Edie Melson's Blog, page 374

Hope for a Healthy Heart

by Brenda McGraw @BrendaMMcGraw


My brother-in-law just got out of the hospital after being admitted for chest pains. This Friday they are flying to South Carolina for my daughter’s wedding. Of course, all kinds of thoughts float through our heads. “Will he be okay?” “Will they keep him in the hospital, and neither he nor my sister will make it to the wedding?” “What if he has to have surgery to have stent placement?”
His hope is for a healthy heart. Our hope is for everything to be okay and that our plans will go as scheduled.
However, sometimes our plans don’t work out. Things are out of our control.
My hope was for a healthy heart.
But what does a healthy heart look like?
According to an EKG, it is a heart without abnormalities.
According to God, it is a heart pure and steadfast searching after Christ. But God not only desires our hearts to trust in Him; He wants them to leap for joy.
To leap is to “spring through the air from one point to another point or position.” It is also defined as “to move or act quickly or suddenly, or to rise.”
How can we have a heart like that?
By putting our trust in God. He gives us strength when life looks hopeless and we are drowning in a sea of discouragement. God has the ability to surprise us with unexpected blessings that move us to leap for joy. He loves us and has everything we need and long for.
When we take our disappointed and discouraged heart and surrender it to God, He will give it a new spirit of joy and peace. We will then sing a new song, and we can leap and rise up in joy.
God’s hope is for a healthy heart.
When your heart feels hopeless, think on the following verses and wait in expectation for God to supply your needs and accomplish far more than you can imagine.
Hope for a healthy heart.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7 NIV
“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, . . .” Job 6:8 NIV
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 NIV
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love . . .” Psalm 33:18 NIV
“We wait in hopefor the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20 NIV
“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, . . .” Acts 2:26 NIV
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
I challenge you to pick one of these scriptures and write a post about it, memorize it or pray it for your life.
Let our hearts leap for joy and praise the Lord!

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

The Beautiful Season . . . Summer

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Here in South Carolina summer is in full swing. Although my favorite time of the year is autumn, summer has its joys as well. I love the long days, the beautiful flowers and the ability to sit on my back porch and write.

What are some of your favorite parts of summer?

The followed that beautiful season... Summer... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood. ~Henry Wadsworth LongfellowShare your thoughts in the comment section below. 

I also 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

What I Learned about Blogging From the Hunger Game's Katniss Everdeen

A while back, I got to visit Katniss Everdeen country.
I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with my BCGE crit partners on a writing retreat. (Waving to Charity Tinnin, Amanda Stevens, Jess Keller Koschnitzky, and Erynn Newman.) We were tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where part of the Hunger Games was filmed.
The weather was brisk and beautiful, perfect for snapping pictures of the mill village that served as the set of her home in District 12. While I clicked happily away, I got to thinking about Katniss and how she’d played the game.
I realized I could learn a lot by applying some of her principles. Today I want to share what I learned about blogging from Katniss Everdeen.
Use What You Know:We each have a knowledge base to work from. Instead of re-inventing yourself, start with what you know and work outward from there.Focus on Your Strengths: Again, we all have things we do well. Don’t discount something just because you can do it. Let those strengths become your foundation.Never Stop Learning:My grandmother had a saying, when you’re green you’re growing, and when you’re ripe you rot. And she was right. Once we stop growing we die, especially in this industry. Things change day to day and sometimes minute to minute.Look for Allies in Unexpected Places: I don’t know anyone who wasn’t thrilled when Katniss befriended little Rue. It was an alliance that didn’t appear to benefit Katniss at all, but that friendship saved her life. Don’t discount a blog ally just because they aren’t at your level. As I mentioned earlier, things change quickly in social media. Be Willing to Put Others Ahead of Yourself: This is the truth I’ve build my career on. People don’t follow me because I’m all that. They follow me because I’ll point you to the experts.Play the Game, but NOT by Their Rules: There are certain things we need to do to get noticed in the blog world and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is one of them. But there are lots of things we can choose not to participate in and directions we can go to set ourselves out from the crowd.Do What Your Heart Tells You, No Matter What: Follow your gut when it comes to social media. Passion can be seen, especially in the world of blogging and writing about something that touches your heart will gain you more than a million well executed posts that lack that emotion.
I believe that when we apply these truths, the odds truly will be ever in our favor!
I’d love for you to share some insights you gained (about life, blogging or just fun facts) from watching the Hunger Games, or from another movie that has inspired you.
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the  comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie

TWEETABLE
What I Learned about #Blogging from the Hunger Game's Katniss Everdeen - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

10 Ways You May Be Hurting Your Online Platform

by Edie Melson @Edie Melson 

For writers today, an online presence can mean the difference between success and failure. But if we’re not doing it right, we may be our own worst enemy. Today I want to share 10 ways you may be wrecking your social media presence.
2. You over-promote—The promotion I’m talking about is SELF promotion. Use Edie’s 5 to 1 rule—for every 5 social media updates, you’re allowed one additional update about yourself.
3. Your website doesn’t have social share buttons—I don’t know how much time I’ve spent on your sites looking for your twitter handle or trying to follow you on Facebook. Most people won’t spend more than three seconds. That’s not long.
4. You engage in Hashtag overload—Hashtags are great, and using them CORRECTLY can net you a lot of new followers. But correctly means no more than two per update. When you up your ante to three, the results begin to drop off.
5. You use auto-responders—Is there anyone out there who likes to talk to computers? Not me. Beyond that, we’re a pretty savvy group. We can tell an auto-respond message from a real one.
6. You’re obsessed with the numbers—Social Media growth takes time. Shortcuts bring more trouble than help. As long as you’re seeing growth, you’re doing well.
7. You don’t utilize a scheduling program—Personally I prefer Hootsuite. It keeps me visible online without having to spend hours a day tied to the Internet.

8. You’re guilty of hogging the stream—This means you post three or more updates in a row. You’ll find that behavior will encourage people to unfollow and unfriend you in droves. Spread out your updates and keep your connections happy.
9. You try out every new platform that appears—No one can do everything well. Focus your energy on Facebook and Twitter. With these two platforms you’ll hit almost 100% of your audience. After that, no more than one or two more. Focus, focus, focus.
10. You send out game invitations—This is a personal one for me. I used to get so many game requests I finally made it a hard and fast rule that I do NOT play games on Facebook. I’ll give anyone a pass for the first invitation you send, but after that, I will immediately unfollow anyone who sends me another one.
Now it’s your turn, what turns you off when it comes to social media? Is there something that leads you to immediately sever a connection? Share, so we can all see things from a different perspective.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie

TWEETABLES
10 Ways you may be hurting your online platform - from #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't hurt your online presence - 10 things to watch out for from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Blogging for the Bible Study Writer

Edie here. Today I'm really excited to introduce the newest team member here on The Write Conversation, Katy Kauffman. I've known Katy for several years and watched her blossom into an amazing writer. Her specialty is Bible studies, and her current book is FAITH, COURAGE AND VICTORY; The Stories, struggles, and triumphs of 24 Characters of the Bible. I know you'll want to join me in welcoming her to our community!
Blogging for the Bible Study WriterBy Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28
I sat nervously in James Rubart’s marketing class and wanted to raise my hand. At the 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Jim wanted to show us how to create a blog, using someone in the class as a guinea pig. So he asked for a volunteer. I knew that if I ever wanted to start a blog, it needed to be then, and with his help. But I hesitated, and another lady volunteered. 
Disappointed, I watched as he tried to sign into Google (which owns Blogger) with her username and password. It didn’t work. When he asked for another volunteer, my hand shot up, and so my adventures in blogging began.
Blogging once a week or more can seem like a daunting task. Especially for the Bible study writer. Our focus is sharing messages of hope and encouragement from the Word of God, and that requires some study time. Plus, blogging takes time away from writing books. So why is it worth it?We can reach people instantly. Instead of waiting twelve to eighteen months for a publishing house to publish our book, we can reach people immediately through a blog. Yes, we want that book deal, but through a blog and social media, we can instantly encourage, inspire, and instruct.
So what should we write about? The world may seem like our oyster—Scripture is quite long, and there’s so much to write about! Or we may feel overwhelmed because there are too many possibilities to pick from. I’d like to give you five ideas of what to write about, and I hope this whittles down the possibilities a bit.
5 Ideas of What to Blog about:1. Topics that speak to your audience—Who do you want to minister to—Christian women, moms of young children, teens, those suffering with a chronic illness, or business professionals? Tailor your posts or devotions to target your intended audience, and provide both encouragement from the Bible and practical help for real-life struggles.
2. Lessons learned in your quiet time—What is God teaching you in your personal time with Him? Some of the best material I’ve written about, has come from the passages of Scripture I’ve studied in my quiet time. Share insights about a particular verse, or dissect a passage in a fairly short, to-the-point post. Don’t overwhelm the reader with too many facts or notes. Include just enough to give some needed background on a passage, and share relevant application for life today.
3. A series on a Biblical topic—For three or four weeks, blog about peace, joy, or hope. Ask other bloggers to guest post for you, so your readers benefit from their insights and experiences as well.
4. A special quote you heard in a sermon or Sunday school lesson—If you hear something in a message that resonates with you, it may resonate with those who don’t go to your church. You can quote public speeches without having to get permission, but it’s a courtesy to ask. Always give credit to the pastor or teacher who said the quote you want to write about, and expound on it in the post.
5. Principles from your book—Pick a principle from your Bible study to write about, or post a short excerpt from your book if you have permission from your publishing house. If your book is under contract or review by a publishing committee, seek your agent’s or editor’s advice about when and how much to write about your book. Share with readers why you wrote it, and give a glimpse of what’s in it.
If you are a Bible study writer or a Christian living writer, what topics do you like to blog about? What ideas do you have for posts and where do you find them? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Join the conversation!
TWEETABLESBlogging for the #Biblestudy writer – tips from @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Yes, #blogging is foreveryone, even #Bible study writers - @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)
Katy Kauffman is an award-winning writer and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and has two published Bible studies for women, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory and Faith, Courage, and Victory . Her heart’s desire is for women to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. Katy is also the designer of Broken but Priceless: The Magazine. She makes her home near Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her further on Facebook and Twitter.

Tips for the Distracted Writer

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowell

How well I remember hearing the phrase, "Interruptions are my ministry!”
At the time I was on the staff of a large church and I totally got it—at any given time I was called up to meet with a parishioner or counsel a walk-in or fill in for another teacher. I was also mothering four young children and learning that key parenting moments occur when there's a knock on the bedroom door or a phone call from school or a simple cry of "Mama....." from another room.
In all those cases it was the distractions from my immediate task that propelled me to an even more important task. I get that.
However, distractions for the writer rarely lead to a more important task. Real writers know that writing is hard work. There is always, always, always something more enticing or immediate or tempting to see or read or do.
But that won't get the manuscript written or the research completed.
When I'm distracted in my writing I turn to these 5 helpful tips:
1. Unplug. Yes, you heard me right. Type on a computer that is NOT connected to the internet. Turn OFF your cell phone. And unplug the cord of your landline phone, if you happened to be one of the few who still has one. What you will discover (after fidgeting for awhile) is that it is much easier to focus on writing when you are not constantly checking in online with every vibration, beep or trill.
2. Set small goals. I'm much more productive when I have a plan. That small goal might be to write the opening paragraph. Or it might be to finish a whole chapter. Many writers set a goal of a certain number of words written for a time period. The guideline is to have a plan and then do it. When that work is finished, take a break. You will feel a sense of accomplishment, which will encourage you for the next small goal.
3. Go away. If you are able to leave your place of primary responsibility and write for a time at another place where you have few or no responsibilities, you will find many less distractions (well, unless it's a seaside resort at which point all bets are off). During the intense creative process of putting a new book together I will often housesit for a friend way out in the country. All I have to do there is think, pray, focus and write. Yes, it's a luxury but often works with trading places or perhaps renting during the off  season.
4. Take a break. If someone you love is in a crisis and you need to touch base or if the bills are overdue or there is something hanging over your soul that refuses to let go, then take a break and deal with it. Call the person. Pay the bill. Take a walk and ask God to help release you from the nagging concern. Be open to the fact that it might be the Holy Spirit nudging you to do something. Then, return to your writing.
5. Pray. I listed this last, but I actually use it first as my 'go to' response to distractions. Here is one of my favorite prayers in such a situation:
Celtic Prayer for Spiritual Concentration“God, help my thoughts! They stray from me, setting off on the wildest journeys. My thoughts can cross an ocean with a single leap. They can fly from earth to heaven and back again, in a single second. They come to me for a fleeting moment, and then away they flee. No chains, no locks can hold them back. No threats of punishment can restrain them. Dear holy Christ, who can see into every heart and read every mind: Take hold of my thoughts. Bring my thoughts back to me and clasp me to Yourself. Amen."
I sincerely hope you are having a productive summer of writing, even as you take a break and read this blog. Full confession: I have enjoyed the "distraction" of writing my monthly offering for "The Write Conversation" but now I have to get back to the task at hand—one more chapter on my manuscript before supper break!

TWEETABLES
Life happens - @LucindaSMcDowel offers 5 tips for the Distracted writer on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Meeting #writing deadlines can be tough, tips form @LucindaSMcDowel on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is the author of 11 books, contributing author to 25 books, and has published in more than 50 magazines. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, she studied at the Wheaton Graduate School of Communication and served as Communications Specialist for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (Thailand) and Editor for Billy Graham’s International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists (Netherlands). A member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), she has received “Writer of the Year” awards from both Mt. Hermon and Blue Ridge Writers Conferences. Cindy speaks internationally through her ministry “Encouraging Words” and co-directs the New England Christian Writers Retreat. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, she writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England. Visit her online at www.EncouragingWords.net 

Links   www.NewEnglandChristianWritersRetreat.com
Blog/website  www.EncouragingWords.net

Social Media Basics for Writers: Targeting Millennials: Snapchat’s 3 Most Dominant Brands & Their Tactics

Today I'm excited to continue my series of SOCIAL MEDIA BASICS FOR WRITERS with a guest post about snapchat. Lucas Miller has just the information we need to understand how this medium ca help us reach the Millennial audience.

So be sure to give Lucas a big welcome and leave all your questions in the comments section because he's the expert on this, not me!

Targeting Millennials through Snapchat!
by Lucas Miller @DennisPunderson

Since its founding in September of 2011, Snapchat has managed to take the world of smartphone apps by storm. As arguably one of social media’s newest, most unique channels, Snapchat allows users to exchange disappearing videos, photos and messages. Following in the footsteps of Vine, all transmitted information is brief, existing for no longer than 10 seconds. Though temporary with its content, Millennials have taken to Snapchat and simply can’t get enough of it.
In fact, says Marcus McReynolds, Vice President of Digital Marketing at Fusion360, “Millennials are now our main focus, at least from a social standpoint. Traditional marketing is a thing of the past. Millennials don’t want to be interrupted by advertisers; they want something that entertains, educates or connects them to the world. Social media accomplishes that very goal.”
1) Sour Patch Kids: SourPatchSnaps
SourPatch Kids, a product of Maynards—a British confectionery manufacturer—took to Snapchat in the summer of 2014 to enhance its “sour-then-sweet” reputation. To better build intrigue with candy-crazed teens, Snapchat recruited one of their biggest social icons: Logan Paul.
Over the course of one week, Paul—along with a pair of Kids mascots—traveled the streets of New York City to prank a plethora of unsuspecting people. In a matter of only five days, SourtPatchSnaps nabbed 120,000 new followers and over 6.8 million views on the campaign’s final Story.
Even more impressive—from a PR perspective, at least—the company’s Snapchat involvement landed the sugar-coated candy piece placements in AdWeek, Business Insider, Mobile Marketer and The Verge. Lastly, and much to the pleasure of Sour Patch’s corporate hierarchy, public awareness about the product’s new “Blue Kid” skyrocketed.
2) General Electric: GeneralElectric
Clearly, Sour Patch Kids has a product with direct links to American adolescence. That being said, just because a business’ superficial value doesn’t directly appeal to young people doesn’t mean that budding audiences won’t listen. It’s all in the pitch. GeneralElectricis living proof of just that.
According to FastCoCreate.com, Snapchat has helped GE “continue its commitment to geeky goodness.” How, you ask? Well, along with a robust presence on social platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Vine, Snapchat has allowed GE to share its most historic contributions to the world of science and technology with Millennials.
On July 15, 2014, the 45th anniversary of GE’s contribution to the 1969 moon landing, the innovative company published numerous Stories featuring Buzz Aldrin. Says Same Olstein, GE’s Global Director of Innovation, “The disappearing nature of its content encourages repeat usage and provides us with a unique way to celebrate invention with an expanding community of young fans.”
3) GrubHub: GrubHub
While Sour Patch Kids and General Electric are both well established businesses with a high level of digital marketing know-how, GrubHub—relatively speaking, of course—is fairly new to the product- and service-pushing game.
Founded in 2004 by two web developers, GrubHub digitally connects diners and businesses with local takeout restaurants. Known for a youthful, irreverent brand voice, GrubHub first became active on Snapchat in 2013 to more fully reach those who’d grown tired of traditional social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.
Through strategic Snapchat endeavors, GrubHub—as of December 31, 2014—had achieved the highest snap score of any active company: 53,668. Thanks to Instagram, it’s well known that food photos and mini prep tutorials do well on social; however, GrubHub has taken things a step further by way of social contests. Just last year, for example, GrubHub solicited “Snapterpiece” doodles from its followers. The best submission earned its creator an internship with GrubHub’s social marketing team.
Needless to say, in today’s day and age, Snapchat is an exciting new tool for social media marketers.
Regardless of your audience size or current level of success, how could Snapchat be used to better influence a target market? Furthermore, is Snapchat here to stay or simply little more than a momentary success story? Let’s chat in the comments section below.

TWEETABLES
Writers, how to target Millenials through Snapchat - via @DennisPunderson on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Writers, hit your target market with #SocialMedia - @DennisPunderson on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lucas Miller is a young, up-and-coming Wizard of Public Relations. When not writing or running, he’s working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the “World’s Greatest Pompadour.”
*Image Credit: Flickr

The Helper

by Sarah Van Diest

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
There it is. Strong and clear. A beam of light; a tone of pure beauty. I see it. It calls to me. It pierces that deep and darkened place in me. It strikes like lightning on my soul. It fuels and ignites. Impassions and inspires, infusing its electricity into my spirit. I could soar. I could fly.
It is music. It is light. It is air and water. It is life.
Intoxicated by this vibrancy, the attachment grows; the longing intensifies. The empty place long covered is revealed, the straw raked back, the debris blown away… hope of its filling floods the air; sundrenched, warm, and brilliant.
Life breaks into the dark, shattering its bleak surface into shards of obsidian dust filtering out onto the wind.I know what this is. I’ve been here before, but I have forgotten. Forgotten. How could it be? How can life be forgotten? How can the darkness reconstitute itself as if put back together piece by piece? How can my soul allow itself to be blanketed once again by the dank and heavy? It’s as if memory was stolen.
We were given scripture to help us remember. We were told the stories so that we would not forget. But our Father knows us. He knows we forget. And if I am true to the things I have learned then I will see even the forgetfulness of my heart as part of His beautiful story. I will not berate myself for my forgetfulness, but rejoice in His mercy to bring me to a place of remembering. Thank you, Father!
We forget. We fail. We sin. We lose. We undo. We stop when we should go. We don’t when we ought. There is so much that shows that we aren’t and haven’t yet. Is that okay? Do we then look at our lives and say we must be lost, we must be unloved and unlovable? Do we judge the lack in our lives and declare a verdict and sentence?
The more I read my Father’s word and the more I sit at His feet, the more I see His grace and love in, over and through my entire story. When my soil is cracked, dry and barren, He sends His healing salve to restore me. When I am full of the fruit of having walked closely with Him, a nourishing water flows. He is always sending me what I need, no matter what my condition. And those things: the cracked soil and the bounty of fruit, are all part of me. They make up the pieces around which my Father interacts with me.
They show the different characteristics of His love for me.
Like Paul said, should we go on sinning that grace may abound? May it never be… but that is not because He will stop loving us, it is because we love Him.
I am amazed at His love for me, and for us all. Every one of us. His love is like a river flooding its banks, covering all that is, or a deep, soft blanket of snow that falls in the night; everything is covered. And in the morning sun, it all glitters and sparkles the same. There is nothing we must do to deserve His love, earn His love, or keep His love. We are loved. We are precious to Him. We are His cherished children.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Gal. 2:20.
Do you see it? We have Christ living in us! That is life! And why? Because of His unstoppable love for us. Do you see how precious you are to Him? Do you remember?
Have you forgotten today? Have you forgotten life? Breathe in deeply, slowly, and remember.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10.

Sarah has worked in Christian publishing since 2005 as both and editor and an agent. 
Currently, she works with her husband, David, in their agency, the Van Diest Literary Agency. Writing is a growing passion for her as she hopes to bring hope to hurting hearts.

Don't Miss the Small Joys

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

"Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the the big happiness." Pearl S. BuckI can spend my days so focused on the  one big thing  that I hope will ensure me happiness …  fame … or accolades … or some sort of self-satisfaction that creates an “I’m enough” feeling — however fleeting …Or I can gather the small joys that make up the every days of my life.Laughter shared with friendsHugs given so freely by my still-can’t-get-over-the-miracle-of-her GRANDgirlA favorite song that I play over and over again because it draws me closer to God, reminding me who He is … and Whose I amA too-brief phone call with a long-distance friend that refreshes my heart, mind, and soulA sunrise … or sunset … or clear blue Colorado skyThe silence of the house in the middle of the night when I’m the only one awake, writing — pursuing my dream — while everyone else is asleep, dreamingThe noise of family filling my house up to overflowing — making memories
Is it wrong to pursue the  one big thing ? No, probably not. But how many times have we trampled the small joys — ignoring them in our haste to succeed?
In Your Words: What small joys did you discover in your week?
TWEETABLEDon't miss the small joys looking for the big happiness - @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’Words.

Could Anthologies Be Your Ticket to Publication?

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton


Not long after my first children’s book, Bitsy and the Mystery at Tybee Island , came out, I had the opportunity to submit to a compilation, Mystery Readers Journal: Religious Mysteries. (And just so you know, the words “Religious” and “Christian” are not synonymous!)
I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was they were looking for writers of “religious” mysteries to share something of interest with mystery readers. Surely I had something of interest to say!  So I wrote a piece, “Teaching Truth through Fiction,” and talked about the fact that we can teach Biblical and moral truth without preaching. I was thrilled when they accepted my article. And even though I didn’t get paid for it, it was still a good investment. 
Not only was it an opportunity to introduce mystery readers to my book, but the publication also gave me another writing credit. On top of that, “Teaching Biblical Truth through Secular Fiction” is now one of my most popular classes at writer’s conferences.
A few years later, I read of a call for submissions on stories about fathers. Being a card-carrying Daddy’s girl, I jumped at the chance to submit. What a joy to receive the acceptance letter and offer of a contract to be published in Embrace of a Father …and this time I actually got paid!
Compilations, also called anthologies, are a great way to gather some publishing credits and collect a little money along the way. Several of our readers have found quite a bit of success in this area of publishing, and many of the leads have come through the “Opportunities” list posted here the third Tuesday of every month.
Here are some things you need to know if this area of writing and publishing sounds like something you might want to consider:Read the guidelines and follow the directions carefully regarding formatting, word count, etc.Check the address for submission. It’s not always the same as the email of the contact person.Be sure your story meets the topic guidelines. Don’t waste your time–or the editor’s–with pieces that just don’t fit.Be sure you understand the rights you are giving. Many compilations allow you to keep your rights and use it again in the future, but a work-for-hire contract probably means you will not have any rights to the story after they accept it.Find out if you’re able to purchase copies at a discount for resale. You can often purchase copies for about half price, allowing you to make a good profit on books you sell. Even after discounting the price to my friends and family and including free shipping, I still made almost $300 profit from the first batch of Embrace of a Father books I sold. And even though the book is now out of print, it’s still available through secondary venders on Amazon.Even if you don’t receive financial compensation, reputable publishers usually at least give you a complimentary copy of the book.Keep good records. It can take years for books to finally land on the bookshelves and you could forget you even submitted the story!Some books use “seed stories” where the author or editor uses the gist of your story, rather than printing your actual words. In that case, you should receive an acknowledgement (usually in the back of the book), but most likely won’t be listed as the author of the story.

Does this sound like something you’d like to do? If so, check out the latest call-outs for upcoming Chicken Soup books. They could be your ticket to a writing credit AND a pay-check!
I'd love to know what experience you've had with writing for anthologies. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
TWEETABLECould Anthologies be Your Ticket to Publication - @VondaSkelton shares tips 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.