Edie Melson's Blog, page 401
September 8, 2014
Social Media Monday—Blogging Milestones You Should be Celebrating
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
As many of you might have noticed, I love blogging. But what you may not know is that it wasn’t always that way. When I first started blogging it felt sort of like writing into a void. Days—and sometimes weeks—would go by without feedback from my online audience.
However, I knew the importance of growing an online platform, so I kept at it. And some of the things that kept me moving forward were celebrating milestones. I didn’t always announce them, or even share them with many people, but I noted them and gave myself permission to consider them proof of a job well done.
Today I’d like to share some of those blogging milestones you should be celebrating.1. The First Post.There are a lot of folks out there who haven’t gotten past the fear of failure and actually published the first post on a blog. You did, and you deserve to celebrate!
2. The First 10 Email Signups. Ten is a number you can work with. It’s a diverse enough group to begin to spread the word. Do not despise small beginnings. Not sure where to find how many subscribers you have? Here’s a post on How to Find Your Blog’s Subscriber List.
3. The First 6 Weeks You Kept to Your Blogging Schedule. I’m always educating bloggers about the importance of keeping on a regular blogging schedule—publishing posts on the same day, at the same time, every week. If you’ve done it for six weeks straight, that’s something to brag about. A lot of life happens over the course of 6d weeks. You’ve kept blogging a priority, in spite of the insanity.
4. The First Email You Get about a Typo in Your Blog Post. This may seem like something to be ashamed of, and I’m definitely NOT advocating slopping writing. But the truth is, we all make mistakes. If someone cares enough to make you look good, you’re in a good place.
5. The First Request from Someone to Be a Guest Blogger for You. If someone thinks enough of your site to ask if you accept guest bloggers, that’s definitely something to celebrate.
6. The First Request for you to be a Guest Blogger. Again, your blog has been read and what you’ve written has been found valuable. This is another reason to celebrate.
7. Getting 100 Unique Hits in One Week. This may seem small, but it’s really not. One hundred people have stopped by to see what you had to say. That’s a definite milestone.
8. Getting an email and/or comment sharing how your words impacted a life. This is why we’re doing this. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers and forget that they’re not really numbers at all—they’re people.
9. Comments on 5 Posts in a Row. It’s hard to get the right mix of subject matter, open-ended questions, and blogging magic to get comments on every single post. If you’ve gotten them on five posts in a row, you’re doing a lot right.
10. The First 25 Email Signups. You’re showing momentum, keep up the good work.
11. The 1 Year Anniversary of Your Blog. This shows real commitment. Don’t look back with an eye toward what you did wrong. Look at what you did right. Build on the positive, otherwise you’ll discourage yourself into a bad case of writers block.
12. Hitting 10,000 Unique Visitors in a Single Month. This doesn’t mean 10,000 different people visited. Unique visitors (hits) are time sensitive. If I visit your blog, log off and then visit again in an hour or so, I’ll be counted twice. But it’s still a number to be celebrated.
13. Getting More than 10 Comments on a Single Post. Pay close attention when this happens, it means you hit a nerve with your audience. Build on what works.
14. A Comment Saying they Were Referred to Your Blog. This means your audience is sharing your blog. It’s a big deal and important to celebrate.
15. The 100th Blog Post. Writing 100 blog posts means that you’ve published around 65,000 words (probably more). That’s almost an entire book. You have proven you can do it and it’s time to celebrate.
Other Milestones to Celebrate as Your Blog Continues to Grow:Yearly Anniversaries.100, 200, 300, etc. Subscribers.200th, 300th, 500th, etc. post.100 Unique Visitors in a Single Day.1000 Unique Visitors in a Single Day.
SPECIAL NOTE: These celebrations won't come in this exact order. Healthy blog growth isn't linear. Here's a blog post I wrote about How Fast Should My Blog Grow.
These are the things I celebrated, and encourage others to make note of. 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
TWEETABLESThink you have nothing to celebrate with your blogging endeavors? Not true – #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Celebrate the progress with your #blog -#SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson has a list of things to look for (Click toTweet)

However, I knew the importance of growing an online platform, so I kept at it. And some of the things that kept me moving forward were celebrating milestones. I didn’t always announce them, or even share them with many people, but I noted them and gave myself permission to consider them proof of a job well done.
Today I’d like to share some of those blogging milestones you should be celebrating.1. The First Post.There are a lot of folks out there who haven’t gotten past the fear of failure and actually published the first post on a blog. You did, and you deserve to celebrate!

3. The First 6 Weeks You Kept to Your Blogging Schedule. I’m always educating bloggers about the importance of keeping on a regular blogging schedule—publishing posts on the same day, at the same time, every week. If you’ve done it for six weeks straight, that’s something to brag about. A lot of life happens over the course of 6d weeks. You’ve kept blogging a priority, in spite of the insanity.
4. The First Email You Get about a Typo in Your Blog Post. This may seem like something to be ashamed of, and I’m definitely NOT advocating slopping writing. But the truth is, we all make mistakes. If someone cares enough to make you look good, you’re in a good place.
5. The First Request from Someone to Be a Guest Blogger for You. If someone thinks enough of your site to ask if you accept guest bloggers, that’s definitely something to celebrate.
6. The First Request for you to be a Guest Blogger. Again, your blog has been read and what you’ve written has been found valuable. This is another reason to celebrate.

8. Getting an email and/or comment sharing how your words impacted a life. This is why we’re doing this. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers and forget that they’re not really numbers at all—they’re people.
9. Comments on 5 Posts in a Row. It’s hard to get the right mix of subject matter, open-ended questions, and blogging magic to get comments on every single post. If you’ve gotten them on five posts in a row, you’re doing a lot right.
10. The First 25 Email Signups. You’re showing momentum, keep up the good work.
11. The 1 Year Anniversary of Your Blog. This shows real commitment. Don’t look back with an eye toward what you did wrong. Look at what you did right. Build on the positive, otherwise you’ll discourage yourself into a bad case of writers block.

13. Getting More than 10 Comments on a Single Post. Pay close attention when this happens, it means you hit a nerve with your audience. Build on what works.
14. A Comment Saying they Were Referred to Your Blog. This means your audience is sharing your blog. It’s a big deal and important to celebrate.
15. The 100th Blog Post. Writing 100 blog posts means that you’ve published around 65,000 words (probably more). That’s almost an entire book. You have proven you can do it and it’s time to celebrate.
Other Milestones to Celebrate as Your Blog Continues to Grow:Yearly Anniversaries.100, 200, 300, etc. Subscribers.200th, 300th, 500th, etc. post.100 Unique Visitors in a Single Day.1000 Unique Visitors in a Single Day.
SPECIAL NOTE: These celebrations won't come in this exact order. Healthy blog growth isn't linear. Here's a blog post I wrote about How Fast Should My Blog Grow.
These are the things I celebrated, and encourage others to make note of. 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
TWEETABLESThink you have nothing to celebrate with your blogging endeavors? Not true – #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Celebrate the progress with your #blog -#SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson has a list of things to look for (Click toTweet)
Published on September 08, 2014 01:00
September 7, 2014
Weekend Worship—Are You Looking Backward, or Forward?
My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. Philippians 3:13-14
Publishing is a tough business.
It’s almost impossible to write anything for public consumption without feeling like you’re throwing your heart into the lion’s den. And I don’t know about you, but I give these negative comments a lot more credibility than the positive ones. The good ones I tend to disregard with the thought that the person commenting was, “just being nice.”
With the mind-set of living on past rejections it’s possible to shrivel up and die, at least as a writer. Feeding ourselves on what’s gone before forces us to a standstill.
And it comes with an entire travel trailer full of baggage.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with doubt, insecurity and an almost overwhelming urge to give up. Instead, draw a line in the sand. Commit today, RIGHT NOW, to begin to live in the future, on the promises God has given you.
If you’re writing now, you know what I mean. You’ve heard that still, small voice call your name. You’ve gotten that confirmation you’ve asked for. Now it’s time to move forward, believing God truly is big enough to make it happen. He doesn’t call us out, fully formed and ready. He calls us out when we’re weak—ready for Him to equip us.
TWEETABLES Are you looking backward or forward as a writer? @EdieMelson shares why it makes a difference(Click to Tweet)
The direction you focus affects your writing—are you looking forward or backward - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

It’s almost impossible to write anything for public consumption without feeling like you’re throwing your heart into the lion’s den. And I don’t know about you, but I give these negative comments a lot more credibility than the positive ones. The good ones I tend to disregard with the thought that the person commenting was, “just being nice.”
With the mind-set of living on past rejections it’s possible to shrivel up and die, at least as a writer. Feeding ourselves on what’s gone before forces us to a standstill.
And it comes with an entire travel trailer full of baggage.

If you’re writing now, you know what I mean. You’ve heard that still, small voice call your name. You’ve gotten that confirmation you’ve asked for. Now it’s time to move forward, believing God truly is big enough to make it happen. He doesn’t call us out, fully formed and ready. He calls us out when we’re weak—ready for Him to equip us.
TWEETABLES Are you looking backward or forward as a writer? @EdieMelson shares why it makes a difference(Click to Tweet)
The direction you focus affects your writing—are you looking forward or backward - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Published on September 07, 2014 01:00
September 6, 2014
Summer Memories—A Social Media Image to Share
Summer is definitely winding down. The kids are back in school and an occasional cool breeze here in the south promises fall is on the way. What are your favorite memories from this year?
Summer's Lease hath all too short a date - William ShakespeareShare 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
TWEETABLES
Summer's almost gone - What are your favorite memories from this summer? (Click to Tweet)

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
TWEETABLES
Summer's almost gone - What are your favorite memories from this summer? (Click to Tweet)
Published on September 06, 2014 01:00
September 5, 2014
Life Lessons—12 Things You Need to Give Up to Become a Successful Writer
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Successful writers sacrifice a lot to get where they are. Often we forget this and just see the end result. The dream of becoming an overnight success is just that, a dream. This post isn’t meant to discourage anyone. Rather, I want you to focus on the fact that, if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can find writing success. To that end, I’m sharing 12 things you need to give up to become a successful writer.
1. Let go of the idea that writing is easy. It’s not. It’s totally worth the effort, but it will push you and grow you in ways you never expected.
2. Give up the excuse, “I just don’t have time to write.” We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. As a writer, it’s up to you to set the priorities to make that happen.
3. Let go of the writer friends who are holding you back. These are the people who always have an excuse for not writing, not learning, etc. Instead . . . find some mean writer friends. You want people who will do anything to help you succeed. This includes everything from calling you out when you’re letting the excuses keep you from writing to sitting with you and holding your phone to keep you from texting when you should be writing.
4. Give up the idea of easy money and quick success. This business takes time and effort. There really aren’t any shortcuts, so stop looking for one and start writing.
5. Let go of that imaginary world where writers don’t have to market their own books. That ship has sailed. We all have to do social media and marketing, so get busy learning that aspect of the publishing business. Again, see #1 Writing is Hard.
6. Give up the idea that writing is only a solitary endeavor. Sure the act of writing—putting words on paper or screen—only takes you and your computer. But getting published and becoming a writer takes a tribe. You need writer friends, mentors, editors, etc. So get out there and network.
7. Let go of the idea that everything you write is publishable as is. Most of what we right needs serious editing before it becomes publishable. Rarely (read ALMOST NEVER) is something ready for publication in first draft form. Beyond that, there are certain things you write that serve other purposes, no matter what your goal was.
8. Give up the ideal of perfectionism. If you’re trying to be perfect, you’re never going to get there. We should absolutely give our best to any project, but being perfect isn’t an option. So STOP IT!
9. Let go of the idea that there is a finite amount you need to learn to become a writer. No matter who you are or where you are, the learning never stops. Trust me, you never feel like you’ve arrived.
10. Give up talking about writing. Instead, trade it for sitting in front of your computer and actually putting words on paper.
11. Let go of the option to quit. 90% of success in this industry comes from not giving up.
12. Give up the idea of talent. A lot of us have talent. A lot of you have more talent than me. I'm where I am because I didn't quit (see #11) not because I'm a more gifted writer than someone else.
This is my list. I’d love to know what you’d add to it. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESLooking for #writing success? @EdieMelson has 12 ThingsYou Need to Give Up to Become a Successful #Writer (Click to Tweet)
Can't find #writing success? 12 things you need to give up to become a successful #writer - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

1. Let go of the idea that writing is easy. It’s not. It’s totally worth the effort, but it will push you and grow you in ways you never expected.
2. Give up the excuse, “I just don’t have time to write.” We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. As a writer, it’s up to you to set the priorities to make that happen.

4. Give up the idea of easy money and quick success. This business takes time and effort. There really aren’t any shortcuts, so stop looking for one and start writing.
5. Let go of that imaginary world where writers don’t have to market their own books. That ship has sailed. We all have to do social media and marketing, so get busy learning that aspect of the publishing business. Again, see #1 Writing is Hard.

7. Let go of the idea that everything you write is publishable as is. Most of what we right needs serious editing before it becomes publishable. Rarely (read ALMOST NEVER) is something ready for publication in first draft form. Beyond that, there are certain things you write that serve other purposes, no matter what your goal was.
8. Give up the ideal of perfectionism. If you’re trying to be perfect, you’re never going to get there. We should absolutely give our best to any project, but being perfect isn’t an option. So STOP IT!

10. Give up talking about writing. Instead, trade it for sitting in front of your computer and actually putting words on paper.
11. Let go of the option to quit. 90% of success in this industry comes from not giving up.
12. Give up the idea of talent. A lot of us have talent. A lot of you have more talent than me. I'm where I am because I didn't quit (see #11) not because I'm a more gifted writer than someone else.
This is my list. I’d love to know what you’d add to it. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESLooking for #writing success? @EdieMelson has 12 ThingsYou Need to Give Up to Become a Successful #Writer (Click to Tweet)
Can't find #writing success? 12 things you need to give up to become a successful #writer - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Published on September 05, 2014 01:00
September 4, 2014
Thursday Review—A Book to Help Creatives with Productivity
by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn
I have a soft spot for anything that will help me improve my productivity. As a task-oriented nerd, productivity books warm my geeky heart. You may not feel the same way. I understand that. (Sort of).
But this book might change your mind. (A little).
A book blogger I follow recommended Manage Your Day-to-Day: BuildYour Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind edited by Jocelyn K. Glei and I was intrigued.
A productivity book specifically for creatives?
Sign me up.
Now, you may not think of yourself as a “creative” (I’m still struggling with that term) but if you are a reader of The Write Conversation, you are. Go ahead and make a note of it. Write it down if you need to.
I’ll wait.
Done? Great. We’re in agreement. We have creative minds.
The problem? Creative minds have a wee tendency to be super creative but not super productive. The reasons are countless. Distraction, fear, resistance, distraction. Did I mention distraction?
Manage Your Day-to-Day
doesn’t have a ton of information that was new to me and it didn’t provide me with a tidy “do this and all your productivity issues will be solved” conclusion.
So you may be wondering why I’m even telling you about it.
Here’s why.
I highlighted half the book.
Just because the information isn’t new doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Sometimes, I need someone to remind me of things I already know.
Things like:“The single most important change you can make in your working habits is to switch to creative work first, reactive work second.”“It’s better to disappoint a few people over small things, than to surrender your dreams for an empty inbox.”“Use creative triggers. Stick to the same tools, the same surroundings, even the same background music, so that they become associative triggers for you to enter your creative zone.”“Establish hard edges in your day. Set a start time and a finish time for your workday—even if you work alone.”“Frequency makes starting easier.”“When you work regularly, inspiration strikes regularly.”And one of my favorites…“Lots and lots of people are creative when they feel like it, but you are only going to become a professional if you do it when you don’t feel like it.”
The book is broken into four chapters dealing with routine building, finding focus, taming your tools (think social media and email), and sharpening your creative mind which covers dealing with blocks and letting go of perfectionism, etc.
Manage Your Day-to-Day is not a long book. It’s a series of brief essays from multiple authors and it’s one that I recommend you download as an e-book and highlight with abandon. Then you can scroll through your own personal list of “ah-ha” moments anytime you need some inspiration, or a kick to the seat of the pants.
So, how about you creatives out there? Got a productivity issue? Want to share your favorite productivity tip?
Don’t forget to join the conversation.Blessings,
Lynn
TWEETABLESA book to help writers who struggle with structure - a review from @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Writers & other creatives struggle with productivity - here's a review of a book to help - via @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)
Lynn Huggins Blackburn has been telling herself stories since she was five and finally started writing them down. She blogs about faith, family, and her writing journey on her blog Out of the Boat. Lynn is a member of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and the Word Weavers, Greenville. She lives in South Carolina where she hangs out with three lively children, one fabulous man, and a cast of imaginary characters who find their way onto the pages of her still unpublished novels. She drinks a lot of coffee.

But this book might change your mind. (A little).
A book blogger I follow recommended Manage Your Day-to-Day: BuildYour Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind edited by Jocelyn K. Glei and I was intrigued.
A productivity book specifically for creatives?
Sign me up.
Now, you may not think of yourself as a “creative” (I’m still struggling with that term) but if you are a reader of The Write Conversation, you are. Go ahead and make a note of it. Write it down if you need to.
I’ll wait.
Done? Great. We’re in agreement. We have creative minds.
The problem? Creative minds have a wee tendency to be super creative but not super productive. The reasons are countless. Distraction, fear, resistance, distraction. Did I mention distraction?

So you may be wondering why I’m even telling you about it.
Here’s why.
I highlighted half the book.
Just because the information isn’t new doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Sometimes, I need someone to remind me of things I already know.
Things like:“The single most important change you can make in your working habits is to switch to creative work first, reactive work second.”“It’s better to disappoint a few people over small things, than to surrender your dreams for an empty inbox.”“Use creative triggers. Stick to the same tools, the same surroundings, even the same background music, so that they become associative triggers for you to enter your creative zone.”“Establish hard edges in your day. Set a start time and a finish time for your workday—even if you work alone.”“Frequency makes starting easier.”“When you work regularly, inspiration strikes regularly.”And one of my favorites…“Lots and lots of people are creative when they feel like it, but you are only going to become a professional if you do it when you don’t feel like it.”
The book is broken into four chapters dealing with routine building, finding focus, taming your tools (think social media and email), and sharpening your creative mind which covers dealing with blocks and letting go of perfectionism, etc.
Manage Your Day-to-Day is not a long book. It’s a series of brief essays from multiple authors and it’s one that I recommend you download as an e-book and highlight with abandon. Then you can scroll through your own personal list of “ah-ha” moments anytime you need some inspiration, or a kick to the seat of the pants.
So, how about you creatives out there? Got a productivity issue? Want to share your favorite productivity tip?
Don’t forget to join the conversation.Blessings,
Lynn
TWEETABLESA book to help writers who struggle with structure - a review from @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Writers & other creatives struggle with productivity - here's a review of a book to help - via @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)

Published on September 04, 2014 01:00
September 3, 2014
Quick, Down & Dirty Edits
by Lisa Carter @LisaCarter27
I'm excited to have author Lisa Carter guest blogging today. Here newest novel, Beneath the Navajo Moon released just yesterday. She's a fantastic writer, but beyond that, she's able to explain how she does it. If you ever get a chance to take one of her workshops, don't even hesitate. Today, she's sharing her checklist for edits.
* * *
Okay—you wrote this article/blog post/novel.
And like the writing mentors recommend, you allowed your “baby” to take a little nap before you returned with fresh eyes and ever-evolving writer-ly skill to complete your edits. It’s on the back burner for a while due to too many items on your plate.
Proceed at your own risk, because I’m throwing cliché rules out the windowwith this one, folks.You had the best intentions in the world to return to this “darling” in a few weeks/months—ahem, coughing—years. But life intervened—like you had a real baby; your aging parents required more care; other writing projects took precedence or . . . You fill in the blanks.
Then out of the blue, an agent/editor is interested in this rough draft of yours. It’s very, very rough, you stammer. But as the proverbial saying goes, they want it yesterday.
You can’t let such a marvelous opportunity pass. But what’s writer to do? I’m a brutal self-editor of my first drafts. Often I comb through multiple revisions before my editor insists enough is enough and pries the manuscript from my cold, write-sore fingers.
Yet still, I crave one more look-see, one more run-through. Just to be sure. Just to be thorough. This is similar to the quick cleanup I utilize for those occasions when last minute guests are en route. When you’ve only enough time for a spit and polish. Only time to clear the deck. Remove the heavy debris. Wipe down the counters and toilets. Take out the trash. You get the picture.
Here is my own down and dirty checklist for chapter edits—
1. Scan scenes for white space. Too much narrative? Too little dialogue? Are you telling or showing?2. Did every scene portray emotive conflict between the characters?3. Does the dialogue follow FAS—feeling, action and then speech?4. To bring each scene to life, how many of the 5 senses have you included?5. Have you varied each paragraph opening or do they each—three paragraphs in a row—begin with the letter “A” or “T”, etc . . .?6. Have you varied your sentence structure/opening sentence/closing hook? Can you simplify and avoid any complex compound sentence structures?7. Have you searched and replaced all redundant, weak weasel words?8. Did you maintain deep POV? And maintain POV realism? A cop will never use words like, “beauteous fragility” to describe his love interest or a Southern character mouth, “You guys.”9. Did you spell check?Bet you can guess my final piece of advice— 10. Last but not least, did you eliminate all clichéd phrases and untangle mixed metaphors?
Work at changing your mindset regarding editing to that of a sculptor. By chipping away at this ungainly lump of clay, your editing chisel slowly releases the beauty hidden therein.
TWEETABLESNo time to wait between writing & editing? @LisaCarter27 has a list to save the day! (Click to Tweet)
Quick, Down & Dirty Edits - when you don't have time to let your manuscript rest - via @LisaCarter27 (Click to Tweet)
Secrets and danger deep in the canyons and arroyos of the Navajo Nation
When Aaron Matthews is assigned to protect the only witness to a drug cartel execution, he hides Kailyn Eudailey in the safest place he knows—the vast, untamed wilderness of the Navajo Nation.
On the run from Charlotte to Shiprock, sparks fly between a no-nonsense federal agent and a high-maintenance Southern belle who brings her frou-frou pooch along for company. “That dog's coyote food,” Aaron warns Kailyn.
He warns her about a lot of things that could get the both of them killed if she doesn’t follow WITSEC protocol to the letter. Problem is—nobody warned him to guard his heart.
Now Aaron’s broken past and Kailyn’s explosive present are on a fast-paced, collision course in this brilliant plot-twisting suspense about murder and mercy, great loss and greater love under a turquoise sky.
DiAnn Mills, author of Firewall —“Only lightning can strike faster than the action in this thrilling romantic suspense.”
Blending Southern and Native American fiction, Lisa Carter writes “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder”. Her latest release is Under a Turquoise Sky. She is the author of two previous romantic suspense novels, Carolina Reckoning and Beneath A Navajo Moon; and Aloha Rose, a contemporary romance in the Quilts of Love series. She and her family make their home in North Carolina. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales, teaching writing workshops, and researching her next exotic adventure. She has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. Connect with Lisa on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
I'm excited to have author Lisa Carter guest blogging today. Here newest novel, Beneath the Navajo Moon released just yesterday. She's a fantastic writer, but beyond that, she's able to explain how she does it. If you ever get a chance to take one of her workshops, don't even hesitate. Today, she's sharing her checklist for edits.
* * *

And like the writing mentors recommend, you allowed your “baby” to take a little nap before you returned with fresh eyes and ever-evolving writer-ly skill to complete your edits. It’s on the back burner for a while due to too many items on your plate.
Proceed at your own risk, because I’m throwing cliché rules out the windowwith this one, folks.You had the best intentions in the world to return to this “darling” in a few weeks/months—ahem, coughing—years. But life intervened—like you had a real baby; your aging parents required more care; other writing projects took precedence or . . . You fill in the blanks.
Then out of the blue, an agent/editor is interested in this rough draft of yours. It’s very, very rough, you stammer. But as the proverbial saying goes, they want it yesterday.

Yet still, I crave one more look-see, one more run-through. Just to be sure. Just to be thorough. This is similar to the quick cleanup I utilize for those occasions when last minute guests are en route. When you’ve only enough time for a spit and polish. Only time to clear the deck. Remove the heavy debris. Wipe down the counters and toilets. Take out the trash. You get the picture.
Here is my own down and dirty checklist for chapter edits—

Work at changing your mindset regarding editing to that of a sculptor. By chipping away at this ungainly lump of clay, your editing chisel slowly releases the beauty hidden therein.
TWEETABLESNo time to wait between writing & editing? @LisaCarter27 has a list to save the day! (Click to Tweet)
Quick, Down & Dirty Edits - when you don't have time to let your manuscript rest - via @LisaCarter27 (Click to Tweet)
Secrets and danger deep in the canyons and arroyos of the Navajo Nation

On the run from Charlotte to Shiprock, sparks fly between a no-nonsense federal agent and a high-maintenance Southern belle who brings her frou-frou pooch along for company. “That dog's coyote food,” Aaron warns Kailyn.
He warns her about a lot of things that could get the both of them killed if she doesn’t follow WITSEC protocol to the letter. Problem is—nobody warned him to guard his heart.
Now Aaron’s broken past and Kailyn’s explosive present are on a fast-paced, collision course in this brilliant plot-twisting suspense about murder and mercy, great loss and greater love under a turquoise sky.
DiAnn Mills, author of Firewall —“Only lightning can strike faster than the action in this thrilling romantic suspense.”

Published on September 03, 2014 01:00
September 2, 2014
Are You Surrounding Yourself with Toxic Writers?
by +EdieMelson @EdieMelson
There are very few of us who can write in a vacuum. The actual act of writing is done in seclusion, but we gravitate to others who share our struggles. Sharing the journey can make success easier . . . if we choose the right companions. So my question to you is this, have you chosen your tribe with care?
Or are you surrounding yourself with toxic writers?
None of us want to consider that there are those we should avoid, but there are. This doesn’t mean that we can’t encourage them from afar, or interact with them in certain situations. I’m not suggesting we become elitists, only banding together with those who have something to offer.
But I am suggesting we choose our traveling companions with care. Today I’m going to share some traits that might be a warning to keep your distance.1. Writers who only talk about writing, but never produce anything of their own. These wanna-be scribes are interested in an exclusive club, not in the painful work it takes to succeed. Beware or their excitement with what might happen may replace your own willingness to put in the work necessary to get there.
2. Writers who always have an excuse for not producing anything. These are the first cousins of the group mentioned above. They always have a
reason
for not having anything to show for their time. Truthfully, we all have legitimate reasons not to write. It all boils down to what we’re willing to give up to follow our dreams.
3. Writers who always gossip about other writers. This type can range from subtle to blatant. Don’t get sucked in by their negativity. If they’re sharing gossip about others, you can bet they’re sharing gossip about you with others.
4. Writers who cannot accept honest critiques. These writers can range from those who get angry to those who want to argue every point. I’m here to tell you that there is very little in this world more painful than hearing something you wrote doesn’t measure up. But it’s that kind of feedback that will push us above average and onto publishing success.
5. Writers who put others down to build themselves up. Pointing out the mistakes other writers make is a seductive thing. If we’re not careful, we can set ourselves up as an expert at the expense of others. Sure we need to offer critiques, but we offer suggestions, never put down the effort.
6. Writers who legalistically follow the rules. These are the type who will argue commas and semi-colons for days. They can bring a productive critique session to a screeching halt with insisting everything in publishing is black and white and everyone must work the same way. The truth is that very few things in this industry are black and white.
7. Writers who insist that there is only one correct way to write. You’ll run into writers who outline and writers who work more intuitively (commonly referred to as seat-of-the-pants writers). The way you write has more to do with how you’re wired than convention. Don’t let anyone insist theirs is the only right way to do something.
8. Writers more interested in a life support group or relationship than in encouraging each other to write. There’s nothing wrong with sharing aspects of life with those we’re close to. I’m talking about that person who dominates every meeting with personal-life challenges.
9. Writers who put themselves above others after success. Yes, there are things to celebrate—contest wins, publishing contracts, etc. But success doesn’t mean we’re better than someone else. We all have contributions to make and need to remember that.
These are the things I’ve seen in others that can keep me from moving forward. Even scarier—these are things I’ve seen in MYSELF that can keep my companions from moving forward.
If you’re on the path with someone who’s turned toxic, you have reached a decision point. How long are you going to hang in before the relationship begins to hamper your forward motion? There’s no right answer to that question, only you can answer it for yourself. But we need to be aware of what’s going on around us its affect.
I’d love to know how you handle toxic traveling companions, and what traits you’d add to this list.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESAre You Surrounding Yourself with Toxic Writers? @EdieMelson shares how it can affect your success. (Click to Tweet)
Surrounding yourself with even on toxic writer can hamper your own success - @EdieMelson shares why (Click to Tweet)

Or are you surrounding yourself with toxic writers?
None of us want to consider that there are those we should avoid, but there are. This doesn’t mean that we can’t encourage them from afar, or interact with them in certain situations. I’m not suggesting we become elitists, only banding together with those who have something to offer.
But I am suggesting we choose our traveling companions with care. Today I’m going to share some traits that might be a warning to keep your distance.1. Writers who only talk about writing, but never produce anything of their own. These wanna-be scribes are interested in an exclusive club, not in the painful work it takes to succeed. Beware or their excitement with what might happen may replace your own willingness to put in the work necessary to get there.

3. Writers who always gossip about other writers. This type can range from subtle to blatant. Don’t get sucked in by their negativity. If they’re sharing gossip about others, you can bet they’re sharing gossip about you with others.
4. Writers who cannot accept honest critiques. These writers can range from those who get angry to those who want to argue every point. I’m here to tell you that there is very little in this world more painful than hearing something you wrote doesn’t measure up. But it’s that kind of feedback that will push us above average and onto publishing success.

6. Writers who legalistically follow the rules. These are the type who will argue commas and semi-colons for days. They can bring a productive critique session to a screeching halt with insisting everything in publishing is black and white and everyone must work the same way. The truth is that very few things in this industry are black and white.
7. Writers who insist that there is only one correct way to write. You’ll run into writers who outline and writers who work more intuitively (commonly referred to as seat-of-the-pants writers). The way you write has more to do with how you’re wired than convention. Don’t let anyone insist theirs is the only right way to do something.
8. Writers more interested in a life support group or relationship than in encouraging each other to write. There’s nothing wrong with sharing aspects of life with those we’re close to. I’m talking about that person who dominates every meeting with personal-life challenges.
9. Writers who put themselves above others after success. Yes, there are things to celebrate—contest wins, publishing contracts, etc. But success doesn’t mean we’re better than someone else. We all have contributions to make and need to remember that.
These are the things I’ve seen in others that can keep me from moving forward. Even scarier—these are things I’ve seen in MYSELF that can keep my companions from moving forward.
If you’re on the path with someone who’s turned toxic, you have reached a decision point. How long are you going to hang in before the relationship begins to hamper your forward motion? There’s no right answer to that question, only you can answer it for yourself. But we need to be aware of what’s going on around us its affect.
I’d love to know how you handle toxic traveling companions, and what traits you’d add to this list.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESAre You Surrounding Yourself with Toxic Writers? @EdieMelson shares how it can affect your success. (Click to Tweet)
Surrounding yourself with even on toxic writer can hamper your own success - @EdieMelson shares why (Click to Tweet)
Published on September 02, 2014 01:00
September 1, 2014
Social Media Monday—10 Social Media Rules Every Author Needs to Know
by +EdieMelson @EdieMelson
Social media is a tool. But like any tool we need to know how to use it and not be overwhelmed by it. Here are some basic social media rules every author needs to know.
1. Be consistent in posting social media updates. Small regular steps get you much farther, much faster. By posting 4 to 6 social media updates at day, 3 to 4 days a week can help you build a powerful platform much faster than any other way.
3. Be consistent in what you share on social media. Figure out the audience you want to reach and post updates geared to them. That doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally post random things, but keep them in the minority.
4. Utilize hashtags, but don’t go overboard. No more than two per update. Otherwise you look like a used car salesman.
5. Be consistent in the photos you use across all social media platforms. You don’t have to use the exact same picture, but make sure you’re recognizable from network to network.
6. Don’t be obsessed with the numbers. Yes, we’re trying to grow platforms, but the purpose is to reach people, and that’s what those numbers represent. Without meaningful connections, they’re pretty much worthless.
7. Limit yourself to the social media platforms that work for you. No one needs to be on every network. Find your sweet spots and hang out there.
8. Remember why you’re doing social media. We’re writers first, social media is the best way to connect with our audience, but don’t get the equation upside down. The majority of your time needs to be spent writing, not being social online.
9. Use a scheduling program. To reach the majority of your audience, you need to spread your social media updates throughout the day. The most efficient way to do this is with a scheduling program, like Hootsuite.
10. Promote others over yourself. This give you credibility. Don’t be afraid of the competition. It may seem counterintuitive, but the relationships you build with those offering similar products or services can advance both of you.
These are my rules, I'd love to know what you'd add to the list. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESTop 10 #SocialMedia Rules Every Author Needs to Know - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Do you know the 10 #SocialMedia rules that every author needs to follow? From @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

1. Be consistent in posting social media updates. Small regular steps get you much farther, much faster. By posting 4 to 6 social media updates at day, 3 to 4 days a week can help you build a powerful platform much faster than any other way.
3. Be consistent in what you share on social media. Figure out the audience you want to reach and post updates geared to them. That doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally post random things, but keep them in the minority.

5. Be consistent in the photos you use across all social media platforms. You don’t have to use the exact same picture, but make sure you’re recognizable from network to network.
6. Don’t be obsessed with the numbers. Yes, we’re trying to grow platforms, but the purpose is to reach people, and that’s what those numbers represent. Without meaningful connections, they’re pretty much worthless.
7. Limit yourself to the social media platforms that work for you. No one needs to be on every network. Find your sweet spots and hang out there.

9. Use a scheduling program. To reach the majority of your audience, you need to spread your social media updates throughout the day. The most efficient way to do this is with a scheduling program, like Hootsuite.
10. Promote others over yourself. This give you credibility. Don’t be afraid of the competition. It may seem counterintuitive, but the relationships you build with those offering similar products or services can advance both of you.
These are my rules, I'd love to know what you'd add to the list. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESTop 10 #SocialMedia Rules Every Author Needs to Know - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Do you know the 10 #SocialMedia rules that every author needs to follow? From @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Published on September 01, 2014 01:00
August 31, 2014
Weekend Worship—So Who's Really Driving the Car?

like a no-brainer.There are times in my life when making the right decision seems like a no-brainer. Unfortunately those times are few and far between.
For those of you who visit my blog regularly it will come as no surprise that I tend to be a little bit of a control freak. And that character trait often makes it difficult to follow God unconditionally. Let me give you an example.
When our oldest son was just a few months old, my husband and I felt like God was calling us to leave our home in Arkansas, and move to South Carolina. We had no friends or family in the Carolinas, but my husband had a job offer, and there had been some issues with his job in Arkansas that made both of us uncomfortable.

Then one night, as I drifted off, I was captivated by a dream. I was the passenger in a car, a convertible to be exact, and we were driving a dangerous, winding road that led the side of up a mountain. The road was a tiny two-lane affair, minus guardrails. There were granite cliffs on the mountain side of the road, and a sheer drop to the valley below on the other. I knew about the drop off because the driver kept veering toward the edge of the cliff and I’d have to reach over and yank the steering wheel to keep us from crashing into the valley below. As we hurtled toward the top of the mountain we were up so high I could occasionally see clouds below us.
Finally, I got really irritated because it seemed the higher we got the more often I’d have to pull us back from the edge, and it suddenly occurred to me I didn’t know who was driving. While I kept a cautionary hand on the steering wheel, I risked a quick glance at the face of the person driving.
Even though I couldn’t describe the features to you now, I immediately recognized him…it was Jesus driving the car.

At this point I woke, and shook my husband awake to tell him about my dream. He got excited and gave me hug, “That’s it. That’s the answer.”
I was still a little groggy, and I voiced the first thought that came to me. “Okay, but what’s the question?”
He laughed and hugged me again. “That’s our answer about moving. We’ve been trying to make the decision all by ourselves. God wants us to just let go and follow Him.”
Within the month we were gone, headed to South Carolina. It has been one of the single-best decisions we’ve ever made. That decision caused a domino effect in our lives leading us straight to God, strengthening our faith as well as our family.

You might think the choice would be simple this time, but it isn’t. Never the less, I’m determined to trade my control for His. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
But what about you? What part of your life is God trying to get you to relinquish to Him?
I invite you to join me as I let go of the steering wheel.
After all, those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Published on August 31, 2014 01:00
August 30, 2014
What Makes You Blossom?
I love this quote by Oscar Wilde because it makes me stop and think. So often we blossom because we're living up to expectations. So my question for you today is this, "When was the last time you blossomed just for the joy of it?"
A flower blossoms for its own joy - Oscar WildeShare 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
TWEETABLE
Is it joy that makes you blossom...or something else - via @EdieMelson #joy #lifequotes (Click to Tweet)

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
TWEETABLE
Is it joy that makes you blossom...or something else - via @EdieMelson #joy #lifequotes (Click to Tweet)
Published on August 30, 2014 01:00