turning back to the path He’d directed us to long ago.
God, who do you say that I am? That was the question I posed while at Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference a few weeks ago. I needed a reminder. A fresh anointing. His answer came in a unique and individual way. Because that’s the kind of God we serve. Unlike the drone-like voice of Alexa, God speaks our name and leads in ways that are far from text-book ready. 
In my quest, God did notshow me a technicolor vision of tomorrow. Instead, He spoke in the quiet solitude of the mountains. He showed me to let go. To release the constraining fear that keeps one walking in circles on the same path. Frightening at first. But then freedom. And it is only when we give ourselves permission to be free to fail can we be free to create.
As writers, the ever present rejection and harsh critiques can often tear at our self-image and remove us from the path God has designed for us. However, when we take those comments to the Lord who called us to be what we are, they take on new meaning. 
We spend hours of solitary putting words and stories together. When our work is rejected, we hurt. God showed me the importance of asking Him what that rejection triggered in me. What emotions did it evoke? God is always eager to reveal that which we’ve been holding onto that needs His perspective. His healing. His peace. 
We tend to lock ourselves into what worked in the past, instead of always reaching for that to which the Holy Spirit breathes energy. God is very eager to climb into the skin of our life’s story and, with perfect execution, turn it into His story. The story He planned for us before we were created in our mother’s wombs. For the writer, that means our creativity explodes. 
My grandmother taught me that learning often comes from observing. My time in the mountains linked her lesson to the Lord who allows us to see His truth. Always through surrender. Surrender of ourselves, our writing, and, yes, even those dreaded rejections. He works all to reveal the image He has of us and the work He has called us to do.
TWEETABLELiving the #Writing Dream—Even When You Don’t Know What It Is Anymore - @GannonEmme on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Emme Gannon is a wife, mother, and grandmother who loves to write stories that stir the heart. Her award-winning writing has appeared in Focus on the Family magazine, several anthologies, and numerous newsletters. She just completed her first novel.

23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

There are a lot of things about being a writer that are hard. And there are a lot of ways we make it even harder on ourselves. So today, I’d like to remind you—and me—of ways to be a little bit kinder on ourselves.

2. Choose to be optimistic.

3. Pray First

4. Be patient, writing is a process and takes time.

5. Invest in your dream—financially and otherwise.

6. Find a tribe—don’t try to do this alone.

7. Remember why you write.

8. Be courageous.

9. Choose joy.

10. Remember that failure isn’t always a bad thing.

11. Be flexible.

12. Give others the benefit of the doubt.

13. Eat healthy.

14. Take a chance and hit send.

15. Make time to write a priority.

16. Take a walk—exercise regularly.

17. Don’t beat yourself up when you fall short.

18. Invest in other writers—we all have those who aren’t quite where we are.

19. Give yourself the gift of a reasonable writing schedule.

20. Have a dedicated workspace.

21. When you hit a roadblock, go around it, don’t stop.

22. Encourage other writers.

23. Sometimes, write just for the fun of it.
I’d love for you to add to today’s list. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie


And because I've had requests for this in the past, here's a link to a PDF of this list.23 Things to do for Your Writing Self
TWEETABLES23 Things to do for your writer self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Invest in your dream – and 22 other things you can do for your writer self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

6 Steps to Break Into Newspaper Writing

By Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites
And the winners are ….. 
I told you last month in my very first blog post for The Write Conversation that writing for newspapers as a faith-based, freelance stringer is a win-win strategy. An unpublished or newly-published author wins valuable credits for the resume when a newspaper article sporting his or her byline appears in print. And the readership of the community earns the prize of positive and inspirational, local content above and below the fold. I extolled the virtues of newspaper writing because I’m passionate about sharing GOOD news amongst the dark and difficult current event news stories. I‘m most passionate about sharing the GOOD NEWS - local God-stories with positive messages and encouragement for the believer and non-believer in newsprint pages that arrive early each morning in the paper box or news stand.
My newspaper writing passion led me to enter several articles in this year’s Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference contest. For the first time, BRMCWC offered a “published short works” category. I feel strongly about entering conference contests, not for a possible “win,” but because I know the money goes towards scholarships for those in need. I was once a scholarship recipient at another conference and vowed to give back at future ones.
I was elated to receive word that I was a Selah finalist. My name joined other distinguished writers in that category, and I prepared to congratulate the winners. We were all winners – we were Selah finalists.
I can’t begin to describe my surprise at placing first. I’ve read penned words by those in my category, and I’m convinced we were fractions of points apart in the judging. 
Thank you, BRMCWC – I am honored and blessed with a newspaper-published, short works Selah award. It’s one I will treasure always. 
You, too, can be a winning newspaper writer. 
A steady stream of fresh content fills the pages of newsprint, seven days a week for larger cities, six days for medium-sized ones like my hometown, or once a week for the next county over. That’s where the freelancer comes in. 
Newsrooms can’t afford to pay a wealth of fulltime reporters, but welcome contributions from freelance stringers. 
Here’s how to begin a winning relationship with the editor-in-chief of your local newspaper.
1. First, study the paper. Read it from cover to cover. Check the story lengths of front page stories and those on the inside pages. Look at all the departments. Compare the local stories to those purchased from Associated Press or other avenues. 
What feature articles appear front-page? Are personal profiles used? Is there a Lifestyle section, perhaps in the Sunday edition? Are educational stories included? Faith-based articles? Is there adequate sports coverage for local teams? Are family-friendly stories included? Stories featuring women? Do the article headlines reflect the diversity of your community and country?  
2. Once you have a feel for the stories your newspaper publishes, seek three to four similar, but fresh, stories with local relevance to research. Conduct interviews, if necessary, and make sure every fact is irrefutably accurate. (We’ll talk more about interviews next time.) 
3. Snap pictures to go along with the articles, just in case the editor wants to use your sample story for an upcoming issue.
4. Compose and type the stories, including relevant pictures. Print hard copies of the samples to present to an editor, though if you develop a working relationship, you’ll most likely email future stories to him or her.
5. Email or phone the newspaper editor and ask for an appointment to discuss freelance opportunities. If you’re published, share that info with the editor. If you’re not published, share other related information. Like, how long you’ve lived in the community or your involvement there. How passionate you are about the community. Any education degrees or certificates or writing courses/conferences you’ve attended that have given you the skills to write for the paper. Share whatever pertinent information that could be a selling point for you as a freelancer. 
6. Armed with samples, arrive on time for the appointment and confidently share your desire to contribute local content to the paper. 
When the editor smiles and says, “Yes – I love it! Give me more!” – then you’ve won the jackpot! 
Ask if you can supply stories regularly – and be sure to ask how frequently he or she can use your stories – but also make yourself available for assignments. Discuss payment, keeping in mind that it could be minimal, or for some papers, non-existent. 
But like I mentioned in the last post, the prize of consistent bylines to build up the resume or the intrinsic rewards of sharing God-stories and positive articles often far-outweighs the monetary value of newspaper writing. 
Get details about how to submit stories and the format the editor prefers and ask any other questions that would be beneficial to writing the stories. 
If by chance the editor turns down your offer, ask if you can reach out to him or her again later. Positivity and persistence pays off and maybe the timing will be right on another day.
If you get a resounding “yes,” celebrate with a double-scoop of ice cream, then get busy searching for stories. Find that unique story that no one’s covered. Give readers headlines that they’ll talk about over the lunch break or share on social media. 
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” Isaiah 52:7 ESV.
And the winners are …. YOU and your community.
TWEETABLES6 Steps to Break Into Newspaper #Writing - @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The advantages of newspaper #writing from @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Of all the hats Julie’s worn over the years – Navy wife, public schoolteacher, homeschooling mommy to four, church volunteer in a variety of ages and stages, writer, book and magazine author, journalist, conference instructor, and crochet gal – her most favorite hat of the past will always be homeschooling mommy. Overtaking rapidly, though, is the GrammaJulie hat of the last four months. 
Julie writes for her hometown newspaper and was thrilled to win a 2019 Selah award for a published newspaper story, She also writes for Guidepostspublications, magazines, various compilations, and several parenting blogs. She is the author of 365 Days of Celebration and Praise: Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families, Creative Sleepovers for Kids, and three teacher resource books for the religious division of Carson-Dellosa Publishers. Connect with Julie on Facebook, Twitter at @JLavenderwrites, Instagram at JulieLavenderwrites, and follow her nature blog, On My Walk With God, at julielavender.blogspot.com.

Publishing as a Second Language—Acquisition Editor, Managing Editor, or Editor-in-Chief?

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

When we enter the publishing world, lots of terms come to the surface. One of the things that can be a little confusing is:When I go to submit a manuscript, to whom do I send it? Do I send it to the Senior Editor, the Managing Editor, the Editorial Assistant, or one of the other folks that I see listed as part of the staff?
Often when studying the masthead of the magazine (where you see the listing of editors) it seems overwhelming. There are so many names. But as long as you know who to look for, your submission will find its way to the correct person. If you don’t see an Acquisitions Editor listed and the staff is small, an editorial assistant may be your best choice.Publishing houses have staff listings on their websites. You can find the name of the Acquisitions Editor as well as others who work for the publishing house. If you are submitting, the Acquisitions Editor is probably the person you are looking for. Sometimes when you are submitting online, the Acquisitions Editor will have a form for you to fill out rather than just sending a proposal. Parts of your proposal can probably be pasted into the form to make your submission process easier.
Most likely your first editorial contact will be the Acquisitions Editor. They are the “gatekeepers” of publishing houses and magazines. Their job is to make sure what they acquire fits the mission of the publishing house and is something that will sell well in their markets. Acquisitions Editors know what their publishing houses and periodicals have published recently, the style they prefer, and what they are looking for. 
Writers conferences are a good place to meet Acquisitions Editors. You can make an appointment and sit down face-to-face with them. As you share your verbal pitch, they can feel your passion about the subject you are pitching. Acquisitions Editors are the first “lookers” at your work so before you pitch to them, make sure your work is polished as much as possible. Occasionally the editor may like the idea and request adjustments to certain areas of your idea to make it fit their needs. That is a good thing, especially if their publication or publishing house is one you have dreamed of writing for. If the Acquisitions Editor is not excited enough about it to take it to the pub board, it won’t go any farther in that publishing house or publication.
If your project goes forward and gets to the contract stage, the next person you will encounter is the Managing Editor. He or she will be the person at the publishing house who will manage your project. The Managing Editor does just what his title implies—manages every part of the project. He or she will manage all the personnel who will be working on your book or article. Managing editors will also deal directly with designers, typesetters, and other editors, set deadlines for all aspects of the project, and make sure the project is brought to completion according to the standards of the publication. If there is no Acquisitions Editor, you may have already worked with the Managing Editor or another editor. 
Both the Acquisitions Editor and the Managing Editor would answer to the Editor-in-Chief who would be overseeing the entire operation of the business. As a freelance writer you may never have the opportunity to meet or work with the Editor-in-Chief. But once your article or book is in print, a thank you note to the Editor-in-Chief is always appreciated.
Meetings with Acquisitions Editors and Managing Editors may be the most important minutes of your writing journey. Prepare well for them and make sure your work is the best it can be. Pray for confidence and rapport as you meet. Present your manuscript in a way that editors are compelled to ask you to send it to them so they can champion it on to publication.
TWEETABLESPublishing as a Second Language—Acquisition Editor, Managing Editor, or Editor-in-Chief? @LindaGilden on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Deciphering what different editors do in the #publishing industry - @LindaGilden on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
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

For Writers: Staying True to You

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted


Writing is subjective and this sometimes makes it difficult to know who or what to believe about our writing. For this reason, I think this is the first lesson all new writers need to learn.This is especially true in critique groups. The ideal critique group would have several levels of writers. New writers, more seasoned writers, and well published writers or mentors. The wonderful thing about being a member of a critique group is that you receive feedback from so many varied levels of writers. But again, let me remind you, writing is subjective, so a writer has to learn to discern through the suggestions that are offered and pick and choose what suits your work best. Those obvious writing basics cannot be dismissed, but the suggestions for how or what others think your work should say. . .are subjective.
When I first began writing, I didn’t understand this. As a member of an online critique group, I received tons of suggestions and made the changes accordingly. Before long, I realized my story had lost its way. Every well-meaning critique partner had their own thoughts as to the direction my story needed to go. 
Unfortunately, a lot of them made sense. I had to learn how to discern through those things that are subjective, finding that, what worked well for one writer, might not work for me. It was frustrating and I didn’t have the privilege of local writing peers to guide me. It took some time, but I finally learned writing was subjective. Once I grasped that, my writing became my own and I was able to pick and choose from the suggestions that came my way. 
Trends in writing can be equally as frustrating. What is hot today, won’t be in a year. I’ve known writers who hopped from genre to genre trying to hit the next up and coming trend, only to miss out by a hair. 
Here’s a personal example. My voice lays in the strong mountain dialect of the Appalachians. When I began to write Appalachian Historical, it wasn’t EVEN on the radar. I continued to write what I loved, despite the fact it wasn’t sellable in the market at the time. I thought I’d try something fun. Mind you, I kept working on the Appalachian pieces, but I tried my hand at a fun-loving story filled with humor. Keep in mind, I was still a new writer, and though I wrote well, my writing wasn’t up to the level it needed to be for publication. 
Once the humorous story Mae in June was complete the trend of chick lit had long passed. It was suggested I rewrite the story into the YA genre. So I did. The story characters were too old. Publishers wanted my 25 year-old protagonist to be in her teens. I rewrote again for another stab at pleasing someone else. It wasn’t long after the rewrite that I received a note that said, this story would make a better middle grade story. Do you see where this is going?
After four rewrites, I’d lost 1) the story and 2) the joy in the story. To this day, Mae in June sits in my file folder as a learning process.
I went back to writing what I knew I was good at – the one place my voice was strong and unique. And though I’ve written articles for eldercare, and devotions, my heart remained true to my strength in the Appalachian voice and stories. It took six years for the writing industry to perk an ear at my stories and in the beginning, their response was, “This is good, but we aren’t sure where we’ll put it.” Until that one publisher did a double take and swung around. “We’ll take a chance on this.” And they did. What happened next was an explosion of readers who suddenly fell in love with the stories of the Appalachian people and their culture.
It’s always wise to learn and practice other types of writing, but it’s also important to remain true to who you are. Patience becomes your best friend as you wait for your work to suddenly be “the one” a publisher steps out in faith on. 
Be wise. Learn the craft and learn it well. Learn to discern what is subjective. The more you master the craft, the better your stories will become and your voice strengthens. But above all else, remain true to what you know you write well. It may take time, but in the long run…it’s well worth the wait. 

TWEETABLES
For Writers: Staying True to You - @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Thoughts on being wise as a writer from @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us and InspireaFire.com. Cindy is the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, both imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is an award-winning and best-selling author and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at  www.cindysproles.com .  @cindydevoted

I Might Have Commitment Issues as a Writer If...

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Choosing to be a writer can be a daunting prospect. It involves courage, creativity, and yes, commitment. When we’re unwilling to make that commitment, we can destine ourselves to failure before we’ve had a chance to succeed.

This post isn’t meant to beat anyone up, but rather to make us aware of some of the things holding us back on our writing journey.I Might Have Commitment Issues as a Writer If…1. I'm unwilling to write on a schedule. Notice I didn’t say write every day or write every morning. There are some who other commitments in addition to writing that make scheduling a daily writing time unreasonable. HOWEVER, we can all make a commitment to certain times during the week to write.
2. I'm unwilling to spend time writing. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how creative writers can be when it comes to thinking up reasons not to write. Beyond that, you’ll find writing groups and gathers populated with scores of people who want to be writers, but have reasons why they can’t right now. The truth is we all have reasons in our lives not to take the time to write. It all boils down to priorities. We make time for the things that are most important.
3. I'm unwilling to invest in learning how to write. Talent is great, but that alone won’t get any of us to the top, or even very far above the bottom. We have to learn how to apply the talent we’ve been given. That means reading books and blogs as well as attending classes and conferences.
4. I'm unwilling or defensive about being critiqued. I’m still not the best about enjoying a good critique, but I’ve learned how to accept it. I thank the person critiquing me, and even if I don’t agree, I look it over and try to take what I can from it. Especially with in-person critiques I’ve learned that being defensive and trying to explain or justify is counterproductive.
5. I'm unwilling to join a writers group. There are those in the industry who disagree with me, but not many. I’ve found that for me, and the hundreds of writers I’ve worked with, that we’re all stronger together. We need others to encourage us along the way. We also need the perspective of those who’ve experienced what we’re going through.
6. I'm refuse to spend time reading. Our business is that of writing. How can we have perspective on the industry if we refuse to read what’s being written? Books are a valuable way to learn and polish our own writing.
7. I'm unwilling to learn the business of writing. There’s more to writing than just putting words on paper. We need to learn the language of the publishing industry. We need to learn the etiquette of the publishing industry. We need to learn the marketing and social media side of the business, and how things work.
8. I'm unwilling to be patient. Writing is a craft. It’s not something learned overnight. We often come into this business with something we’ve written and expect it to be publishable. That’s just not reasonable. A concert pianist can’t expect to be performance-ready before his first lesson, and neither can a writer.
9. I'm unwilling to submit your work. Yes we want to write with excellence. We need to do the best we can right now, but not let perfectionism get in the way of submission. There are two truths in this industry we each need to embrace:No matter how hard we try, we’ll never be perfect.No matter how much we revise the piece we’re working on now, the next one will be better.10. I think everything you write is publishable. There are going to be some things we write that just don’t fit the market—any market. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad. It could be the wrong time or place for such a piece. We need to know when to move on to the next thing.  
11. I'm unwilling to accept advice. I don’t think we should accept every single piece of advice we receive. Likewise though, I don’t think we should ignore every single piece of advice we receive. When someone
12. I'm unwilling to stop looking at yourself as the exception to the rule. There are certain ways that things are done or not done in the publishing industry. There are also exceptions to almost every single instance. But there’s a reason they’re called exceptions. It’s because those specific set of circumstances rarely happen that way. It’s fine to dream and hoped, but we also have to be diligent, disciplined and do our part to make our dreams come true.
13. I look at every other writer as competition. There is plenty of work to be done. Especially as believers who write, God has room for each of us. We need to celebrate the successes of one another, share what we’re learning, and never gloat when things go well.
I’m sure this list could go on and on and on. I’m at the end for me, but I’d love to hear what you’d add. Be sure to leave your thoughts in comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
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13 Things that show I Might Have Commitment Issues as a Writer - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

When Failure Brings Blessings

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delightin weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions,in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV).
For me, failure reinforces and validates the fears I battle as a writer. Every mistake I make seems to add weight to the voices I hear in my head that feed my insecurity. And I make a lot of mistakes. Because this vicious cycle can bring my writing to a screeching halt, I’ve had to find a way to combat this way of looking at life. One week I was overwhelmed with assignments—blog posts, articles, devotions, and even a book—all due in the same week. Although I’d love to say I was organized and everything went off without a hitch, it didn’t. The book I turned in had all my attention and the other assignments suffered. By the time Friday rolled around I felt like I’d been to war and back—finishing up wounded and weary. I’d been honest on social media about the craziness of the week and how I’d tried to make sure my work was typo-free and on time, but I’d fallen so short it was pathetic, and I knew it.
Truthfully, I felt like quitting that week. Everywhere I turned, the evidence of my failure was on view to the world. I couldn’t see how my less-than-stellar work was blessing anyone. The last straw was the blog post I’d published on my own site that morning. As I read it in the email that had been sent out I just shook my head. The typos and other mistakes seemed to prove my ineptitude.
That was the day another email arrived in my inbox. 
A new writer shared that although it had taken all her courage to write me, my openness about my struggles and my doubts that week had given her the push she needed. She felt I’d understand her turmoil. She went on to say that the fact I’d fallen short of perfection was an encouragement and was keeping her from quitting on the call God had placed on her life. 
She shared her struggles, and I finished the email with tears in my eyes. How like God to show me once again how He was at work through me, no matter how imperfect I was. He reminded me that I wasn’t the one who needed to be perfect. He has that covered—and in His perfection—He makes everything work together exactly as it should.

TWEETABLE
When Failure Brings Blessings - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

NOTE: This is an excerpt from my latest book, Soul Care for Writers

Our lives are busier each day, and the margin we have available for recovery and peace is shrinking. Edie Melson helps you find Soul Care solutions using devotions and prayers and opportunities for creative expression. She has learned that sensory involvement deepens our relationship with the Father and gives rest to our weary souls. She will teach you to tap into your creativity. Reconnect with God using your tactile creativity.Warning! This book may become dog-eared and stained. Draw in it. Experiment with your creative passions. Learn the healing power of play. Allow God’s power to flow through creativity. Soul Care for Writers will become your heart treasure.

Learning to be Content with the Writing Life We Have Right Now

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

The writing life is one of constant evaluation. We all set goals for ourselves, most of them familiar:Finish a manuscript. Attend a writers conference.Pitch a book idea to editors and agents.Land a contract.Win an award.After we’ve set our goals, we do the work needed to achieve them. And that’s when we constantly ask ourselves the question, “How am I doing?” Sometimes we’re successful. Sometimes our dreams even happen faster than we imagined. Other times? We do the work … and we wait. And then there are the times when our success shifts, seemingly disappears, like when our publishing house closes or an anticipated follow-up contract doesn’t materialize. We may not have everything we’ve hoped and dreamed about as a writer. Reality is, most of us are always striving for something else, something more. 
Today, let’s stop for a moment and consider this question: What do we have?
Our dissatisfaction with what we don’t have can cause us to overlook all the things we do have. 
Maybe we’re one of those writers who hasn’t landed an agent yet.We’ve yet to move from “pre-published” to “published” author. What we do have is time. We’re not under deadline pressure, so we have lots of time to work on our craft, to attend conferences, to finish our manuscripts and to, yes, rewrite our rough drafts. 
Maybe we’re one of those writers who has heard back from an editor – and the answer was “no, thank you.”What we do have is opportunity. We get to try again. We get to step back, catch our breath, and to reevaluate what we’re doing to make our writing better.
Maybe we’re one of those writers who hasn’t finaled in a contest, who hasn’t won an award.What we do have is a choice. We can choose to celebrate others when they win. We can choose to remember “Contentment does not come from achievement.”(Paul Henderson (1943-), Canadian former professional hockey player) We can settle in our hearts – now and in the future – what our hope and our contentment is anchored to. Let’s choose wisely.

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Award-winning author Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Having authored nine contemporary romance novels and novellas, Beth's first women's fiction novel with Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018. Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases May 2019. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.

A Checklist for Your Blog AFTER You Hit Publish

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Last week I shared A Checklist for Your Blog Before You Hit Publish.   But publishing a post doesn’t mean our work is done. 
There are even more things you can do then that make a big difference in how many people it reaches. This week I’m sharing how to continue that momentum with 9 things to do after you hit publish.8 Things To Do After You Hit Publish1. Check your inbox and make sure your post actually went out on time. I sign up for email updates for my blog as a safety net. That way, I know if a post doesn’t go out as scheduled.
2. Click on your site and give the post a final once-over proofread and format check. I don’t care how many times I proof a post, I almost always find something that needs tweaking after it’s gone live.
3. Schedule an update to go out on your social media networks. I try to schedule my updates later in the day because the email notification about my blog posts go out in the morning. By spacing out the announcements, I’ll reach more people.
4. Come back regularly during the day and answer comments. If you’ve ended the post with an open-ended question or call to action, it’s rude not to come back and join the conversation.
5. Keep an eye out for social media updates that tag your post. Thank and/or answer the people who mention your site. If you get a lot of mentions, consider answering them in a single list post like this:
Thanks for the mention @AneMullign @DiAnnMills @SharronCosby
Or just choosing one or two like this:
Thanks for the mention @CathySBaker @LoriRoeleveld  and everyone who took time to drop by!
6. Check the people who share your post on social media and make sure you’re following them. If you have time and what they offer is appropriate, look for a way to share something of theirs.
7. Study the comments the post gets and look for any missing information you need to add. For instance, in 15 Things to do Before You Hit Publish, there were several comments asking for a printable list. I went back in add a link to the list (and I’ve done that for this post).
8. Mine your comments for possible future blog post topics. Again, when readers asked for a printable list, they also asked how I did that. Because of that, I’ll be posting a tutorial on how to host a document on Google Drive as an upcoming blog post.
These are things you can do to make sure your blog post reaches as far and wide as possible. What would you add to this list? Be sure to leave your suggestions in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
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PRINTABLE LINK to 9 Things to Do AFTER You Hit Publish

Don't stop here though. Go back and read my post for A Checklist for Your Blog BEFORE You Hit Publish