Edie Melson's Blog, page 367
September 4, 2015
Writers, You Are Worthy
by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007
We writers go through periods of feeling somehow inadequate. And if we don’t look at ourselves in the proper light, we may give up altogether.
It’s easy to become discouraged when we focus on our limitations. We simply have to compare ourselves to more experienced writers. Or allow the demands of the current publishing world, like platform and self-marketing, to weigh heavy on our minds. And before we know it, we’re ready to give up altogether.
But don’t despair. There’s hope, If you know where to look.Our Creator.
He promised we have nothing to fear because He’ll always be with us, helping and strengthening us. He will hold us up in His victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
But even when we believe this, we still feel lost—not knowing exactly what to do.
Not to worry. He promised that if we’ll just trust Him, and not try to figure things out on our own, then He will lead us every step of the way to our best possible outcome. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
It’s human nature to want complete control of our lives because we believe self-control is the best way to avoid troubles and pain. We want to know everything that’s going to happen before it happens so there’s no surprises.
But that’s unrealistic. We can’t control others, and we certainly can’t control nature.
We cry out to be free of emotional pain caused by fear and uncertainty. Our creator answers by saying that His love and leadership are all we need. He tells us that he works best through our weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
One of the biggest weaknesses that plagues many new writers is their young age, or their lack of writing experience. The truth is, the number of writers is growing. And this means greater competition for the favor of agents and publishers.
On the surface, new writers have good reason to become discouraged. Yet, the Lord tells us not to let anyone think less of us because of our inexperience. Instead, we are encouraged to live lives that will encourage others. And by living encouraging lives, we’ll attract the right people at the right time. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Then what is that proper light in which we should look at ourselves. It’s the light of the Spirit who assures us we are all “remarkably and wonderfully” made in the image of our Creator. (Psalm 139:14)
This being true, our confidence comes from whose we are, not who we are. In fact, the Lord has no favorites. (Romans 2:11)
He considers each of us to be just as important as everyone else. This fact will supply all the confidence we need to treat all others as equals, no matter how smart, old, or experienced they are.
So the next time we feel like quitting, we need only remember whose we are. And never give up.
TWEETABLES
Writers, You are Worthy - thoughts from @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Encouragement when you don't feel worthy as a writer - @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.”
We writers go through periods of feeling somehow inadequate. And if we don’t look at ourselves in the proper light, we may give up altogether.It’s easy to become discouraged when we focus on our limitations. We simply have to compare ourselves to more experienced writers. Or allow the demands of the current publishing world, like platform and self-marketing, to weigh heavy on our minds. And before we know it, we’re ready to give up altogether.
But don’t despair. There’s hope, If you know where to look.Our Creator.
He promised we have nothing to fear because He’ll always be with us, helping and strengthening us. He will hold us up in His victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
But even when we believe this, we still feel lost—not knowing exactly what to do.
Not to worry. He promised that if we’ll just trust Him, and not try to figure things out on our own, then He will lead us every step of the way to our best possible outcome. (Proverbs 3:5-6)It’s human nature to want complete control of our lives because we believe self-control is the best way to avoid troubles and pain. We want to know everything that’s going to happen before it happens so there’s no surprises.
But that’s unrealistic. We can’t control others, and we certainly can’t control nature.
We cry out to be free of emotional pain caused by fear and uncertainty. Our creator answers by saying that His love and leadership are all we need. He tells us that he works best through our weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
One of the biggest weaknesses that plagues many new writers is their young age, or their lack of writing experience. The truth is, the number of writers is growing. And this means greater competition for the favor of agents and publishers.
On the surface, new writers have good reason to become discouraged. Yet, the Lord tells us not to let anyone think less of us because of our inexperience. Instead, we are encouraged to live lives that will encourage others. And by living encouraging lives, we’ll attract the right people at the right time. (1 Timothy 4:12)Then what is that proper light in which we should look at ourselves. It’s the light of the Spirit who assures us we are all “remarkably and wonderfully” made in the image of our Creator. (Psalm 139:14)
This being true, our confidence comes from whose we are, not who we are. In fact, the Lord has no favorites. (Romans 2:11)
He considers each of us to be just as important as everyone else. This fact will supply all the confidence we need to treat all others as equals, no matter how smart, old, or experienced they are.
So the next time we feel like quitting, we need only remember whose we are. And never give up.
TWEETABLES
Writers, You are Worthy - thoughts from @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Encouragement when you don't feel worthy as a writer - @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.”
September 3, 2015
Perfectionism & Vulnerability, A Tough Combination for Writers
by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn
There are a few things I know about myself. I don’t like them, but I know they are true.
I’m a perfectionist and I don’t like feeling vulnerable.
But I kept hearing about this author and researcher, Dr. Brené Brown, who has a couple of insanely popular TED talks where she discusses her research.
Guess what she researches?
Vulnerability, shame, and she throws in some really nice stuff about perfectionism in there as well.The TED talks left me wanting to delve deeper into the ideas she presented so I requested her books at my local library. Daring Greatly came in first, so it’s the first one I read, followed by The Gifts of Imperfection .
In
Daring Greatly
, Brené Brown encourages the reader to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly and to courageously engage in our lives. She got the title from the famous Teddy Roosevelt speech where he says, “It is not the critic who counts…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”
She contends that the only way to dare greatly is not to make ourselves tougher or harder, but to embrace vulnerability, which she defines as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
Yeah…that’s not the kind of thing most of us seek out, much less embrace! Who wants uncertainty? Who wants to risk failure? And if it’s all the same to you, I’ll limit my emotional exposure to the bare minimum, thank you very much.
Except…I want to write.
And writing, good writing anyway, requires vulnerability.
I know that if I’m unwilling to be authentic, to take risks, to spend weeks, months, years working on a project with no guarantee anyone will be willing to publish it…then maybe this writing gig isn’t for me.
But, I do want to write. I can’t not write.
Enter Wholeheartedness.
This is the term Brené Brown has coined for people who are able to live lives defined by courage, compassion, and connection—all of which require embracing vulnerability.
Dr. Brown discusses Wholehearted living in depth in
The Gifts of Imperfection
where she highlights ten Guideposts to living a life of Wholeheartedness. These are things like Letting Go of Perfectionism and Letting Go of Self-Doubt and “Supposed To” and, Letting Go of Being Cool and “Always in Control.”
These books were not written specifically for writers, but applications to the writing life are found throughout both volumes.
See if this resonates with you (from the chapter on Letting Go of Self-Doubt) - “Squandering our gifts brings distress to our lives. As it turns out, it’s not merely benign or “too bad” if we don’t use the gifts that we’ve been given; we pay for it with our emotional and physical well-being. When we don’t use our talents to cultivate meaningful work, we struggle. We feel disconnected and weighed down by feelings of emptiness, frustration, resentment, shame, disappointment, fear, and even grief.”
Or maybe this quote from Daring Greatly may stir something in you …“When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make. Perfect and bulletproof are seductive, but they don’t exist in the human experience.”
I don’t know about you, but these sound like the very kinds of struggles writers face every day.
To be sure, these books aren’t the type of books you read once and have a full grasp of the subject. There is no way for me to adequately explain the information in just a few hundred words. But I do believe these are valuable books to add to your writing toolbox. If you decide to explore these subjects further, I’d recommend watching the TED talks first, then reading The Gifts of Imperfection and then Daring Greatly .
The Gifts of Imperfection was a fairly easy read, but Daring Greatly is more densely packed and presents more unfamiliar material and terminology that, at least for me, made for a much slower processing speed.
My guess is that if you dive in, you’ll find multiple applications and takeaways for your own life, but even if you don’t, you’ll be able to use these concepts to further develop the characters in the worlds you create.
Either way, these books can help you get—and stay—in the arena.
And that’s where we all need to be.
Don’t forget to join the conversation! Lynn
TWEETABLES
Perfectionism & Vulnerability, a tough combination for writers - @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)
Letting go of perfect & embracing vulnerable - @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.
There are a few things I know about myself. I don’t like them, but I know they are true.I’m a perfectionist and I don’t like feeling vulnerable.
But I kept hearing about this author and researcher, Dr. Brené Brown, who has a couple of insanely popular TED talks where she discusses her research.
Guess what she researches?
Vulnerability, shame, and she throws in some really nice stuff about perfectionism in there as well.The TED talks left me wanting to delve deeper into the ideas she presented so I requested her books at my local library. Daring Greatly came in first, so it’s the first one I read, followed by The Gifts of Imperfection .
In
Daring Greatly
, Brené Brown encourages the reader to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly and to courageously engage in our lives. She got the title from the famous Teddy Roosevelt speech where he says, “It is not the critic who counts…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…” She contends that the only way to dare greatly is not to make ourselves tougher or harder, but to embrace vulnerability, which she defines as uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
Yeah…that’s not the kind of thing most of us seek out, much less embrace! Who wants uncertainty? Who wants to risk failure? And if it’s all the same to you, I’ll limit my emotional exposure to the bare minimum, thank you very much.
Except…I want to write.
And writing, good writing anyway, requires vulnerability.
I know that if I’m unwilling to be authentic, to take risks, to spend weeks, months, years working on a project with no guarantee anyone will be willing to publish it…then maybe this writing gig isn’t for me.
But, I do want to write. I can’t not write.
Enter Wholeheartedness.
This is the term Brené Brown has coined for people who are able to live lives defined by courage, compassion, and connection—all of which require embracing vulnerability.
Dr. Brown discusses Wholehearted living in depth in
The Gifts of Imperfection
where she highlights ten Guideposts to living a life of Wholeheartedness. These are things like Letting Go of Perfectionism and Letting Go of Self-Doubt and “Supposed To” and, Letting Go of Being Cool and “Always in Control.” These books were not written specifically for writers, but applications to the writing life are found throughout both volumes.
See if this resonates with you (from the chapter on Letting Go of Self-Doubt) - “Squandering our gifts brings distress to our lives. As it turns out, it’s not merely benign or “too bad” if we don’t use the gifts that we’ve been given; we pay for it with our emotional and physical well-being. When we don’t use our talents to cultivate meaningful work, we struggle. We feel disconnected and weighed down by feelings of emptiness, frustration, resentment, shame, disappointment, fear, and even grief.”
Or maybe this quote from Daring Greatly may stir something in you …“When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make. Perfect and bulletproof are seductive, but they don’t exist in the human experience.”
I don’t know about you, but these sound like the very kinds of struggles writers face every day.
To be sure, these books aren’t the type of books you read once and have a full grasp of the subject. There is no way for me to adequately explain the information in just a few hundred words. But I do believe these are valuable books to add to your writing toolbox. If you decide to explore these subjects further, I’d recommend watching the TED talks first, then reading The Gifts of Imperfection and then Daring Greatly .
The Gifts of Imperfection was a fairly easy read, but Daring Greatly is more densely packed and presents more unfamiliar material and terminology that, at least for me, made for a much slower processing speed.
My guess is that if you dive in, you’ll find multiple applications and takeaways for your own life, but even if you don’t, you’ll be able to use these concepts to further develop the characters in the worlds you create.
Either way, these books can help you get—and stay—in the arena.
And that’s where we all need to be.
Don’t forget to join the conversation! Lynn
TWEETABLES
Perfectionism & Vulnerability, a tough combination for writers - @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)
Letting go of perfect & embracing vulnerable - @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.
September 2, 2015
Calendar Days—September’s Crazy Holidays & Special Occasions—Idea Starters for Writers
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, especially when two contrasting holidays fall on the same date. Here are some that tickled my funny bone this month:
September 1 is Calendar Awareness Day and No Rhyme or Reason Day—‘nough said. September 4th is Bring Your Manners to Work Day and Hug Your Boss Day. Is it good manners to hug your boss? September 13 is Defy Superstition Day and Fortune Cookie Day . . . hmmm. And September has three of my favorite holidays—the 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day, the 22nd is Hobbit Day, and the 24th is Punctuation Day.September is:Classical Music MonthFall Hat MonthNational Blueberry Popsicle MonthNational Piano MonthBaby Safety MonthHoney MonthSelf Improvement MonthBetter Breakfast MonthHispanic Heritage MonthInternational Square Dancing MonthLittle League MonthChicken MonthNational Courtesy Month
Weekly CelebrationsWeek 1:International Enthusiasm WeekNational Nutrition WeekNational Waffle WeekSubstitute Teacher Appreciation Week
Week 2:International Housekeepers WeekNational Assisted Living WeekSuicide Prevention WeekLine Dance WeekHistorically Black Colleges and Universities Week
Week 3:Balance Awareness WeekNational Clean Hands WeekNational Indoor Plant WeekNational Singles WeekPollution Prevention WeekProstate Cancer Awareness Week
Week 4:Deaf Awareness WeekTolkien WeekNational Dog WeekNational Keep Kids Creative WeekNational Chimney Safety WeekRemember to Register to Vote WeekSea Otter Awareness Week
Daily CelebrationsSeptember 1Emma M. Nutt Day (first female telephone operator)Building and Code Staff Appreciation DayCalendar Adjustment DayNational No Rhyme (nor reason) Day
September 2V-J DayNational Beheading Day
September 3Skyscraper DayWelsh Rarebit Day
September 4Hug Your Boss DayLazy Mom’s DayNational College Colors DayBring Your Manners to Work DayNewspaper Carrier Day
September 5International Vulture Awareness DayWorld Beard DayBacon DayBe Late for Something DayNational Writing Date DayInternational Day of CharityCheese Pizza Day
September 6Fight Procrastination DayRead a Book DayPet Rock Day
September 7Buy a Book DayLabor DayNeither Rain nor Snow DaySalami Day
September 8Iguana Awareness DayInternational Literacy DayAnother Look Unlimited DayPardon Day
September 9Teddy Bear DayWonderful Weirdoes Day
September 10Swap Ideas DayWorld Suicide Prevention DaySewing Machine Day
September 11Patriot Day (911 Remembrance)Hot Cross Bun DayMake Your Bed DayNo News is Good news Day
September 12National Chocolate Milkshake DayNational Hollerin’ DayNational Video Games Day
September 13Grandparent’s DayHug Your Hound DayInternational Chocolate DayNational Pet Memorial DayScooby-Doo DayDefy Superstition DayRoald Dahl DayProgrammers’ DayFortune Cookie DayNational Peanut DayKids Take Over the Kitchen DayUncle Sam DayPositive Thinking Day
September 14Boss/Employee Exchange DayNational Kreme Filled Donut DayEat a Hoagie DayWorld Maritime Day
September 15Make a Hat DayFelt Hat Day8-Track Tape DayInternational Dot DayGreenpeace DayGet Ready Day
September 16Collect Rocks DayStepfamily DayMayflower DayAmerican Legion DayTrail of Tears Commemoration DayNational Play-Doh DayWorld Ozone DayGuacamole DayWorking Parents Day
September 17National Apple Dumpling DayInternational Country Music DayCitizenship DayConstitution DayVFW Ladies Auxiliary Day
September 18National Cheeseburger DayNational POW/MIA Recognition DayNational Respect DayAir Force BirthdayNational Ceiling Fan DayHug a Greeting Card Writer Day
September 19Coastal Cleanup DayInternational Talk Like a Pirate DayInternational Eat an Apple DayGymnastics DayBig Whopper Liar DayNational Butterscotch Pudding Day
September 20National Punch DayWife Appreciation DayNickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of PlayNational Women’s Friendship Day
September 21International Peace DayMiniature Golf DayRespect for the AgedWorld Alzheimer’s DayWorld Gratitude Day
September 22Business Women’s DayHobbit DayWorld Car Free DayIce Cream Cone DayElephant Appreciation DayDear Diary Day
September 23Checkers DayRestless Legs Awareness Day
September 24Punctuation DayNational Cherries Jubilee Day
September 25National Comic Book DayPsychotherapy DayNative American DayWorld Pharmacists DayWorld Dream DayHug a Vegetarian DayNational One-Hit Wonder Day
September 26Johnny Appleseed DayLove Note DayBatman DayLumberjack DayNational Museum DayR.E.A.D. in America DayInternational Rabbit DayWorld Maritime DayInternational Lace Day
September 27Crush a Can DayFamily Health and Fitness Day USAAncestor Appreciation DayWorld Tourism Day
September 28Gold Star Mother’s DayFamily DayAsk a Stupid Question DayNational Good Neighbor Day
September 29Confucius DayWorld Heart DayInternational Coffee DayVFW Day
September 30National Mud Pack DayInternational Translation DayAsk a Stupid Question Day
Now let's do a little brainstorming for next month. What are some of your favorite days from the list and how do you propose using them?
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLES
Don't get caught without an idea, use the calendar to #write #blog posts & articles - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Use Sept's crazy holidays to spark #socialmedia & #writing ideas - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
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, especially when two contrasting holidays fall on the same date. Here are some that tickled my funny bone this month:September 1 is Calendar Awareness Day and No Rhyme or Reason Day—‘nough said. September 4th is Bring Your Manners to Work Day and Hug Your Boss Day. Is it good manners to hug your boss? September 13 is Defy Superstition Day and Fortune Cookie Day . . . hmmm. And September has three of my favorite holidays—the 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day, the 22nd is Hobbit Day, and the 24th is Punctuation Day.September is:Classical Music MonthFall Hat MonthNational Blueberry Popsicle MonthNational Piano MonthBaby Safety MonthHoney MonthSelf Improvement MonthBetter Breakfast MonthHispanic Heritage MonthInternational Square Dancing MonthLittle League MonthChicken MonthNational Courtesy Month
Weekly CelebrationsWeek 1:International Enthusiasm WeekNational Nutrition WeekNational Waffle WeekSubstitute Teacher Appreciation Week
Week 2:International Housekeepers WeekNational Assisted Living WeekSuicide Prevention WeekLine Dance WeekHistorically Black Colleges and Universities Week
Week 3:Balance Awareness WeekNational Clean Hands WeekNational Indoor Plant WeekNational Singles WeekPollution Prevention WeekProstate Cancer Awareness Week
Week 4:Deaf Awareness WeekTolkien WeekNational Dog WeekNational Keep Kids Creative WeekNational Chimney Safety WeekRemember to Register to Vote WeekSea Otter Awareness Week
Daily CelebrationsSeptember 1Emma M. Nutt Day (first female telephone operator)Building and Code Staff Appreciation DayCalendar Adjustment DayNational No Rhyme (nor reason) Day
September 2V-J DayNational Beheading Day
September 3Skyscraper DayWelsh Rarebit Day
September 4Hug Your Boss DayLazy Mom’s DayNational College Colors DayBring Your Manners to Work DayNewspaper Carrier Day
September 5International Vulture Awareness DayWorld Beard DayBacon DayBe Late for Something DayNational Writing Date DayInternational Day of CharityCheese Pizza Day
September 6Fight Procrastination DayRead a Book DayPet Rock Day
September 7Buy a Book DayLabor DayNeither Rain nor Snow DaySalami Day
September 8Iguana Awareness DayInternational Literacy DayAnother Look Unlimited DayPardon Day
September 9Teddy Bear DayWonderful Weirdoes Day
September 10Swap Ideas DayWorld Suicide Prevention DaySewing Machine Day
September 11Patriot Day (911 Remembrance)Hot Cross Bun DayMake Your Bed DayNo News is Good news Day
September 12National Chocolate Milkshake DayNational Hollerin’ DayNational Video Games Day
September 13Grandparent’s DayHug Your Hound DayInternational Chocolate DayNational Pet Memorial DayScooby-Doo DayDefy Superstition DayRoald Dahl DayProgrammers’ DayFortune Cookie DayNational Peanut DayKids Take Over the Kitchen DayUncle Sam DayPositive Thinking Day
September 14Boss/Employee Exchange DayNational Kreme Filled Donut DayEat a Hoagie DayWorld Maritime Day
September 15Make a Hat DayFelt Hat Day8-Track Tape DayInternational Dot DayGreenpeace DayGet Ready Day
September 16Collect Rocks DayStepfamily DayMayflower DayAmerican Legion DayTrail of Tears Commemoration DayNational Play-Doh DayWorld Ozone DayGuacamole DayWorking Parents Day
September 17National Apple Dumpling DayInternational Country Music DayCitizenship DayConstitution DayVFW Ladies Auxiliary Day
September 18National Cheeseburger DayNational POW/MIA Recognition DayNational Respect DayAir Force BirthdayNational Ceiling Fan DayHug a Greeting Card Writer Day
September 19Coastal Cleanup DayInternational Talk Like a Pirate DayInternational Eat an Apple DayGymnastics DayBig Whopper Liar DayNational Butterscotch Pudding Day
September 20National Punch DayWife Appreciation DayNickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of PlayNational Women’s Friendship Day
September 21International Peace DayMiniature Golf DayRespect for the AgedWorld Alzheimer’s DayWorld Gratitude Day
September 22Business Women’s DayHobbit DayWorld Car Free DayIce Cream Cone DayElephant Appreciation DayDear Diary Day
September 23Checkers DayRestless Legs Awareness Day
September 24Punctuation DayNational Cherries Jubilee Day
September 25National Comic Book DayPsychotherapy DayNative American DayWorld Pharmacists DayWorld Dream DayHug a Vegetarian DayNational One-Hit Wonder Day
September 26Johnny Appleseed DayLove Note DayBatman DayLumberjack DayNational Museum DayR.E.A.D. in America DayInternational Rabbit DayWorld Maritime DayInternational Lace Day
September 27Crush a Can DayFamily Health and Fitness Day USAAncestor Appreciation DayWorld Tourism Day
September 28Gold Star Mother’s DayFamily DayAsk a Stupid Question DayNational Good Neighbor Day
September 29Confucius DayWorld Heart DayInternational Coffee DayVFW Day
September 30National Mud Pack DayInternational Translation DayAsk a Stupid Question Day
Now let's do a little brainstorming for next month. What are some of your favorite days from the list and how do you propose using them?
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLES
Don't get caught without an idea, use the calendar to #write #blog posts & articles - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Use Sept's crazy holidays to spark #socialmedia & #writing ideas - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
September 1, 2015
19 Things to Remember When Publishing Doesn’t Go Your Way
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
It’s easy to get discouraged in the writing industry. It’s a tough business, and as they say on Project runway, “One day you’re in, and one day you’re out.”
So what’s a writer to do?
Here’s my list of things to remember when publishing doesn’t go your way:1. We always have a choice, we can get stronger through adversity or defeated by it. This is true in life, and also in publishing.
2. Failure is an option, but it’s not as bad as you think. Some of my most valuable lessons have come through repeated failure. The key is to not let failure stop you.
3. Publishing is subjective business. What one editor loves, another hates. Don’t let one or two opinions stop you in your tracks.
4. It’s important to cultivate a positive attitude. Having a positive outlook doesn’t mean you ignore the negative, you just don’t let it defeat you.
5. The best opportunities are often disguised as problems.
6. Success has nothing to do with perfection. It’s important to strive to be the best we can be. But perfection is out of reach. Don’t let a lack of it hold you back.
Every writer needs a tribe.7. Every writer needs a tribe. We need others traveling a similar path to encourage us and hold us accountable.
8. Every writer’s journey is different. Although we need companions, we have to remember our path is unique. Comparing your opportunities and milestones are not a productive use of your time.
9. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. We all are afraid of things—failure, the blank page, not living up to expectations. But the cogurageous writer continues on in spite of fear.
10. Publishing is five percent talent and ninety-five percent perseverance. The tide will turn. It may seem like your turn with success with never come, but that’s only true if you quit.
The harder the climb, the better the view11. The harder the climb, the better view. When we work for something, we value it more.
12. Publishing is a process, not a destination. We look at others ahead of us and feel like they’ve arrived. Truthfully, no one has ever arrived.
13. It takes as long as it takes. There are so many things that go into the publishing equation. The key is to not rush the process.
14. In this business, a lot of success does come from who you know. Networking is vital. Learn the lesson early and you’ll find the path easier.
15. You are stronger than you think. So often we underestimate ourselves. Stop and look back at what you’ve already accomplished and give yourself a pat on the back.
16. Every writer struggles with insecurity. It doesn’t matter if we’ve never published a book or published fifty. The blank page remains an enemy to be vanquished.
17. Nothing lasts forever, not even the writing slumps.
18. Flexibility is key. We can make plans, but just because things don’t turn out the way we hope is no excuse to give up.
19. Finally, remember these words, A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
These are the things I try to remember when publishing gets tough. What would you add to the list? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES19 Things to Remember When Your #Writing Journey Doesn’t goYour Way - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
“Flexibility is key,” plus 18 other thing toremember on the #writing journey - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
It’s easy to get discouraged in the writing industry. It’s a tough business, and as they say on Project runway, “One day you’re in, and one day you’re out.” So what’s a writer to do?
Here’s my list of things to remember when publishing doesn’t go your way:1. We always have a choice, we can get stronger through adversity or defeated by it. This is true in life, and also in publishing.
2. Failure is an option, but it’s not as bad as you think. Some of my most valuable lessons have come through repeated failure. The key is to not let failure stop you.
3. Publishing is subjective business. What one editor loves, another hates. Don’t let one or two opinions stop you in your tracks.
4. It’s important to cultivate a positive attitude. Having a positive outlook doesn’t mean you ignore the negative, you just don’t let it defeat you.
5. The best opportunities are often disguised as problems.
6. Success has nothing to do with perfection. It’s important to strive to be the best we can be. But perfection is out of reach. Don’t let a lack of it hold you back.
Every writer needs a tribe.7. Every writer needs a tribe. We need others traveling a similar path to encourage us and hold us accountable.8. Every writer’s journey is different. Although we need companions, we have to remember our path is unique. Comparing your opportunities and milestones are not a productive use of your time.
9. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. We all are afraid of things—failure, the blank page, not living up to expectations. But the cogurageous writer continues on in spite of fear.
10. Publishing is five percent talent and ninety-five percent perseverance. The tide will turn. It may seem like your turn with success with never come, but that’s only true if you quit.
The harder the climb, the better the view11. The harder the climb, the better view. When we work for something, we value it more. 12. Publishing is a process, not a destination. We look at others ahead of us and feel like they’ve arrived. Truthfully, no one has ever arrived.
13. It takes as long as it takes. There are so many things that go into the publishing equation. The key is to not rush the process.
14. In this business, a lot of success does come from who you know. Networking is vital. Learn the lesson early and you’ll find the path easier.
15. You are stronger than you think. So often we underestimate ourselves. Stop and look back at what you’ve already accomplished and give yourself a pat on the back.
16. Every writer struggles with insecurity. It doesn’t matter if we’ve never published a book or published fifty. The blank page remains an enemy to be vanquished.
17. Nothing lasts forever, not even the writing slumps.
18. Flexibility is key. We can make plans, but just because things don’t turn out the way we hope is no excuse to give up.
19. Finally, remember these words, A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
These are the things I try to remember when publishing gets tough. What would you add to the list? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES19 Things to Remember When Your #Writing Journey Doesn’t goYour Way - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
“Flexibility is key,” plus 18 other thing toremember on the #writing journey - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
August 31, 2015
Blog or Website—Which One Does a Writer Really Need?
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
The reason we do social media is to connect with our audience. And one of the best ways to deepen that connection is by hanging out with them on a blog. Because of that, I’m going to spend the next few weeks on blogging issues.
The first issue I want to talk about is the difference between a blog and a website. It’s important to know the terminology and be able to evaluate exactly what you need for your circumstances. Just like social media, blogging is not a one size fits all proposition.Let me start this discussion by stating—for the record—I’m not against websites. They’re a great thing, but they are a luxury, especially at the beginning of your career. If you already have one, great. Just make sure your site also has the option of blogging on it.
BUT, if you don’t have a site, or you’re thinking of upgrading to a website, these are some things to think about.
So, blog or website—which should a writer have? Today I thought I’d give you an easy way to decide which you should have and begin the evaluation process for your specific situation.
As many of you know, social media and blogging aren’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Far from it! But the almost endless array of choices can leave anyone feeling uncertain what’s needed.
Before we get into the choices and how to decide, let’s make certain we’re all clear on the definitions.
A BlogThe word itself is a relatively new invention. Its usage began in the early 80s and comes from the words Web and Log—
Blog
—and was originally envisioned as a sort of online journal. Occasionally I still run across someone who doesn’t realize blogs haven’t been online diaries for many years.
Having a blog used to be thought of as the amateur way to have an online presence. Again, this hasn’t been the case for quite a number of years. Many well-respected sites are in actuality, blogs.
Enough history, here is an up-to-date definition of a blog:An online site, with regular, frequent updates that encourage interaction through comments and sharing. It can be a single-page site or a multi-page site. But its primary purpose is interaction.
A WebsiteIn contrast, a website is much more of a static site, where much of the information remains the same. It doesn’t usually have a place for interaction—although there is almost always a contact form somewhere so visitors can interact if necessary. It's almost like a yellow pages ad or a billboard.
A website can also be a singe-page or a multi-page site. But more generally it has several pages. Often times, one of the pages is a blog. Websites are most often built by website designers or those willing to learn HTML code. Even though a lot of folks use a template to build a website, they are almost always customized and use a lot more code specific design.
As you can see by the definitions, blogs and websites do tend to overlap in their intent. But, and this is VITALLY important to understand, they are not the same in the way they’re developed.
Take WordPress products for example. WordPress has a lot of great options, for blogs and for websites. But, blogs are built on the WordPress.com site, and websites are built on the WordPress.org site. Why two different sites? Because websites and blogs are very different in the way they’re constructed.
Think of WordPress like a car company—say Volkswagen. Even though the VW Bug and the Jetta are both built by Volkswagen, they are very different cars. A mechanic doesn’t fix them with the same parts or even necessarily the same tools. It’s the same for WordPress Blogs (the free version .com) and WordPress Websites (the paid version .org). Even more than that, just because someone has their own WordPress website doesn’t mean they know how to help you with WordPress blog. Be very careful here, the plug-ins are not always the same!
Generically speaking, a blog isn’t better than a website and visa versa. But specifically, there are times when one choice is better than another.
When to Build only a BlogI recommend new writers always start with a blog and here are some reasons why:
When is it time to build only a blog?They’re easy to work with. By that I mean, it’s easy to learn the basics if you stick with a reputable platform. I recommend Blogger, WordPress, or TypePad.They’re free. Blogger is completely free. WordPress.com is free, but also has some upgrades available for purchase. And TypePadhas a small monthly fee, depending on which version you choose. It may surprise you to know that my favorite, hands down, is Blogger. Blogger offers more options for personalization and it has the added benefit of being owned by Google, so you get good search engine results if your site is well done.They can be tweaked and changed as your career grows and focuses. Just because you begin writing devotions, doesn’t mean you won’t one day end up writing fiction. It helps if you don’t have to start over and build a whole new product.
When to Build a Website (with a blog in it)I recommend an author with multiple books, and the means to pay someone to keep it up, invest in a website…with a blog. Now don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of writers who’ve built their own websites. Some of them like to tinker with code (not many) others just want to save money. Personally, my passion is writing, NOT website building.
Here are the reasons to build a website:
When is it time to build a website with a blog?You are more than one person, commercially speaking. For example, my friend and critique partner Vonda Skelton, is an author, a motivational speaker, an actress, and a womens ministry leader. She needs a website to have multiple pages under each of the four categories.You’re ready to have someone else run that part of your business and can afford to pay for it. Make sure you have someone who comes highly recommended and who has time to make changes you need in a reasonable time-frame.You have multiple books and need more room to promote/engage your readers.
All of that said, even the biggest and best websites can benefit from having a blog somewhere within the site. In today’s publishing climate readers like to engage with authors. At this point, a blog is still the best way to do it.
Now it’s your turn. I’m going to cover a lot of blogging issues in the next few weeks and I want to make sure I get to the things that you want to know about. Please leave some things you’d like to see covered in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES
#Blog or #Website - it's not a one-size-fits-all proposition for writers - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
#Blog or #Website? The choice must fit a writer's personal situation - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
If you've missed the previous posts in this series on Social Media Basics for Writers, here they are:
Part I—Know Where You are and Where You’re GoingPart II—When Should a Writer Start Building a Social Media NetworkPart III—Targeting Millennials: Snapchat’s 3 Most Dominant Brands & Their Tactics Part IV—Dealing with Facebook SpamPart V—How to Use Hashtags in Social Media
Part VI—Is Twitter Worth the Bother?
Part VII—Get Started with Hootsuite
Part VIII—Tips for Composing Effective Social Media Updates
Part IX—What Do I Say On Social Media? 23 Conversation Starters for Authors
Part X—Tips to Help Writers Get More Twitter Followers
Part XI—Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for Social Media?
The reason we do social media is to connect with our audience. And one of the best ways to deepen that connection is by hanging out with them on a blog. Because of that, I’m going to spend the next few weeks on blogging issues. The first issue I want to talk about is the difference between a blog and a website. It’s important to know the terminology and be able to evaluate exactly what you need for your circumstances. Just like social media, blogging is not a one size fits all proposition.Let me start this discussion by stating—for the record—I’m not against websites. They’re a great thing, but they are a luxury, especially at the beginning of your career. If you already have one, great. Just make sure your site also has the option of blogging on it.
BUT, if you don’t have a site, or you’re thinking of upgrading to a website, these are some things to think about.
So, blog or website—which should a writer have? Today I thought I’d give you an easy way to decide which you should have and begin the evaluation process for your specific situation.
As many of you know, social media and blogging aren’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Far from it! But the almost endless array of choices can leave anyone feeling uncertain what’s needed.
Before we get into the choices and how to decide, let’s make certain we’re all clear on the definitions.
A BlogThe word itself is a relatively new invention. Its usage began in the early 80s and comes from the words Web and Log—
Blog
—and was originally envisioned as a sort of online journal. Occasionally I still run across someone who doesn’t realize blogs haven’t been online diaries for many years.Having a blog used to be thought of as the amateur way to have an online presence. Again, this hasn’t been the case for quite a number of years. Many well-respected sites are in actuality, blogs.
Enough history, here is an up-to-date definition of a blog:An online site, with regular, frequent updates that encourage interaction through comments and sharing. It can be a single-page site or a multi-page site. But its primary purpose is interaction.
A WebsiteIn contrast, a website is much more of a static site, where much of the information remains the same. It doesn’t usually have a place for interaction—although there is almost always a contact form somewhere so visitors can interact if necessary. It's almost like a yellow pages ad or a billboard.A website can also be a singe-page or a multi-page site. But more generally it has several pages. Often times, one of the pages is a blog. Websites are most often built by website designers or those willing to learn HTML code. Even though a lot of folks use a template to build a website, they are almost always customized and use a lot more code specific design.
As you can see by the definitions, blogs and websites do tend to overlap in their intent. But, and this is VITALLY important to understand, they are not the same in the way they’re developed.
Take WordPress products for example. WordPress has a lot of great options, for blogs and for websites. But, blogs are built on the WordPress.com site, and websites are built on the WordPress.org site. Why two different sites? Because websites and blogs are very different in the way they’re constructed.
Think of WordPress like a car company—say Volkswagen. Even though the VW Bug and the Jetta are both built by Volkswagen, they are very different cars. A mechanic doesn’t fix them with the same parts or even necessarily the same tools. It’s the same for WordPress Blogs (the free version .com) and WordPress Websites (the paid version .org). Even more than that, just because someone has their own WordPress website doesn’t mean they know how to help you with WordPress blog. Be very careful here, the plug-ins are not always the same!
Generically speaking, a blog isn’t better than a website and visa versa. But specifically, there are times when one choice is better than another.
When to Build only a BlogI recommend new writers always start with a blog and here are some reasons why:
When is it time to build only a blog?They’re easy to work with. By that I mean, it’s easy to learn the basics if you stick with a reputable platform. I recommend Blogger, WordPress, or TypePad.They’re free. Blogger is completely free. WordPress.com is free, but also has some upgrades available for purchase. And TypePadhas a small monthly fee, depending on which version you choose. It may surprise you to know that my favorite, hands down, is Blogger. Blogger offers more options for personalization and it has the added benefit of being owned by Google, so you get good search engine results if your site is well done.They can be tweaked and changed as your career grows and focuses. Just because you begin writing devotions, doesn’t mean you won’t one day end up writing fiction. It helps if you don’t have to start over and build a whole new product.When to Build a Website (with a blog in it)I recommend an author with multiple books, and the means to pay someone to keep it up, invest in a website…with a blog. Now don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of writers who’ve built their own websites. Some of them like to tinker with code (not many) others just want to save money. Personally, my passion is writing, NOT website building.
Here are the reasons to build a website:
When is it time to build a website with a blog?You are more than one person, commercially speaking. For example, my friend and critique partner Vonda Skelton, is an author, a motivational speaker, an actress, and a womens ministry leader. She needs a website to have multiple pages under each of the four categories.You’re ready to have someone else run that part of your business and can afford to pay for it. Make sure you have someone who comes highly recommended and who has time to make changes you need in a reasonable time-frame.You have multiple books and need more room to promote/engage your readers. All of that said, even the biggest and best websites can benefit from having a blog somewhere within the site. In today’s publishing climate readers like to engage with authors. At this point, a blog is still the best way to do it.
Now it’s your turn. I’m going to cover a lot of blogging issues in the next few weeks and I want to make sure I get to the things that you want to know about. Please leave some things you’d like to see covered in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES
#Blog or #Website - it's not a one-size-fits-all proposition for writers - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
#Blog or #Website? The choice must fit a writer's personal situation - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
If you've missed the previous posts in this series on Social Media Basics for Writers, here they are:
Part I—Know Where You are and Where You’re GoingPart II—When Should a Writer Start Building a Social Media NetworkPart III—Targeting Millennials: Snapchat’s 3 Most Dominant Brands & Their Tactics Part IV—Dealing with Facebook SpamPart V—How to Use Hashtags in Social Media
Part VI—Is Twitter Worth the Bother?
Part VII—Get Started with Hootsuite
Part VIII—Tips for Composing Effective Social Media Updates
Part IX—What Do I Say On Social Media? 23 Conversation Starters for Authors
Part X—Tips to Help Writers Get More Twitter Followers
Part XI—Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for Social Media?
August 29, 2015
Writing is Both A Mask & An Unveiling
This quote by E.B While intrigues me. I'd love to know your thoughts.
Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I invite you to use this image any way you like online. Post it to your blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you'd like. All I ask is that you keep it intact, with my website watermark visible.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLE
#Writing is Both a Mask & an Unveiling - an E.B. White quote & #socialmedia image to share (Click to Tweet)
Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.I invite you to use this image any way you like online. Post it to your blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you'd like. All I ask is that you keep it intact, with my website watermark visible.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLE
#Writing is Both a Mask & an Unveiling - an E.B. White quote & #socialmedia image to share (Click to Tweet)
August 28, 2015
The Power of a Six-Word Story
by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2
Legend* has it that Ernest Hemingway boasted to his friends one day over lunch, “I can write an entire story in six words.” To make his point, he plunked a ten-dollar bill on the table and bet each that he could do it.
When all the takers had tossed in their money, he wrote this story on a napkin:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Hemingway collected his winnings.
Perhaps the first in a genre that’s now known as flash fiction, Hemingway’s story carries a sucker punch. Images of an empty cradle, grieving parents, and tiny little booties flash across my mind. My heart aches for the imaginary family he describes.
Hemingway’s six-word story has become the inspiration for a century of writing prompts, a book series (Six-Word Memoir), and even a 2008 #4 New York Times bestseller, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. Reddit’s online bulletin board site has an active Six Word Stories page. Here are some recent examples:
“My best friend's crush was me.”
“She returned from their vacation alone.”
“At the funeral, Dad’s corpse winked.”
Hemingway’s six-word story came across my desk recently when a friend shared a unique twist. Each year during his son’s final school assembly, teachers share six-word stories about their students. It is a powerful send off for the students. It is a daunting task for the teachers.
As a writer, I’m in awe that Hemingway could invoke such strong emotion with only six words. Hearing my friend describe the effect of his son’s teacher’s six words on her students confirmed again that less is often more, and minimal can be rich.
For four years I’ve been writing five-minute devotions for busy women on my blog, Hungry for God … Starving for Time. Last year Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas released my devotional book by the same name.
Sometimes I wonder if I should be writing longer blog posts, more detailed articles, or massive books. Hemingway’s six-word story reminds me that six carefully crafted words can be more powerful than a thousand words carelessly strung together. It challenges me to pack as much spiritual truth, hope, and beauty as I can into my five-minute blog posts. And it reminds me to make every word count in whatever God calls me to write.
In the spirit of Hemingway and Six-Word Memoirs, here’s my six-word story:
I live to share His story.
What about you? Which six words would you choose to describe yourself? I’d love to hear them. Leave your six-word story in the comment section so we can all enjoy them.
TWEETABLESThe power of a six-word story - via @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
In the spirit of #Hemingway, share your six-word #memoir - @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
*Garson O’Toole (January 28, 2013). "For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn". quoteinvestigator.com. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of two devotional books. Her second, Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women released in December. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).
Legend* has it that Ernest Hemingway boasted to his friends one day over lunch, “I can write an entire story in six words.” To make his point, he plunked a ten-dollar bill on the table and bet each that he could do it. When all the takers had tossed in their money, he wrote this story on a napkin:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Hemingway collected his winnings.
Perhaps the first in a genre that’s now known as flash fiction, Hemingway’s story carries a sucker punch. Images of an empty cradle, grieving parents, and tiny little booties flash across my mind. My heart aches for the imaginary family he describes.
Hemingway’s six-word story has become the inspiration for a century of writing prompts, a book series (Six-Word Memoir), and even a 2008 #4 New York Times bestseller, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. Reddit’s online bulletin board site has an active Six Word Stories page. Here are some recent examples:
“My best friend's crush was me.”
“She returned from their vacation alone.”
“At the funeral, Dad’s corpse winked.”
Hemingway’s six-word story came across my desk recently when a friend shared a unique twist. Each year during his son’s final school assembly, teachers share six-word stories about their students. It is a powerful send off for the students. It is a daunting task for the teachers.As a writer, I’m in awe that Hemingway could invoke such strong emotion with only six words. Hearing my friend describe the effect of his son’s teacher’s six words on her students confirmed again that less is often more, and minimal can be rich.
For four years I’ve been writing five-minute devotions for busy women on my blog, Hungry for God … Starving for Time. Last year Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas released my devotional book by the same name.
Sometimes I wonder if I should be writing longer blog posts, more detailed articles, or massive books. Hemingway’s six-word story reminds me that six carefully crafted words can be more powerful than a thousand words carelessly strung together. It challenges me to pack as much spiritual truth, hope, and beauty as I can into my five-minute blog posts. And it reminds me to make every word count in whatever God calls me to write.
In the spirit of Hemingway and Six-Word Memoirs, here’s my six-word story:
I live to share His story.
What about you? Which six words would you choose to describe yourself? I’d love to hear them. Leave your six-word story in the comment section so we can all enjoy them.
TWEETABLESThe power of a six-word story - via @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
In the spirit of #Hemingway, share your six-word #memoir - @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
*Garson O’Toole (January 28, 2013). "For Sale, Baby Shoes, Never Worn". quoteinvestigator.com. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of two devotional books. Her second, Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women released in December. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).August 27, 2015
Keep Dreaming Big Writing Dreams
by Henry McLaughlin @Riverbendsagas
At one time or another, we’ve all had big dreams. When I was a kid, my dream was to play Major League Baseball. But I stopped growing and my bat never could figure out how to hit a curveball.
As we grow up, our dreams change but they’re still big: the right job, the perfect spouse, the promotion to the corner office, a ministry that touches millions.If we’re writers, we dream of multi-book contracts and best-sellers lists and movie deals.
Often, though, our dreams seem to come with caveats. People encourage us, but the support comes with a contradiction: Dream big but don’t get your hopes up. But what is a dream without the hope of seeing it fulfilled?
We dream big but it doesn’t always happen when we think it should or how we think it should.
We continue to pursue our dreams and their fulfillment seems to get further and further away. We begin to doubt ourselves. We experience disappointment or despair, anger, and resentment. Giving up becomes a real possibility. These thoughts and feelings block us from achieving our biggest dreams. We’ll quit and for all the wrong reasons.
My advice today to anyone who has a dream that seems too big is to keep dreaming big. And pursue that dream persistently. I was not persistent in learning how to hit a curveball. But I have been persistent in my writing.
Our dream comes closer to reality when we stay focused and disciplined, when we keep improving and growing in the craft.
Above all, keep in touch with God. Big dreams come from him. Follow his leading and direction. Trust him to show you the way.
He has led me on a fantastic journey to this dream of being a writer. Looking back, I can see how each step in the journey prepared me for this dream. A difficult and challenging job provided a host of story ideas and insights into people which aided me in developing complex characters. Through family and health crises, I discovered deep emotions and learned he is always there.
Also, we need to be diligent. Part of this means guarding against the anger, resentment, jealousy, despair, and blame (including self-blame). These emotions are really spiritual attacks to lead us off the path of our dreams.
The path to our dream is hard. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be a big dream. But the journey on the path is worth it. Learn to use the difficulties and the challenges of the path to grow stronger.So dream big by all means. But expect adversity. The spiritual and emotional attacks will come. We need to be prepared so we don’t surrender to them.
What do you do to keep from giving up on your dream?
TWEETABLES
Keep Dreaming BIG #Writing Dreams - Wisdom from @RiverBendSagas on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Big #dreams - for writers & everyone else - via @RiverBendSagas on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest. He serves as Associate Director of North Texas Christian Writers. Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. Connect with Henry on his blog, Twitter and Facebook.
At one time or another, we’ve all had big dreams. When I was a kid, my dream was to play Major League Baseball. But I stopped growing and my bat never could figure out how to hit a curveball. As we grow up, our dreams change but they’re still big: the right job, the perfect spouse, the promotion to the corner office, a ministry that touches millions.If we’re writers, we dream of multi-book contracts and best-sellers lists and movie deals.
Often, though, our dreams seem to come with caveats. People encourage us, but the support comes with a contradiction: Dream big but don’t get your hopes up. But what is a dream without the hope of seeing it fulfilled?
We dream big but it doesn’t always happen when we think it should or how we think it should.
We continue to pursue our dreams and their fulfillment seems to get further and further away. We begin to doubt ourselves. We experience disappointment or despair, anger, and resentment. Giving up becomes a real possibility. These thoughts and feelings block us from achieving our biggest dreams. We’ll quit and for all the wrong reasons.My advice today to anyone who has a dream that seems too big is to keep dreaming big. And pursue that dream persistently. I was not persistent in learning how to hit a curveball. But I have been persistent in my writing.
Our dream comes closer to reality when we stay focused and disciplined, when we keep improving and growing in the craft.
Above all, keep in touch with God. Big dreams come from him. Follow his leading and direction. Trust him to show you the way.
He has led me on a fantastic journey to this dream of being a writer. Looking back, I can see how each step in the journey prepared me for this dream. A difficult and challenging job provided a host of story ideas and insights into people which aided me in developing complex characters. Through family and health crises, I discovered deep emotions and learned he is always there.
Also, we need to be diligent. Part of this means guarding against the anger, resentment, jealousy, despair, and blame (including self-blame). These emotions are really spiritual attacks to lead us off the path of our dreams.The path to our dream is hard. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be a big dream. But the journey on the path is worth it. Learn to use the difficulties and the challenges of the path to grow stronger.So dream big by all means. But expect adversity. The spiritual and emotional attacks will come. We need to be prepared so we don’t surrender to them.
What do you do to keep from giving up on your dream?
TWEETABLES
Keep Dreaming BIG #Writing Dreams - Wisdom from @RiverBendSagas on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Big #dreams - for writers & everyone else - via @RiverBendSagas on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest. He serves as Associate Director of North Texas Christian Writers. Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. Connect with Henry on his blog, Twitter and Facebook.
August 26, 2015
The Art of Saying No for Writers (And a Writing Book Give-Away)
by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Writers are often asked to volunteer, give of their time and talents, bend, stretch, and fed guilt-lines to convince them to edit, speak, teach, write, mentor for free, read my book and tell me what’s wrong, and the list goes on. You probably have been posed the same question.
Please don’t misinterpret my thoughts about helping others. A willingness to serve is a positive trait for all of us. Unfortunately, too many times we say “yes” because we feel it’s our obligation to respond positively to all opportunities, but the art of saying “no” takes guts, planning, determination, and practice.The problem of always saying “yes” can affect us negatively. Burn out can sour us permanently on what we once held as our deepest desire.The writer’s manuscripts are late or are written poorly. The repercussions of this practice are developing an unprofessional reputation and losing credibility along with future contracts.The writer sacrifices nutritionally sound eating, exercising, and quality sleeping hours. As a result, the writer’s physical health suffers.The writer’s mental health spirals downhill, which means a mix of negative feelings and a poor self image. The writer can also become resentful of others.
Writers don't want all that extra baggage weighing them down!
How can we graciously decline a request without feeling stressed, guilty, or avoiding those who have solicited our help? For that matter, how many times have you refused to answer your phone or open an e-mail for fear someone is enlisting your help? First determine if the request is an opportunity to contribute something worthwhile. Will you feel satisfaction and be proud of the work ahead and the finished product? Will you look back on the endeavor and be glad you were involved? If this isn’t a project for you, the following will help you in responding. Remember being truthful seals your integrity.Thank you for thinking of me. I’m honored that you’d consider me for your event. My calendar is presently filled. Perhaps I can recommend another writer/speaker?Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your plans. I’m currently on deadline and will need to decline. Would you like for me to suggest another professional?Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Although I’m not currently taking on additional projects, feel free to contact me in the future.Congratulations on finishing your writing project. I understand the importance of feedback before submitting your manuscript to an agent/editor. At the present, I’m unable to add additional work to my schedule. Thank you for thinking of me.
Take a deep breath. That wasn’t so difficult. You can say no and feel good about it!
TWEETABLESWriters must learn the art of saying NO - tips from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
As writers, we must guard our #writing time - thoughts from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The Dance of Character andPlot
Do you have a burning passion to pen a novel but don’t know where to begin? Have you been writing but your work still remains unpublished? Are you ready to take positive steps toward pursuing your dream of creating a polished novel? The Dance of Character and Plot is for you. This how-to book will take you from story idea to self-editing with lots of resources!
http://www.diannmills.com/books/the-dance-of-character-and-plot
Comment below and be entered in a random drawing for a personalized or e-copy of The Dance of Character and Plot.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
Writers are often asked to volunteer, give of their time and talents, bend, stretch, and fed guilt-lines to convince them to edit, speak, teach, write, mentor for free, read my book and tell me what’s wrong, and the list goes on. You probably have been posed the same question. Please don’t misinterpret my thoughts about helping others. A willingness to serve is a positive trait for all of us. Unfortunately, too many times we say “yes” because we feel it’s our obligation to respond positively to all opportunities, but the art of saying “no” takes guts, planning, determination, and practice.The problem of always saying “yes” can affect us negatively. Burn out can sour us permanently on what we once held as our deepest desire.The writer’s manuscripts are late or are written poorly. The repercussions of this practice are developing an unprofessional reputation and losing credibility along with future contracts.The writer sacrifices nutritionally sound eating, exercising, and quality sleeping hours. As a result, the writer’s physical health suffers.The writer’s mental health spirals downhill, which means a mix of negative feelings and a poor self image. The writer can also become resentful of others.
Writers don't want all that extra baggage weighing them down!
How can we graciously decline a request without feeling stressed, guilty, or avoiding those who have solicited our help? For that matter, how many times have you refused to answer your phone or open an e-mail for fear someone is enlisting your help? First determine if the request is an opportunity to contribute something worthwhile. Will you feel satisfaction and be proud of the work ahead and the finished product? Will you look back on the endeavor and be glad you were involved? If this isn’t a project for you, the following will help you in responding. Remember being truthful seals your integrity.Thank you for thinking of me. I’m honored that you’d consider me for your event. My calendar is presently filled. Perhaps I can recommend another writer/speaker?Thank you for the opportunity to assist in your plans. I’m currently on deadline and will need to decline. Would you like for me to suggest another professional?Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Although I’m not currently taking on additional projects, feel free to contact me in the future.Congratulations on finishing your writing project. I understand the importance of feedback before submitting your manuscript to an agent/editor. At the present, I’m unable to add additional work to my schedule. Thank you for thinking of me.Take a deep breath. That wasn’t so difficult. You can say no and feel good about it!
TWEETABLESWriters must learn the art of saying NO - tips from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
As writers, we must guard our #writing time - thoughts from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The Dance of Character andPlot
Do you have a burning passion to pen a novel but don’t know where to begin? Have you been writing but your work still remains unpublished? Are you ready to take positive steps toward pursuing your dream of creating a polished novel? The Dance of Character and Plot is for you. This how-to book will take you from story idea to self-editing with lots of resources!http://www.diannmills.com/books/the-dance-of-character-and-plot
Comment below and be entered in a random drawing for a personalized or e-copy of The Dance of Character and Plot.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
August 25, 2015
The Novel Rocket Writing Blog is 10 Years Old and Celebrating!
Edie here. Don't panic, you didn't click on the wrong website. As many of you know, I'm the Senior Editor and a monthly contributor to the award-winning Novel Rocket writing blog. I wanted to help them celebrate—and let you in on the give-away fun. Be sure to stop by and wish them Happy Birthday!
Queue the hats and horns!
Happy birthday, Novel Rocket!
We’re turning 10 years old this September! It was in September of 2005, our very first author interview was with Deborah Raney. To celebrate this 10-year milestone, we have 2 announcements:First: we hired a VA to go back and catalogue all the interviews from the past 10 years. Now you can access those by going to the Interviews tab on Novel Rocket. There you’ll find a linked alphabetical listing of every author, agent, publicist and publisher we’ve interviewed. And for 10 years, it’s quite a substantial list!
Second: September will be Giveaway Month. Every week, one lucky winner will receive 5 autographed novels (unless they are an e-book. You can’t autograph one of those) by the Rocketeers of that week.
Every comment you leave will give you one chance in the drawing. If you leave one every day, you have 7 chances that week.
So get ready to celebrate Novel Rocket’s 10thbirthday with us!
TWEETABLEWish @NovelRocket a Happy Birthday & join the give-away fun all Sept. long! (Click to Tweet)
