Edie Melson's Blog, page 355
January 8, 2016
Letting Life Experiences Flow Through Our Writing
by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton
A few years ago my husband and I took our two youngest grandchildren to Cherokee NC to learn more about our Cherokee heritage. But on our way home that day, I realized I did more than simply learn dates and historical events. I began to write about it, at least in my mind. [image error]
Isn't that the way we are as writers? We go on a simple vacation or go shopping or read a current event and before we know it, we're contemplating characters, mapping out plots, scouting locations, capturing events, and creating a world inside our heads.In As You Like It, William Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...." I realize now how true that statement is.My first mystery for kids was set on Tybee Island (GA) because we went there when I was a kid.The second in the Bitsy Burroughs Mystery Series was set on Amelia Island (FL) because my grandchildren lived there at the time.And the last in the series, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island (SC), was set on Hilton Head because it had become a family vacation favorite for our us, our adult children, and our grandchildren.
Little did I know those practical events in life would prepare a stage for my characters—real or imagined—to enter and exit. After all, I didn't set out to find locations for children's books. I simply found myself there...and the characters and their stories began.
Now I'm already looking forward to doing something with these nuggets of Cherokee ideas, even if it's not right now. After all, I went to Tybee Island in 1961, but it was well over 30 years later that I began to write about it.
I have a feeling I'm not alone in this phenomenon. What about you? Have you experienced anything similar? If so, would you share it with us? It could be fun to see where our stories--whether published or not, whether written or not--originated. We’d love for you to join the conversation!
TWEETABLES
Letting Life Experiences Flow Through Our #Writing - @VondaSkelton on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Ideas for #writing are often closer than we think - @VondaSkelton on @EdieMelson (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.
A few years ago my husband and I took our two youngest grandchildren to Cherokee NC to learn more about our Cherokee heritage. But on our way home that day, I realized I did more than simply learn dates and historical events. I began to write about it, at least in my mind. [image error]Isn't that the way we are as writers? We go on a simple vacation or go shopping or read a current event and before we know it, we're contemplating characters, mapping out plots, scouting locations, capturing events, and creating a world inside our heads.In As You Like It, William Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...." I realize now how true that statement is.My first mystery for kids was set on Tybee Island (GA) because we went there when I was a kid.The second in the Bitsy Burroughs Mystery Series was set on Amelia Island (FL) because my grandchildren lived there at the time.And the last in the series, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island (SC), was set on Hilton Head because it had become a family vacation favorite for our us, our adult children, and our grandchildren.
Little did I know those practical events in life would prepare a stage for my characters—real or imagined—to enter and exit. After all, I didn't set out to find locations for children's books. I simply found myself there...and the characters and their stories began.Now I'm already looking forward to doing something with these nuggets of Cherokee ideas, even if it's not right now. After all, I went to Tybee Island in 1961, but it was well over 30 years later that I began to write about it.
I have a feeling I'm not alone in this phenomenon. What about you? Have you experienced anything similar? If so, would you share it with us? It could be fun to see where our stories--whether published or not, whether written or not--originated. We’d love for you to join the conversation!
TWEETABLES
Letting Life Experiences Flow Through Our #Writing - @VondaSkelton on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Ideas for #writing are often closer than we think - @VondaSkelton on @EdieMelson (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.
January 7, 2016
Redemption in Your Writing Career
by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn
I want to tell you a story.
It involves football, but it’s not a football story.
Stay with me.
A few weeks ago the Clemson punter, Andy Teasdall, messed up.
This wasn’t a small mistake. This was huge.It was the ACC Championship game and all he was supposed to do was punt the ball. Instead, he tried to run with it. A play that eventually led to the opposing team scoring a touchdown.
The Clemson head coach, Dabo Swinney, ripped into Teasdall. “All you had to do was punt the ball!” The video went viral on social media as this kid sat there and endured the scathing—and very public—rebuke from his coach.
The next time he took the field, someone in my living room made the comment that no one needed to worry about him trying any trick plays. No way they’d trust him with that for a long time.
Fast forward three weeks to New Years Eve.
The Orange Bowl.
The biggest game any Clemson Tiger has played in over 30 years.
As Teasdall took the field to punt the ball in the second quarter, no one—not the opposing team or the fans in my living room—expected anything out of the ordinary.
So when Teasdall held onto the ball and then passed it 31 yards down the field, Clemson fans everywhere went crazy.
A trick play that led to a touch down.
A play placed in the hands of a player who had messed up in the last game.
If I hadn’t been surrounded by 20 screaming people, I probably would have cried.
Redemption has that effect on me.
Sure, Andy Teasdall will always have to deal with that mistake, but it will forever be overshadowed by the gloriously successful play that followed it in the next game. No longer defined by an error, his name will be etched into the memories of everyone who saw that game. And when they think of him, they will smile.
We all like a good redemption story when someone, somehow, takes a bad situation and makes it good. Sometimes we get to see the redemption almost immediately. Sometimes, it takes months, years, even decades.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Andy Teasdall…and about Coach Swinney giving him the chance to make that play.
Do you see the parallel to the writing life?
I do.
God has called me to do something. “All you have to do is write.”
And sometimes I do a lousy job of it. I’m not talking about the quality of the writing, although certainly that’s part of it. I’m talking about getting on the field—getting my hands on the keyboard and my rear in the chair. I get caught up in so many other things and fail to do the one thing I’ve been asked to do.
And while God isn’t likely to put my face on a jumbo screen and yell, “All you had to do was write!” before millions of people, in the quiet of my heart I hear Him asking me to get back in the game and leave the numbers on the scoreboard up to him.
It’s easy—far too easy—to look back over the failures of the past year and wonder if we should even bother trying again.
But if Andy Teasdall had quit after the ACC Championship game, he never would have had the chance to be the golden boy of the Orange Bowl. In an interview after the game, he expressed his surprise that the coach had called the trick play for him so soon after his mistake.And when asked about the throw, this is what he had to say about it …“God’s plan and God’s path.”
Wow.
It is God’s plan and it is God’s path and God is not sidelining you because you didn’t meet whatever you think His expectations were for you last year.
Let’s get back on the field.
We can’t undo the mistakes we’ve made, but going forward, we can do what we’re supposed to do.
When we do, let’s not be surprised when God gives us the opportunity of a lifetime.
After all, He wrote the playbook on redemption and something tells me those stories always make Him smile.
So what about you? Did you mess up in 2015 or was it everything you wanted it to be? Do you need a fresh start in the new year or are you looking to keep the momentum going? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLERedemption in Your #Writing Career - via @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.
I want to tell you a story.It involves football, but it’s not a football story.
Stay with me.
A few weeks ago the Clemson punter, Andy Teasdall, messed up.
This wasn’t a small mistake. This was huge.It was the ACC Championship game and all he was supposed to do was punt the ball. Instead, he tried to run with it. A play that eventually led to the opposing team scoring a touchdown.
The Clemson head coach, Dabo Swinney, ripped into Teasdall. “All you had to do was punt the ball!” The video went viral on social media as this kid sat there and endured the scathing—and very public—rebuke from his coach.
The next time he took the field, someone in my living room made the comment that no one needed to worry about him trying any trick plays. No way they’d trust him with that for a long time.
Fast forward three weeks to New Years Eve.
The Orange Bowl.
The biggest game any Clemson Tiger has played in over 30 years.
As Teasdall took the field to punt the ball in the second quarter, no one—not the opposing team or the fans in my living room—expected anything out of the ordinary.
So when Teasdall held onto the ball and then passed it 31 yards down the field, Clemson fans everywhere went crazy.A trick play that led to a touch down.
A play placed in the hands of a player who had messed up in the last game.
If I hadn’t been surrounded by 20 screaming people, I probably would have cried.
Redemption has that effect on me.
Sure, Andy Teasdall will always have to deal with that mistake, but it will forever be overshadowed by the gloriously successful play that followed it in the next game. No longer defined by an error, his name will be etched into the memories of everyone who saw that game. And when they think of him, they will smile.
We all like a good redemption story when someone, somehow, takes a bad situation and makes it good. Sometimes we get to see the redemption almost immediately. Sometimes, it takes months, years, even decades.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Andy Teasdall…and about Coach Swinney giving him the chance to make that play.
Do you see the parallel to the writing life?
I do.
God has called me to do something. “All you have to do is write.”
And sometimes I do a lousy job of it. I’m not talking about the quality of the writing, although certainly that’s part of it. I’m talking about getting on the field—getting my hands on the keyboard and my rear in the chair. I get caught up in so many other things and fail to do the one thing I’ve been asked to do. And while God isn’t likely to put my face on a jumbo screen and yell, “All you had to do was write!” before millions of people, in the quiet of my heart I hear Him asking me to get back in the game and leave the numbers on the scoreboard up to him.
It’s easy—far too easy—to look back over the failures of the past year and wonder if we should even bother trying again.
But if Andy Teasdall had quit after the ACC Championship game, he never would have had the chance to be the golden boy of the Orange Bowl. In an interview after the game, he expressed his surprise that the coach had called the trick play for him so soon after his mistake.And when asked about the throw, this is what he had to say about it …“God’s plan and God’s path.”
Wow.
It is God’s plan and it is God’s path and God is not sidelining you because you didn’t meet whatever you think His expectations were for you last year.
Let’s get back on the field. We can’t undo the mistakes we’ve made, but going forward, we can do what we’re supposed to do.
When we do, let’s not be surprised when God gives us the opportunity of a lifetime.
After all, He wrote the playbook on redemption and something tells me those stories always make Him smile.
So what about you? Did you mess up in 2015 or was it everything you wanted it to be? Do you need a fresh start in the new year or are you looking to keep the momentum going? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLERedemption in Your #Writing Career - via @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.
January 4, 2016
23 Things You Can Do for Your Writing Self—and Who Won the Haiku Gift Card
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.
1. Instead of putting yourself down, build yourself up.
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
TWEETALBES23 Things you can do for your #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Invest in your dream – and 22 other things you can do foryour #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Before I sign off today, I want to thank you all again for participating in the Haiku challenge. I absolutely LOVED reading all of them. You are such an inspiration! I wish I could award a gift card to every single one of them, but I can’t.
I put everyone’s name in a hat and drew the winner at random.
Congratulations, Vonda Skelton!
Be sure to contact me by email ediegmelson (at) gmail (dot) com so I can send you your $15 Amazon gift card.
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.1. Instead of putting yourself down, build yourself up.
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
TWEETALBES23 Things you can do for your #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Invest in your dream – and 22 other things you can do foryour #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Before I sign off today, I want to thank you all again for participating in the Haiku challenge. I absolutely LOVED reading all of them. You are such an inspiration! I wish I could award a gift card to every single one of them, but I can’t.
I put everyone’s name in a hat and drew the winner at random.
Congratulations, Vonda Skelton!
Be sure to contact me by email ediegmelson (at) gmail (dot) com so I can send you your $15 Amazon gift card.
23 Things You Can Do for Your Writing Self—and Who One the Haiku Gift Card
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.
1. Instead of putting yourself down, build yourself up.
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
TWEETALBES23 Things you can do for your #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Invest in your dream – and 22 other things you can do foryour #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Before I sign off today, I want to thank you all again for participating in the Haiku challenge. I absolutely LOVED reading all of them. You are such an inspiration! I wish I could award a gift card to every single one of them, but I can’t.
I put everyone’s name in a hat and drew the winner at random.
Congratulations, Vonda Skelton!
Be sure to contact me by email ediegmelson (at) gmail (dot) com so I can send you your $15 Amazon gift card.
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.1. Instead of putting yourself down, build yourself up.
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
TWEETALBES23 Things you can do for your #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Invest in your dream – and 22 other things you can do foryour #writing self - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Before I sign off today, I want to thank you all again for participating in the Haiku challenge. I absolutely LOVED reading all of them. You are such an inspiration! I wish I could award a gift card to every single one of them, but I can’t.
I put everyone’s name in a hat and drew the winner at random.
Congratulations, Vonda Skelton!
Be sure to contact me by email ediegmelson (at) gmail (dot) com so I can send you your $15 Amazon gift card.
Get Your Blog Ready for 2016
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
2016 has begun and with its focus on resolutions, it pulls me into a period of introspection. Actually, it’s a good thing. It gives me a chance to look back over the past year and decide what worked and what didn’t. It also gives me a push toward trying something different.
Today I’d like to invite you to join me in one aspect of this journey and get your blog ready for a great 2016. Click on your own site and look at it with these thoughts in mind. Here’s the checklist I use to evaluate my sites. Don’t hesitate to tweak it to fit your needs.ChecklistMake sure your site hasn’t become too cluttered in the sidebar area. Clean out any old links and add any you’ve been considering.Take a look at the position of your sidebar gadgets. Many times during the year I’ll add something and it will push other things down. It’s important that you have your email and RSS signups at the top where people can get regular updates when you post.
Be sure all your links, especially social media, are working.Also be sure to check all your links, especially for social media. Nothing’s more frustrating than a visitor trying to connect with you further and come up with a dead end.Recheck your default font. Sometimes you’ll find you’ve drifted into a different one. Whatever font you use, make certain it’s easily readable…on all screens.Update your
about me
section on your site. Include the things that have happened over the past year in regard to publication, job changes, awards, and anything else applicable.If you have a calendar with your speaking engagements, update it as well.Also be sure to update any lists you have of other sites, like those for writers, photographers or others.Now take out your mobile device (cell phone, tablet, ereader, whatever) and make certain your site is optimized for mobile viewing. This is vital because at least two-thirds of all visitors to your site will be looking at it from a mobile device and that number will continue to increase!Reassess what action you want your reader to take after viewing your blog. Maybe you want them to share your site with their friends/readers. Perhaps you’re selling a book. Even if it’s only to follow you on Twitter, make sure it’s easy for them to see what you want and then execute it!
Update Your Schedule
Update your schedule.This is also a good time to look at your blog posting schedule and evaluate the popularity and efficiency of your different topics. You can do this by utilizing the stats section of your blogger dashboard or of your specific blogging platform.First, look at the most popular posts of the past year. Do they fall into a specific category or theme? If this isn’t the main focus of your blog consider making it a bigger part of your posting schedule.Next look at the day of the week when you get your most hits. Does it correspond to your posting date or is it the following day? You may need to tweak when your email notification is sent out.Finally, Google the subject of those popular posts. Don’t plug in the exact title of those blogs, instead try a more generic subject search. The purpose of this is to see where within that search your blog entry is falling.
We all benefit from a yearly checkup and our blog is no different. I’d love to hear how you use this time to get ready for the New Year ahead!
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings
Edie
TWEETALBES
Get your blog ready for a great 2016 - Tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Start the New Year right by getting your blog ready for 2016 - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
2016 has begun and with its focus on resolutions, it pulls me into a period of introspection. Actually, it’s a good thing. It gives me a chance to look back over the past year and decide what worked and what didn’t. It also gives me a push toward trying something different.Today I’d like to invite you to join me in one aspect of this journey and get your blog ready for a great 2016. Click on your own site and look at it with these thoughts in mind. Here’s the checklist I use to evaluate my sites. Don’t hesitate to tweak it to fit your needs.ChecklistMake sure your site hasn’t become too cluttered in the sidebar area. Clean out any old links and add any you’ve been considering.Take a look at the position of your sidebar gadgets. Many times during the year I’ll add something and it will push other things down. It’s important that you have your email and RSS signups at the top where people can get regular updates when you post.
Be sure all your links, especially social media, are working.Also be sure to check all your links, especially for social media. Nothing’s more frustrating than a visitor trying to connect with you further and come up with a dead end.Recheck your default font. Sometimes you’ll find you’ve drifted into a different one. Whatever font you use, make certain it’s easily readable…on all screens.Update your
about me
section on your site. Include the things that have happened over the past year in regard to publication, job changes, awards, and anything else applicable.If you have a calendar with your speaking engagements, update it as well.Also be sure to update any lists you have of other sites, like those for writers, photographers or others.Now take out your mobile device (cell phone, tablet, ereader, whatever) and make certain your site is optimized for mobile viewing. This is vital because at least two-thirds of all visitors to your site will be looking at it from a mobile device and that number will continue to increase!Reassess what action you want your reader to take after viewing your blog. Maybe you want them to share your site with their friends/readers. Perhaps you’re selling a book. Even if it’s only to follow you on Twitter, make sure it’s easy for them to see what you want and then execute it!Update Your Schedule
Update your schedule.This is also a good time to look at your blog posting schedule and evaluate the popularity and efficiency of your different topics. You can do this by utilizing the stats section of your blogger dashboard or of your specific blogging platform.First, look at the most popular posts of the past year. Do they fall into a specific category or theme? If this isn’t the main focus of your blog consider making it a bigger part of your posting schedule.Next look at the day of the week when you get your most hits. Does it correspond to your posting date or is it the following day? You may need to tweak when your email notification is sent out.Finally, Google the subject of those popular posts. Don’t plug in the exact title of those blogs, instead try a more generic subject search. The purpose of this is to see where within that search your blog entry is falling.We all benefit from a yearly checkup and our blog is no different. I’d love to hear how you use this time to get ready for the New Year ahead!
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings
Edie
TWEETALBES
Get your blog ready for a great 2016 - Tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Start the New Year right by getting your blog ready for 2016 - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
January 1, 2016
Write With Love
by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007
In my quiet time with God, He’s shown me a common thread that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
It is love.
It was love that freed the Israelites, time and time again. It was also the love of Christ that freed us all. God even tells us that love covers a multitude of harmful actions and words—which I understand to mean we can’t sin while acting in love.
But what does this have to do with writing?A recent revelation has shown me it has everything to do with writing. However, for the sake of brevity, let’s just consider love for our readers and love for our characters.
Unselfish love for our readers will motivate us to write for their benefit above our own. No longer will we consider fame or fortune, nor will we fret over the challenges of marketing and publishing. We can write freely, trusting the Lord to cause everything else to happen with perfect timing.
Writing is hard work.I know that writing is hard work, and many of us need to earn a living from our writing. So I’m not suggesting we all give up on our dreams of being published or becoming bestselling authors. These are noble pursuits.
I am suggesting that writing with love for our readers will make our pursuits less stressful because our primary focus will be on blessing our readers with our words. Doing this will produce the types of manuscripts that agents, editors and publishers are seeking, providing they’re well crafted.
Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, our readers will be more engaged when they can empathize with our characters. And they will, if we love our characters.
Like God, we love our characters.Like God, when we love our characters, we’ll do all we can to help them achieve the best possible life. We can’t help but create them as complex, believable, likeable people. Even the bad guys. We’ll invent them with flaws and perfections— just like real people. The more realistic they are, the more our readers will love them.
And let’s not lose sight of the fact that agents, editors, and publishers are also readers.
I’ve struggled for a long while with my middle grade novel. Just recently, I realized my difficulties arise from my lack of intimacy with my characters. I don’t know them because I’ve not developed their histories enough to make me fall in love with them. And if I don’t love them, why should anyone?
God loves us unconditionally. So if we love our characters unconditionally, then we’ll devise them in ways that will make us, and our readers, sympathetic to them—no matter how good or evil they are. And we’ll all root for the good guys to win and the bad guys to become good.
The bottom line is this: loving our readers and our characters can only result in better writing. And better writing is never a bad thing.
So what do you say? Do you love your readers? Do you love your characters? Let’s keep this conversation going. Even if you disagree with me, please leave a comment.
TWEETABLESWrite with love - thoughts from @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Loving our readers & our characters leads to better #writing -@BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.
When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.
“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”
In my quiet time with God, He’s shown me a common thread that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It is love.
It was love that freed the Israelites, time and time again. It was also the love of Christ that freed us all. God even tells us that love covers a multitude of harmful actions and words—which I understand to mean we can’t sin while acting in love.
But what does this have to do with writing?A recent revelation has shown me it has everything to do with writing. However, for the sake of brevity, let’s just consider love for our readers and love for our characters.
Unselfish love for our readers will motivate us to write for their benefit above our own. No longer will we consider fame or fortune, nor will we fret over the challenges of marketing and publishing. We can write freely, trusting the Lord to cause everything else to happen with perfect timing.
Writing is hard work.I know that writing is hard work, and many of us need to earn a living from our writing. So I’m not suggesting we all give up on our dreams of being published or becoming bestselling authors. These are noble pursuits.I am suggesting that writing with love for our readers will make our pursuits less stressful because our primary focus will be on blessing our readers with our words. Doing this will produce the types of manuscripts that agents, editors and publishers are seeking, providing they’re well crafted.
Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, our readers will be more engaged when they can empathize with our characters. And they will, if we love our characters.
Like God, we love our characters.Like God, when we love our characters, we’ll do all we can to help them achieve the best possible life. We can’t help but create them as complex, believable, likeable people. Even the bad guys. We’ll invent them with flaws and perfections— just like real people. The more realistic they are, the more our readers will love them.And let’s not lose sight of the fact that agents, editors, and publishers are also readers.
I’ve struggled for a long while with my middle grade novel. Just recently, I realized my difficulties arise from my lack of intimacy with my characters. I don’t know them because I’ve not developed their histories enough to make me fall in love with them. And if I don’t love them, why should anyone?
God loves us unconditionally. So if we love our characters unconditionally, then we’ll devise them in ways that will make us, and our readers, sympathetic to them—no matter how good or evil they are. And we’ll all root for the good guys to win and the bad guys to become good.
The bottom line is this: loving our readers and our characters can only result in better writing. And better writing is never a bad thing.
So what do you say? Do you love your readers? Do you love your characters? Let’s keep this conversation going. Even if you disagree with me, please leave a comment.
TWEETABLESWrite with love - thoughts from @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Loving our readers & our characters leads to better #writing -@BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.
“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”
December 30, 2015
A Haiku Challenge
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's is a sort of no-man's land for me. It's a time to rest, reflect, and get ready for the year to come. I have good intentions of working this week, but life—and laziness—seems to intrude.
Today I'd like to offer a something fun to do.
Join me in a Haiku Challenge.
The rules are simple.
Follow the standard Haiku format5 syllables7 syllables5 syllablesExplore the subject of Why Do You Write?Post your Haiku (or more than one) in the comments section below along with your name.I'll leave the contest open until midnight on Friday (EST)Here are three I wrote, just to get you started:
Why I Write
A Life speeding by
Chaos buries me alive
Writing resurrects
Why I WriteWords flow from fingersImages captured in inkBlack and white colors my world
Why I WriteGod gave me a giftSharp words cut into my soulBloodletting brings peace
Stretch your writing muscles as we get ready for the new year. Oh, and just to entice you a little bit more, I'm going to draw a name from those who leave a Haiku in the comments section for a $15 Amazon gift card.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLEJoin the #Haiku Challenge for a chance to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's is a sort of no-man's land for me. It's a time to rest, reflect, and get ready for the year to come. I have good intentions of working this week, but life—and laziness—seems to intrude.
Today I'd like to offer a something fun to do.
Join me in a Haiku Challenge.
The rules are simple.
Follow the standard Haiku format5 syllables7 syllables5 syllablesExplore the subject of Why Do You Write?Post your Haiku (or more than one) in the comments section below along with your name.I'll leave the contest open until midnight on Friday (EST)Here are three I wrote, just to get you started:
Why I Write
A Life speeding by
Chaos buries me alive
Writing resurrects
Why I WriteWords flow from fingersImages captured in inkBlack and white colors my world
Why I WriteGod gave me a giftSharp words cut into my soulBloodletting brings peaceStretch your writing muscles as we get ready for the new year. Oh, and just to entice you a little bit more, I'm going to draw a name from those who leave a Haiku in the comments section for a $15 Amazon gift card.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLEJoin the #Haiku Challenge for a chance to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
December 29, 2015
The Writer's Alphabet—Things Every Writer Needs to Know
By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Lately I've had a lot of folks ask me what it takes to become a writer.
The real answer takes hours, but today I decided to just boil it down to the basics.
I’ve done several of these ABC posts here on The Write Conversation and today I’m adding one more. I just can’t seem to help it, they’re so much fun to do.
The Writer's Alphabet
A is for Adventure. The Writer’s life is definitely full of surprising twists and turns—we never know when we’ll be ambushed by an idea or spend half a day looking for just the right word.
B is for BalanceB is for Balance. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the writing life. We all need to practice a healthy balance.
C is for Cathartic. The experiences I’ve had in life always seem to creep into my writing, even if they’re unrecognizable to anyone else. Processing what I’ve been through with words has been a good thing.
D is for Discipline. To be a writer, you must…well…write. It’s not often easy, but it is fulfilling.
E is for Encourage. Yes, we need to encourage others with our words. But even more importantly, we need to use our words to encourage ourselves. Don’t be your own worst enemy by constantly talking down to yourself.
F is for Failure. Failure is an option, and anyone who’s told you differently is lying. I often learn more through failure than through success. It’s painful, but knowing something good comes out of my mistakes often makes them less painful.
G is for Gratitude. Having the freedom of being a writer is a gift I will never take for granted.
H is for Hard. Choosing to be a writer means a lifetime of hard work. It’s rewarding and satisfying, but not easy.
I is for IllustrateI is for Illustrate. Yes, that’s an artsy sort of word, but I chose it on purpose. Never forget that you
are
an artist and you illustrate life with words.
J is for Jealousy. It’s far too easy to compare our own journey with that of other writers. It’s easy, but not productive. Each of us has a different path and we need to be striving for excellence, not keeping score with one another.
K is for Knowledge. As writers, the education never ends. We never arrive at the place of knowing it all, so we’re always continuing our education.
L is Long. There are no shortcuts in the writing life. When we choose this path we need to remember to take the long view.
M is for Manna. For me, the words often appear only as I need them. They are gifts from God.
N is for Networking. I know, we’re all introverts and can’t stand the thought of interacting. But the truth is, we need each other. Not just to earn a living and get paid. We need one another for encouragement and to be reminded that we really aren’t crazy.
O is for Odd. That’s what writers are—odd. We look at things just a little differently from the rest of the world. That’s not something to be ashamed of, it’s a gift.
P is for Peace. We must learn to be content with our gift and the way it plays out. This business isn’t always fair, but things do tend to even out over time. To experience the heights of joy, we must be willing to walk through the valley’s of despair.
Q is for Quality over Quantity. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers game. We look for the number of words, the number of published pieces, the number of followers, reviews, etc. But it's the quality we need to focus on, no matter what the numbers say.
R is for RhythmR is for Rhythm. Good writers know that words must have rhythm. There’s a certain cadence necessary for everything we write.
S is for Send. We were giving this gift of writing for a purpose. We’re being sent into the world to share what we’ve observed. This means we need to hit send and be willing to risk having others read what we’ve written.
T is for Trust. I need to trust that God has called me as a writer and that my words have value.
U is for Unique. So often writers struggle with the fact that they don’t have anything new to share. The truth is that each of us is one-of-a-kind. Even if we all write about the exact same thing, it will be from a different and unique perspective.
V is for Vanquish. There are lots of battles that come with the writing life and the most powerful is fear. We must face the fear we face and vanquish it.
W is for Want. We must each decide how much we want to write. Finding time to write is a lie. The truth is that we must carve out time to write. To do that, we must want it badly enough to give up some things to make it a priority.
X is for Xerophilous. This word means flourishing in a dry environment. As writers, we must write whether we’re in the mood or not. We write when we’re full and when we’re empty. Some of my best work has come by learning to flourish in a dry time.
Y is for Yes. It’s easy to say yes to doing something we know we can accomplish. The true test is saying yes, when we’re uncertain. Being a writer means saying yes—yes to new things, yes to impossible deadlines, and yes to always stretching and growing.
Z is for Zoo. And that’s about as good a description of the writing life as I've found!
These are the things I’ve come up with. I’d love to know what you’d add or change to my Writing Life Alphabet.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESThe Writer's Alphabet—Things Every Writer Needs to Know - via @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
“Never forget that writers are artists who illustratelife with words.” - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lately I've had a lot of folks ask me what it takes to become a writer. The real answer takes hours, but today I decided to just boil it down to the basics.
I’ve done several of these ABC posts here on The Write Conversation and today I’m adding one more. I just can’t seem to help it, they’re so much fun to do.
The Writer's Alphabet
A is for Adventure. The Writer’s life is definitely full of surprising twists and turns—we never know when we’ll be ambushed by an idea or spend half a day looking for just the right word.
B is for BalanceB is for Balance. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the writing life. We all need to practice a healthy balance.C is for Cathartic. The experiences I’ve had in life always seem to creep into my writing, even if they’re unrecognizable to anyone else. Processing what I’ve been through with words has been a good thing.
D is for Discipline. To be a writer, you must…well…write. It’s not often easy, but it is fulfilling.
E is for Encourage. Yes, we need to encourage others with our words. But even more importantly, we need to use our words to encourage ourselves. Don’t be your own worst enemy by constantly talking down to yourself.
F is for Failure. Failure is an option, and anyone who’s told you differently is lying. I often learn more through failure than through success. It’s painful, but knowing something good comes out of my mistakes often makes them less painful.
G is for Gratitude. Having the freedom of being a writer is a gift I will never take for granted.
H is for Hard. Choosing to be a writer means a lifetime of hard work. It’s rewarding and satisfying, but not easy.
I is for IllustrateI is for Illustrate. Yes, that’s an artsy sort of word, but I chose it on purpose. Never forget that you
are
an artist and you illustrate life with words.J is for Jealousy. It’s far too easy to compare our own journey with that of other writers. It’s easy, but not productive. Each of us has a different path and we need to be striving for excellence, not keeping score with one another.
K is for Knowledge. As writers, the education never ends. We never arrive at the place of knowing it all, so we’re always continuing our education.
L is Long. There are no shortcuts in the writing life. When we choose this path we need to remember to take the long view.
M is for Manna. For me, the words often appear only as I need them. They are gifts from God.
N is for Networking. I know, we’re all introverts and can’t stand the thought of interacting. But the truth is, we need each other. Not just to earn a living and get paid. We need one another for encouragement and to be reminded that we really aren’t crazy.
O is for Odd. That’s what writers are—odd. We look at things just a little differently from the rest of the world. That’s not something to be ashamed of, it’s a gift.
P is for Peace. We must learn to be content with our gift and the way it plays out. This business isn’t always fair, but things do tend to even out over time. To experience the heights of joy, we must be willing to walk through the valley’s of despair.
Q is for Quality over Quantity. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers game. We look for the number of words, the number of published pieces, the number of followers, reviews, etc. But it's the quality we need to focus on, no matter what the numbers say.
R is for RhythmR is for Rhythm. Good writers know that words must have rhythm. There’s a certain cadence necessary for everything we write.S is for Send. We were giving this gift of writing for a purpose. We’re being sent into the world to share what we’ve observed. This means we need to hit send and be willing to risk having others read what we’ve written.
T is for Trust. I need to trust that God has called me as a writer and that my words have value.
U is for Unique. So often writers struggle with the fact that they don’t have anything new to share. The truth is that each of us is one-of-a-kind. Even if we all write about the exact same thing, it will be from a different and unique perspective.
V is for Vanquish. There are lots of battles that come with the writing life and the most powerful is fear. We must face the fear we face and vanquish it.
W is for Want. We must each decide how much we want to write. Finding time to write is a lie. The truth is that we must carve out time to write. To do that, we must want it badly enough to give up some things to make it a priority.
X is for Xerophilous. This word means flourishing in a dry environment. As writers, we must write whether we’re in the mood or not. We write when we’re full and when we’re empty. Some of my best work has come by learning to flourish in a dry time.
Y is for Yes. It’s easy to say yes to doing something we know we can accomplish. The true test is saying yes, when we’re uncertain. Being a writer means saying yes—yes to new things, yes to impossible deadlines, and yes to always stretching and growing.
Z is for Zoo. And that’s about as good a description of the writing life as I've found!
These are the things I’ve come up with. I’d love to know what you’d add or change to my Writing Life Alphabet.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESThe Writer's Alphabet—Things Every Writer Needs to Know - via @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
“Never forget that writers are artists who illustratelife with words.” - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
December 28, 2015
Make Progress on Your Writing Journey in 2016 by Taking Time to Look Back
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
The writer’s path is a journey of a lifetime—one fraught with discovery and discouragement. We can avoid some of its pitfalls if we define that path early on. Today, I want to share some insights into my writing journey and the markers I look for to help me stay at least in the vicinity of the path.
This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's, my thoughts turn backward. I use this time to evaluate the past year and prepare for the next one. I've given up New Year's Resolutions completely and find the freedom from those expectations (and failures) a major relief.
This is particularly helpful, because staying on the writer's path is difficult because each of our paths are so unique and varied. In the past I've had trouble evaluating my progress because I was comparing my journey to someone else's. I’ve come up with some questions to help me process where I’ve been and where I’m headed.
Questions to Get Me Started
What were some of my writing successes this past year? (Not necessarily the most lucrative, but the most rewarding)What were some of my writing setbacks this past year?What writing advice stands out in my mind because it seemed to have been aimed directly at me?What brought me the most joy? (Writing related) As I map out these spiritual markers, the path God has had me on becomes quite clear. And, by knowing where I've been, it becomes clearer where to go next.
The other thing I do this time of year is to choose my ONE WORD and SCRIPTURE for the next year. I've been choosing a Bible verse for the upcoming year since 1996, but I just started choosing a single word to go with it sine 2012. My close writing friend Beth Vogt started me on it and the practice has proved invaluable.
ONE WORD
This year, the ONE WORD I've chosen is MARGIN. I really feel like God has been showing me that my life is too full and I desperately need some margins and some white space.
The verse I feel like God has led me to to go along with this is:
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. I Peter 2:21
I'd love for you to share your ONE WORD and/or Bible verse for the year, and hear some of your answers to these questions.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESMake progress on your #writing journey in 2016 by taking time to look back - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Evaluating where you've been in your #writing journey is the first step in moving forward - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The writer’s path is a journey of a lifetime—one fraught with discovery and discouragement. We can avoid some of its pitfalls if we define that path early on. Today, I want to share some insights into my writing journey and the markers I look for to help me stay at least in the vicinity of the path.This time of year, between Christmas and New Year's, my thoughts turn backward. I use this time to evaluate the past year and prepare for the next one. I've given up New Year's Resolutions completely and find the freedom from those expectations (and failures) a major relief.
This is particularly helpful, because staying on the writer's path is difficult because each of our paths are so unique and varied. In the past I've had trouble evaluating my progress because I was comparing my journey to someone else's. I’ve come up with some questions to help me process where I’ve been and where I’m headed.
Questions to Get Me Started
What were some of my writing successes this past year? (Not necessarily the most lucrative, but the most rewarding)What were some of my writing setbacks this past year?What writing advice stands out in my mind because it seemed to have been aimed directly at me?What brought me the most joy? (Writing related) As I map out these spiritual markers, the path God has had me on becomes quite clear. And, by knowing where I've been, it becomes clearer where to go next. The other thing I do this time of year is to choose my ONE WORD and SCRIPTURE for the next year. I've been choosing a Bible verse for the upcoming year since 1996, but I just started choosing a single word to go with it sine 2012. My close writing friend Beth Vogt started me on it and the practice has proved invaluable.
ONE WORD
This year, the ONE WORD I've chosen is MARGIN. I really feel like God has been showing me that my life is too full and I desperately need some margins and some white space. The verse I feel like God has led me to to go along with this is:
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. I Peter 2:21
I'd love for you to share your ONE WORD and/or Bible verse for the year, and hear some of your answers to these questions.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESMake progress on your #writing journey in 2016 by taking time to look back - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Evaluating where you've been in your #writing journey is the first step in moving forward - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
December 27, 2015
Setting Goals for Your Writing Career
by Brenda McGraw @BrendaMMcGraw
Setting Goals for Your Writing CareerI hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Can you believe it is the end of another year?
How did you do with your goals and plans this year?
The end of the year is the time to evaluate the current year 2015, before heading into 2016, so we can begin with a fresh start.
Sometimes this can be difficult. We can make excuses of what we didn’t get accomplished or we can resolve to execute the plans we will accomplish the upcoming new year.Many times the hardest part of a writing career is the beginning. At least it was for me. I had no direction or vision, because to be honest, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing back then.
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)
Stay close to the Lord. He wants to give you the desires of your heart. He has great plans and paths for you to follow.
God may lay before you an idea and then wait to
see if you're willing to move forward.God may lay before you an idea, a thought, a dream or vision, and then He waits to see if you are willing to take the steps necessary to move forward into the unknown.
If you take a step forward, He will open the door for your next move.
God doesn’t want you to fail; He wants you to succeed.
Turn your good intentions into obedient actions.
Let your good intentions put a smile on someone’s face, or make a difference in the life of a friend.
To set some goals or steps for 2016:
1. Pray. Pray asking God first what He wants you to do in 2016.
2. Prepare.Find a place in a journal, in your notes on your phone, in Evernote (http://www.evernote.com)—somewhere besides a little piece of paper that will get lost, where you can write everything you feel God is telling you about 2016.
Write down everything on a piece of paper.3. Plan.Write down everything on a piece of paper.
4. Plot.Beside everything you wrote, try to elaborate. For instance, if you think God wants you to write a book next year, then write down when you want to have it completed. When we write specific goals, it helps us put steps into action. If you think God wants you to share your faith or start a ministry, be specific—where can you go to share your faith, or what type of ministry will you have?
5. Propose.Beside each goal, propose what your steps will be to accomplish your goals and plans. What does your plan look like?
6. Prize. Obtain the prize that the Lord has for you. You will be rewarded for your hard work and preparation.
The people who put feet to their thoughts are the ones who will walk in the victory of their calling.
I want to encourage you on your journey in 2016. While taking the first step can make all the difference in achieving your goals, there are a few more factorsthat I shared last year and want to share again that will help you move forward:Focus on the Lord to help you accomplish your goals.Be optimistic. Remember, a goal takes work. If it were easy, you would havealready accomplished it.Don’t listen to the naysayers. People everywhere want to throw cold water onyour dreams. They don’t necessarily mean to, but they don’t recognize your desireor calling.Surround yourself with others who are like-minded and have similar goals.Serve others. While you are reaching for your dreams and goals, so are others. Helpthem reach their dreams and calling, and guess what—it will come back to you insome way.Don’t quit. You can do all things though Christ who strengthens you and, may Iadd, calls you.
Pray, prepare, plan, plot, propose and win the prize!
Can you leave a comment with one goal you have for 2016? I will pray for you.
TWEETABLES
Setting goals for your #writing career - tips from @BrendaMMcGraw on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Pray, prepare, plan, plot, propose and move forward with your #writing goals - @BrendaMMcGraw (Click to Tweet)
Brenda McGraw is an author and speaker who reveals how to discover joy beyond the clutter of life. She draws from her own life experiences in the #1 Amazon Best seller, “Joy Beyond, 28 Days to Finding Joy Beyond the Clutter of Life”. She is the founder of Ask God Today Ministries where she has a team of writers sharing truth and hope with others.
Brenda currently lives in South Carolina with her husband, Jeff and three of their five children. She is a survivor of breast cancer and a heart attack.. Despite the challenges she has endured, Brenda found peace through her relationship with Jesus Christ.
You can connect with Brenda at:Website - http://www.askgodtoday.com Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-McGraw/e/B00GOIE7AG Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrendaMMcGraw
Setting Goals for Your Writing CareerI hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Can you believe it is the end of another year?How did you do with your goals and plans this year?
The end of the year is the time to evaluate the current year 2015, before heading into 2016, so we can begin with a fresh start.
Sometimes this can be difficult. We can make excuses of what we didn’t get accomplished or we can resolve to execute the plans we will accomplish the upcoming new year.Many times the hardest part of a writing career is the beginning. At least it was for me. I had no direction or vision, because to be honest, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing back then.
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)
Stay close to the Lord. He wants to give you the desires of your heart. He has great plans and paths for you to follow.
God may lay before you an idea and then wait tosee if you're willing to move forward.God may lay before you an idea, a thought, a dream or vision, and then He waits to see if you are willing to take the steps necessary to move forward into the unknown.
If you take a step forward, He will open the door for your next move.
God doesn’t want you to fail; He wants you to succeed.
Turn your good intentions into obedient actions.
Let your good intentions put a smile on someone’s face, or make a difference in the life of a friend.
To set some goals or steps for 2016:
1. Pray. Pray asking God first what He wants you to do in 2016.
2. Prepare.Find a place in a journal, in your notes on your phone, in Evernote (http://www.evernote.com)—somewhere besides a little piece of paper that will get lost, where you can write everything you feel God is telling you about 2016.
Write down everything on a piece of paper.3. Plan.Write down everything on a piece of paper.4. Plot.Beside everything you wrote, try to elaborate. For instance, if you think God wants you to write a book next year, then write down when you want to have it completed. When we write specific goals, it helps us put steps into action. If you think God wants you to share your faith or start a ministry, be specific—where can you go to share your faith, or what type of ministry will you have?
5. Propose.Beside each goal, propose what your steps will be to accomplish your goals and plans. What does your plan look like?
6. Prize. Obtain the prize that the Lord has for you. You will be rewarded for your hard work and preparation.
The people who put feet to their thoughts are the ones who will walk in the victory of their calling.
I want to encourage you on your journey in 2016. While taking the first step can make all the difference in achieving your goals, there are a few more factorsthat I shared last year and want to share again that will help you move forward:Focus on the Lord to help you accomplish your goals.Be optimistic. Remember, a goal takes work. If it were easy, you would havealready accomplished it.Don’t listen to the naysayers. People everywhere want to throw cold water onyour dreams. They don’t necessarily mean to, but they don’t recognize your desireor calling.Surround yourself with others who are like-minded and have similar goals.Serve others. While you are reaching for your dreams and goals, so are others. Helpthem reach their dreams and calling, and guess what—it will come back to you insome way.Don’t quit. You can do all things though Christ who strengthens you and, may Iadd, calls you.
Pray, prepare, plan, plot, propose and win the prize!
Can you leave a comment with one goal you have for 2016? I will pray for you.
TWEETABLES
Setting goals for your #writing career - tips from @BrendaMMcGraw on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Pray, prepare, plan, plot, propose and move forward with your #writing goals - @BrendaMMcGraw (Click to Tweet)
Brenda McGraw is an author and speaker who reveals how to discover joy beyond the clutter of life. She draws from her own life experiences in the #1 Amazon Best seller, “Joy Beyond, 28 Days to Finding Joy Beyond the Clutter of Life”. She is the founder of Ask God Today Ministries where she has a team of writers sharing truth and hope with others.
Brenda currently lives in South Carolina with her husband, Jeff and three of their five children. She is a survivor of breast cancer and a heart attack.. Despite the challenges she has endured, Brenda found peace through her relationship with Jesus Christ.
You can connect with Brenda at:Website - http://www.askgodtoday.com Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-McGraw/e/B00GOIE7AG Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrendaMMcGraw
