Edie Melson's Blog, page 410
June 10, 2014
Indie Tuesday—A Ten Step Crash Course on Instagram
Charity here. Jessica and I are thrilled that Rajdeep Paulus kicks off our social media series with a guest post on Instagram. Rajdeep is an indie YA author who writes "Marsala-Marinated YA Fiction." (Which is a great tagline, am I right?) So buckle up, hold on, and get ready for a ten step crash course on Instagram. I promise, it won't hurt a bit.by Rajdeep Paulus @RajdeepPaulus
Picture it. Edit it. Frame it. Meme it. Hashtag it. Tag it. Heart it. Witty Comment it. Share it. Repeat.
It really is that simple. In a day and age where social media, love or hate, isn't going anywhere, might as well jump on the Instagram wagon with your GPS set to keep it simple. Keep it fun. And keep it real.
2. Edit it: You can crop your pic, filter it to pre-set lighting (black and white it for variety,) angle it, and even remove red-eye for those of us who are not professional photographers. And that’s most of us.
Instaframe Collage3. Frame it: Instagram has some pre-made frames, but if you want to add some funky choices, download a framing app. Instaframe is the one I use, but there are a lot of them out there. Some are free, but most are pretty cheap and worth investing in so you can collage a few pics at a time.
4. Meme it: Memes are fancy quotes or captions on or under the picture. Beautiful Mess is great app with quite a few fonts, but new apps are coming out all the time to meme pics up the zingity-zang.
5. Hashtag it: the reason we hashtag is to connect with others who are posting pics on the same topic, event, or trend. Hashtags are what make Instagram social since people can find your pics by searching hashtags. As a writer, I like to make up hashtags for fun, like #nevergonnatellmymomaboutthisone and #dontyoudaretellmymomaboutthisone, but the way to be found on Instagram is to keep it simple and trendy, just like Twitter.
Example of an Instagram Tag and Comment.6. Tag it: Using the @ sign, tag users that are in the pic, might have something to say about the pic, or if you want to give them a shout-out—tag an author if you post a pic of their book cover or a favorite quote from their book.
7. Heart it: This is the equivalent of the Facebook “Like” or the Twitter “Favorite” but so much easier. All you have to do it double tap your smartphone over a picture to show some love, and a heart pops up. You can always tell when someone’s on Instagram vs. Twitter or Facebook when you see their hands moving in the pattern of scroll, tap tap, scroll, tap tap, scroll, scroll, scroll, oh wait, backscroll, tap tap. :)
8. Witty Comment it:The writer in me loves to caption a picture, but a lot of people stop at #1 and that’s totally okay. That’s why Instagram is so easy. It’s mostly a visual experience, and you never have to read a thing if you don’t want to. But a witty caption or question can add to the fun and lead to subsequent comments, inviting the social experience of social media.
9. Share it: This is by far my favorite feature of Instagram, because before you hit the SHARE button, you can actually choose to share this one post on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Flikr. One stop, multiple social media venues hit. I don’t always share a picture all around, but when I do, I do it like the most interesting man in the world. Hoping fans, followers, and friends will stay thirsty. And come back for more.
10. REPEAT: But not all day long. And not all the time. And not of the same thing a bunch of times. Keep it fresh and surely, they’ll come back for more.
A note on vids:
The fifteen second video option is the best. That’s about the attention span of the average human these days. So if you have something to say, sing, or showcase like a Mary Poppins Umbrella leap from the great heights of your curb to … umm, the street (it’s all about the CGI and camera angle that makes it Hollywood stunt-worthy,) here’s your chance to be a falling star. In the most endearing way.
A note on selfies:
Finally, don’t forget to follow peeps, repost (you need an app for this), and please, for the life of Pie, change up the selfie. On #SelfieSunday, post just a partial pic, say of your neon, nail polished right hand, the band-aid on your left knee from the fall you took off the curb in that Mary Poppins stunt gone wrong, or a shot of your forehead with a shimmery bindi on it, and no one will know you’re wearing sweats and staying in for the night to watch an entire season of #OUAT on Netflix. It’s all good. Okay, mostly all. And mostly good. Now, go forth and Instagram. And may the social media odds be ever in your favor. TWEETABLES
On the fence about @instagram? Check out @rajdeeppaulus' 10-step crash course. #IndieTuesday #IndiePub #SocialMedia (Click to Tweet)
A 10-step crash course on @instagram by @rajdeeppaulus. #IndieTuesday #IndiePub #SocialMedia (Click to Tweet)
Rajdeep Paulus, author of Swimming Through Clouds and Seeing Through Stones, is mommy to four princesses, wife of Sunshine, a coffee-addict and a chocoholic. As of June 2013, she’s also a Tough Mudder. To find out more, visit her website or connect with her via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, or Instagram.
June 9, 2014
Social Media Monday—Tips for Composing the (almost) Perfect Tweet Every Time
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Twitter, as many of you already know, is my Social Media Sweet Spot—my easy button, if you will. It’s my go-to place to send and receive information.
I know that Twitter is NOT the sweet spot for many of you reading this blog.
Part of that is because you’re not really sure what constitutes a good tweet. You’ve heard just enough about hashtags and twitter etiquette to make you cringe at the thought of composing your own tweet. So rather than failing, you either stick to retweeting what others share or just pass on the whole thing.
Today, I’m going to break it down for you and share my tips to composing the (almost) perfect tweet every time.
Twitter BasicsI have four types of updates I share on Twitter (and all social media).An insightful quote or thought.A question to get the conversation started or make us think.Something funny, because let’s face it, we all need to laugh.A link to information I find valuable and think will enrich your life.
But What IS a Perfect Tweet?The definition can vary widely, depending on who you ask. But since you’re reading my post, I’m going to give you my definition.
A perfect tweet makes someone’s life a little bit better, and does so in a way that’s easy to share with others.
Components of a Perfect TweetThere are certain things that good tweets have. Not every tweet will have every one of these, but here are the list of things that make a tweet good.An attention grabbing headline—this is the main focus of your tweet and can be a statement or a question. It makes others what to learn more, take action, join the conversation and/or share what they’ve read.A clear attribution—I’m a writer, so authorship is important to me. If someone says something brilliant, I really want them to get the credit. So when possible, I include the person’s name and/or twitter handle. (A twitter handle is your Twitter user name. My Twitter handle is @EdieMelson).Hashtags—stop groaning! You knew I was going to include this one. A hashtag is a number sign (#) that’s put in front of a group of letters and/or numbers. This makes that particular topic searchable anywhere within the Twitter universe. There is a specific number of hashtags that’s ideal. For the highest number of shares, use two. One is good, two is best, three or more is not so good. If you’re still a little foggy on hashtags, here’s a post on Popular Twitter Hashtags and How toUse Them. A link—if you’re referencing something you’ve found online, you’ll want to include the URL. Be sure to shorten the link. Hootsuite will do it for you, but if you don’t use Hootsuite or a scheduling program, I recommend www.bitly.com. If you’re just posting a question or a quote, there’s not always a reason to include a link.
Format Your TweetThere is a general order in the way you arrange the components of your tweet.
Do NOT start your tweet off with an @ sign (Like @EdieMelson) unless you are replying to something I said. A reply tweet will only be seen by those who follow you and the person you’re replying to.
Hashtags can be used at the beginning, middle or end or your tweet. But the best way to use them is organically, within the body of the tweet, whenever possible. Second would be toward the end. Lastly, at the beginning.
Finally, we all know Twitter limits tweets to 140 characters. But I do NOT recommend you use all 140 characters. For one, if someone retweets your update, something will get lopped off the end of the tweet because the retweeters info will be added to the beginning of the tweet.
So ideally, keep your tweet to under 120 characters. But remember, this is just a guideline, not a hard and fast rule!
Here's the order I tend to like best:HeadlineAttributionLinkHashtags
Example and ExplanationHere is a tweet I composed for this post:
Tips to help you compose the (almost) perfect #tweet – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson
Breaking it Down: Tips to help you compose the (almost) perfect tweet every time—is my headline, my attention grabber.
#Tweet and #SocialMedia—are the two hashtags I’ve chosen to use. They reflect the focus of the tweet and are popular hashtags.
@EdieMelson—is my attribution. I used it in this tweet because I’m composing the tweet for ClickToTweet, which means someone else will be sending the tweet out. If I was just sending this out, I would NOT use @EdieMelson because the tweet would originate with my Twitter account and everyone already knows it’s me.
http://bit.ly/1rZ46sN—is my shortened URL or Link. This URL will take the person clicking on it directly to this post.
Common Questions:1. What if the blog post I'm referencing is a guest post, which attribution do I use?If possible, it's good to use both attributions. Here's how I would handle that:
Is Your Manuscript Written to Death? - via @VaughnRoycroft on @WriterUnboxed owl.li/xHH8x #amwriting
2. What if the person I'm referencing doesn't have a Twitter handle or I don't have time to research it? People who don't include their social media info is a big pet peeve of mine. If it's not easy to find, or you can't find it, just use the person's name.
3. What if I don't have room for everything? This happens frequently with Twitter. After all, we only have 140 characters. If I don't have time to include the author of the post and the blog name, I prioritize and use the author's name. If I don't have room to use two hashtags, I only use one. The key is to stay flexible and don't overthink this.
4. Do I have to always use two hashtags? No, use the hashtags that make sense and what you have room for.
Now it's your turn. What questions do you have about composing Tweets? Be sure to leave your comments in the section below.
And don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings, Edie
TWEETABLESTips to help you compose the (almost) perfect #tweet – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Not sure how to compose a #tweet effectively? #SocialMedia mentor @EdieMelson shares the tips you need (Click to Tweet)
Twitter, as many of you already know, is my Social Media Sweet Spot—my easy button, if you will. It’s my go-to place to send and receive information. I know that Twitter is NOT the sweet spot for many of you reading this blog.
Part of that is because you’re not really sure what constitutes a good tweet. You’ve heard just enough about hashtags and twitter etiquette to make you cringe at the thought of composing your own tweet. So rather than failing, you either stick to retweeting what others share or just pass on the whole thing.
Today, I’m going to break it down for you and share my tips to composing the (almost) perfect tweet every time.
Twitter BasicsI have four types of updates I share on Twitter (and all social media).An insightful quote or thought.A question to get the conversation started or make us think.Something funny, because let’s face it, we all need to laugh.A link to information I find valuable and think will enrich your life.
But What IS a Perfect Tweet?The definition can vary widely, depending on who you ask. But since you’re reading my post, I’m going to give you my definition.
A perfect tweet makes someone’s life a little bit better, and does so in a way that’s easy to share with others.
Components of a Perfect TweetThere are certain things that good tweets have. Not every tweet will have every one of these, but here are the list of things that make a tweet good.An attention grabbing headline—this is the main focus of your tweet and can be a statement or a question. It makes others what to learn more, take action, join the conversation and/or share what they’ve read.A clear attribution—I’m a writer, so authorship is important to me. If someone says something brilliant, I really want them to get the credit. So when possible, I include the person’s name and/or twitter handle. (A twitter handle is your Twitter user name. My Twitter handle is @EdieMelson).Hashtags—stop groaning! You knew I was going to include this one. A hashtag is a number sign (#) that’s put in front of a group of letters and/or numbers. This makes that particular topic searchable anywhere within the Twitter universe. There is a specific number of hashtags that’s ideal. For the highest number of shares, use two. One is good, two is best, three or more is not so good. If you’re still a little foggy on hashtags, here’s a post on Popular Twitter Hashtags and How toUse Them. A link—if you’re referencing something you’ve found online, you’ll want to include the URL. Be sure to shorten the link. Hootsuite will do it for you, but if you don’t use Hootsuite or a scheduling program, I recommend www.bitly.com. If you’re just posting a question or a quote, there’s not always a reason to include a link.
Format Your TweetThere is a general order in the way you arrange the components of your tweet.Do NOT start your tweet off with an @ sign (Like @EdieMelson) unless you are replying to something I said. A reply tweet will only be seen by those who follow you and the person you’re replying to.
Hashtags can be used at the beginning, middle or end or your tweet. But the best way to use them is organically, within the body of the tweet, whenever possible. Second would be toward the end. Lastly, at the beginning.
Finally, we all know Twitter limits tweets to 140 characters. But I do NOT recommend you use all 140 characters. For one, if someone retweets your update, something will get lopped off the end of the tweet because the retweeters info will be added to the beginning of the tweet.
So ideally, keep your tweet to under 120 characters. But remember, this is just a guideline, not a hard and fast rule!
Here's the order I tend to like best:HeadlineAttributionLinkHashtags
Example and ExplanationHere is a tweet I composed for this post:
Tips to help you compose the (almost) perfect #tweet – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson
Breaking it Down: Tips to help you compose the (almost) perfect tweet every time—is my headline, my attention grabber.
#Tweet and #SocialMedia—are the two hashtags I’ve chosen to use. They reflect the focus of the tweet and are popular hashtags.
@EdieMelson—is my attribution. I used it in this tweet because I’m composing the tweet for ClickToTweet, which means someone else will be sending the tweet out. If I was just sending this out, I would NOT use @EdieMelson because the tweet would originate with my Twitter account and everyone already knows it’s me.
http://bit.ly/1rZ46sN—is my shortened URL or Link. This URL will take the person clicking on it directly to this post.
Common Questions:1. What if the blog post I'm referencing is a guest post, which attribution do I use?If possible, it's good to use both attributions. Here's how I would handle that:
Is Your Manuscript Written to Death? - via @VaughnRoycroft on @WriterUnboxed owl.li/xHH8x #amwriting
2. What if the person I'm referencing doesn't have a Twitter handle or I don't have time to research it? People who don't include their social media info is a big pet peeve of mine. If it's not easy to find, or you can't find it, just use the person's name.
3. What if I don't have room for everything? This happens frequently with Twitter. After all, we only have 140 characters. If I don't have time to include the author of the post and the blog name, I prioritize and use the author's name. If I don't have room to use two hashtags, I only use one. The key is to stay flexible and don't overthink this.
4. Do I have to always use two hashtags? No, use the hashtags that make sense and what you have room for.
Now it's your turn. What questions do you have about composing Tweets? Be sure to leave your comments in the section below.
And don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings, Edie
TWEETABLESTips to help you compose the (almost) perfect #tweet – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Not sure how to compose a #tweet effectively? #SocialMedia mentor @EdieMelson shares the tips you need (Click to Tweet)
June 8, 2014
Weekend Worship—Is it Failure or Actually Fruit in Disguise?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23
photo courtesy of Mary DenmanWhile I was at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear about other authors’ journeys to publication.
As we compared routes, I noticed many similarities to my own. Most were like mine—not a direct route—but a circuitous trip full of bumps and detours. Frequently a writer's path is littered with broken dreams and shattered expectations.
In the past I would have called them failures.
As I listened, I reflected on those instances in my life that I'd always labeled as failures and shortcomings. Now, in the light of the successes those detours had brought, I saw them as opportunities to grow and learn.Those times of waiting had become patience.The weeks—and sometimes months of—frustration had become discipline.The heart-breaking rejections became joy.
All those difficult circumstances had been used by God to teach me things I lacked, as well as giving me compassion for others on similar journeys.
Somewhere along the way, God used the seeds of failure to grow fruit in my life.
Today I challenge you to look at those things you’ve labeled failure, and notice the fruit that’s now begun to grow.
photo courtesy of Mary DenmanWhile I was at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear about other authors’ journeys to publication. As we compared routes, I noticed many similarities to my own. Most were like mine—not a direct route—but a circuitous trip full of bumps and detours. Frequently a writer's path is littered with broken dreams and shattered expectations.
In the past I would have called them failures.
As I listened, I reflected on those instances in my life that I'd always labeled as failures and shortcomings. Now, in the light of the successes those detours had brought, I saw them as opportunities to grow and learn.Those times of waiting had become patience.The weeks—and sometimes months of—frustration had become discipline.The heart-breaking rejections became joy.All those difficult circumstances had been used by God to teach me things I lacked, as well as giving me compassion for others on similar journeys.
Somewhere along the way, God used the seeds of failure to grow fruit in my life.
Today I challenge you to look at those things you’ve labeled failure, and notice the fruit that’s now begun to grow.
June 7, 2014
Social Media Image—June is PTSD Awareness Month—Please Share!
Help spread the word about the thousands who are still suffering. If you want to know more, here's a link to the National Center for PTSD.
Too many bring the burden of war home—June is PTSD Awareness Month.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
Too many bring the burden of war home—June is PTSD Awareness Month.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
June 6, 2014
Life Lessons—Finding the Good in a Bad Critique
by Edie Melson
Critique
—just mention of the word can make me break out in hives. Don’t get me wrong, I really like to get feedback on my writing, as long as it’s positive.
But there’s the rub, a steady diet of positive critiques alone doesn’t help me grow as a writer.
Now, I’m not one of those who believe positive feedback is worthless. I like to know what I’m doing well, so I can do more of it. But, I also want to know where I need improvement.
To that end, you might say I’m a glutton for punishment. I regularly enter pieces in contests. I’m a member of a monthly critique group and a member of an intensive, weekly critique group. And that doesn’t count all the rejection letters I have in my files from articles and manuscripts that haven’t made the grade. I’ve definitely had my fair share of painful critiques. But this post isn’t an invitation to a pity party. I just want to share some of my coping techniques that I use for finding the good in a bad critique.
Take it in, then let it sit – I have to have time to process negative comments. (I don’t seem to need the same time to process the positive ones—go figure). I usually go back and reread the negative comments 48 hours later and that gives me the perspective to know what I need to do to improve.Realize you’re in control – ultimately it’s your story and you can decide what works and what doesn’t. Just because a critique partner says it doesn’t work, doesn’t mean she’s right. You get to make the call.Seek out a second opinion – sometimes I don’t know if a comment is truly valid or not. When that happens, I ask several people I respect for their opinion. If one person stumbles over a sentence, it’s not a big deal. But if half the people you show it to stumble, you probably need to do something.Be polite – generally, someone who takes the time to critique your work wants you to succeed. It helps make the negative comments easier to take if you remind yourself of that. Occasionally you’ll run across someone who rips your manuscript to shreds just to prove how smart they are. It happens to all of us and we just have to consider the source of the critique and move on.So don’t be afraid to show others your work. Ultimately, no matter how painful, it will improve your writing. I’ve published four books and thousands of articles. And I can assure you that all those painful critiques are a large part of my success.
Now it’s your turn. What tips do you have for processing a negative critique?
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESAccepting critiques is part of the process of improving as a writer - @EdieMelson has some tips to help (Click to Tweet)
Writing Tips: How to find the good in a bad critique - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Critique
—just mention of the word can make me break out in hives. Don’t get me wrong, I really like to get feedback on my writing, as long as it’s positive. But there’s the rub, a steady diet of positive critiques alone doesn’t help me grow as a writer.
Now, I’m not one of those who believe positive feedback is worthless. I like to know what I’m doing well, so I can do more of it. But, I also want to know where I need improvement.
To that end, you might say I’m a glutton for punishment. I regularly enter pieces in contests. I’m a member of a monthly critique group and a member of an intensive, weekly critique group. And that doesn’t count all the rejection letters I have in my files from articles and manuscripts that haven’t made the grade. I’ve definitely had my fair share of painful critiques. But this post isn’t an invitation to a pity party. I just want to share some of my coping techniques that I use for finding the good in a bad critique.
Take it in, then let it sit – I have to have time to process negative comments. (I don’t seem to need the same time to process the positive ones—go figure). I usually go back and reread the negative comments 48 hours later and that gives me the perspective to know what I need to do to improve.Realize you’re in control – ultimately it’s your story and you can decide what works and what doesn’t. Just because a critique partner says it doesn’t work, doesn’t mean she’s right. You get to make the call.Seek out a second opinion – sometimes I don’t know if a comment is truly valid or not. When that happens, I ask several people I respect for their opinion. If one person stumbles over a sentence, it’s not a big deal. But if half the people you show it to stumble, you probably need to do something.Be polite – generally, someone who takes the time to critique your work wants you to succeed. It helps make the negative comments easier to take if you remind yourself of that. Occasionally you’ll run across someone who rips your manuscript to shreds just to prove how smart they are. It happens to all of us and we just have to consider the source of the critique and move on.So don’t be afraid to show others your work. Ultimately, no matter how painful, it will improve your writing. I’ve published four books and thousands of articles. And I can assure you that all those painful critiques are a large part of my success.Now it’s your turn. What tips do you have for processing a negative critique?
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESAccepting critiques is part of the process of improving as a writer - @EdieMelson has some tips to help (Click to Tweet)
Writing Tips: How to find the good in a bad critique - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
June 5, 2014
Thursday Review—Observations about Writing on a Deadline
by Lynn H. Blackburn @lynnhblackburn
I’m on a deadline y’all, so this is going to be brief.
I’ve never been on a real deadline before, but I entered a contest and next thing I know, BOOM! Full manuscript due June 9th. Which is awesome. Or it would have been if I hadn’t had to rewrite pretty much the whole novel.
I’ve been churning out 2K words a day for weeks and I’ve made a few, let’s call them “observations,” regarding writing to a deadline.Here ya goIf you have a “no caffeine after lunch” rule, you’re just going to have to let that go. Your new mantra? “It’s 6 A.M. somewhere.”
If your caffeinated beverage of choice comes with a hefty helping of sweetener and a generous glob of whip, say goodbye to your skinny jeans. Or switch to unsweetened tea. These are the only two options.You’d better enjoy whatever seasonal decorations you’ve got going when deadline season hits, because you’re still going to be enjoying them when it ends. Easter decorations are still cute in June, right?Gift cards make great gifts, and they are usually available wherever chocolate and pain relievers are sold. Bonus!
This is not the time to decide to increase your water intake. If you’re trying to stick to a certain amount of BIC (butt-in-chair) time, all that fruit infused water you’re sucking back is going to cause you a world of pain. Ask me how I know.Writing rituals are good. Need a certain pair of pants or the perfect tunes to get the words flowing? Roll with it. My new favorite motto? “It’s only crazy if it doesn’t work.” But be warned. Rituals that involve pastries are a good way to gain ten pounds. Rituals that involve your favorite coffee shop are a good way to go broke. Rituals that involve pastries AND your favorite coffee shop? No bueno my friends.Takeout menus and drive-thru windows are things of beauty. My deadline hit during May and if that statement didn’t cause to shake your head in dismay then I can tell you do not have school-aged children because anyone with young kids knows May is the new December and it will kick your rear even if you don’t have a deadline. (Did you notice how I made that all one long sentence? I’m writing this in May and I do not have time for proper punctuation). Make life easier. Order a pizza. Hit a (drive-thru and grab another tea. You’re gonna need it.
That’s all I’ve got.
So help a girl out. Give me some more tips. What have you learned while writing on deadline?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Lynn
TWEETABLES
Caffeinated beverages & takeout - just 2 necessities you'll need when writing on a deadline - via @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)
Observations about writing on a deadline - via @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (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.
I’m on a deadline y’all, so this is going to be brief.I’ve never been on a real deadline before, but I entered a contest and next thing I know, BOOM! Full manuscript due June 9th. Which is awesome. Or it would have been if I hadn’t had to rewrite pretty much the whole novel.
I’ve been churning out 2K words a day for weeks and I’ve made a few, let’s call them “observations,” regarding writing to a deadline.Here ya goIf you have a “no caffeine after lunch” rule, you’re just going to have to let that go. Your new mantra? “It’s 6 A.M. somewhere.”
If your caffeinated beverage of choice comes with a hefty helping of sweetener and a generous glob of whip, say goodbye to your skinny jeans. Or switch to unsweetened tea. These are the only two options.You’d better enjoy whatever seasonal decorations you’ve got going when deadline season hits, because you’re still going to be enjoying them when it ends. Easter decorations are still cute in June, right?Gift cards make great gifts, and they are usually available wherever chocolate and pain relievers are sold. Bonus!
This is not the time to decide to increase your water intake. If you’re trying to stick to a certain amount of BIC (butt-in-chair) time, all that fruit infused water you’re sucking back is going to cause you a world of pain. Ask me how I know.Writing rituals are good. Need a certain pair of pants or the perfect tunes to get the words flowing? Roll with it. My new favorite motto? “It’s only crazy if it doesn’t work.” But be warned. Rituals that involve pastries are a good way to gain ten pounds. Rituals that involve your favorite coffee shop are a good way to go broke. Rituals that involve pastries AND your favorite coffee shop? No bueno my friends.Takeout menus and drive-thru windows are things of beauty. My deadline hit during May and if that statement didn’t cause to shake your head in dismay then I can tell you do not have school-aged children because anyone with young kids knows May is the new December and it will kick your rear even if you don’t have a deadline. (Did you notice how I made that all one long sentence? I’m writing this in May and I do not have time for proper punctuation). Make life easier. Order a pizza. Hit a (drive-thru and grab another tea. You’re gonna need it.That’s all I’ve got.
So help a girl out. Give me some more tips. What have you learned while writing on deadline?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Lynn
TWEETABLES
Caffeinated beverages & takeout - just 2 necessities you'll need when writing on a deadline - via @LynnHBlackburn (Click to Tweet)
Observations about writing on a deadline - via @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (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.June 4, 2014
Write Better Dialogue by Brushing Up on Your Eavesdropping Skills
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I read somewhere once that good dialogue is a conversation with the boring parts taken out. I completely agree. Just record and transcribe a normal conversation and you’ll see that it isn’t all that interesting to read without a lot of judicious editing.
But even armed with that knowledge, how do we as writers, determine what’s boring and what’s not? That’s a skill that takes practice.
I believe good dialogue is more like music than anything else. We start with the rules, learning the craft and the technique. But to become masters we must develop an ear, a sense if you will, of what translates well to the page and what does not.
Today I’m addressing how to develop an ear for dialogue. The foundation for that lies in eavesdropping. Although we rarely reproduce something we hear word-for-word. There is a natural cadence to dialogue that comes only by listening. We must learn to edit dialogue down to its essence without loosing that rhythm.
Tools of the Trade
Professional eavesdroppers need tools to be effective. It does us no good to hear a great conversation if we can’t remember it. So I encourage you to always have some way to record those overheard gems. You can, and should, use several things:Pen and Paper.Digital Recorder.Smart Phone Apps (note taking apps, recording apps, even capturing images).
Be sure to take time to practice with these tools. Keep several with you because your circumstances will often dictate the one best suited for the occasion. For example, it’s hard (and potentially deadly) to use paper and pen when you’re driving.
Places to Practice the Craft of Professional Eavesdropping
There are a lot of places to practice the craft of professional eavesdropping. Pretty much any place two people can hold a conversation will do. But my time is limited, so I try to search out the places that have the best conversations when I’m on a dialogue hunt. Coffee shops:people tend to bare their souls to one another over coffee. This makes for a great environment for juicy tidbits.Places where preschoolers and parents gather: Are any of you old enough to remember the television show hosted by Art Linkletter,
Kids Say the Darndest Things?
Whether you do or not, it’s true. And conversations between kids and adults are ripe with quotable bits.The radio: I know, I’m really showing my age in this post. But talk radio, or even radio programs with multiple hosts are good.
Things to Listen ForA colloquialism—that turn of phrase that immediately sets the reader in a specific geographic region or time-frame.The differences between men and women—how they talk, that is. Men use different words from women. Words like precious, lovely, and polka dot tend to only be found coming from the mouths of women. There are exceptions, but you get the idea.The length of time each person spends talking before the other person interrupts. This is fascinating to me. I had no idea we were such a rude society. We finish each other’s sentences, interject opinions and cut one another off with amazing regularity. And we rarely lecture.
Things to Watch For
Good dialogue isn’t just words in quotation marks. It’s also the descriptive bits that give us context to what is happening. This includes facial expressions, hand movements, body language, etc.Listen to the words and watch the faces. “You’re kidding.” Can be expressed with shock, awe, mortification, anger, any number of emotions. Decipher what exactly it is that tells you the emotion of the person delivering the exclamation. Then make a note of it.Look at the position of the speakers in relation to each other. Do they lean in? Lean out? Does one of them seem annoyed, how can you tell. These are the small things that make great books.I could have gone twice as long with this post because I’m fascinated by this subject. But now I’d like to hear from you. Have you eavesdropped on any interesting conversations lately? What insight have you gleaned that you can transfer to your writing?
Don’t forget to join the conversationBlessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESLearn to Write Better Dialogue by Brushing up on your eavesdropping skills - via author @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Eavesdropping can help you write better - author @EdieMelson shares why & how! (Click to Tweet)
I read somewhere once that good dialogue is a conversation with the boring parts taken out. I completely agree. Just record and transcribe a normal conversation and you’ll see that it isn’t all that interesting to read without a lot of judicious editing.But even armed with that knowledge, how do we as writers, determine what’s boring and what’s not? That’s a skill that takes practice.
I believe good dialogue is more like music than anything else. We start with the rules, learning the craft and the technique. But to become masters we must develop an ear, a sense if you will, of what translates well to the page and what does not.
Today I’m addressing how to develop an ear for dialogue. The foundation for that lies in eavesdropping. Although we rarely reproduce something we hear word-for-word. There is a natural cadence to dialogue that comes only by listening. We must learn to edit dialogue down to its essence without loosing that rhythm.
Tools of the Trade
Professional eavesdroppers need tools to be effective. It does us no good to hear a great conversation if we can’t remember it. So I encourage you to always have some way to record those overheard gems. You can, and should, use several things:Pen and Paper.Digital Recorder.Smart Phone Apps (note taking apps, recording apps, even capturing images). Be sure to take time to practice with these tools. Keep several with you because your circumstances will often dictate the one best suited for the occasion. For example, it’s hard (and potentially deadly) to use paper and pen when you’re driving.
Places to Practice the Craft of Professional Eavesdropping
There are a lot of places to practice the craft of professional eavesdropping. Pretty much any place two people can hold a conversation will do. But my time is limited, so I try to search out the places that have the best conversations when I’m on a dialogue hunt. Coffee shops:people tend to bare their souls to one another over coffee. This makes for a great environment for juicy tidbits.Places where preschoolers and parents gather: Are any of you old enough to remember the television show hosted by Art Linkletter,
Kids Say the Darndest Things?
Whether you do or not, it’s true. And conversations between kids and adults are ripe with quotable bits.The radio: I know, I’m really showing my age in this post. But talk radio, or even radio programs with multiple hosts are good.Things to Listen ForA colloquialism—that turn of phrase that immediately sets the reader in a specific geographic region or time-frame.The differences between men and women—how they talk, that is. Men use different words from women. Words like precious, lovely, and polka dot tend to only be found coming from the mouths of women. There are exceptions, but you get the idea.The length of time each person spends talking before the other person interrupts. This is fascinating to me. I had no idea we were such a rude society. We finish each other’s sentences, interject opinions and cut one another off with amazing regularity. And we rarely lecture.
Things to Watch For
Good dialogue isn’t just words in quotation marks. It’s also the descriptive bits that give us context to what is happening. This includes facial expressions, hand movements, body language, etc.Listen to the words and watch the faces. “You’re kidding.” Can be expressed with shock, awe, mortification, anger, any number of emotions. Decipher what exactly it is that tells you the emotion of the person delivering the exclamation. Then make a note of it.Look at the position of the speakers in relation to each other. Do they lean in? Lean out? Does one of them seem annoyed, how can you tell. These are the small things that make great books.I could have gone twice as long with this post because I’m fascinated by this subject. But now I’d like to hear from you. Have you eavesdropped on any interesting conversations lately? What insight have you gleaned that you can transfer to your writing?Don’t forget to join the conversationBlessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESLearn to Write Better Dialogue by Brushing up on your eavesdropping skills - via author @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Eavesdropping can help you write better - author @EdieMelson shares why & how! (Click to Tweet)
June 3, 2014
Indie Tuesday—Create Your Own Shareable Memes
by Jessica Keller
@AuthorKeller
By now I’m sure you’ve heard the term “meme” tossed around when it comes to using many of the social media sites Charity and I will be covering in the coming weeks. Marketing professionals have embraced the use of memes because they’ve realized the viral power these graphics can have. When I launched
Saving Yesterday
, I created shareable memes and people told me they bought my book solely based on seeing one of my memes. Today, I’m going to show you a free and easy way to create your own shareable memes.
A meme I made for my latest release. This one got a lot of shares!I use a free and easy online program called PicMonkey. They’ve made it so simple it’s almost impossible to mess up creating content using this site. When you get to the site, click “edit a photo” and choose a picture from your computer to start working on. When you’re done with your meme, make sure to give it a different name than your original file or you’ll lose your original. I’m not doing anything fancy today—just showing the nuts and bolts of this program and making it less scary to try.
Speaking of scary—the main thing that keeps people from creating their own content is the fear of copyright problems. My best advice is to take your own pictures and use them. If you want to make a meme about writing, I’m sure you have old books that you can stack haphazardly and snap a photo of (or go to a thrift store and snap a photo). When you’re out and about, take photos of anything interesting (anything—cool light posts, brick walls—you name it). Another way to deal with copyright is to purchase your pictures. Be careful about creative commons. If you have concerns, read this post about Copyright Fair Use and How it Works Online.
Original. Snapped while the car was in motion.
Cropped. Used 'sharpen and clarity.' Foggy boarder and a phrase. Done.
For the purpose of today’s post I snapped two (horrible) pictures using my smartphone. Seriously. I am not a photographer. Do not hire me to do your wedding. But my terrible camera skills help show off the beauty of PicMonkey. I spent less than two minutes from upload to save to make each of these.
Sharpen and clarity become your two best friends in PicMonkey. Use them liberally (see how the flag *pops* in the second picture?).
Original. Snapped while pushing my daughter in her stroller.
Cropped. Used 'sharpen/clarity.' And added a phrase. DoneBefore you save, double check your spelling, grammar, and see if you left a word out. Nothing gets a bigger eye roll from me than an author who puts out a meme with a glaring error. Once you create a meme, upload it to your
blog/website if you can (NOT straight to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest). If you share them on social media from your blog/website, then every click links back to you.
Any questions? Have you seen authors use memes well? Do you find yourself afraid of copyright issues? What are your favorite sites for finding pictures?
TWEETABLES
Learn the free & easy way to make your own memes. #IndieTuesday #marketing via @authorkeller @ediemelson (Click to Tweet)
Use memes as a free & easy way to market your book. #IndieTuesday #marketing #publishing via @authorkeller @ediemelson (Click to Tweet)
Jessica Keller holds degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies. She is multi-published in both Young Adult Fiction and 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.
By now I’m sure you’ve heard the term “meme” tossed around when it comes to using many of the social media sites Charity and I will be covering in the coming weeks. Marketing professionals have embraced the use of memes because they’ve realized the viral power these graphics can have. When I launched
Saving Yesterday
, I created shareable memes and people told me they bought my book solely based on seeing one of my memes. Today, I’m going to show you a free and easy way to create your own shareable memes. 
A meme I made for my latest release. This one got a lot of shares!I use a free and easy online program called PicMonkey. They’ve made it so simple it’s almost impossible to mess up creating content using this site. When you get to the site, click “edit a photo” and choose a picture from your computer to start working on. When you’re done with your meme, make sure to give it a different name than your original file or you’ll lose your original. I’m not doing anything fancy today—just showing the nuts and bolts of this program and making it less scary to try.Speaking of scary—the main thing that keeps people from creating their own content is the fear of copyright problems. My best advice is to take your own pictures and use them. If you want to make a meme about writing, I’m sure you have old books that you can stack haphazardly and snap a photo of (or go to a thrift store and snap a photo). When you’re out and about, take photos of anything interesting (anything—cool light posts, brick walls—you name it). Another way to deal with copyright is to purchase your pictures. Be careful about creative commons. If you have concerns, read this post about Copyright Fair Use and How it Works Online.
Original. Snapped while the car was in motion.
Cropped. Used 'sharpen and clarity.' Foggy boarder and a phrase. Done.For the purpose of today’s post I snapped two (horrible) pictures using my smartphone. Seriously. I am not a photographer. Do not hire me to do your wedding. But my terrible camera skills help show off the beauty of PicMonkey. I spent less than two minutes from upload to save to make each of these.
Sharpen and clarity become your two best friends in PicMonkey. Use them liberally (see how the flag *pops* in the second picture?).
Original. Snapped while pushing my daughter in her stroller.
Cropped. Used 'sharpen/clarity.' And added a phrase. DoneBefore you save, double check your spelling, grammar, and see if you left a word out. Nothing gets a bigger eye roll from me than an author who puts out a meme with a glaring error. Once you create a meme, upload it to your 
blog/website if you can (NOT straight to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest). If you share them on social media from your blog/website, then every click links back to you.Any questions? Have you seen authors use memes well? Do you find yourself afraid of copyright issues? What are your favorite sites for finding pictures?
TWEETABLES
Learn the free & easy way to make your own memes. #IndieTuesday #marketing via @authorkeller @ediemelson (Click to Tweet)
Use memes as a free & easy way to market your book. #IndieTuesday #marketing #publishing via @authorkeller @ediemelson (Click to Tweet)
Jessica Keller holds degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies. She is multi-published in both Young Adult Fiction and 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.
June 2, 2014
Social Media Monday—What FINDING BIGFOOT Taught Me About Growing My Social Media Network
by Edie Melson
I have a dark secret to confess.
I’m a HUGE
Finding Bigfoot
fan. I don’t watch many reality television shows, but I never miss an episode of this show. No, I’m not a particular Bigfoot believer or naysayer. I’ve never had a Bigfoot encounter. Truthfully, I’m at as much of a loss to explain my fascination as my long-suffering husband is.
A new season is about to begin (June 6) and as my husband begins to roll his eyes and make disparaging remarks, I feel my own excitement building.
So in anticipation of the upcoming evenings with Bobo, Ranae, Matt and Cliff, I’m going to share what this show has taught me about growing my social media network.
1. Sharing your passion can make you irresistible. I really think it’s the four BFRO (Bigfoot Field Research Organization) members who keep me coming back episode after episode. The same magic can happen when you open yourself up and let others see your passion through social media.
2. Expertise doesn’t always look the part. These guys don’t look like what you might think researchers should look like. But they have decades of experience with this one subject. We each have different life experiences and those have made us experts in unlikely ways. Embrace that expertise and share it with those you interact with through social media.
3. Keep it real. These four, and others who appear with them, aren’t worried about looking foolish or even a little bit silly. They are who they are and they’re not trying to be anything else. The social media audience today is skeptical and can spot a fake a mile away. This isn’t the place to be fake.
4. The real joy is in the journey. Truthfully, I think finding irrefutable evidence of Bigfoot might be just a bit anticlimactic at this point. The same can be said of social media. There’s no magic number of followers or interactions that signals an end to the journey. The point IS the journey.
5. Embrace the slang. These shows have spawned a lot of additions to popular slang—from the now common acronym BFRO to Squatch, the slang term for Bigfoot. Speaking the language is part of being in the club. The same is true for social media. Learn the lingo and join the fun.
6. Don’t take yourself too seriously. These cast member know that for all their expertise, they’re still searching for Bigfoot. On social media, it’s important not to take ourselves too seriously either. Lighten up and don’t be afraid to show some of the goofy things you do. (Like being a huge fan of Finding Bigfoot!)
7. Treat others with respect, no matter how far-out their ideas. Part of the premise for the show involves interacting with others who’ve had Bigfoot sightings. Some of those interviewed are a wee-bit less than credible. But they are always treated with respect. There are all kinds of folks on social media. Respect them, no matter whether or not you agree with them.
8. Sharing the journey with like-minded people makes all the difference. These are four unlikely sojourners, but they share the same passion. Their camaraderie is part of the allure of the show. Banding together with others on social media can increase your reach and help you out when your own numbers falter.
9. Never give up. These Bigfoot hunters have been at this for years. With social media, numbers will ebb and flow. The ONLY way to fail, though, it to quit.
Now it’s your turn. Are you a fan of Finding Bigfoot or another random show? Share your passion here and lets take a little light-hearted joy in the journey!
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESWhat #FindingBigfoot Taught Me About Growing My Social MediaNetwork – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Don’t take yourself too seriously & other things I learnedabout #SocialMedia from #FindingBigfoot – @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
I have a dark secret to confess.
I’m a HUGE
Finding Bigfoot
fan. I don’t watch many reality television shows, but I never miss an episode of this show. No, I’m not a particular Bigfoot believer or naysayer. I’ve never had a Bigfoot encounter. Truthfully, I’m at as much of a loss to explain my fascination as my long-suffering husband is.A new season is about to begin (June 6) and as my husband begins to roll his eyes and make disparaging remarks, I feel my own excitement building.
So in anticipation of the upcoming evenings with Bobo, Ranae, Matt and Cliff, I’m going to share what this show has taught me about growing my social media network.
1. Sharing your passion can make you irresistible. I really think it’s the four BFRO (Bigfoot Field Research Organization) members who keep me coming back episode after episode. The same magic can happen when you open yourself up and let others see your passion through social media.
2. Expertise doesn’t always look the part. These guys don’t look like what you might think researchers should look like. But they have decades of experience with this one subject. We each have different life experiences and those have made us experts in unlikely ways. Embrace that expertise and share it with those you interact with through social media.3. Keep it real. These four, and others who appear with them, aren’t worried about looking foolish or even a little bit silly. They are who they are and they’re not trying to be anything else. The social media audience today is skeptical and can spot a fake a mile away. This isn’t the place to be fake.
4. The real joy is in the journey. Truthfully, I think finding irrefutable evidence of Bigfoot might be just a bit anticlimactic at this point. The same can be said of social media. There’s no magic number of followers or interactions that signals an end to the journey. The point IS the journey.
5. Embrace the slang. These shows have spawned a lot of additions to popular slang—from the now common acronym BFRO to Squatch, the slang term for Bigfoot. Speaking the language is part of being in the club. The same is true for social media. Learn the lingo and join the fun.6. Don’t take yourself too seriously. These cast member know that for all their expertise, they’re still searching for Bigfoot. On social media, it’s important not to take ourselves too seriously either. Lighten up and don’t be afraid to show some of the goofy things you do. (Like being a huge fan of Finding Bigfoot!)
7. Treat others with respect, no matter how far-out their ideas. Part of the premise for the show involves interacting with others who’ve had Bigfoot sightings. Some of those interviewed are a wee-bit less than credible. But they are always treated with respect. There are all kinds of folks on social media. Respect them, no matter whether or not you agree with them.
8. Sharing the journey with like-minded people makes all the difference. These are four unlikely sojourners, but they share the same passion. Their camaraderie is part of the allure of the show. Banding together with others on social media can increase your reach and help you out when your own numbers falter.9. Never give up. These Bigfoot hunters have been at this for years. With social media, numbers will ebb and flow. The ONLY way to fail, though, it to quit.
Now it’s your turn. Are you a fan of Finding Bigfoot or another random show? Share your passion here and lets take a little light-hearted joy in the journey!
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESWhat #FindingBigfoot Taught Me About Growing My Social MediaNetwork – via #socialmedia mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Don’t take yourself too seriously & other things I learnedabout #SocialMedia from #FindingBigfoot – @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
June 1, 2014
Weekend Worship—The Myth of Perfect Parenting
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
For anyone who has a child the thought of perfect parenting elicits a range of emotions, from hope to discouragement to outright terror.
We all hope we’ll be good parents, but most of us expect to fail in some ways. And every parent I’ve ever spoken with lives in fear of being such a bad parent they mess up their child permanently.
I’m writing this as I look back over my parenting journey. We have three grown sons, so the intense time of parenting is past. Sure we still give advice—when asked—but for the most part we’re finished.
Looking back was scary at first. I was afraid of the regrets and remorse I’d feel, from all the shoulda, woulda, coulda scenarios. But the process of evaluation wasn’t nearly as terror-inducing as I expected and I’d like to share some of the insights I gained.
The most important was that I looked back from the vantage point of standing beside God. By that I mean I prayed first and asked Him to share His perspective on my journey as a parent. He showed me several things I hadn’t noticed.
He reminded me that He wasn’t like the animated stork that I’d seen in the Bugs Bunny cartoons I watched on Saturday mornings growing up.
He NEVER delivered the wrong baby to the wrong parents.
He chose Kirk and I as parents for our boys before the beginning of time. And He did it knowing the mistakes we’d make, as well as the parts we’d get right. He used us, good and bad, to help shape our kids as they grew. I’d never considered that perspective before—that God chose us as much for our weaknesses as parents as for our strengths. I’d never thought of this verse in the context of parenting before.
Does that absolve us of guilt where we’ve been wrong? Absolutely not. But it gives me a hint that perhaps God is true to His word and can bring good out of bad.
The other thing He shared with me was the fact that perfect parents don’t guarantee perfect kids. I could have done every single thing right as a mother and because of free will, any of my sons could have chosen the wrong path.
How do I know this is true? Because God is perfect and look how we turned out. He did everything right, but we still chose to go our own way.
So when you look back (or ahead) as a parent, remember that your child’s future isn’t in your hands. God’s got this, and He always has.
For anyone who has a child the thought of perfect parenting elicits a range of emotions, from hope to discouragement to outright terror.We all hope we’ll be good parents, but most of us expect to fail in some ways. And every parent I’ve ever spoken with lives in fear of being such a bad parent they mess up their child permanently.
I’m writing this as I look back over my parenting journey. We have three grown sons, so the intense time of parenting is past. Sure we still give advice—when asked—but for the most part we’re finished.
Looking back was scary at first. I was afraid of the regrets and remorse I’d feel, from all the shoulda, woulda, coulda scenarios. But the process of evaluation wasn’t nearly as terror-inducing as I expected and I’d like to share some of the insights I gained.
The most important was that I looked back from the vantage point of standing beside God. By that I mean I prayed first and asked Him to share His perspective on my journey as a parent. He showed me several things I hadn’t noticed.
He reminded me that He wasn’t like the animated stork that I’d seen in the Bugs Bunny cartoons I watched on Saturday mornings growing up.He NEVER delivered the wrong baby to the wrong parents.
He chose Kirk and I as parents for our boys before the beginning of time. And He did it knowing the mistakes we’d make, as well as the parts we’d get right. He used us, good and bad, to help shape our kids as they grew. I’d never considered that perspective before—that God chose us as much for our weaknesses as parents as for our strengths. I’d never thought of this verse in the context of parenting before.
Does that absolve us of guilt where we’ve been wrong? Absolutely not. But it gives me a hint that perhaps God is true to His word and can bring good out of bad.
The other thing He shared with me was the fact that perfect parents don’t guarantee perfect kids. I could have done every single thing right as a mother and because of free will, any of my sons could have chosen the wrong path.How do I know this is true? Because God is perfect and look how we turned out. He did everything right, but we still chose to go our own way.
So when you look back (or ahead) as a parent, remember that your child’s future isn’t in your hands. God’s got this, and He always has.
