Edie Melson's Blog, page 340

25 Things People Say to Writers—And How We’d Like to Reply

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Below is my list of comments I’ve received over the past years since I’ve admitted to being a writer. 
In the parenthesis after each comment is what I wish I could have said. 
I’m happy to report I’ve not given in to the temptation…yet.
1. Aren’t you published yet? (I really don’t have the space here to get into this. I usually just do a mental eye-roll.)
2. Can I give you a call so you can tell me how to get published. (Sure, it’s so easy I can cover it in a phone conversation.)
3. I have an idea for something you should write about. We could split the profits. (yeah, I do all the work and you get half of almost nothing. Sounds like a deal to me…)
4. I just wrote a book, can you contact your publisher/agent for me? (I could, but you really wouldn’t like what I had to say about you.)
5. Why don’t you take the day off, it’s not like you work for a living. (unprintable reply)
6. Can I read your manuscript? (Like I don’t have enough stress in my life already)
7. Writing must be the easiest job in the world. (If you like 20-hour days, pennies per hour, horrific critiques, and serving up your heart for others to chew on daily.)
8. Anyone can write a book, what else do you do? (see number 6)
You should get that published.9. You should get that published. (Really? Like I hadn’t thought of that.)
10. I’ve heard that if you….you’ll be a much better writer. (Nothing I like better than advice from someone who has no clue.)
11. Aren’t you finished with that yet? (Of course I am, I just decided not to try to get it published.)
12. I hate reading, it’s such a waste of time. (unprintable reply)
13. Have you ever written anything I might have read? (Yes, if morons could read.)
14. Will you read my manuscript? (*Screaming and running in the other direction*)
15. Are you still doing that writing thing? (Believe me, if I could quit, I would.)
When can I get your book for free?16. When can I get your book for free? (What part of “I do this for a living” do you not understand?)
17. Can you edit/write my essay for me? (I write commercially, not academically. There is a difference, and I could probably guarantee you a failing grade.)
18. Will you make me a character? (Only if I can kill you.)
19. What do you do with all your spare time? (In the vein of number 17, why don’t you come over and find out…)
20. My book doesn’t need editing, my high school English teacher went through it for me. (There are some teachers who know about writing commercially, but they are in the minority.)
21. Writing, can you make a living at that? (Well, theoretically you can.)
I thought you were a real writer.22. I thought you were a real writer, these are just magazine articles (or blogs or devotions or any number of other things). (Yeah, they pay me and give me deadlines because they don’t have anything better to do.)
23. Why don’t you take me to lunch, I know all authors are rich and famous. (Obviously you don’t know any other authors. Most laborers in third-world countries make more per hour than authors.
24. Writing, it must be nice to make so much money for not doing anything. (Yep, I lay around all day watching TV and eating bonbons.)
25. My book is perfect just the way it is. God gave me every word and I’m not changing a thing. (Let me know how that turns out for you.)
These really are things I’ve heard more than once. I used to get frustrated or try to educate those I spoke with. Now I just keep a list. Well, actually I keep two. One, of all the stupid things people say to writers. Two, character sketches of those I can add to my stories. (Never underestimate the ability of writers to get even.) 
I’d love to know what folks have said to you. Be sure to add your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
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5 Ways to Write Using the Five Senses—Taste

by Cyle Young @CyleYoung

Now that we’ve taken a deeper look at two of the senses, sound and sight. Let’s take a more in depth look at one of the hardest senses to describe in some settings—taste.
All great authors write using the five senses, and the best know how to incorporate just a touch of taste to highlight an emotion, experience, or mood, or to fill out a setting. These masters draw their readers deeper into the world, scene, or setting of a story by embracing utilizing the five unique qualities of tastesavory, sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.The tongue alone has over 10,000 taste buds that are able to work together to taste over 100,000 different flavors. Simply describing a taste as sweet is like describing the Mona Lisa as just “some painting”.
Writers have the ability to create masterpieces out of taste descriptions. A word picture written in a book has the ability to not only connect with the reader, but if done properly, it can cause the reader to salivate or unconsciously experience that same sensation while they read. As an author, you have the ability to be like the famous bell-ringing scientist Pavlov. Each taste you craft into your manuscript helps heighten your reader’s sense of connection to your story world. 
As an exercise take sixty-seconds and write what you taste in the scene shown in this picture.




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Cyle Young is thankful God blessed him with the uniqueness of being an ADD-riddled…SQUIRREL!...binge writer. Not much unlike the classic video game Frogger, Cyle darts back and forth between various writing genres. He crafts princess children’s stories, how-to advice for parents, epic fantasy tales, and easy readers.

The Spiritual Battle of Writing

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28


He doesn’t like it when we sit down to write. Our spiritual enemy’s mission to hurt God’s children and keep hearts blinded to the truth, is thwarted when we write for God. We may grow weary with writing and rewriting, but what we’re really doing is preparing for battle.
Satan delights to hinder God’s work. I’ve experienced his tactics. Have you? Even this week as my family works to release a magazine on spiritual warfare, we have gone through our own spiritual warfare. Satan will try to hinder God’s people from sharing the truth. Although we have a skilled enemy, our Lord Jesus Christ is a more powerful commander, and He has called us to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV). Are you faithfully serving at your post? Are you allowing any part of your writing or enthusiasm to diminish because of spiritual warfare?In His Word, God has given us an example of how to resist Satan’s tactics and discouraging whispers. Nehemiah had set his heart to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, but certain enemies in the area taunted him and the workers. Nehemiah’s response can be our response when Satan and his forces try to hinder God’s work.
The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.Nehemiah 2:20 NKJV
Our confidence is in God.Do you see the confidence in his words? Not in himself, but in God. Nehemiah identified Who they were serving—the God of heaven Himself—and who they were—His servants. So the enemies of the Jews had no right to hinder what they were doing for God. The principles works for us too.
When our spiritual enemy tries to hinder our work for God, we can answer in a similar way. God Himself will help us, and we are His servants. Satan has no rightful place in our lives to make us afraid and no authority to influence who we are or what we do. So don’t let him win.
When you sit down to write, don’t let the enemy have any place in your mind, heart, or life—in how you think, in your desires and what drives you, or in any part of your relationships, work, ministry, and dreams. Satan can never indwell a believer, but he will do what he can to hurt us and God’s plan for our lives and for others’ lives. Keep your heart close to God, and stay under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91:4). Remember why you’re writing, and keep fighting the good fight. The story isn’t finished yet. There’s more work for you to do. 

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Katy Kauffman is an award-winning writer and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. 

She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and has two published Bible studies for women, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory and Faith, Courage, and Victory. She is an editor of the new Refresh Bible Study Magazine and the designer of Broken but Priceless: The Magazine. She makes her home near Atlanta, Georgia.

9 Things Authors CAN Do to Restore Value to Writing Books

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted
In this day of brick and mortar bookstores dropping like flies I realize the price of a book can be $12-$15. By the time the publisher takes their cut, the distributor takes their chunk, and agents get their share, book dealers can barely butter their bread and authors are left crumbs. When you factor in book returns to the publisher and those monies being taken away from the author - you can see why people tell writers to keep their day job.If you love to read, be kind to the authors. Purchase their books and think of them as gems on your shelves rather than a fleeting thought.
I recently wrote this Facebook post because I continually saw readers making comments about a book being pricey. Waiting for the price to go down. Holding out for the freebie in a contest or .99 day on Amazon. Some even responded they didn’t have time to purchase a book from their favorite author, yet. . .they hold out for the free day. 
It breaks my heart to think that readers do not
value the hard work of authors.It breaks my heart to think that readers do not value the hard work of authors. Worse yet, authors do not value their work either. Sadly, it tends to fall back on a society of entitlement. I’ve often wondered just how long of a line a car dealership would have if just ONCE they sold cars for .99. And after that date, how many consumers would not purchase a new car until the dealership offered them for .99 again?
In order to sell books we are slashing the price and grooming the reader into expecting a .99 book or a free book. We are then being held hostage by consumers who refuse to purchase a book at retail. It’s a lose – lose.
I’m not blind to marketing. I understand you have to spend a great deal of money to make money, and for every .99 ebook sold, it generates new full retail sales, but if we as authors step up and do our part faithfully, the value of our craft would expand.
The consumer assumes when an author sells a book to a publisher, that suddenly the author is financially set for life. It is an assumption and not a fact.
Authors joyfully write, attend conferences, and expect their book will be sucked up by every publisher in sight. There’s nothing wrong with following your dream, but blindly following and placing expectations on an industry that cannot always deliver success – only sets up an author for great disappointment.
Before you throw stones at a publisher, book retailer, or agent – take note of these sample numbers.
A book retails at $14.00.$2.25 goes to the book distributor.$6.00 goes to the book store.$2.00 goes to the printer.$1.50 goes to the author (on a 10% royalty - less after the author pays the agent).$2.25 is left for the publisher to pay the editorial team, marketing team, and keep the lights turned on.
Of course numbers vary from book to book, publisher and author, but this gives you a loose example of the breakdown. Unless you’re skirting a million book seller, this is the average life of a writer.
For a publisher to break even on the initial cost of producing a book, they need to sell a minimum of 2500 of those books (numbers vary). When you factor in the harsh reality of book returns, and that those returns generate into a financial loss for the publisher and the author, then an author who might get $50 in royalties, can easily end up with a zero check.
What can an author do to help stop this vicious cycle and restore value to the craft of writing: 1. Write good material – Don’t slack on the mechanics. Learn the craft. Write a book that people MUST read.2. Build your platform – Look for the groups of people who will benefit from reading your book and become a part of them. Guide them to your book.3. Listen to your publisher when they offer you opportunities to market your book. When they offer opportunities, say yes. And do it.4. Build your speaking platform – The more you speak, the more you sell.5. Work to sell your book – It’s not an easy job. But necessary.6. Be joyful in your attitude – Lose the “all about me” attitude and become grateful for the gift of your book. Give of yourself and you will be rewarded. Be gracious, personable, and determined to be a servant.7. Commit your work to the Father – Proverbs 16:3 says, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (NIV)8. Build your tribe – Gather those around you who are committed to help you introduce your book and make its launch a success.9. Work with local private book retailers – These folks are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. When you work with them . . .they work with you and books will sell.
Selling books is difficult at best, but when you become pro-active in the work, then everyone wins. Make your work a success by being active in its sales.

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Cindy Sproles is an award-winning author and popular speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions ministries and managing editor of Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Cindy is the executive editor of www.christiandevotions.us and www.inspireafire.com. She teaches at writers conferences nationwide and directs The Asheville Christian Writers Conference - Writers Boot Camp. 

She is the author of two devotionals, He Said, She Said - Learning to Live a Life of Passion and New Sheets - Thirty Days to Refine You into the Woman You Can Be. Cindy's debut novel, Mercy's Rain, is available at major retailers. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com and book her for your next conference or ladies retreat. Also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

9 Things I Learned About Blogging From My Dog

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


9 Things I learned about blogging from my dog (Jake).Most of you know I’m an animal lover. We have one cat, Emily Dickinson, an old dog, Jake, and a new puppy, Cosmo, that belongs to our youngest son. I don’t know what I’d do without my four-legged friends cheering me on as I work every day.
But they’re more than just great companions, they’ve got a lot to teach me. I’ve shared lessons from Emily before in a devotion on BeingStill. So today I’d like to pass along some of the wisdom I’ve gleaned from my dogs.9 Things I Learned About Blogging From My Dogs1. Go all in.When you play, play. When you work, work. And when you rest, rest. My dogs are one hundred percent involved in whatever they’re doing. Beyond that, I’ve discovered that there’s no such thing as a multi-tasking dog. The same should be true for bloggers. Focus on the task at hand by setting aside time to blog. Don’t think of it as work you do in the spaces.
2. Chasing squirrels never ends well. It may be fun, but it rarely bring value to what you’re doing. When our boys were young (and so was Jake) they had the great idea of tying his leash to the handlebars of a scooter so he could pull them down the street. It went well until a squirrel darted in front of Jake. He took of one direction, the son on the scooter went another way. There was definitely collateral damage although none of it permanent. The same thing can with blogging. Leave the squirrel chasing for play time and stay focused on where you’re going in your post and avoid the collateral damage.
3. Loyalty is everything. My dogs are friendly with almost everyone, but their loyalty is to me. As bloggers, we have to have that same kind of loyalty toward our readers.
50 New smells a day. (This is Cosmo)4. 50 New smells a day.For a dog, going outside is more than exercise, it’s the ability to gather information about the world around them. As bloggers, we can’t become so immersed in our own corner of the world and especially only our point of view.
5. Keep digging until you have what you need. Both our dogs have favorite toys. But our puppy’s favorite pastime would appear to be getting his stuck under things. He’s learning though, to not just rely on us to get what he needs. He’s learning how to work and dig until he gets them back. As bloggers we can’t just rely on the information others provide. We have to be willing to learn, grow, and dig out what we need to be the best we can be.
6. Wag more, bark less. When my dog comes up to me, he’s grinning and his tail is wagging. He doesn’t approach me barking and growling. We need to make sure we interact with people online by wagging, not barking. Think before you post and keep it positive, you’ll never regret being nice.
7. Puppy treats make the worst job easier. Both our dogs love treats, but training our puppy is giving us a new appreciation about how valuable they are. Treats are also a good way to get me to finish a job I’m dreading.
Be ready for an adventure.8. Be ready for an adventure and travel light. My dogs are always ready to go for an adventure. Don’t be too tied to home base. As bloggers (and writers) we can pick up and go at the drop of a hat.
9. Always on guard.My dogs are always aware of what’s going on around them. They may appear to be sleeping soundly or playing hard, but if someone comes to the door, they are the first to alert. Because blogging is an online activity, we also need to always be alert. We shouldn’t be fearful, but we do need to be smart and stay aware.
These are some of the lessons I’ve learned, what has your pet taught you about blogging, writing or even life? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
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Find Freedom from Shame’s Shackles

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest


“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalm 139:14
Shame: “a painful feeling that's a mix of regret, self-hate, and dishonor.”* We all know how it feels. 
Simply put, it’s a negative feeling we work diligently to avoid, and yet so many of us live with shame as our constant companion. (https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/shame)Today is my youngest son’s sixteenth birthday. (Happy Birthday, Colin!) We have five sons ranging from sixteen to twenty-four. I’ve watched each one struggle with shame as they’ve passed through various life stages. I would do anything to take it from them, to lift shame from their shoulders and throw it far, far away. I’m not talking about the sense of guilt for having acted badly, because that can lead to a change of heart, I’m talking about the sense of worthlessness that shame brings.
“Worthless” and “insignificant” are lies, and it angers me to see it creeping up to any one of my boys; doing its darndest to leach on and drag them down…
…because I know personally the agony shame brings.
Shame tells me I don’t have a seat at the table, unless somehow I’ve earned it (an ever-shifting target).
It tells me I can’t eat, because I don’t deserve food (it’s reserved for others).
It tells me I am not worthy of the air I breathe or the ground beneath my feet.
It tells me to disappear into the floor so no one has to deal with me.
Shame is shackles and prison bars. It paralyzes and controls. It is fully the opposite of freedom and life.
We all know shame in an experiential sense; some to greater degrees than others. Being born into the human race guarantees our acquaintance with it. But why? Shouldn’t we be asking that? Shouldn’t we be able to find a way to bring a new born into the world and keep the ugly monster of shame away from the door? Why is a meeting with shame an inevitability? Can we do anything about it?
I think the why is pretty straightforward: the Fall. It’s that simple. We live in a fallen world and shame dominates the landscape. When Adam and Eve first realized they were naked, they covered themselves and hid. I love God’s response, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Gen. 3:11). The Liar twisted what God had decreed was good and told them it wasn’t. Shame entered the story of man with that infamous interaction with the Serpent.
The Serpent’s words clouded their vision both of God and of themselves. God hadn’t changed. Man hadn’t changed. But their perception had. Though they were confused by the lie, God remained steadfast, faithful and loving; and man remained His cherished creation. This is the point I want to make for us today because it has to do with what we can do about shame.
Simplistically stated, we learn to discern our Father’s voice. Studying the truth about this steadfast, faithful and loving God and abiding with Him is how we learn His character and know His voice. It’s how we can separate truth from lie.
The obfuscating storm cloud that is shame is where the truth about God and about ourselves is turned and twisted into harmful, painful messages. Just as Adam and Eve did, we cover ourselves believing that hiding will ease our discomfort and protect us. Shame makes promises it cannot keep: “Hide yourself and you will be safe,” “Cover yourself and you will be protected.” When God is our true refuge and Godis our secure hiding place (Ps. 46:1 and Ps. 32:7).
If our enemy is not able to create anything new, because only the Father can do that, then all he can do is distort what already exists. All he can do is turn the truth on its head, either completely upside down, or off kilter just enough that it is believable, but still a lie. So when we hear the words of shame telling us we are not worthy, that we don’t deserve a seat at the table, that the ground beneath our feet should swallow us whole; and if we know who our Father really is and we have learned His character, we can know the words of truth are the not those words. We can know that a lie has been made out of a truth.
Standing outside the storm cloud is the Lord loudly proclaiming our value and worth, but the enemy takes His words and confuses them. Hear the Father’s voice and be set free from shame!My dear friend and pastor, Curtis Tucker, has just finished a profoundly powerful book on the issue of shame. It’s called Damn Shame: Finding Freedom from False Beliefs. It comes out this week, June 15th. He looks at the biblical derivation of shame, demonstrates how our errant understanding of who God is and who we are effects our sense of worth, and shows us the wonderful truth a straight forward reading of the Bible reveals.
Freedom from shame may feel impossible, but nothing is impossible with a loving God.
http://www.amazon.com/Damn-Shame-Finding-Freedom-Beliefs/dp/1938499409?ie=UTF8&keywords=damn%20shame&qid=1465494411&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1https://www.facebook.com/events/242988566062805/ https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/42813-damn-shame

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Sarah has worked in Christian publishing since 2005 as both an editor and an agent.

Currently, she works with her husband, David, in their agency, the Van Diest Literary Agency. Writing is a growing passion for her as she hopes to bring hope to hurting hearts.

This-a-way or That-a-way

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." Yogi Berraby Beth Vogt @BethVogt

This-a-way or That-a-way
I so enjoy the eloquence of Yogi Berra.
Granted, it’s a bit garbled, but the man speaks truth.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
Make a decision. Make a choice. Keep moving. 
And yes, sometimes the decision we have to make is all about choosing between a right or wrong possibility. But sometimes it is about making the decision to take the fork in the road — either one — and face the coming consequences.
Make me know Your ways, O LORD, Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4-5 NASB)

In Your Words: When you face a fork in the road, what helps you take it? How do you decide this-a-way or that-a-way? Where has the path led lately?
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Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” 

A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

The Ten Commandments of Social Media

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


Today's post is short and sweet, but I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it!

1. Thou shalt always promote others ahead of thyself.
2. Thou shalt not have a running self-promotion commercial for a news feed.
3. Thou shalt add substance and value—not trivia—to those who like and follow thee. 
4. Thou shalt not hog the stream—of any social media network thou are a part of.
5. Thou shalt interact with those who comment upon and share thy updates.
6. Thou shalt not post negative or hurtful things about others, no matter how thou art treated.
7. Thou shalt take time to edit thyself before posting.
8. Thou shalt not plague others with game requests—ever.
9. Thou shalt be an authentic person online and not a Debby downer or perky Pollyanna.
10. Thou shalt not post in haste or anger.
As an added bonus, I've designed poster for you to download. Here's the link to The 10 Commandments of Social Media Poster. (see below)



What commandment would you add to the list? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
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Are You Investing in Your Writing—That Might be Your BEST Next Step

Edie here. Today I'm excited to introduce you to a good writing buddy of mine, Felicia Bridges. Her first novel, CzechMate will definitely put her on the list of novelists to watch. It's great blend of YA intrigue with a missions slant. I can personally recommend it as a new book to put on your to read list.
Are You Investing in Your Writing?
by Felicia Bridges @FBridges272

What is the single most important step you took toward becoming a published author?

If I could offer up one piece of advice to the writer who has been scribbling or tapping away for years, dreaming of some day seeing their words bound up in a glossy cover with their name on the front, it would be to attend a regional writers conference.

I know, for many it may seem like a huge leap of faith to invest hundreds of dollars or more when you haven’t published anything and aren’t even sure if you are a “real” writer. 1. By taking that leap, you are declaring to the world, but more importantly to yourself, that you ARE a writer. There are no real writers and not-so-real writers. When you attend the conference, you will discover a family that you’ve been part of without every having known it. You will hear others share the same doubts and fears that have kept you hiding behind a laptop but never hitting ‘SEND’ on a proposal or query letter. Even keynote speakers and multi-published authors confess the anxiety they have when they launch their latest work into the mailbox of their agent or publisher and await the verdict.

2. You’ll also learn how much you have left to learn. Even if you’ve been writing since childhood, taken college level creative writing classes, and written articles for the local paper, attending a conference will leave you gasping at the vast array of knowledge you have yet to learn. But that is a good thing. Recognizing what you have yet to learn is absolutely necessary in order for you to learn those skills. Take in as much as you can. Order the audio tapes to continue your learning in the months ahead. Follow the blogs of conference faculty. Apply what you’ve learned to everything you write.

3. Finally, attending a conference and taking advantage of the opportunities there to network and build relationships will be invaluable to you as you take the next steps in your writing journey. Whether it is prayer partners, friends to encourage you when you start collecting rejections, or mentors who provide the harsh truth with diplomacy and compassion, each person you meet at a writer’s conference will contribute to the path you are paving toward publication.

My Personal Experience
I attended my first writers conference in 2010, after about two years of contemplation and procrastination. A friend finally pushed me to go ahead and do it and when financial struggles threatened to provide an excuse, God stepped in with a scholarship! I drove toward the conference thinking that perhaps I would leave with a contract on my book – and I drove home acutely aware that my books was not ready for publication and that I had a great deal of work to do. With a full-time job, a full-time ministry and a full-time family of four, the work was slow and painful and, admittedly, I was terrified to finally send the work I had poured so much of my self into for so long only to be shot down, ridiculed and rejected. Hitting ‘send’ on that proposal felt a lot like dropping off my baby at college and praying I had done enough to prepare her for success.

The publishers I submitted my proposal to were ones I had met at a writer’s conference.

The agent who agreed to represent me I also met at a writer’s conference.

The friends who have prayed for my proposal, who have graciously allowed me to guest blog for them, who have shared and retweeted and favorited my posts to help me build a platform, I met at a writer’s conference.

Within ninety days of finally submitting the proposal and manuscript that I had worked on for over ten years, I had signed a contract with Vinspire Publishing for both the first and second book in the series.

Which writer’s conference are you going to register for to take your writing from a dream to a reality?

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CzechMate
Nicole Wise loves her new life in Prague almost as much as she loves telling people about Jesus. But when an election upset changes the balance of power in the formerly communist country, Nicole’s outspoken attempts at evangelism lead to her parents’ arrest on espionage charges. Teaming up with Jakub, a handsome, young Romani Czech, who has grown up homeless, Nicole and her little brother, Adam, evade corrupt authorities by hiding out in underground tunnels of the ancient city while hoping to find evidence of their parents’ innocence. Their last resort is to make the proof public in a desperate bid to save them before it’s too late. When Nicole and Adam’s parents are caught in a standoff between political forces that threaten to erupt into a bloody civil war, Nicole finds herself standing alone against an army, faith her only defense.
Felicia Bridges’ nomadic childhood as an Army BRAT created a passion for missions and travel which energizes her writing. The International Mission Force Series, featuring teenage missionaries around the world, begins with CzechMate, available now. Book two, BoliviaKnight will release in December 2016.

Felicia has a B.A. in Psychology/Human Resources Development from North Carolina State University. Her ten years experience as an HR Manager provides for interesting stories and as a Dale Carnegie Course graduate, she is equally comfortable speaking to a stranger or an auditorium full of people.

Catch up with Felicia’s adventures at:

www.AdventuresThatInspireAction.Wordpress.com, where she focuses on living on mission wherever life's adventure leads. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

What Does "Slant" Mean in Publishing - Publishing as a Second Language

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden


“Slant” is a commonly used, every day word. You can slant things to the left or the right or walk up a steep slant in the terrain.
Being aware of slant in the writing world means that you write your article or book to a specific audience. You have done your homework by reading the guidelines and several issues of the magazine or several books by the same publishing house. You have an understanding of what they are looking for, what their worldview is, whether or not the perspective is more conservative or liberal. Determining your slant also involves understanding the readers of the particular publication or publishing house.
A different slant might be “The Importance of Saving for Retirement.”
You could use a variation on that slant such as “Fifteen Ways to Make Sure Your Nest Egg Will Grow.”
Consider a humorous slant.A humorous slant might be “Hot Dogs and Pork and Beans for Penny-Pinchin’ Times.”
“Planning for those You Will Leave Behind” could be a good slant for men.
A women’s slant could be instructions on “Finding a Trustworthy Financial Advisor.”
You might consider a children’s slant like “The Saving Habit: Make Sure You Start Early.”
Each of these could be targeted to a different magazine, giving you multiple opportunities for publication.
The same process could apply to books. In fact, for books, this is a good way to brainstorm your subject and find the focus that works best for you. You might find that as you list possible slants, you may be creating an outline for your book.
Another word you might hear used interchangeably with slant is the word angle. The slant, or angle, of your article or book could affect your chances of having your article or book accepted. Knowing the way information is presented to an editor’s specific audience is sure to catch his or her eye.
Why not give it a try? Pick a subject and see how many slants you can come up with. You may find you have lots of articles to write from one subject you are familiar with. Or perhaps thoughts of book slants will yield chapter focus and clarity.

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Linda Gilden is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She finds great joy (and excellent writing material) in time spent with her family. Helping writers understand PSL is one of the things she also loves to do through her newest book,  Called to Write . This month she is excited about having a chance to set new goals for the new year and maybe even do a few more rewrites!
To find out more about Linda, her writing, and her ministry, visit  www.lindagilden.com . You can also connect with her on Twitter @LindaGilden and Facebook at Author Linda Gilden.