Edie Melson's Blog, page 415

Social Media Monday—How, and Why, to Backup Your Blog

by Edie Melson

I hope by now everyone knows the importance of backing up your work. If you’ve spent any time at all working on a computer you know all too well that gut-wrenching feeling when you’ve lost something you’ve written.
Not a pleasant thing.
Well, I hate to break it to you, but the same thing can happen with your blog. It doesn’t matter where it’s hosted, things can go wrong. And since backing up your blog is so simple, there’s really NOT an excuse not to do it.

So today I’m going to share how—and why—to backup your blog.
Backup your Blogger Blog1. Log into your Blogger dashboard and go to the blog you want to backup.2. Click SETTINGS.3. Under SETTINGS. Click OTHER. (see screenshot #1 below)
Screenshot #14. At the top of the page you’ll see BLOG TOOLS. Click EXPORT BLOG. (see screenshot #2 below)
Screenshot #25. I save my XML file of my blog in my Dropbox.
You can also backup your Blogger template—and I recommend you do if you have any kind of customization on it. Here’s how:
1. On the dashboard of your site, click TEMPLATE. (see screenshot #3 below)
Screenshot #32. Now click, DOWNLOAD FULL TEMPLATE. I save this file on my Dropbox as well. (see screenshot #4 below)
Screenshot #4
Backup  Your WordPress.com Blog1. Log into WordPress.com.2. Click MY BLOGS.3. Click DASHBOARD of the blog you want to backup.4. Look for TOOLS and hover your cursor over it. A drop-down menu will appear. Click EXPORT. (screenshots #5 and #6 below)
Screenshot #5
Screenshot #6
5. Again, I save my blog backup in my Dropbox.
Backup Your WordPress.org (self-hosted) Blog1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.2. Go to TOOLS, then EXPORT.3. Here you’ll have several choices. You can export all your content at once (posts AND pages) or you can choose to export them separately. 4. Once again, I would save these to my Dropbox.
As you can see. backing up your blog—no matter what kind you have—is easy to do. I’d love to know if posts like this one help and what other things you’d like to see me tackle.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESHow and why to back up your blog. . .  it's easier than you think - via Social Media Mentor @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Have you backed up your blog? It's easy & NECESSARY! @EdieMelson has step-by-step instructions (Click to Tweet)

Social Media Image—Christ is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter to you all! 
This will be my only post this weekend. I hope you all enjoy the holiday and never forget what we're truly celebrating.

...just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too
might walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:4Share 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

Writer Fuel—Tips to Help You Keep Going When You Don’t Feel Like It

by Edie Melson

As writers, most of us start our writing journey from a love of writing. It’s the way we process life. It’s an emotional driven process. But we can’t survive long on something that depends on how we feel. So we morph into serious writers and begin to write when we don’t necessarily feel like it. That’s when we all arrive at a crossroads of sort.
Am I going to choose to keep going when I don’t feel like it, or am I throwing in the towel?
I assume the majority of you reading this have passed through this intersection and are choosing to forge ahead. The decision to keep going is only part of the equation. Now you need the fuel to help you stay on track. These are a miscellaneous list of  environmental things, time management tips, even attitude adjustment hacks.Writer Fuel
Set up to write in a different location. This can be as simple as moving from your office to your back porch—or as radical as driving to a coffee shop
Take a walk. This will help in several ways. It will get your endorphins flowing and remove you from a place of frustration.
Write down your goals. Start at the 20,000 foot view, such as I want to write 40 books in the next 10 years. Then begin mapping out a way to do that. It will give you a sense of control in an industry where author control seems about as easy to find as the end of the rainbow.
Turn on some music. Just the rhythm and the beat can help you power through a tough spot in your writing.

Pick up your knitting. Or crochet, or your sketch book. Whatever other creative outlet you have, picking it up can give you that extra creative push you need.
Write down your fears. What is the worst that can happen if you move forward. Putting it on paper can show you how unreasonable most of what we’re afraid of truly is.
Call or text a friend (shout out to my own accountability partner Beth Vogt). Let another person speak truth into your life when you can’t see it for yourself.
Go see a movie. Sometimes the escaping to another world can reignite the creative spark inside us.
Take a look at your diet. NO, don’t go on a diet. Just make sure you’re eating healthy food that’s helping you stay focused. Keep healthy snacks around and drink plenty of water.
Pick up a camera. It doesn’t have to be a fancy one, use your phone if you want. And this tip isn’t just for those who consider themselves amateur (or professional) photographers.   Looking at the world through a camera can give you some interesting perspective and insight.
Sit down and tackle the writing you most fear and/or dread.What are you putting off doing? Is it working on your WIP, writing a blog post, whatever it is. Spend 15 minutes on it. And yes, set a timer. I don’t care if you write junk the entire 15 minutes, you’ll feel better for working past that dread.
Finally, and most important, reread something positive that someone wrote about your writing. Maybe a reader letter, a blog comment, or something from a crit partner. And a special note here—SAVE THESE THINGS! It’s not an ego trip, sometimes it’s just what you need when the voice in your head is whispering negative comments.
These are some of the things I do to fuel myself when the writing gets tough. What are some things you’d add to the list?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESWriter Fuel - @EdieMelson shares Tips to Help You Keep Going When You Don’t Feel Like It (Click to Tweet)
Are you doing everything you can to fuel your writer-self? @EdieMelson shares her own list to help keep moving forward.(Click to Tweet)

Don’t Limit Your Writing Options—Be Open to Trying Different Things BEFORE You Specialize

by Edie Melson

A lot of newer writers I meet find themselves overwhelmed with the myriad of opportunities in the field of writing. They struggle, trying to decide between writing articles, devotions, fiction, non-fiction, etc. Writing is a big field, and if you didn’t study some aspect of it in college, the choices can be daunting.
My suggestion—take a deep breath—you don’t have to start out with a specialty. As a matter of fact, until you’ve tried several different types of projects, you probably shouldn’t limit yourself too much. Even those of us with formal training find ourselves morphing into a different kind of writer than we envisioned at the start of our career.
Give yourself time to flex your wings. Try out different things. Write for the web, for print—even try your hand at a short story or flash fiction. Not only will variety help you determine the kind of writing you love, it will improve your ability overall. Here are some other tips to help you get started.Look for a writers group in your area. There may or may not be one, but if there is, it will help immensely. It gives you perspective when you see what others are doing and you’re able to ask questions. Take a look at what you like to read. What touches you? What do you find yourself saying, “If I could write anything, I’d write this?” The answer may surprise you and lead you down a different writing path.Determine what you want to accomplish with your writing. Is it to touch people, glorify God, earn a little extra money? The answer may not be all one thing, but you should have one that stands out from the others.
These tips will help make your choices easier. They will also help you determine where to go for further training. For example, I might recommend one book for a writer who wants to write devotions and a completely different one for someone who is interested in freelancing as a career.
The only problem with trying a lot of different things comes if you’re not completing anything. It’s important to follow through with your projects. Don’t worry if you’re getting a lot of small projects finished while you’re working on a big one. As long as you’re making forward progress on the big one, you’re doing okay.
So, bottom line, don’t be afraid of all the choices—embrace them! And don't be afraid to try more than one project at a time. Trust me, it can be done.
I’d love to hear from you. What kind of writing do you like to do? How did you discover it?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESDon’t limit your writing options – success may come where you least expect it you didn’t expect – via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Varying writing projects can lead to success - @EdieMelson shares how to do it & make forward progress. (Click to Tweet)

Dollars & Sense for Writers - Guidelines on Where & When to Spend Your Money - Part Five

This is an ongoing series designed to give writers guidelines on where & when to spend your money. 
If you missed the first four posts in the series you can find them here:PartOne: Which Organizations Should I Join & WhyPart Two: WhichBooks Should I Own and Which Should I Get at the Library—and What AboutMagazines, are They Still Relevant?Part Three:  How to EvaluateWriting Workshops & ClassesPartFour: When and How to Hire a Freelance Editor
Writing Conferences—When Am I Ready for One & Which One Should I choose
I have my favorites, of course! But just because they’re my favorites doesn’t mean they are the best choice for YOU. I’ve tried to break it all down and give you some things to consider so you can make an informed decision.
The first thing you should consider is your experience level. You need to look at where you are with your writing, that will be the biggest factor in your decision. As you look at the categories realize that your experience may overlap.
BeginnerNever submitted anything for publication.Hasn’t told many people he writes.Has submitted a couple of things, but nothing published.
Advanced BeginnerHas several rejection letters and a couple of acceptances.Is a member of a local or online writing group.Regularly reads articles or books about writing.
IntermediateHas attended a writers event (either a workshop, conference or online class).Has an idea of where he wants to go with his writing.Has been paid for his writing.
AdvancedSpends time each day working at the craft of writing and has an income derived from writing.Has definite goals and aspirations for his writing.
Once you know which group you fall into, it’s easier to evaluate each individual event. There are 2 reasons to attend a writers event.To learn more about the craft of writing
.To network with professionals within the writing world
.
Here’s a general breakdown of what is usually offered at each kind of event.
These events vary slightly, so the following information is generalized. You should read all brochures and websites carefully to know what to expect.
Large, National Writing ConferenceExpect lots of classes for a wide variety of writers - from beginner to advanced. Continuing Classes – these are classes that last for more than one class period and concentrate on one subject. Even though they are continuing, they rarely provide advanced information on a given subject.Workshops – these are classes that give an introduction to a concept (like dialogue, plot or setting).Breakouts or Panels – these are groups of professionals giving instruction on a given subject. The information here is usually very basic.Appointments with Faculty – most large conferences include a private appointment with a member of the faculty. This is where you would pitch a book or article idea to an editor. It can also be valuable to let a seasoned author look at your writing and give one-on-one feedback.
Regional or Local Writing ConferenceThese tend to have more classes for the beginner and advanced beginner writer, although there are exceptions. Depending on the length of time, the conference will follow the same basic setup as a national conference.
Workshop or Seminar Many of these are very specific in what they offer. They aren’t for a large number of writers and generally target the intermediate or advanced writer.
The important thing to remember is that it’s never a good idea to write in a vacuum. I have always tried to attend one large conference a year—as a student—to expose myself to the writing industry, both for networking and education. I also try to attend at least one focused workshop or seminar each year I and I try to keep my eyes open for online writing courses and take at least two a year.
Let's share our experiences with specific conferences and events. Leave comments about ones you've attended and how they've helped your writing journey.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESDollars & Sense for Writers - When Am I Ready fora Conference & Which One Should I choose – via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Thinking about attending a writing conference? @EdieMelson has some tipsfor you on Dollars & Sense for Writers (Click to Tweet)

Indie Tuesday—Are You Ready to Self-Publish?

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

Frantic heart palpitations. Occasional bouts of hyperventilation. Random sweating coupled with a coffee IV. Jolting awake in the middle of the night. Moments of confidence intermingled with countless instances of hiding under your desk. Are you ready to self-publish?

Sounds like fun, right? Well, that’s a normal day for an Indie author.

Don’t get me wrong, all publishing is difficult. I’m a hybrid author—meaning I have books and contracts with traditional publishers and then I also have books that I indie publish.
Indie publishing has often been referred to as the ‘easy way.’ But I’m here to tell you that self-publishing your book is a million times more gut-wrenching than trade publishing. It’s not for the faint of heart and because of that, it’s not a good route for everyone.

In the trade industry there’s a vetting system before a book is published. First you need to get an agent to believe that your writing is worth taking a risk on. Then both of you work to convince an editor at a publishing house to choose your manuscript as the one out of the thousands that they see every single year. Once they offer a contract, the story will go through multiple rounds of edits (for me it’s usually 2-3) with two different editors before it makes it to the printing press. 


Sure, the thoughts of “will anyone like my book?” and “what if no one buys it?” flitted through my mind when my debut was about to hit stores. But that was followed by a much stronger reassurance. An agent, a publishing board, and multiple editors all thought this was a good story and had all worked to improve it for more than a year before it hit store shelves. 

Indie authors have none of those encouragements. As an Indie, you decide when you believe your book is ready for readers. You choose how many edits it receives. And when you press “publish” there are no human assurances backing you up. When all goes live there is a chance that no one—absolutely no one—besides your mother will buy that book. Ever.

Why even take that risk?

Because I’m called to write and I’ll keep choosing to be faithful to that calling. It’s as simple as that. There are stories and characters that God has placed in my heart that don’t fit into the niche I write for in trade publishing, so I’ll put those books into the world through the vehicle of indie publishing.

Each time one of my indie books release I won’t have the comfortable security that I feel when one of my trade books comes out. But, last time I checked, not one person in the Bible with a God given calling had an easy time of it. Uphill battles, struggles, and set-backs are all road signs on the path to following your calling (no matter what that may be). 

If you’ve been through a rough patch on your journey lately, don’t lose heart. If writing is a talent God has given you and story is a passion He has placed in your heart—then pursue that dream with everything you have. 

Seek out the best information about both the trade industry and the self-publishing world, because you never know where your writing career will take you.

Where do you see your writing path taking you right now? Have you ever considered Indie Publishing? What fears do you have concerning the writing path you're on right now?

TWEETABLES
How do you know when you're ready to self-publish? #publishing #indie via @AuthorKeller (Click to Tweet)

Self Publishing: Why it should no longer be called the "easy way" to publish a book. #indie #publishing -via @authorkeller (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.

Social Media Monday—Get More out of a Writers conference by Plugging in with Social Media Before it Starts

by Edie Melson

Many writers have the mistaken idea that social networking is only beneficial online. Or that it only helps when you can’t be at an event. Not true.
While it’s true that social networking can help you plug in when you’re not at a conference or event—many miss the benefits of networking online before the conference begins.
Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll find:The ability to connect with others who’ll also be attending the conference. This can make coming to a huge event more like a reunion than a reason for anxiety medicine. The chance to find out what industry professionals are looking for in advance. It can also give you the opportunity to find out the way the interact with others and even some of their pet peeves.The opportunity for the faculty, staff, and other attendees to get to know you in a positive way. If you take the time to introduce yourself online and interact, you can already be ahead of the game when it comes to being remembered after the conference is over.The inside scoop. It’s an unwritten rule that the bigger the conference, the more last minute changes occur. You can be one of the first to know what’s happening and already have a plan in place before most of the attendees know what’s happening.So how do you make these valuable pre-conference connections? There are several ways and I recommend you use as many as you have time for. Not everyone is on all the social networks, so utilizing more than one can give you better results.
The very first place to start is on the conference website. As a conference director myself, I’m always amazed at the number of people who don’t take advantage of the resources we have on our site. It will definitely make you stand out in a good way if you take the time to read the info on the site.
So what info is valuable for social networking?First and foremost the conference blog. Frequently there’ll be guest posts from faculty with extra, valuable information. There also may be posts about the culture of the conference. By that I mean the expectations of those on staff and attending. What is the expected attire of attendees, are there any special events that require or expect attendees to dress up, even how many people will be there. ELoops. These are email loops that provide the opportunity for attendees to interact with each other and/or the staff and faculty. Some conferences have different loops for different genres, others have one general loop, and still others offer something for first-time attendees. You’ll never know what’s available unless you look.Conference Facebook Page.This is another opportunity to connect with attendees and faculty. Be sure to Like the page to take advantage of all the networking options.Conference Twitter Account.  This is a great account to follow on Twitter because of the information that can be gleaned. You’ll also be able to find out what the conference #Hashtags are. (A hashtag is a number sign in front of a group of letters, numbers, and/or words. There are no spaces within a hashtag  and this designation makes the hashtag searchable anywhere within the Twitter universe.)Faculty Page. On this page you should be able to find the websites and blogs of the faculty. Or, if they’re not listed, you’ll at least get the correct spelling to make your own research easier. So once you’ve exhausted the info on the conference site, then what? Why it’s on the faculty and staff. Here’s what to look for:Blogs and Websites: I start here because this is where most people go to find out about the faculty of a conference. Read the blogs and leave comments. The comments section is also a good place to eavesdrop and find other commenters who’ll be attending the conference. Facebook: Most people who have a blog have a way to connect with them on Facebook there. I don’t recommend you make professional relationships by Friending someone (requesting they become your friend on Facebook) but rather by Following their personal page or  Liking their professional page. You can comment on things they post their and continue the conversation you started on their blog. Once again, don’t neglect to notice who else is on there and whether or not they’ll be attending the conference.Twitter: With Twitter, the etiquette is slightly different so it’s a good idea to find all the faculty and  Follow  them on Twitter. It’s always a compliment to be mentioned on Twitter, so spread the word about blog posts and comments that have helped you.Google Plus, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc: All of these are good secondary routes to network prior to a conference, but I recommend them as a second line strategy rather than the first things you go to.While all of these things take time, they can exponentially increase the value of a single event. You’re spending good money to go a conference, take the time to get everything you can from it.
I'd love to know how you use social media to plug in before a conference. You can share your answers below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLES
Get more out of a writers conference by plugging in with #SocialMedia before it starts - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Use Social Media to get plugged into a writers conference BEFORE you arrive - via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Weekend Worship—The Stink of Death

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. II Corinthians 3:15 

Travel back in time with me as we watch Joseph and Nicodemus take the body of Jesus from the cross that fateful Friday and prepare it for burial. It must have taken valuable time to convince Pilate to let them have Him, but they managed. Nicodemus carried seventy five pounds of myrrh and spices to prepare the body. It was an offering worthy of a king—a dead king.


Imagine the tears they shed as they silently and gently lowered his broken body to the ground. See the abuse He suffered at the hands of his accusers. The beatings rendered Him almost unrecognizable as the blood and filth poured from His body. Still they loved Him so much.

Time was running out before the Sabbath began. They didn’t have time to prepare His body like they wanted, like He deserved. But at least there was an unused tomb in the garden close by. They took Him there and lovingly prepared His body. 

They tried to cover the stench of death with herbs and linen, but can you imagine the odor inside that dark, cramped tomb. The sickly sweet smell of myrrh combining with the overwhelming smell of blood and torture. As they worked, the smell must have seeped into their noses, hair and clothing, and when they left they took with them the odor of despair as they gathered with the others to celebrate an empty Sabbath.

Move ahead to Sunday morning, that very first Easter. Mary Magdalene has returned with the news that someone has stolen Jesus’ body. As the disciples race to the tomb a part of them must dread what they’ll find. But as John enters that resting place of the dead something besides Jesus’ body is missing.

In a place once redolent with the stink of death, there lies only the empty grave clothes and spices. Imagine the odor now—this place of death now carries the aroma of life.

Jesus led the way—He replaced the odor of death with the aroma of life. Now it’s up to us to let Him lead others down the same path through us. 

The question is, does our life carry the stink of death or the fragrance of life everlasting?

Social Media Image—Living Like it's Spring!

The calendar tells us spring has arrived. But I know much of the country is still wrapped in the tattered remains of a harsh winter. So often we can feel like we're living this phenomenon in our lives. 

How do you live like it's spring?

Despite the forecast, live like it's spring. - Lilly PulitzerShare 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

Life Lessons—10 Things Successful Writers Know AND Believe

by Edie Melson

There are certain things that writers learn as they gain more experience in the industry. These lessons serve us well when the going gets tough. One of the reasons is that we learn them by attending the school of hard knocks. 
But I’m a big believer in not always having to learn things the hard way. To that end, I’d like to share some things that successful writers know and believe.
The believe part of these truths is key. So often success or failure is just an attitude adjustment away.
1. Life, especially life in the publishing industry—isn’t always fair. We have chosen a profession that is subjective. That means we don’t have a concrete set of standards to adhere to or a formula to follow to achieve success. What one editor hates, another loves—and the same is true for our readers.
2. I’m not in control. Sure, you can control what you write—initially. But once you hand that writing over to someone, be it a critique partner or an editor, your control ends. Beyond that, most of the time things move slowly in this industry. Your timing preferences are just that, preferences. Reality is another matter entirely.
3. Suffering is good. Okay, maybe I should rephrase that. The depth that suffering adds to our writing is good. And we won’t get through life without suffering, so we might as well look at the good it brings with the pain.
4. My writing isn't perfect. Again, this is a subjective industry. What seems perfect to you, may open a floodgate of corrections from your editor. None of us is perfect. Even what is amazing right now, can be improved on with experience.
5. My writing doesn't stink. See #4 above. It’s hard not to think in generalities—and even harder not to feel in generalities. Everything I write has merit and everything I write can be improved upon.
6. Persistence trumps talent. The craft of writing can be learned. What can’t be imparted is that indelible something that makes us willing to continue moving forward.
7. I can do this—even when I’m sure I can’t. We all suffer from self-doubt. That’s an almost universal trait of writers, no matter where we are in our careers. The difference lies in those who let this fear stop them and who keep going no matter what.
8. What I have to say matters. This is a truth. It may not matter to the world at large, but your writing will—and very probably already has—made a positive difference in someone’s life.
9. Age doesn’t matter. Successful writers have learned that I’m not too old and I’m not too young to connect with my audience. This is, for the most part, an ageless profession.
10. I wouldn’t be satisfied doing anything else. We’ve all had those times when  wish we’d chosen anything else but writing. Truthfully, if this is your gift and calling, you know you’d never be happy without writing.
These are some of the foundations that successful writers work from. I’d love to know what truths you’ve found on your writing journey. Be sure to leave your additions to the list in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLESAre you on the path to publishing success? 10 Things Successful Writers Know AND Believe – via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

What I have to say matters—and 9 more things that Things Successful Writers Know – a list from@EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)