Edie Melson's Blog, page 405

How to Completely Change Your Writing Style

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills 
Most fiction writers haves experienced low times in their career where rejections, low sales, and reviews sink them to the bottom of a deep, dark pool. Admit it, we’ve all been there, and oh, the things we tell ourselves.
We think about quitting, and we might for half a day.              We have a good cry, but it doesn’t solve a thing.            We invite our friends to a pity-party.            We attempt to tell ourselves that our lagging career is not our fault. Then comes the list of who to blame.            We consider applying to McDonalds as a Big Mac flipper.            But the best choice we writers can make is to embark upon a journey to discover how our writing can take on a unique style, voice, and marketability while entertaining readers with an amazing story. Isn’t joy and satisfaction why we spend hours of time in seclusion devoted to story? 
This, my friend, is why I want to ask you 12 questions that might cause you to completely change your writing style. Are you a careful plotter or an organic writer? Perhaps now is the time to reconsider and revamp your writing process.Are you attending writing conferences, reading the how-to books, and actively participating in any online or physical writer’s groups?Fiction writers can’t view their calling as a hobby. It’s a  serious pursuit, and it’s up to us to develop the craft and never stop learning. Determination means a whole-hearted commitment to every aspect of writing and marketing a novel.Do you ask God for guidance before touching the keyboard?Do you believe in yourself and have confidence in your ability to weave a story into a masterpiece?Do your novels contain high stakes with unpredictable events? The biggest insult to any writer is for readers to omit the middle and skip to the last chapter because they’ve figured out the story and ending.Have you completed backstory to know what motivates your character in chapter one, line one? It’s critical for a writer to know what happened in a character’s life from the time he/she was born to the point of story opening.How are your characters different from anything you’ve ever read? Every plot has been written, but it’s up to the writer to make story and characters unforgettable.Is the genre you’re writing the one you feel the most passion? We can’t expect readers to get excited about our work if we aren’t 110% committed to our genre.Why are the best, the best? Read, read, read in your genre. Pick up the novels on the best seller list. Highlight. Circle. Analyze. Use those admirable techniques in your writing.Are you fulfilling your readers’ expectations? Study what readers value in a novel. If you aren’t sure, post the question on your Facebook page or other social media for immediate feedback.Here’s the kicker question: What are three things you dislike about your writing and what can you do to develop those challenges?           
When you’ve completed these twelve questions, write down three things you already like about your writing style? Great! Now celebrate!            I can’t imagine doing anything but writing fiction. But it’s not easy. It’s a constant evaluation of my priorities and keeping up with the world of publication. But more than once I’ve had to completely change something about my writing style.
TWEETABLESFed up with poorsales & rejections? @DiannMills shares How to completely change your #writingstyle (Click to Tweet)
Make your #writing career a success story! via @DiannMills on @EdieMelson #fiction #pubtip (Click to Tweet)

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than sixty books published. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2014 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Visit her website at www.diannmills.com and connect with her on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills
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Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/DiAnnMills
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Your Scene’s Not Working? Maybe the Lighting Is Wrong

A Guest Post from author K.M Weiland @KMWeiland

Of all the many story aspects authors have to keep track of, why in heaven’s name should lightingbe up there at the top of our list? That’s something movie directors have to worry about, not writers. Right?

Actually, no.
Lighting can be a tremendous factor in bringing scenes to life. Getting the lighting right can help you ace your scene the first time. And we won’t even mention that lighting can help you with your story’s tone, symbolism, and even characterization.
Or maybe we will!
I first discovered the power of lighting in written fiction when I was working on my historical novel Behold the Dawn . Set during the Third Crusade, in the hot, dusty, sunnyHoly Land, I found myself struggling to get my often dark themes to mesh well with all that bright sunshine. At first, I wasn’t certain what was going on. But then, the solution hit me upside the head. Change the lighting!
In re-reading Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece of lighting (which I analyze in-depth in my book Jane Eyre: The Writer’s Digest AnnotatedClassic ), the whole concept became even clearer.
Use Lighting to Create ToneAbove all, lighting influences tone. My problem with Behold the Dawn was that the bright, glorious sunshine was too cheerful for the story’s otherwise dark and dangerous tone. But throw in a few clouds and night scenes—and, voila!—the story’s tone instantly darkened.
The classic Gothic novels are known for their use of shadowy settings to enhance suspense, and Jane Eyre is a masterful example. When Jane first comes to work at the mysterious Thornfield Manor, she views the mostly empty mansion as a sanctuary from her hard-knock life. But the lighting tells a different story. The rooms aren’t well lit. Shadows abound. Even the furniture is dark.
Brontë paints a picture that helps readers visualize the scene’s lightning just as clearly as if they were watching a movie. And just as in a movie, the dark edges prompt readers to understand—if only subconsciously—that something horrible is afoot at Thornfield.
Use Lighting to Enhance SymbolismLighting also offers one of our most organic opportunities for symbolism. What could be more symbolic than light and dark? (Just ask Darth Vader.) Readers instantly understand that darkness hints at secrets, sins, and suspense, while light stands for hope, joy, and second chances. It’s no mistake that “noir” (the French word for black) is a genre of crime and violence.
Brontë uses her lightning to wonderful symbolic effect in an early scene, in which Jane is exploring Thornfield for the first time. She writes that, “…the attic seemed black as a vault compared with that arch of blue air to which I had been looking up, and to that sunlit scene of grove, pasture, and green hill, of which the hall was the centre, and over which I had been gazing with delight.”
The contrast between the sunlit beauty of the surrounding country and the blackness of the (secretly corrupted) house is a beautifully subtle example of powerful symbolism—which will be played out time and again throughout the story.
Using Lighting to Refine CharacterizationLighting provides just as many cues about characters as it does about the settings in which they live. Some characters will bring the darkness on stage right along with them. In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch practically glows, while the Wicked Witch of the West is shrouded in smoke as black as her costume (and, one presumes, her heart).
Brontë offers an especially nice bit of characterization when she introduces Edward Rochester—Jane’s mysterious employer and eventually epic love. Previous to Rochester’s arrival at Thornfield, the house has been mostly closed up and, as a result, shrouded in that symbolic darkness. But when Rochester arrives, Jane discovers that the rooms in which he lives have come to life with light and warmth—dramatically symbolizing how he will similarly transform her own life.
Don’t make the mistake of believing lighting is a throwaway decision. The lighting in any given scene will affect every aspect of your story—including whether or not it works to its full potential. Consider carefully what tone you’re wanting to strike and how you can deepen your story’s symbolism and characterization. Then it’s time to yell, “Lights! Camera! Action!”

TWEETABLES
If your scene's not working, author @KMWeiland suggests you check your lighting - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lighting can be a tremendous factor in bringing scenes to life - via @KMWeiland on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)


K.M. Weiland lives in make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives primarily on chocolate truffles and espresso. She is the IPPY and NIEA Award-winning and internationally published author of the Amazon bestsellers Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel. She writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in western Nebraska and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

Indie Tuesday—Characteristics of a Successful Hybrid Author

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller
A few weeks ago Edie shared the Characteristics of a Successful Indie Author which got me thinking about what it takes to flourish as a hybrid author. Like Edie pointed out in her post, some of the things I’m going to share today probably apply to more than just the hybrid author—but they are hats a hybrid must be able to wear—and wear well.

The term hybrid describes an author who is published in both the traditional market and self-publishes in the indie market. They produce new content for both markets, simultaneously. To do this successfully an author has to morph into different personalities. Thankfully, we’re good at using our imaginations! Characteristics of a Successful Hybrid AuthorThe Juggler. As a hybrid I have to be able to handle being in the middle of writing the most exciting part of one of my indie projects and stopping that because my trade editor sent me back book edits that must be completed by the end of the week. In the same chunk of time working I’ll interview a cover designer, write the next scene in my manuscript, brainstorm a different series, spend 20 minutes marketing my latest indie, and scan over the last pass proof of my upcoming release. A hybrid has to be able to change horses midstream—while still knowing where to go back and pick up where they stopped a week/month/year before. My writing/release schedule mapped out for the next
year. Yes, it's blurry on purpose!
The Insomniac. To meet deadlines from our publishers as well as our own deadlines, hybrids have to be able to output a significant amount of quality work year in and year out. Many of my friends who are hybrids are up until past one in the morning working just to stay up to date on their current projects. See, in the indie market success usually goes hand-in-hand with quantity so a hybrid has to meet that demand while still getting edits and manuscripts to their trade publisher(s) on time. Hybrids work every spare minute available. Family watching a movie? I “watch” with my laptop in the same room. Car needs an oil change? I bring my computer along so I can work while I wait. Dinner cooking? I stand with my laptop at the counter and write. You get the idea. The Diplomat. Let’s be honest, the publishing world is a scary place right now. No one knows what will happen in the industry tomorrow. Indie and trade authors tend to go all West Side Story on each other and line different sides of the street singing about who is the better gang. A hybrid has to step away from these fights and in doing so we walk a thin line. We must keep our publisher, agent, and industry people happy—but to do well in Indie we also must be willing to trailblaze, take risks, and promote other indies. Sometimes the two paths are at odds with one another and a hybrid must choose the high road every single time.

Are the long hours, tightrope walking, and waiting worth it? Research shows that hybrid authors make more money than both their only indie or only trade published counterparts. Hybrids also enjoy a broader reading audience and higher discoverability. Have I missed any characteristics? Are you hoping to pursue a career as a hybrid? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the different publishing paths and the different hats authors must wear.

TWEETABLES
Characteristics of a successful hybrid author from @AuthorKeller #hybrid #publishing #amwriting (click to Tweet)

Do you have what it takes to succeed as a hybrid author? @AuthorKeller shares how #publishing #hybrid #amwriting (Click to Tweet)

Jessica Keller holds degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies. She is multi-published in both Young Adult Fiction and Inspirational Romance and has 100+ magazine and newspaper articles to her name. Her latest release is a Young Adult Fantasy - Saving Yesterday . You can find her at www.JessicaKellerBooks.com, on Twitter @AuthorKeller, on Tumblr, or on her Facebook Author Page. She lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, beautiful daughter, and two annoyingly outgoing cats that happen to be named after superheroes.

Social Media Monday—Google Plus for Writers—Part 1—Establish Google Authorship

by +EdieMelson @EdieMelson

I promised you all a series about Google Plus, and today I’m beginning to make good that promise. Unfortunately, one post is not going to cut it. So I’ll be sharing all I’ve learned about this valuable network over the next few social media posts.
Google Plus, an IntroductionMany people are confused by Google Plus. So I think the best place to start on this definitive guide is an overview of what Google+ is and what it is not.
I’ve heard a lot of people say that Google+ is going to replace Facebook. Actually, I’ve said several times that this is my hope. BUT that doesn’t mean that Google+ is a copycat network.Far from it.
The scope and use of Google+ goes far beyond Facebook.
Facebook is a network based on general social interactions. Google+ is a network based on commonality, or if you prefer, passions. Interactions are built on shared passions.
There is one thing that separates Google+ from all the rest of social networks, and I’m surprised at the number of people unaware of this. This is a network that’s intimately tied into search engines. This means that if you do a search for a person or topic, Facebook and Twitter posts won’t often appear. Google+ posts will.
This is reason enough to be a part of this valuable network. You can see the value of posting regularly on Google+ if you’re in the process of building or solidifying an online platform.
Google AuthorshipThe first and most important thing you need to now about using Google+ is Google Authorship. To establish Google authorship you must link your content to your Google+ account.
There are two ways to do that.
The first option is through your email address. To establish authorship this way, your Google+ email address must be tied to the site where you post. For example, I would have to have the email address ediemelson@thewriteconversation.com to tie me to The Write Conversation. The trouble with that choice for me is that I don’t have that email address.
There is a second way to establish authorship. You can also embed a line of html code in your website (or blog). This is a complicated process, and for those of us unfamiliar with the inner workings of code, one that is ripe for fatal errors.
Edie's Third WayI have discovered a work-around for this second option that doesn’t require delving into the inner workings of my blog. If you look at the top of this post, you’ll notice my byline (By +EdieMelson  @EdieMelson) in both instances, my name is a hyperlink. The first is a link to my Google+ profile and the second is a link to my Twitter profile.
But the Google+ link doesn’t just link to my profile, it also contains the html code that Google MUST have to verify authorship. I discovered I can embed that code by using the html option when I compose my blog posts. I did it once and now just copy and past it into every post I write.
Here’s the general code: google+profile?rel=author" target="_blank">google+name
You must insert your Google+ profile URL for the words highlighted in yellow.You must insert your Google+ profile name for the words highlighted in blue.
This is how the code appears for me (see screenshot below):
Your Google+ URL may be a series of numbers. like the code at the top, or it may be your name, like the second code. Either code will work.Step-by-step InstructionsThere are two conditions that must be met to establish Google+ authorship using this method.You must have a Google+ accountYour blogging platform must allow you to compose a post in html. Most, including WordPress and Typepad, as well as Blogger will allow you to do this.
1. Open your compose window and choose HTML (first arrow on the screenshot below). Place your cursor below the code already in place (second arrow on the screenshot below). IMPORTANT NOTE: sometimes there's not already html code in the window. If there's no code, just paste the code at the top of the window.

2. Insert your personalized code. (See screenshot below.)

3. Change your compose window back to the regular compose mode and THEN add the word BY and the Plus Sign (+) to let people know this is a link to your Google+ Profile. (See screenshot below.)

4. Now you’re going to have to modify your Google+ account. Go to your Google+ profile and click on ABOUT (see screenshot below).

5. Scroll down until you come to LINKS, then click on edit. Make sure that your blog is listed on the contribute to list (see screenshot below). 



6. The last thing you’ll want to do is verify that your Google+ authorship is working. Visit this site, plug in your blog’s URL and click PREVIEW (see screenshot below). This will only work once you have PUBLISHED the post with your Google+ link. It won’t work until you have published your blog.

This is just the beginning of utilizing this valuable network. In the posts to come I’ll be introducing you the best ways to use Circles, how to work Video Hangouts and even how to Broadcast a Hangout.
But for now, I’d like to hear from you. What questions do you have about Google Plus. I want this series to be valuable for you, so don’t be shy about asking questions. Your comments will dictate, to a large extent, what I cover here.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESA series on #Google+ for writers! Today #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson covers ways to establish Google Authorship (Click to Tweet)
Are there benefits to #Google+ for #writers ? #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson has a new series to help you decide (Click to Tweet)

Social Media Image—An Opener of Doors

A lot of what I try to do through this site and through teaching is to be an opener of doors. Others helped me get where I am today as a writer. I'd be pretty ungrateful if I wasn't willing to do that for others. 

I believe most of you who read my blog do the same thing. You take what you learn and help those who aren't yet where you are. Take time today to thank someone who opened a door for you.



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

Remind Yourself of These Things Every Time You Sit Down to Write

By +EdieMelson  @EdieMelson

So often writers struggle more against the head-game part of the journey than any other. Today I’d like to share a list of things to help. So remind yourself of these things every time you sit down to write. 
You're welcome to use/share this graphic online, just be sure to link back to this site.These are the things I hold onto when the doubts creep in. What would you add to the list?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESTo keep the doubts away, remind yourself of these 13 things every time you sit downto write – @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
When the doubts about your writing creep in @EdieMelson hasa list to keep the doubts at bay (Click to Tweet)

Writing IS Hard—No Kidding!

By +EdieMelson  @EdieMelson

True confession time.
Writing is both the thing I love best and the thing I hate most.
When the words flow, it’s heaven on earth. When they stutter to a halt, the opposite is true. And the truth is, both of these circumstances are a regular part of the writer’s life.
We write when we feel like, and when we don’t; when we’re inspired, and when we’re not. Most of all we write because we have to. Putting words on paper is life to some of us and an addiction without a recovery group.The time to write isn’t something we find. It’s something we sacrifice for, carving it out of lives that are as busy as anyone else. I get so weary of wanna-be writers complaining about no time to write.
I have author friends who don’t have the time either. One author I know honored a deadline even though his granddaughter was having brain surgery—he wrote in the hospital waiting room. Another, a stay-at-home mom, had just the opportunity of a contract and she wrote in the ten and fifteen minutes breaks available while caring for a special needs daughter, a preschooler and a toddler. 
I could share story after story after story about how writers I know have sacrificed to follow their vocation—all true. The truth is that we all have the same 24 hours in a day and we all have the choice of how to spend them.
“If you can imagine yourself doing anything else besides writing—do it!”
I’ve been known to give this advice to those just starting out—because they still have time to turn back. I’m a hopeless case. I’ll write myself into a grave and hopefully beyond.
Becoming a writer is a decision—followed by a life of choices that enable us to live out that commitment.
Here are some of the hard choices you’ll need to make to find writing success:1. Trading TV time for writing time. (You’ll need those hours to put words on paper.)2. Committing to a lifetime of learning and staying current with the publishing industry. (The industry is changing a lightning speed, either keep up or die.)3. Saying no to the good things, so you’ll have time to say yes to the best things. (Writing is an isolated life a lot of the time.)4. A willingness to write through the junk to get to gems.(Good writing is rewriting—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.)5. The necessity of checking your ego at the door. (There’s always someone more talented, successful, lucky, etc. Get over it and move on.)6. A willingness to trust other professionals (like your agent and your editor).7. An unwillingness to compromise what truly matters. (And no this does NOT contradict #6)8. Trading talking about writing for actually putting words on the page. (Networking is important, but not as important as writing)9. The commitment to keep going when the odds seem impossible. (In this industry impossible odds is the new normal.)Well, this is my list. It’s your turn to add your thoughts. You all always have such valuable insights, please share them below in the comments section.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESLifelong Choices that Every Successful Writer Must Make – tips from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Are you willing to make the choices necessary for life as a writer? A list from @EdieMelson (Clickto Tweet)

Don’t Slip into these 4 Characteristics of a Lazy Writer

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
With this title, you might think I’m going to be focusing on time management.
You’d be wrong.
The kind of laziness I’m referring to has to do with the use of your brain—not your time.
If you’ve followed this blog for long, you know I’m passionate about excellence in writing. And I don’t mind helping those who are willing to work to achieve it. I’ll patiently spend hours helping beginners learn the craft, but I have very little tolerance for those who insist on shortcuts and shoddy work . . . and then whine because they’ve been rejected.
Why bring this up? Because I wish someone had pointed out these pitfalls when I was just starting out.So what are some habits of lazy writers?
First—the use of clichés.Dictionary.com defines clichés this way: A trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, impact by long overuse, such as – older by wiser, or – strong as an ox.A trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc.Anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.
Using a cliché encourages your reader to skim over what you’ve written. Clichés usually start out as a clever or wise saying. Because of this, many writers are tempted to use them as is. Instead take a few extra moments and consider the idea behind the cliché—and come up with an original and creative way to say the same thing.

Second—the habit of turning something in without taking the time to proof it.I’ve been a member of many critique groups during my time as a writer and I’ve spent more years than I care to name as an editor. I can assure you, no one can write something perfectly the first time—I don’t care who they are or how long they’ve been writing. We all need to take a few extra minutes to check our work and weed out mistakes.
By not proofing your work—even if it’s just going to a critique partner—you are saying your time is too valuable and theirs too worthless to bother. That’s just plain rude.
Third—not staying on top of current trends.English is a living language—unlike, say Latin. Because of that, it is continuing to grow and change. This is applicable to grammar, as well as to industry trends. The usage of commas, semi-colons and colons have changed, as have popular genres. That’s why we’re on the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. Just ten years ago, one of the easiest genres to sell was the Cozy Mystery, and the hardest was the Personal Memoir. Today the reverse is true.
I completely understand not being happy about the changing rules (I happen to miss the maligned semi-colon), but it’s part of the industry, and not liking it is no excuse for ignoring it.
Fourth—the unwillingness to continue to learn and grow.This industry is exciting and challenging, and no matter how long you've been a part of it, you still need to continue your education. I teach at a lot of conferences around the country and I’m frequently amused by writers who think they know it all—or at least all they need to know.
That kind of attitude will sound the death knell on your writing career.
I know this post may read like a diatribe on ignorance, but I mean it as a warning. I want each and every one of you to succeed as writers—whatever that end result looks like to you.
Yes, I’m still guilty of being a lazy writer at times. But I can assure you I’ll be much less likely to slip into bad habits now that I’ve written this post!
Now I’d like to hear from you. What are some things you wish you’d known sooner?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESWriter @EdieMelson warns us not to slip into these 4 characteristics of a lazy writer! (Click to Tweet)

What’s standing between you & writing success? @EdieMelson warns it may be behaving like a lazy writer! (Click to Tweet)

Indie Tuesday— Getting in the Write Zone: Simple Strategies for Creating Productive Writing Time

Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller here: I first met author Kristen Ethridge because our books debuted in the same month. We’ve been kindred ever since. Not only did we launch into the trade publishing world at the same time, but we both decided to dive head first into indie publishing right next to each other too. Like me, Kristen juggles a full-time job, kids, a writing career and managing her household (did I mention she makes AMAZING dinners?) so we often commiserate about how to find writing time. Today she’s agreed to stop by and offer pointers for getting in the write zone: simple strategies for creating productive writing time.

Getting in the Write Zone: Simple Strategies for Creating Productive Writing Time
by Kristen Ethridge @KristenEthridge  When Jessica asked me to join her here, I jumped at the opportunity because there’s so much great information and conversation on this blog. Once I sat down to start writing this post, I confess I panicked a little bit. Am I really the right person to be talking about finding time to write? As a kid, my mother said my middle name was procrastination. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe I'm exactly who you need to hear from. Because the chances are, you and I have a lot in common. You see, I had a two-year hiatus on my latest manuscript for Love Inspired because of bedrest during pregnancy. I had to manage working a full-time job, another child, a husband, and keeping my house functional. I had about 2 hours a day out of bed, and things that weren’t necessary got sent to the wayside.   A three-month gap in between the first seven chapters of Lucky in Love (coming soon!) and the last two got started after Redhead2 was born and I developed severe back issues that ultimately rendered it almost impossible for me to sit up for more than fifteen minutes at a time without severe pain.  So, I’ve had physical roadblocks. I’ve had mental ones too. What if my story isn’t good enough? What about that ugly review where someone said I couldn’t write—should I trust that? I’ve had to give myself grace to work through what’s holding me back, both in body and mind. So that’s rule number one. If you’ve got a roadblock, deal with it. Deal is a verb, though. You’ve gotta take action and tear down the roadblock. Analyze the situation and do what you’ve got to do, but you don’t have permission to stop. Two, find a time and place that work for you. For you, it might be early in the morning or after the kids go to bed. When I used to commute on a train, I wrote longhand in a notebook. Now, I take my portable treadmill desk to the gym during my lunch hour and I walk while I type. The key here is to pick something reasonable and stick to it. If you want to hit your alarm clock with a sledge hammer, then an early morning writing session is not for you. Three, find something that inspires you. Make a playlist of music that reminds you of your characters and their experiences. If you write at home, organize and decorate your little corner of the world in a way that makes you happy to be there. I love to diffuse essential oils—I have specific blends that really get me in the zone. A blend called Motivation is one I use a lot. I also like Ylang Ylang, a perfume oil with romantic tendencies and Frankincense, a powerful inspirational tool going back to Biblical days. I even have a USB diffuser that I plug into my laptop while I’m at the gym.
The key to finding time to write is to set up everything in your favor. If you give yourself the grace to find the sweet spot for you and you’re in a time and place where you know you can work consistently and you’re surrounded by things that inspire you, you’re going to want to be there and you’re going to look forward to keeping the routine that you’ve created for yourself.What about you? What are your best tips for finding time to write? Sharing best practices is one of my favorite things! TWEETABLES@KristenEthridge Shares a three point strategy for making your writing time more productive #amwriting #publishing (Click to Tweet)Do you struggle to find time to write? Busy mom & author @KristenEthridge shares tips to make writing time productive. (Click to Tweet)  The writing bug bit Kristen Ethridge around the time she first held a pencil. A 2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award Finalist, Kristen was discovered by Harlequin through their 2012 So You Think You Can Write contest. She writes contemporary inspirational romance for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, as well as sweet contemporary romance. Her favorite stories are filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after--and her favorite happily ever after is the story of God's love. Although she has fun creating characters, Kristen's favorite people are her family. She lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. Visit her online at www.kristenethridge.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Latest from Kristen:The Cupid Caper (A Holiday Hearts Contemporary Romance Novella)

Sometimes you've got to take Cupid's bow and arrow into your own hands.

Amanda Marsh is in love with love. As a high school English teacher, she is surrounded by poetry and classic literature, including the love stories written by her favorite author, Shakespeare. She knows she’ll never find anything as romantic as the stories that have stood the test of time, so she’s settled on having a crush on chemistry teacher Luke Baker from a far.

Luke Baker left his career as a research chemist behind to share a love of science with students. And he’s about to make his pet project a reality as the curriculum lead for the district’s new specialized science and technology academy. When a poem shows up on his desk drawing him into The Cupid Caper, the Valentine’s Day-themed dance and fundraiser for Skyview High School’s Student Council, Luke dismisses the whole thing as a silly game. But when he realizes that winning the grand prize in The Cupid Caper is the one way he can help a star student attend the new STEM Academy, he decides to play along.

Paired together, the English teacher and the chemistry teacher both realize The Cupid Caper is more than a game, but neither can tell the other their feelings are no joke. When an education in happily ever after is on the line, will a man whose life has been ruled by the scientific method and a woman who quotes sonnets miss the mark, or will Cupid’s arrow finally ring true?

Other books by Kristen:
Coming August 2014: Lucky in Love (A Holiday Hearts Contemporary Romance) New Year’s Eve (A Holiday Hearts Contemporary Romance Novella)
Saving Gracie (Harlequin Love Inspired)

Social Media Monday—You Must NOT use BlogSpot or WordPress—Major Blogging Myths Debunked!

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I’m on a lot of writer lists, and I read a lot of really questionable advice from well-meaning folks. But this past month I read some advice that just about set my hair on fire. 

The person giving the questionable advice stated that no one should ever use BlogSpot or WordPress in their blog address. They said that if someone did, it would be almost impossible to break into the highest levels of SEO discoverability. They went on to say the reason for this is that there are millions of Blogger (BlogSpot) and WordPress blogs, so SEO doesn't consider them professional, no matter how often the site is update.
This advice is so wrong—on so many levels—I almost don’t know where to start.
So I’ll begin with the original question


A writer simply wanted to know which was better, a website or a blog. There were a lot of folks who chimed in, with a lot of differing opinions. There’s nothing wrong with that.
The places where you can build your digital home are varied. And they’re not a one-size-fits-all proposition. For some, a full website—with someone else to run it—makes the most sense. For others, a blog is the perfect fit. I don’t have an issue with which you prefer. It truly is a personal choice.
I have to disagree with the quote above first because it’s outdated information. Using BlogSpot in your address will NOT hurt your SEO. On this site, I average over 50,000 unique visitors each month (and have for quite a while). Yes, I also own my own domain name www.EdieMelson.com, that also points to this site. But the largest majority (over 73%) of my hits come by way of the actual site address: www.TheWriteConversation.blogspot.com.
NOTE:For those who don’t know, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. SEO is basically where, in the list of millions, your content will show up when searched by a reader (search engine). This is determined by a closely guarded, mathematical equation called an algorithm.. Here’s a blog post I wrote explaining SEO.
With all the search engine algorithm updates in recent years (penguin, panda, hummingbird, etc.), the SEO scale has tipped way over toward valuable content. That is the one single thing that weighs the heaviest in SEO. (I explain what the Penguin, Panda and Hummingbird updates are in this post.)
Personally, I have built a considerable business and reputation using Blogger. Through this site I have garnered the respect and attention from numerous top tier bloggers, including Daily Blog Tips, The Write Practice, Novel Rocket and Guideposts. It's because of my site that I've been offered multiple blogging opportunities and it was this free platform that played a huge role in my landing the coveted spot as Military Family Blogger for Guideposts.org.
I'm not the only one on the web who proves out this truth. There are a lot of us with valuable, popular sites that contain Blogspot or WordPress.com. I prefer Blogger because it has the plugins necessary to grow a viable site. And, in my opinion, out of the free blogging platform options, it has the largest personalization options. (Here’s a comprehensive post I wrote to help writers decide which they needed, a blog or a website.)
Finally—and most importantly—it's NOT blogging that increases visibility, it's regularly updated, valuable content that does the most good. That can mean a site for podcasting, video blogs, really anything that is updated regularly.
The Bottom LineThere's nothing wrong with deciding to pay for a website, it's a personal choice. But that's all it is, a choice. It does not make you less professional to use a free site. 
I’d love to hear from you. What are your thoughts (and/or questions) about blogging?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESYou Must NOT use BlogSpot or WordPress—Another #Blogging Myth Debunked by #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
It does NOT make you less professional to use a free #blogging site - #SocialMedia Mentor @EdieMelson shares why (Click to Tweet)