Edie Melson's Blog, page 346

Recent Facebook Changes in Groups & Professional Pages

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

One thing we can count on in social media is the fact that it's always changing. This is never more true than when we're dealing with Facebook. 

We can whine and complain all we want, but the truth is this: Facebook is valuable to authors as a way to connect with our readers. Because of that, we need to stay current with all the changes.

Facebook has made some pretty major changes in the way we find certain things, especially in regard to GROUPS and PROFESSIONAL PAGES. Last week I posted a screencast on the Author Roadmap site, giving a tour of these changes. I'd love to introduce you to the site and let you have a chance to view the screencast. So if you're interested in learning more, Click 

Recent Facebook Changes in  Groups  and Professional Pages. 

Elusive Truth

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest


“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Why does truth, though perhaps accepted by our minds, so often elude our hearts?

A teenage girl, beautiful by every standard of beauty we hold, thinks she’s ugly. She despises her teeth, her chin and her general appearance. The truth of her beauty has been told to her many times over the years in words and in the way others respond to her, but she can’t quite believe it. She tortures herself. Loathes herself. Gives herself away. She simply doesn’t believe in her heart the truth of her beauty and worth.

A mother whose son took his own life blames herself for his choice. She knows it was his decision, but she cannot shake the feeling it was her fault. Though she loved him dearly every day of his life, her heart is crushed under the belief that she caused it to end. She tortures herself. Loathes herself. Her life slips away into nothingness.

These stories are so sad, but we’ve all seen them. Or maybe we’ve lived them, and maybe living them today. The truth that maybe we are able to hold steadily in our minds won’t sit still in our hearts. It may come now and then to rest there, but it flies away, chased off by the feelings of blame, shame, disbelief or some belief that isn’t Truth.

We compound the issue by believing that healing means no more pain.We compound the issue by believing that healing means no more pain. Somewhere along the mostly Christian road we were taught that pain from the past goes away when our Savior heals us. He wipes all our tears away if our faith is strong enough, they say. The converse, then, must be true: if our faith is weak then He won’t. Pain, they continue to tell us, is evidence of our anemic faith. In walks the self-blame, feelings of inadequacy, and shame.

The promise our Savior gives of wiping away our tears is for a future none have yet seen or known. He gave us those words as hope. How we find a way to be self-condemnatory out of a promise meant to bring hope is astounding! But we do it. Our souls are trapped in the shame of our pain, unable to allow the Truth to penetrate our desperate spirits and bring freedom.

Winter

Tied and wrapped up, bulging at the seams, yours is a stifled soul.
Contained, restrained, restricted and denied, yours is a thirsty spirit. Winter...A chill breaks in a burgeoning breeze, and wisps and whips; a gathering wind.
Frost covers and cocoons, envelops and holds still and stiff the stifled soul and thirsty spirit.
Penetrated deeply and contorting in its grasp the held is manipulated and mauled by cold.
Frozen.
Unmoving, unbending, quiet.
Deathly silent.

Yours is a stifled soul.
Yours is a thirsty spirit.

Blown on by the Spirit sent as Comforter,
The winter white breaks, falls off and drops below.
Uncovered now.
Unburdened now.
Unleashed and unfurling.
Undone and enduring.
Movement.
Freedom.
Life.

Yours is a stifled soul.
Yours is a thirsty spirit.

Though the spring of life flows out
And sprigs and twigs burst forth,
A memory lives in the stifled soul and thirsty spirit.
Reminders of a winter past and another yet to come.

It is not cold or snow or frost that holds the soul or contorts the spirit,
It is the belief it should not be winter.

The greatest distance for truth to travel, I’ve been told and I believe, is from the head to the heart. The difficult journey is riddled with traps, wrong turns, road blocks and walls. We defend our hearts from Truth as if a brutal enemy were invading and the castle walls were about to be torn down by a ruthless foe. The great irony is that it is Truth walking up to our fortified structure gently extending love and grace and freedom, and our resistance to Truth is our demise. We have been bewitched. Our vision confused.

Truth holds our hope and we send it away. We deny it access to the place it is meant to live and thrive.

A mind renewed by Truth is a life transformed. A soul convinced of Truth is a life of abundance and freedom.
TWEETABLESElusive #Truth for a thirsty spirit - @SarahVanDiest (Click to Tweet)
"A mind renewed by #Truth is a life transformed." - @SarahVanDiest (Click to Tweet)

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.

When You Can't

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

There are days I wake up thinking about all the things I have to do — and how I probably won’t get them done.
Of course, those are the days where I fell asleep the night before thinking about all the things I had to do when I woke up in the morning … and all the things I left undone that day …
It’s a wretched, wretched cycle, isn’t it?
And sometimes I get halfway through those days before I realize I’ve left God entirely out of the equation. Sometimes I may have given him a passing nod — a “Be with you in a moment, God” kind of acknowledgement.
As if all that other stuff is more important than God.
As if what I have to do is more important than what he might have to say about the next 24 hours, about me, about the other people in my life.
How presumptuous.
How foolish.
Why do I rush past the God who is able … and wonder why I’m so exhausted at the end of the day?
Why do I forget that he can accomplish what I can’t … he can keep me in the center of his will when I feel off-kilter … he’s never bewildered. He has a plan — and I’m invited to be part of it.
I just have to accept the invitation — day by day by day.

In Your Words: What do you need God to do in your life today? Accomplish? Provide? Help? Save? Keep? Subdue? 
TWEETABLEWhen we can't, we must remember God can - @BethVogt (Click to Tweet)
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.

10 Tips for a Great Speaker Demo Reel

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

I've come to learn—and I'm sure you have, too—that this speaking and writing stuff consists of so much more than speaking and writing. 
When I first felt called to such a ministry, I dreamed of sitting at my desk, writing life-changing books, messages, and devotions, and then sharing those written words from the stage. I never envisioned the hours and energy I would spend getting those words out to those who needed to hear.
I never envisioned marketing. But the truth of the matter is this: Without marketing, how will they hear my Good News message over the noise of the world? How will I have the opportunity to share His light in the darkness?
There are many elements we can use to get the word out. We know that websites, blogs, and one-sheets are great ways to show the insights and lessons we've learned and would like to share with the world. But another medium that catches their attention is the demo reel.
The demo reel is different from a 3-5 minute sample of your speaking. Instead of delivering a full (although short) message, the reel presents a 2-3 minute multi-media collage of you and your ministry, highlighting your gifts and demonstrating your ability to help event planners encourage and support their ministries by choosing you as their speaker.
Think you don't have enough multi-media types to fill a demo reel? Think again. Here are 10 suggested ingredients to get you started:Video excerpts - Remember that 3-5 video message we talked about? Find 10-30 second soundbites that will pique the event planners’ interest and draw them in. Multiple locations with several different types of messages will show your diversity.Audio sound bites of you speaking - Don't have video? No problem! Record your next session and then find a nugget or two to share.Headshots- Of course, you'll want to have your best headshots added to the reel, but don't limit yourself to them.Action photos of you - Take a friend along to take pics, ask for the event planner to arrange a photographer, or have great photos edited out from available video. The key is to grab interesting shots of you in action in a variety of settings.Other photos - Think beyond pictures of you. Consider photos of your book covers, signage from places you've spoken, flyers, and bookmarks. They add interest and depth to your reel.Excerpts from radio and TV interviews - Ask for copies of your TV and radio interviews and clarify your rights to use them. And be honest! The licensing of one of the best TV interviews I ever had restricted my rights to still photos. No audio at all. And of course, I had some great soundbites in that interview!Video testimonialsAudio testimonialsGraphicsOutside voice overs. Some of my demos open and close with voiceovers. They're voices from professional voiceover artists, similar to radio announcers. They might announce your website, contact info, or upcoming book.
Here's my last demo reel. Please note that it's a few years old now and a little longer than I would include today. I'd definitely shorten the testimonials if I had it to do over again. Vonda Skelton Speaks to Women.

So what are you waiting for? Go through your radio archives, study your photos, and find a variety of ingredients to generate interest in your ministry. It can be fun and entertaining, and it’s a great way to generate interest in your ministry. Then go out and shine your light!
TWEETABLES10 Tips for a Great Speaker Demo Reel - @VondaSkelton on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Putting together an effective speaker demo reel - 10 Tips from @VondaSkelton (Click to Tweet)
Vonda Skelton is a speaker and the author of four books: Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe and the 3-book Bitsy Burroughs mysteries for children 8-12 yo. She’s the founder and co-director of Christian Communicators Conference, offering speakers’ training and community for Christian women called to ministry. Vonda is a frequent instructor at writer’s conferences and keynotes at business, women’s, and associational events. You can find out more about Vonda, as well as writing opportunities and instruction at her writer’s blog, The Christian Writer’s Den at VondaSkelton.com.

Short But Not Sweet—Quick Read Writing Books

by Lynn H Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’ve read a lot of writing books over the past few years, and I’m always looking for new books to help me improve or to inspire me in some way. 
This year I had made a goal to read at least four new books on writing, and to reread a few that are particularly pertinent to me and where I am in my career.
And then life happened.
One day everything was clicking along, and the next I found myself falling down a rabbit hole—one I would have preferred never to explore. During this season, my reading tastes tend toward quick reads, not heavy material, and I had almost given up on tackling any sort of “craft” books until I scanned my shelves and realized the books I needed were sitting right in front of me.
It turns out that “quick reads” don’t only apply to works of fiction. These writing books are either short or filled with brief chapters. You can read them while you brush your teeth, sit in the carline, or stand in line at the grocery store. Most of them are small enough to carry in your purse or tuck into that handy little cubby hole in the dash of your car.
And don’t assume short means sweet. These books are filled with powerful writing wisdom. If these books are new to you, add them to your “must read” list. If you’re familiar with the titles but haven’t opened them up in a while, dust them off the shelf. Toss one in your writing bag. Leave one by your computer. Maybe stash one in the car.
Enjoy them the way you would (or should) enjoy that leftover Easter candy from your children’s baskets…one little bite at a time. (Or don’t and eat them all in one sitting. I won’t judge).
First up, one of my all-time favorites from James Scott Bell. The Art of War for Writers. (You can read a full review here). This bright red volume has 77 brief essays (some of them are only 3 pages long, and the pages are only about 6 inches high) on everything from writing first drafts to searching for an agent. This one is riding shotgun with me in my computer bag.
Next up are two slim volumes from Steven Pressfield. The War of Art and Do the Work . (See my review of The War of Art here). Most of the “chapters” in The War of Art are one page. Some are one paragraph. Seriously. There is no one who doesn’t have time to read this book. And Do the Work ? I’m not even sure how to describe it. There are only a handful of paragraphs on each page with lots of font changes and white space … and it’s only 98 pages long. These two “mini but mighty” books are filled with tough love and solid insight into why we struggle to write and what we can do about it. Do the Work got tossed in my backpack beside my calendar.
Finally for this post, I can’t discuss “brief but powerful” books without mentioning Acceptable Words - Prayers for the Writer edited by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney. (You can read a full review here). This book is now with my Bible and journal. It isn’t one that needs to be read in one sitting, and each prayer is only a few short paragraphs, but the words, many of them hundreds of years old, speak to my heart and encourage me in my journey.
I’m sure there are many other excellent books that would meet my “short but not so sweet” criteria. So let’s talk more about this in the comments. 
Do you have any favorite “quick reads” about the craft of writing? Share them with us!

Don’t forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLEShort but not sweet - quick read #writing books - @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. 

She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. 

She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after at http://www.lynnhugginsblackburn.com.

My New Prayer Journal is Out!

http://www.amazon.com/While-My-Soldier-Serves-Military/dp/1617955892/
Today is one of a few, purely self-promoting posts you'll see on this site. But I'm so excited about the beautiful journal that Worthy Inspired has created from While My Soldier Serves, I just have to share. 
I feel like I can, because really, I had nothing to do with this amazing book. Sure I wrote the original book, but what they did with the journal takes my breath away. So I'm going to give you a tour. 

The picture at the top of this post is the front cover. It's richly embossed and solid. It also has a stay-flat spine so it's easy to write in.


















 The two pictures above are of the two intro pages. 












  
These two pictures are of one of the journal pages. I love the layout because there's part of the prayer, to help us get started. Then plenty of room to write or even draw.



Finally, the picture above is of what I consider to be one of the hidden gems in this book. There's a keepsake pocket attached to the inside of the back cover. How cool is that?

Because I want to share more than just my excitement, I'm going to be doing a drawing for 2 copies of this journal. Everyone who leaves a comment and/or shares the information about it will be entered into the drawing. 

Here's the link to While My Soldier Serves Prayer Journal. 

To sweeten the pot, if anyone leaves a review for the original While My Soldier Serves or the While My Soldier Serves Prayer Journal I'll put your name in a drawing for a set of both books and a patriotic shopping tote. I'll be giving away up to 3 sets, depending on how many of you write a review. I'll give away 1 set for every 5 reviews posted. (Here's a post on How to Write a Book Review) If you've previously written a review, that counts too. Just leave a comment and let me know you wrote a review and I'll add your name to the drawing. 

Thank you all for letting me share this part of my own publishing journey!

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

TWEETABLES
A new prayer journal for those with a loved one in the military, by @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Share the gift of a #prayer journal with a #militaryfamily - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Continue to Increase the Reach of Every Blog Post You Write – 9 Things To Do AFTER You Hit Publish

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Last week I shared a list of things to do before you hit publish to increase the reach of every blog post you write. 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.9 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.
Give yourself a +13. Scroll down and give your post a +1 (that’s a Google+ version of a LIKE). I’ve found that this small act is almost like salting a tip jar with money. If no one has given a post a +1, it sits there with a big fat 0. But once there’s 1, people begin to follow suit. Every +1 is another share on the Google+ network.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 @MaryDenman @SharronCosby
Or just choosing one or two like this:
Thanks for the mention @CathySBaker @LoriRoeleveld  and everyone who took time to drop by!
Check the people who share your post on social media
and make sure you're following them.7. 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.
8. 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).
9. 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
TWEETABLES9 Things to do after publishing a blog post - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Make every post count - 9 tips from #blogging expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Email Etiquette for Writers

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Welcome to The Right Conversation. I’m one of your social media ninjas, navigating you through the cyber-world with all its twists, turns and rabbit holes.
This month’s topic: Email Etiquette.
In today’s world of instant gratification for questions and answers, it’s important to pause before you hit send. Whether you’re initiating or replying to an email, here are few guidelines to help you maintain a respected and respectable email reputation:For Starters Keep your login name and password simple enough to
remember, and unique enough to protect your account.MAKE IT MEMORABLE: The joy of email is the easy access (almost) no matter where you are. Keep your login name and password simple enough to remember, and unique enough to protect your account.WHAT’S IN A NAME?: Your email address will be how people contact you online. You’ll want to convey who you are and what you do in a professional manner. Wubbydubbybabydaddy may be a cute nickname for your husband, but do you want him putting that on a credit application or job resume? A good rule of thumb is to avoid any mention of current trends. Stick with your name or a reference that will never change.HIDE THE NUMBERS: Don’t reveal too much about yourself. Many people add numbers to their email names, but in doing so, they could reveal a significant date like an anniversary or child’s birth. This is information often used as answers to security questions for online accounts. Choose your name and numbers carefully.
The Bulk of It Choose your audience.CHOOSE YOUR AUDIENCE: Don’t send bulk emails. When you’re new to email, it’s easy and exciting to share your world with, well, the world. But let’s be real: Do you really need everyone knowing all of your business? Email should enhance your personal communications, not become a public forum.RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY: If you are sending bulk emails (a note to all your friends or maybe an update on your work in progress to your Swarm), use the “BCC” option. It’s the email equivalent of “Blind Carbon Copy” and it means everyone will see the same email, but they won’t see who else has received it. You can access this by clicking “To:” in the address bar. This lowers the risk of information going to strangers.BRING OTHERS IN: Sometimes you want the main reader to know that others are reading the same email. Access “CC:” to send a carbon copy to those who need the information, but aren’t directly affected by the email.AVOID FORWARDS: Sending a forwarded email (jokes, memes, political ramblings) is okay if you know your audience. But most forwards are equivalent to the ads in Tuesday’s mailers that usually end up in the trash. They’re not specific to the reader and sometimes not relevant. Sending too many forwards can have the “Boy Who Cried Wolf” affect – your audience will start to gloss over your emails and could miss something important. If you do forward an email you received from someone else, make sure to delete their contact information so it’s not in the hands of a stranger. You don’t need your information going to your sister’s best friend’s cousin’s hairdresser’s dog walker, do you? I didn’t think so.
Less is More Less is more.DON’T RAMBLE: It’s easy to start those rabbit trails, but you’re not having conversation over a Starbucks. Respect your reader’s time and attention by getting to the point. As with all great writing, trust your reader to know what you’re saying. You can close with giving them the option to contact you with any questions.COLOR INSIDE THE LINES:Enhancing the font size, color, and even adding a background image can not only distract from your message, it can cause your email to be sent to the reader’s spam or “junk” folder. Keep it simple. A few touches here and there keep the focus on the email.SIGN OFF: If you use an email signature, include links to your social media and marketing sites but don’t have so many links and photos that your signature is longer than your email.
And now I send you into the cyber world with a happy face emoticon and best wishes for good emails.
With some sweet tea and a big smile,~ Happy writing,Molly Jo
TWEETABLESConvey the impression you intend - email etiquette for writers @RealMojo68 (Click to Tweet)
Email has etiquette too - tips for writers from @RealMojo68 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Cultivating Creativity & Carrots!

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. I Corinthians 14:40
Cultivating Creativity and Carrots!Spring is here and so many of the people we know are busy planting gardens. As I listened in on one recent conversation, I was drawn back to one summer when I decided to try my hand at gardening.
Our boys were young, and we had decided—for some unremembered reason—that planting a vegetable garden would be a great idea. I can’t imagine that either my husband or I would have had the time or energy—after keeping up with three active young boys—to really take care of it. Oh, the optimism of young parents.But we were optimistic, and so we began. We used an old tiller, plowed up a small bit of ground, and planted a variety of seeds. One of the vegetables I was most looking forward to eating fresh out of the garden was carrots. When it came time to plant the carrots, I was amazed at how tiny the dark seeds were in the palm of my hand. I remembered the man at the garden center warning us to plant the seeds sparingly, but the seeds were so small, and I really wanted a large crop of carrots. So I sprinkled them thickly in the ground. After all, I figured, if a few were good, more would be better.
Adding too much can leave us with nothing.Those of you who are expert gardeners are probably beginning to grin, because you already know what happened. I think every single one of those tiny seeds took root and sprouted. As they grew, in a few short weeks they became a tangled mess, fighting for nutrients and space. Then, after lifting a couple of inches of green toward the sun, every single one of those carrots withered and died. I was left with nothing more than the bitter taste of disappointment and discouragement.
How is your garden?As this memory resurfaced, I found myself asking God why it had come to mind. I realize that I’d been looking at my calendar and I heard God warning me, once again, that my life was becoming crowded by saying yes to too many things. He was warning me to plant fewer seeds and take time to nurture them. Otherwise I’d find myself with an empty garden, with nothing but withered endeavors from pouring too many good things into my life.
So I ask you, how is your garden? Is it well-ordered and taken care of? Or, in your desire to accomplish much, are you too crowding out any hope of reaping a harvest?  
TWEETABLE Springis gardening time but are we cultivating creativity or crowding it out?@EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

30 Days of Idea Starters for Writers - Calendar Days - April's Crazy Holidays & Special Occasions

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It’s time again for Calendar Days. These are just fun to read. They’re also a great way to jumpstart our creativity when looking for ideas for articles and blog posts. They’re also a fun writing prompt idea. 
In addition, calendar days are great conversation starters for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. This month is  especially fun for writers because of all the writing/reading related holidays:It's National Poetry Month & the first week is National Library Week. In addition there are these specific days:April 1 Poetry and the Creative Mind Day & Reading is Funny DayApril 2 Children’s Book DayApril 4 National School Librarian Day & National Hug a Newsman DayApril 10 National Encourage a Young Writer DayApril 12 National Library Workers DayApril 13 National Scrabble Day & National Bookmobile DayApril 14 National Support Teen Literature DayApril 15 National Rubber Eraser DayApril 16 National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day & National Librarian DayApril 17 National Haiku Poetry DayApril 18 National Columnist DayApril 21 National Have a Poem in Your Pocket DayApril 23 National Talk Like Shakespeare DayApril 27 World Stationery Day & National Tell a Story DayApril 28 National Great Poetry Reading Day
April Holidays, Special Days & Downright Crazy Days
April is:National Month of the Military ChildInventor’s MonthNational Humor MonthInternational Guitar MonthScottish American Heritage MonthNational Safe Digging MonthDecorating MonthNational Fresh Celery MonthStraw Hat MonthInternational Guitar MonthJazz Appreciation MonthKeep America Beautiful MonthLawn & Garden MonthNational Poetry MonthNational Pecan MonthNational Welding MonthRecords & Information Management MonthStress Awareness MonthSexual Assault Awareness Month
Weekly Celebrations:Week 1 Read a Road Map WeekNational Library Week
Week 2 National Garden Week
Week 3 Organize Your Files WeekMedical Labs Week
Week 4 Administrative Assistants WeekNational Karaoke Week
Daily Celebrations:April 1 Poetry and the Creative Mind DaySourdough Bread DayInternational Tuba DayFun DayWalk to Work DayNational One Cent DayInternational Tatting DayApril Fools DayReading is Funny DayInternational Fun at Work Day
April 2 World Autism DayNational Love Our Children DayNational Peanut & Jelly DayInternational Pillow Fight DayChildren’s Book DayNational Ferret DayNational Reconciliation Day
April 3 National Tweed Day National Chocolate Mousse DayNational Find a Rainbow DayFish Fingers & Custard DayDon’t Go to Work Unless it’s Fun Day
April 4 National School Librarian DayVitamin C DayNational Hug a Newsman DayNational Walk Around Things Day
April 5 National Gold Star Wives DayNational Deep Dish Pizza DayNational Go for Broke DayNational Read a Road Map DayNational Caramel Day
April 6 Army DayNational Teflon DayNational Walking DayNational Day of HopeNational Tartan DayNational Caramel Popcorn DayPlan Your Epitaph DayNational Student-Athlete DayNational Sorry Charlie Day
April 7 World Health DayNational Coffee Cake DayTell a Lie DayNational No Housework Day
April 8 National Zoo Lovers DayDraw a Picture of a Bird DayNational All is Ours Day
April 9 National Winston Churchill DayNational Former Prisoner of War Recognition DayNational Cherish an Antique DayNational Name Yourself Day
April 10National Encourage a Young Writer DayInternational Safety Pin DayNational Sibling DayNational Farm Animals DayGolfer’s Day
April 11 National Eight Track Tape DayWorld Parkinson’s Disease DayNational Pet DayNational Cheese Fondue DayNational Barbershop quartet DayNational Submarine Day
April 12 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich DayNational Licorice DayNational Library Workers DayBe kind to Lawyers DayNational Big Wind DayRussian Cosmonaut DayWalk on Your Wild Side Day
April 13 National Scrabble DayNational Bookmobile DayNational Peach cobbler DayNational Thomas Jefferson Day
April 14 Air Force Reserves BirthdayLook up at the Sky DayNational Support Teen Literature DayNational Dolphin DayNational Reach as High as You Can DayNational Pecan DayNational Ex Spouse DayInternational Moment of Laughter Day
April 15 That Sucks DayNational Day of SilenceNational Tax Day National Take a Wild Guess DayNational Titanic Remembrance DayNational Rubber Eraser Day
April 16 National National Eggs Benedict DayRecord Store DaySave the Elephant DayNational Healthcare Decisions DayNational Wear Your Pajamas to Work DayNational Auctioneers DayNational Librarian DayNational Stress Awareness Day
April 17 National Haiku Poetry DayFord Mustang DayNational Ellis Island Family History DayBlah, Blah, Blah DayNational Bat Appreciation DayNational Cheese Ball Day
April 18 Amateur Radio DayNational Animal Crackers DayPet Owners Independence DayNational Lineman Appreciation DayPatriot’s Day (third Monday of the month)National Columnist DayInternational Juggler’s Day
April 19 Bicycle DayNational Education and Sharing DayNational Hanging out DayNational Garlic Day
April 20 Banana DayNational Cheddar Fries DayNational Lima Bean Respect DayVolunteer Recognition DayNational Look Alike Day
April 21 National Have a Poem in Your Pocket DayNational Kindergarten DayBulldogs are Beautiful DayGet to Know Your customers DayNational Chocolate Covered Cashews DayNational High Five Day
April 22 National Jelly Bean DayNational Girl Scout Leader DayNational Earth Day
April 23 National Talk Like Shakespeare DayNational Cherry Cheesecake DayNational Picnic DayNational Take a Chance DayNational Zucchini Bread DayWorld Laboratory DayLover’s Day
April 24 National in a Blanket DayNational Pet Parents DayPinhole Photography DayTeach Your Children to Save Day
April 25 National Hug a Plumber DayNational DNA DayNational Telephone DayMalaria DayNational Zucchini Bread DayNational East Meets West DayWorld Penguin Day
April 26 National Pretzel DayNational Help a Horse DayNational Kids and Pets DayNational Audubon DayHug an Australian DayNational Richter Scale Day
April 27 International Guide Dogs DayNational Babe Ruth DayWorld Stationery DayNational Administrative Professionals Day (Secretary’s Day)Morse Code DayNational Prime Rib DayNational Tell a Story Day
April 28 National BraveHearts DayNational Blueberry Pie DayNational Take our Daughters and Sons to Work DayInternational Astronomy DayNational Great Poetry Reading DayKiss Your Mate Day
April 29 National Zipper DayInternational Dance DayWorld Wish DayNational Arbor DayNational Hairball Awareness DayNational Peace Rose DayNational Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30 National Bugs Bunny DayWorld Veterinary DayInternational Jazz DaySave the Frogs DayNational Sense of Smell DayNational Kiss of Hope DayNational Raisin DayGo Birding DayNational Hairstylist Appreciation DayNational Pool Opening DayNational Adopt a Shelter Pet DayNational Honesty Day
What days  are you going to use this month? Be sure to share in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES30 Days of Idea Starters for #Blogging Articles & #SocialMedia - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
April holidays start the #socialmedia conversation & spark writing ideas - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Don't get caught without an idea, use the calendar for#blogging & #socialmedia - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)