Edie Melson's Blog, page 387

The Dance

by Sarah Van Diest
“I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path.” Psalm 142:1-3a
“Let them praise his name with dancing” Psalm 149:3a
Greetings, friend.
I hope you are doing well; that your heart is secure in the love of our Father each step today; that rest comes easily and food is satisfying. The simple things of life seem to be the basis from which all other joys emerge, so I hope those simple things are in place for you today.
But I counter my own conclusion with the understanding that life’s trials bring a deeper joy than simple pleasures are capable of producing. The body may be failing and yet its associated pains are not sufficient to drown out the joy of knowing that the Father sits with us when we are unable to walk.
I am complaining today. I am tired and my hand hurts from the cancer removed yesterday; the stitches pull and my skin is tight. New medication to slow my heart beat makes me feel fatigued and weary, and a night of little sleep from the anesthesia fading from my hand heaps on that. I am complaining.
So I take my complaints and lay them out there, lifeless as they are, and look at them. They aren’t so bad. They don’t really do anything. They just lie there. Like all the other feelings I’ve put out there to observe, they just sit there. I know them but they aren’t me. And that is a more important distinction to make than any I can think of right now. I know them, but they are not me. 
I am not defined by them, but rather they are something that is part of my experience; as if they were a place I visit along the way but leave behind as I keep walking. They add to my compassion when I see others pained in similar ways. They remind me of my frailty and put to rest (again) my faulty beliefs of my invulnerability and self-sufficiency. They speak to me of my bond with this earth, and all life and death that circles and cycles through here. These are good and needed messages for my soul, if I choose to take them as such.
My complaining reminds me of what expectations reside in me; expectations of health and satisfaction, as if those are what this life is about and those are goals for which I strive. Really? At the end of my life am I going to hope that above all things I lived a life of health and satisfaction? How tragic that would be!
May that not be my epitaph.
Rather faith, hope, and most highly, love. Those words. Those truths. Those sentiments and aspirations. To live a life defined in such terms would be a glorious thing! To walk in this life of pains and afflictions with faith, hope and love is a beautiful, graceful way to step along the road. The walk then becomes a dance. The burdens stemming from being bound to this world become teachers of new dance steps as the Father plays the music: the pebble on the path – a skip; the chilling wind – a twirl; and the heavy weight – a bow. A dance.
I am still tired and my hand still aches, but my heart is lighter now. I am thankful for my teachers and even more thankful for the music my Father plays in my heart. Those feelings that I know but aren’t me are still there just as they were, but faith, hope and love enliven the movements of my soul. This is simple. This is practicing the presence of the Father. This is remembering and seeing life in the midst of the gradual and daily dying. This is the dance.


Grace and Peace,Sarah

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.

Beauty in Words—A Social Media Image to Share

I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan, and this weekend we had the opportunity to hang out at Poe's Tavern, in Charleston, SC. So in honor of this amazing place, I'm sharing a quote from Poe.

I'd love to know what your favorite Poe quote is.


"Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words." - Edgar Allen Poe
Share 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

A Musing Writer

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

I love art.
I especially love musing art until I have a story to go with it. All forms of art, whether created by camera, computer, musical instrument, or hand, set my mind in motion. They grab my eyes or ears—then my mind.
You see, every piece of artwork has a compelling story. At least for me. And the moment it captures my attention, I begin to imagine the motivation behind it. I don’t know of any works of art that aren’t the result of the artists’ emotions or experiences. And the detective in me asks, “What happened?” or “What were they thinking?”
Many of my stories—fiction and non-fiction—resulted from staring at a photograph, painting, or other form of physical art until I imagined the story behind it. Others came from listening to music long enough for my mind to produce a movie to go with it.
I recently won a flash-fiction contest by writing the story I saw in the painting prompt that was used.
If you’ve not used art as a muse, why not give it a try? Simply focus your attention on a work of art until you “see” a story. Don’t rush it, especially if you’ve not done this before. Allow your thoughts to flow freely until they present a story that excites you. This may take some time—perhaps days or weeks. Be patient. Write down whatever comes to mind. No matter how silly or shocking.
Don’t outline. Just write whatever your mind sees. Record every impression you have until you’ve exhausted the possibilities. Then pick the scenario that suits you and run with it, using the method that works best for you.
My stories come to me as “movies” in my head. I simply write what I see. I’m aware that others see words instead of pictures. No matter how you “see” your stories, I encourage you to try adding art as a prompt to expand your writing possibilities or help break “writer’s block.”
A word of caution. I love visual art so much that I sometimes catch myself spending too much time saving it to my “Writing Prompt” file—time I should be using to write. If you find yourself doing the same thing, contact me. We’ll start an “Arts Anonymous” group so we can be more productive.

As writers, we are always learning. I like to know what motivates your stories? Please tell me in the comments section below. Let’s keep the conversation going.
TWEETABLESWhat inspires you as a writer? Thoughts from @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Thoughts from A Musing Writer, Bruce Brady, @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.”

The Value of our Editors—in Decorating & in Writing

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn 

People tend to assume if you’ve written a book that you are super creative in many other areas. The reality is while you may be creative with words, that doesn’t mean you have one ounce of skill with fabric, color, or that you have a clue how to pick out a lamp.
I am one of those people.A few years ago, I was lucky enough to develop a friendship with a wonderful designer. Her name is Lisa. I was terrified the first time Lisa came to my house. Embarrassed, even. What if she felt like my house was beyond help? Thankfully, she likes a challenge. She gets me. She shops at TJMaxx and Marshalls and is even more careful about my budget than I am.
She’s particularly talented at taking what I already have and re-arranging it in a way that makes so much more sense than the way I had it. She then brings in a few additional pieces, and asks if I like them. I can keep them or suggest we try something a little different.
Between the two of us, we wind up with a room that is still 100% mine, but it’s so much better than anything I could have come up with on my own. It’s my stuff, with a few new things I would have picked out if I’d had the sense to know how awesome they were, all pulled together into a cohesive whole.
About a week after my final edits had been approved for my first book, Covert Justice , I called Lisa for an emergency intervention. I had tried to go it alone. I had an idea, I went shopping, I started decorating. When I was done, my downstairs looked like the epicenter of a Hobby Lobby explosion. Lisa fixed it in two hours.
As she left, and I relaxed in a room that actually looked like the vision I’d had in my head, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities to the editorial process.
I was so afraid to send my manuscript to my editor. TERRIFIED. Embarrassed that she would read my words and deem them hopeless. As it turned out my editor, Elizabeth, likes a challenge and she gets me. When I read through my edits, rather than crying or gasping in pain, I found myself laughing and chuckling at the remarks she made in the sidebar.
She made suggestions for re-arranging things, slowing down the romance, and adding in more conflict. When it was all said and done, the book we wound up with is still 100% mine, but it is so much better than anything I could have come up with on my own.
No matter how many books I write, I will always need an editor. Someone to take a look with fresh eyes, make suggestions, and help me turn my vision into reality.
So let’s talk about this. Are you afraid of editors? Want to brag on yours? Don’t forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLESThe value of our editors—in decorating and in #writing - via @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
There's no reason to fear editing, it can only make us better - via @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after at http://www.lynnhugginsblackburn.com.

Finding God’s Fingerprints in Our Writing

Lynette Eason @LynetteEason

Finding God's Fingerprints in Our WritingHi all, Happy Wednesday. Hope everyone is doing well and making progress on whatever you’re working on this week. 
When I was wondering what in the world I might blog about today, I thought about God’s fingerprints.
I’ve been writing pretty steady since about 1999. I was published in 2007. Since then I’ve written thirty some odd books. That’s a lot of writing if you stop to think about it. LOL.
Sure I’ve gotten some crummy reviews and they can be soul crushing. But then I get an email and I see that no matter how many lousy reviews may get posted on Amazon, God is still in control. And he’s got his fingerprints all over my books. And that makes me smile.
For example: From Reader #1:
Reader emails can be a glimpse of God at work.“Hi Lynette,

First, I love your books. They keep me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to share this with your.

I am in the process of reading No One To Trust. I am enjoying it, but it has been difficult to read. This past February I was a victim of a scammer I met on a dating site. Sadly I fell hard for him. His name was David Hackett and he was in the Army. When I first started reading the book, I had to stop when I read his name. I finally decided to try again and I have been enjoying the book even tho it brings up some tough memories. The character in the book is similar to the "David" I met online. I have found some healing in reading the book. Thank you for that.

I just wanted to share that with you as crazy as it sounds.

Blessing!
Name”
Wow, can you imagine? The character in my book is David Hackett, he tricked his wife into marrying him and he wasn’t who she thought he was. He was also in the army at one time. Crazy, huh? The funny thing is that when I was writing the book, I started out with naming the character Hatchett. But then kept typing Hackett. I finally gave up and told him,  “Fine. Be David Hackett then. What difference does it make?” But it did make a difference to that one reader.  I responded to her and this was her second email back to me.
Thank you!“I truly believe it was God's hand. I finished the book on Saturday night and I have felt such a peace since then. I know it was reading about the forgiveness that Summer gave to both David and her sister. I was a great reminder that I needed to forgive the man that hurt me. I was holding on to that hurt and it was holding me back.  I cannot express how much your book has helped. I am so thankful God has used you and your words.  Thank you for sharing your words.”
Yeah. God’s fingerprints.
One other one I’ll share with you. From Reader #2:
“I feel like I know the people in your books. It really intrigues me how you have developed the characters and their relationships so completely. I about swallowed my tongue when I read about Summer almost deciding not to get down a coffee cup for her husband. Then realizing how petty that was, even though she was furious with him.  Wow! Caught me!!”
LOL. I have absolutely NO recollection of writing that scene. But God knew it was there and he knew someone who needed to see it.  God’s fingerprints. 
So, all that to say, I love it when I see God using my stories to touch lives. It’s amazing, crazy and humbling. And exhilarating.
What’s a story that touched you? Made you think or possibly give you peace about something?
Just wondering. Have a blessed Wednesday!
Lynette

TWEETABLES
Have you seen the fingerprints of God in your writing - thoughts from @LynetteEason on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

When your #writing touches someone, that's the fingerprint of God - via @LynettEason on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lynette Eason is the award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty books. Lynette writes for Revell and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have finaled or won awards in contests such as The Maggies, Inspirational Readers Choice Award, The Carol, ECPA Book of the Year, The Selah, and others. Her most recent wins are the Carol Award in 2013 and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award in 2014. She began her teaching career in the public school classroom and has since moved to teaching at conferences all over the country. Lynette often speaks at women’s conference and retreats, but finds her first love is teaching writing. In her spare time she can be found hanging out with her family, loving on her nieces and nephews, traveling, and…um…writing. Lynette and her husband Jack live in South Carolina with their two teenagers. Life is never boring, that’s for sure! Lynette can often be found online at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason @lynetteeason on Twitter, and www.lynetteeason.com.

Calendar Days—February's Crazy Holidays & Special Occasions to use for Idea Starters

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It's easy to come up dry when searching for blogging and article ideas. To help, I've decided to return to my monthly post on Holidays and Special Occasions. 

Now onto some really fun holidays in February!


It's that time again—Calendar Days. I sure hope you all are enjoying this column as much as me. It's funny, as I research these each month, I think of so many of you.
Using the calendar for blog post or even article ideas is a great way to jumpstart your creativity. It's also a fun writing prompt idea. 

Calendar days are also great conversation starters for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
February Holidays, Special Days & Downright Crazy Days
February is: Bake for Family Fun Month!Bake for Family Fun MonthNational Black History MonthNational Time Management MonthLibrary Lovers MonthInternational Boost Self-esteem monthGrapefruit MonthNational Haiku Writing MonthBird Feeding MonthPull Your Sofa Off the Wall MonthSweet Potato MonthHot Breakfast MonthCherry MonthAmerican Heart Month
Weekly CelebrationsWeek 1:Women’s Heart WeekChildren’s Authors and Illustrators WeekJust Say No to PowerPoint WeekInternational Networking WeekInternational Friendship Week
It's Jell-O Week!Week 2:Congenital Heart Defect Awareness WeekHave a Heart for a Chained Dog WeekRisk Awareness WeekLove Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps us From Getting Dizzy WeekJell-O Week
Week 3:Brotherhood/Sisterhood WeekBuild a Better Trade Show Image WeekNational Engineers WeekNational Justice for Animals WeekNational Entrepreneurship WeekTexas Cowboy Poetry Week
Week 4:National Secondhand Wardrobe WeekPeace Corps WeekNational Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Daily CelebrationsFebruary 1 February is Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.Car Insurance DayChange Your Password DayG.I. Joe DayInternational Face & Body Art DayFreedom DayRobinson Crusoe DaySpunky Old Broads DayDecorating with Candy DayIce Cream for Breakfast DayTake Your Child to the Library Day
February 2Groundhog DayPopcorn DayWorld Play Your Ukulele DayAyn Rand DayCandelmasHedgehog Day
February 4 is Facebook's Birthday.February 3Carrot Cake DayFour Chaplains Memorial DayThe Day the Music Died
February 4Homemade Soup DayFacebook’s BirthdayLiberace DayQuacker DayWorld Cancer DayThank a Mailman Day
February 5Nutella DayAdlai Stevenson DayPancake DayDigital Learning DayChocolate Fondue DayWeatherman’s Day
February 6Lame Duck DayCanadian Maple Syrup Day
February 7Send a Card to a Friend DayBubble Gum DayWear Red DayGirl Scout Cookie DayWave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors DayBallet Day
February 8Laugh and Get Rich DayBoy Scout Anniversary DayOpera DayKite Flying Day
February 9 is Read in a Bathtub Day.February 9Toothache DayAutism Sunday (Second Sunday in February)Man DayRead in the Bathtub DayStop bullying Day
February 10Umbrella DayClean Out Your Computer DayPlimsoll Day
February 11Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk DayWhite Shirt Day or White T-shirt DayGet Out Your Guitar DayPro Sports Wives DaySatisfied Staying Single DayExtraterrestrial Culture DayMake a Friend Day
February 12Lincoln’s BirthdayOglethorpe DayPaul Bunyan DayPlum Pudding Day
February 13World Radio DayMadly in Love with me DayGet a Different Name DayEmployee Legal Awareness Day
February 14 is also Library Lovers Day!February 14Library Lovers DayNational Have a Heart DayFrederick Douglass DayValentines DayDonor DayFerris Wheel Day
February 15Susan B. Anthony DayWorld Whale DayGumdrop DayNational Hippo Day
February 16National Almond DayInnovation Day
February 17Presidents DayOn My Way DayChampion Crab Races DayNational PTA Founders DayRandom Acts of Kindness Day
February 18Pluto DayCow Milked While Flying in an Airplane DaySingle Tasking DayBattery Day
February 19 is International Tug-of-War day.February 19Iwo Jima DayInternational Tug-of-War DaySingle Tasking DayChocolate Mint Day
February 20Cherry Pie DayWorld Day for Social JusticeLove Your Pet DayIntroduce a Girl to Engineering Day
February 21Sticky Bun DayInternational Mother Language Day
February 22George Washington’s BirthdayInternational Sword Swallowers DayInternational Tongue Twister DayOpen that Bottle NightBanana Bread DayWalking the Dog DayMargarita DayWorld Thinking Day
February 23 is Curling is Cool Day!February 23National Dog Biscuit DayCurling is Cool DayDiesel Engine DayMelba Toast Day
February 24Tortilla Chip DayNational Cupcake Day (Canada)Museum Advocacy Day
February 25Clam Chowder DaySpay Day USAChocolate-covered Peanuts Day
February 26Inconvenience Yourself DayWorld Pistachio DayFor Pete’s Sake DayNational Personal Chef DayLevi Strauss DayTell a Fairy Tale Day
February 28 is Read To Me Day!February 27National Chili DayInternational Polar Bear DayStrawberry Day
February 28Chocolate Soufflé DayRead To Me DayNational Tooth Fairy DayRare Disease DayFloral Design 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
Holidays & Special Occasions are great idea starters for blog posts & articles - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

At a loss for blog & article ideas? Great list of February holidays & special occasions - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Social Media Monday—Is Your Blog Healthy?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

One thing I get asked a lot is how to grow a healthy blog. At first, I used to answer with the steps I recommend:Find a focus.Post regularly.Answer comments.Be active on social media.
About half the time the person asking the question would reply that they were already doing that, but it wasn’t working. Finally it dawned on me that most people don’t really know what healthy blog growth looks like.Growing a blog’s audience is an organic process. It’s not a mathematical equation where we plug in the correct variables and success happens in a predetermined pace. So today I’d like to give you some ways to gauge how healthy your blog is.
There are reasonable expectations for blog growth.But first, realize that there are lots of exceptions to how fast a blog can grow. All I’m giving you is reasonable expectations for blog growth. We can all find examples of blogs that have grown incredibly fast, but we should never judge the growth of our own blogs by the exceptions.
That said, I do believe there are reasonable expectations. That growth is predicated on certain variables:
The predictability of blog posts—A blog that's posted regularly will grow much faster than one that is posted sporadically.The frequency of blog posts—A blog with fresh content on a daily basis will usually grow faster than one that only offers new content once a week.The consistent use of social media—If you regularly Tweet and post on Facebook abut your blog more people will hear about it.The interaction with your audience—It's critical to answer comments and take time to comment on the blogs of your readers.I’m a huge fan of growing your blog organically, through relationships and targeted social media. Frequently this will cause your blog to grow slower during the first year or so, but this will give you a solid base of readers and tend to speed growth in the following years.
Stage One Stage one is the foundation of a healthy blog.In this day and time, networking can usually jump start a blog with 20 – 40 followers at the startup. These followers are your first foundation, but not all of them will be part of your permanent foundation. These are friends and associates who want to help a fellow entrepreneur get started. They’re a great help because they’ll spread the word to their friends and associates who will comprise your foundation.
This means your first six months to a year will see little forward momentum. You’ll gain new followers, and loose some of the original ones. It will feel almost like two steps forward and three steps back. But this is a critical time because you’re cementing the core of your audience. I think of this as gathering the snow and solidifying it into a snowball.
During this time, many bloggers get discouraged from the slow growth because they don’t understand what’s happening. When I talk with someone in the first year of their blog, I try to give them insight into this process so they can watch for it and rejoice as it happens.
Stage TwoAfter stage one comes  six to nine months of small but consistent growth. Your blog has  enough history at this point to have a proven track record of consistent, valuable posts. This makes your core group more willing to share your site with others. 
During this stage is a good time to search out valuable guest posts. Find people you respect and invite them to write a post or ask permission to repost one of their old posts. This stage is like beginning to roll your snowball through the snow, gathering a more solid ball that will hold together when you roll it down the hill.
Stage Three This is when your blog really starts to take off. Your blog’s audience begins to grow a lot faster and you’ll begin to spend less tie promoting yourself on social media because other’s will be doing it for you. They’ll be talking about your blog because it’s valuable to their followers and friends, not just because they like you personally.
Now the fun is beginning, you’ll find yourself asked to guest post on other blogs, and you’ll be asked permission to repost your older blog posts. I think of this stage as when you push your snowball off the top of the hill and it begins to gain momentum on it’s own. 
Interim StageDuring this downhill stage you’ll still hit road blocks and times when you have to give your snowball a push. The key is to stay flexible, continue to listen to your audience and don’t let up on the interactions.
As I said at the beginning, this is an organic process and these stages are just loose guidelines of how the growth of a normal blog should be measured. If you’re neglecting one or more of the following things in your blog plan, your blog will probably see slower growth.
A regular posting schedule, with a minimum of one post per week.The consistent use of Social Media, especially Facebook and Twitter.Constant interaction between you and your audience by answering comments and visiting their blogs and living comments.
Now I have a couple of questions for you.Have you seen this kind of growth in your own site?Where are you in the blogging process, Stage One, Two or Three?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESIs your blog healthy? Stages of healthy blog growth - via #Blogging & #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Learn how to judge the growth of your blog - via #Blogging & #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson(Click to Tweet)

Is Anything Really Big to God?

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17
For many years, I prayed and spoke to God from behind a wall of misapprehension. I used to categorize my requests to God into two lists. Those that were big things and those that were small things.
I tried to only bother Him with the big things. When I shared my prayer requests with others, I was careful not to bring up requests that I’d decided were minor.
I knew that nothing was too big for God, and I’d even share that thought with others who were struggling. And while this is an absolute truth, it leaves out so much. Then one day I had an epiphany.
With God, no matter how big the request, it’s still small to Him.
That bit of revelation took me a few days to process. But as the truth of it permeated, so did the freedom that came with it. My attempt to differentiate between big and small, hard and easy, was artificial. It was a barrier that I had invented and erected between us. Since everything is small to Him, there really is nothing that I can’t share with Him.
The truth is that God cares about everything that I care about. I am His child, precious to Him. So I’ve given up categorizing my requests and worries, and I’m just taking everything to Him.

The Power of Common Words

Share 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

Platform Tips for Writers—How Much Information is Safe to Share Online?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As writers we know the importance of developing an online presence, but is there such a thing as too much information out there?
Absolutely!
The result of too much information online can range from the irritating to the dangerous. But it is possible to be smart and still have an online presence that will garner you the right kind of reader notice.
So how much is too much to stay safe online? Anything that lets your online presence collide with your physical presence without you managing the connections. 
Here are some tips to help you stay out of trouble:Have boundaries firmly established in your own mind—BEFORE something happens. That way, when someone get too familiar, you’ll be ready to do more than just feel vaguely uncomfortable. So often I talk to writers who have a cyber-stalker and they’re not even certain whether they should be concerned or not.Trust your instincts. I cannot emphasize this one strongly enough. If someone makes you uncomfortable, act on your feelings.Don’t friend/follow/or otherwise engage someone who isn’t willing to post a picture and/or give out reasonable information. Don’t use an social media networks and/or settings where you check in at places. There is no good reason or someone to know where you are generally. If you’re at a conference or a big event, you can let people know you’re there if you choose, but don’t leave your safety to a computer program.Turn OFF your location settings for your phone, digital camera, ereader and tablet. Otherwise, any picture you take with those devices could have an imbedded code that gives the latitude and longitude of where the picture was taken. This is especially true if you post pictures of children (your own or even grandkids). Don’t make it easy for a predator to map out your location.What should you do when something makes you uncomfortable?The biggest thing is do NOT be tempted to be polite when you’re worried. This is similar to following your instincts in that we often push down our uncomfortable feelings for the sake of being polite. If someone is tweeting to you, sending you repeated Facebook messages, or contacting you in any way that makes you uncomfortable, don’t ignore your feelings. First, confront the person making you uncomfortable and request they respect your boundaries.If they don’t adhere to your guidelines, immediately block them from the social media networks where they are contacting you.Finally, report them to the social media network(s) where the infraction occurred.
This isn’t something you should fool around with, but it’s also something you shouldn’t be worried about. Taking these steps will keep you safe and give you the boundaries you need to stay safe online.
What steps do you take to stay safe? Have you ever felt uncomfortable by a contact? If so what did you do?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie

TWEETABLES
Writers need an online platform, but how much info is it safe to share?@EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

As a writer, how do I decide how much information to share online? - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)