Edie Melson's Blog, page 70

Four Things Writers and Runners Have in Common

by Crystal Bowman
My hubby and kids are marathon runners. Me? Not so much! I’m not a runner but I can walk fast—especially if a dog is chasing me! I recently signed up for a 5K, and as a writer, I found the parallels intriguing. 
4 Ways Writers are Like Runners
1. They set a goal.
Runners set a goal to compete in a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. They decide their goal based on what is realistic for them. When I signed up for the 5K my goal was to finish in an hour. 
Writers need to set realistic goals too. If you’re a beginning writer, becoming a New York Times bestselling author might not be realistic. It’s okay to aim high but try setting goals that are attainable. If you have not published a book, then try submitting a story to a compilation series, devotional book, or an online magazine or blog. The goal should be to have your words read by others in a format that will reach the right audience. 
2. They train.
A dedicated runner will train for weeks, months, or even years before running a marathon. Entering the race without training could lead to injury and serious health complications. A runner needs to be in good physical condition on race day. For weeks leading up to my 5K race, I walked an hour a day 5 days a week. Every time I walked, I pushed myself to go a little faster and a little farther. 
Writers need to train! They do that by attending writers’ conferences, working with mentors or coaches, and taking classes. They hone their skills by pushing themselves to learn all they can before entering the publishing race. They write often and are dedicated to working hard. If their writing is strong and in good shape, they increase their chances of reaching their goal.
3. They are disciplined.
Runners run whether they feel like it or not. They have a schedule and stick to it. I’ve seen runners out and about on rainy days, cold days, and blistering hot days. I’m more of a fair-weather walker, so if the weather is bad, I can still get my time in by using a treadmill.
Writers must be disciplined too. They need to set a writing schedule and stick to it. 
They need to write whether they feel like it or not. It’s easy to procrastinate and let other matters become a priority. It takes commitment and disciple to keep those fingers on your keyboard and your you-know-what in the chair. 
4. They cheer for each other.
Something I’ve noticed at running events is the strong, speedy runners who are among the first to cross the finish line, don’t collapse in the grass and bask in their glory. Many of these early finishers walk back to the racecourse and stand on the sidelines cheering for those who are still running—because they know how hard it is.
Writers do that too. Writers who have been published and tasted a bit of success know how hard it is to reach writing goals. They cheer for those who are coming behind them and encourage them to keep going until they make it. 
In conclusion.
I have a passion for writing and a passion for speedwalking and am blessed to be able to do both. I have achieved many of my writing goals with the help from other writers and by the grace of God. And if you are wondering how I did in the 5K? I finished the race in in 48 minutes and finished 4th in my age bracket. Being a senior has some advantages! 
TWEETABLEFour Things Writers and Runners Have in Common from author Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)  
Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and families. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine, Arise Daily, and Christian Children's Authors. She enjoys coaching children's writers as well as teaching at writers conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she likes going for walks and spending time with her huggable grandkids. She and her husband live in Michigan and Florida and try to avoid snowstorms.
WWW.CRYSTALBOWMAN.COMWWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CRYSTAL.BOWMANWWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CRYSTALJBOWMANWWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CRYSTALBOWMANAUTHOR

Authors, Stand Out and Get Noticed: Enter the 2024 CAN Marketing Awards

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga
Calling all Christian authors—want a chance to get major exposure and recognition for your stellar marketing? Don't miss the opportunity to enter the 2024 Christian Authors Network (CAN) Excellence in Marketing Awards!
This prestigious award celebrates the absolute best Christian author marketing and publicity campaigns. Entering can take your author platform to the next level through exclusive promotions and publicity that money can't buy.
Here are some of the exciting benefits and promotions you could gain:
Get valuable feedback from judges on your marketing campaign to improve your future efforts and strategy. Their expert advice can help you advance your author career.Press releases announcing the winners will be sent to over 400 major Christian media outlets, magazines, websites, and TV networks. This positions you as an authority.Featured on promotions reaching 15,000 engaged Christian readers. That kind of exposure is priceless!The top winner will receive an incredible public relations package from Jones Literary worth $1,495. This includes media training, coaching, editorial calendar, and more to boost your success.Book announcements will be sent to over 1,400 Christian retailers and 400 book review bloggers. This makes retailers eager to order your title and helps generate more reviews.Featured on a CAN blog tour and receive Celebrate Lit’s Social Media Building Giveaway Share Promo. You'll receive an award trophy and promotion at The Well Conference on April 27, 2024. Excellent for networking!
What Past Winners Have to Say:
"It was a joy to be selected as the 2019 gold winner...The experience has led me to work with many authors and publishing houses to create book launches and PR marketing strategies to get more media exposure for their works." - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest
The CAN Marketing Awards have launched previous winners into the spotlight and this is your chance for the same level of exposure!
Who Can Enter:
The awards are open to all Christian authors, both traditionally and independently published, in fiction and nonfiction. Submit your most creative and results-driven marketing campaign from 2023 in one of these categories:Online Marketing (website, blogs, newsletters, social media campaigns) Physical Media and Print Materials (posters, postcards, flyers, direct mail)Broadcasting and Events (podcasts, videos, conferences, book signings and tours)
Judges will be looking for strategic campaigns that deliver measurable results. The judges want to see real human engagement, innovation, investment, and results! Make sure to include analytics and outcomes in your submission. 
It's only $97 for CAN/CIPA members and $117 for non-members—a small investment compared to the massive benefits the award delivers!
Are you ready to take your author platform to the next level? Don't wait—submit your entry by February 1, 2024 for a chance to win this career-changing honor! Learn more about eligibility, guidelines and enter at https://christianauthorsnetwork.com/marketing-award/.
Stand out from the crowd and leap to the next level! Amplify your author platform and career with the 2024 CAN Marketing Awards.
TWEETABLEAuthors, Stand Out and Get Noticed: Enter the 2024 CAN Marketing Awards from @SusanNealYoga on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

When the Writer’s Life Feels Overwhelming

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28
I don’t own thirty pairs of shoes, but I do like to take pictures of the ones I wear. It’s not a shoe fetish, just a travel one. When I go somewhere new, I like to take a picture of my feet on the unique paths I discover—cobblestone streets, mosaic sidewalks, bricked walkways, and hiking trails. A path is a promise of adventure and discovery. When we write, we are paving a path for our readers.
Some “paths” in our books guide readers down cobblestone lanes—a little bumpy but romantic. Other paths that we pave in our writing are an intricate network of mosaic tiles, creating an exciting pattern of tension and relational drama. Other paths guide the reader to understand a phenomenal truth about God, ushering them into a real-life scene of peace and hope. What paths are you paving in your book?
Just like any type of manual work takes a toll on our bodies, writing takes a toll on our minds and hearts, and usually our bodies as well. Even though we bear the name of “writer,” we also bear the titles of blogger, self-editor, marketer, and perhaps speaker. Our work can become so overwhelming that we wonder if it’s worth it. The demands of normal life intensify the stress of the writing life. Why keep at it?
Dr. David Jeremiah once taught that if we stop planting seeds now, there won’t be a crop later. The same holds true for writing. If we stop writing because we feel overwhelmed and question the worth of our work, the path to truth won’t be finished for our readers. 
In the area where I used to live, a portion of the interstate just stops. I think of it as the bridge to nowhere. I often wondered what happened to the project and its workers. Did they run out of money? Time? Space? Fortunately, the lanes on that side of the interstate shift to the left so no one goes flying off the bridge. 
There are times when we want to stop writing and we’re tempted to quit the project. We feel like we’re going to fly off the face of the earth if we don’t get enough sleep or take a break. It’s good in those times to take a step back and evaluate our construction project. If we sense that God wants us to continue, we can ask Him to restore the right perspective on what we’re doing and renew our energy and efforts to write for Him and with Him. 
If He leads us to slow down or take a break, we can trust His plan. And we can stay close to Him to follow His pace for our writing and every other part of our lives. 
So what is the right perspective on the demands of the writer’s life? All we have to worry about in this moment is laying one more brick, paving one more section of the road. One more edit. One more blog post. One more meme on social media. Going at the pace God knows is best for us. 
With every “one more” that we construct, the road to truth will be paved and we will have the zeal and sanity to keep working. I have found that if I stick with a project, God supplies just the right amount of grace to finish. He pours out creativity and insight that I couldn’t muster. He makes a path to completion, one that I can walk hand in hand with Him and with my team of writer friends, critique partners, and prayer warriors. 
So the next time you feel like you just want to quit, remember the road you’re paving. There’s going to be someone who needs that road, and because you finished it, truth will be discovered and lives can be changed.
What do you think is the most overwhelming part of the writer’s life? How has God helped you in the past to handle it? Share that encouragement with us in the comments, and may God help you to pave your road one brick at a time. 
TWEETABLEWhen the Writer’s Life Feels Overwhelming from @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of LIGHTHOUSE BIBLE STUDIES. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations such as For Love’s Sake: The Life-Changing Facets of Love in 30 Bible Studies, Devotions, and Christian Living Articles, which was a 2023 finalist in the Director’s Choice Awards. She also enjoys encouraging writers and giving writing tips in her writers’ newsletter called THE LIGHTHOUSE CONNECTION.
In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.COM, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, create art and make crafts with her group MY ARTSY TRIBE, and tend the garden in the morning sun. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

Tips for Writers to Make Money by Writing Articles that Pay

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted
If a writer wants a steadier income, writing articles is the route to accomplish this. The dream of most writers is to have a book on the shelf, and that goal is fine, but the harsh reality is that landing that first contract can take six, seven, or even ten years. A writer must learn the craft of writing. In the meantime, how can you make money, learn to write tight and concisely, and make a difference? You write articles.
7 Steps for Writing Articles That Pay
Step One: Start with research. Writers have a fantastic tool at their disposal: The Christian Writers Market Guide. In this extraordinary compilation lies almost all needs within the Christian market. It's the perfect place to seek out magazines, both online and in paper, who are searching for articles. Purchase the book:  The Christian Writers Market Guide 2023. It is available in paperback and eBook.
Step Two: Choose your topic and hone in on the details. Articles require tight, concise sentences. Choose words that speak clearly and leave little to no room for question. Begin with articles about things that are close to you. You can write from experience using strong word choices and interject the appropriate emotion to draw the reader in and have them connect. When writing difficult topics, learn to write from consequence—in other words, approach challenging topics from the consequence of a wrong decision and lead readers to see better choices and good outcomes. 
Step Three: Gather your data and seek out solid facts. Research not only includes the "where" of the market but also your subject matter. Always do your research and be sure the facts you are writing are accurate and not just opinions. Articles give readers the information to make decisions, learn, and move forward with projects. Make sure your work is fact-based and not opinions. Good research leads to good writing.
Step Four: Write that draft. Write your first draft and then walk away for a few hours. Why? Walking away lets you clear your mind, and it helps you put on your editing hat. Never write an article and send it on a first draft. You will always find things that need to be corrected. 
Step Five: Edit and Save. Start the editing process, and when you have edited the piece, then use voice to text on your computer and allow it to read the information back to you. Though it may be somewhat monotone, the point is that our ears are great editors. We'll hear things many times before we see them. Then, save the completed document in a new file on your desktop. Label it with your name, article title, and date. This step will prevent you from sending the wrong file when you submit it.
Step Six: Be sure to follow the guidelines for submission. This step is vital. Now is the opportunity to be sure you have followed all the guidelines perfectly. Make any adjustments and verify who and where you are to submit to. Give the piece one last look over.
Step Seven: Hit send. Then, make a second file folder on your desktop for completed submissions. Slide that finished file you created earlier into your submitted file. It's never a bad idea to make notes in Notepad or Excel about to whom, when, and where you sent your article. It's nice to be able to follow up. Finally, as you receive acceptance notes, drop copies into your file. You'll always have a record of when, what, and where your work is submitted.
Follow these steps to help you begin your article writing career. You'll be glad to see your files fill up with submitted work.
TWEETABLETips for Writers to Make Money by Writing Articles that Pay from @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and she is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and WWW.CHRISTIANDEVOTIONS.US, as well as WWW.INSPIREAFIRE.COM. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at WWW.CINDYSPROLES.COM or www.wramsforwriters.com.

How to Handle Those Pesky Stressors Every Writer Battles

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII
Studies have revealed that the five most prevalent stressors are:DivorceMovingJob lossDeath of a loved oneMajor illness
Weird. 
I don’t see finishing that last chapter by midnight on Dec. 31. Or completing rewrites to make a deadline. Or even finishing a few pages in time to leave for a child’s sporting event, or to fix dinner, or … or … or … just about anything that you promised would get done, maybe before your spouse got home. 
What is wrong with the people who put together that list? 
I don’t get it. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear me muttering “weird” again while I shake my head and purse my lips.
Writing related stress should be on that list, right? 
If you’re like me, you have put creative-crippling pressure on yourself to complete a writing or editing assignment. Oh, it’s been so bad at times that I’ve wondered if I could go without sleep for a week. Or frantically pounded away on the keyboard and ignored my body until only a mad dash to the bathroom would save me.
Yes, that kind of stress should be part of the list. But it’s not.
For the list above, experts suggest the following to relieve stress:ExerciseRelax your musclesDeep breathingEat well (I guess chips and popcorn for dinner aren’t an option anymore.)Slow downTake a breakMake time for hobbiesTalk about your problems (Great suggestion if you have an accountability partner or group.)Go easy on yourselfEliminate your triggers
Okay, doesn’t seem like a bad list for normal stress. But writing stress is a little different. Unlike the fab five stressors, some writing stress comes from procrastinating, striving for perfection, and feeling unworthy.
So, here’s a short list of de-stressors for writers:
1. Be realistic when setting goals and deadlines. Take into careful consideration how long you need to write, rewrite, or edit. You know your ability better than anyone. When you determine how much time you need, consider adding 10 percent more time to give you a cushion.
2. Be okay with your pace. For instance, if you need two hours to write 500 words, accept that’s what you need to write that many words. 
3. Write to the best of your ability with the knowledge you have at that time. 
4. And last, but not least, have confidence in your ability, whether you’re working on book one or book twenty or book fifty. Doubts inevitably will set in at some point, but don’t let them paralyze you. Keep plugging away. Call a friend. Go for a walk. Just do something to break those invasive thoughts. 
5. Oh, I’ve discovered one more way to deal with writer stress—a nap.
And now that the stress of finishing this blog has taken its toll on me, I think I’ll take one right now. 
TWEETABLEHow to Handle Those Pesky Stressors Every Writer Battles from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Editor-in-Chief at Bold Vision Books and writing coach of award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than forty years writing and editing. He started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep, college, and pro sports, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. 
In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry moved into the book publishing industry. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Handling Those Writing Regrets

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod
It was gone. Now, I had to learn a lesson about handling regrets. 
I thought about my now-gone treasure early one morning when a co-worker asked, “Have you ever regretted getting rid of something?”
I love antiques and have since I was young. No one else in my immediate family seemed to appreciate them, but I fell in love with them somewhere along the way. So, as my extended family members aged and wanted to pass along some of their belongings, I snatched them up. 
Among my treasures was a pocket watch that belonged to my maternal grandfather, Pappy. He knew I loved the watch. I had listened to his story about how he came to own it. Someone he knew had it. Pappy wanted it, so he offered the person a .22 rifle. The man accepted, and from then on, Pappy proudly hung the watch from every pair of Dickie pants he wore daily. 
I didn’t know it until after he died, but he had told my grandmother to give it to me. I was ecstatic. I only regretted that the gold chain didn’t accompany it. Mom bought me a small watch display case, and I proudly displayed my treasure. 
Loving antiques as I did, I suggested to my wife that we open an antique store in our home, which she gladly agreed to. Of course, we had many things we marked NFS, including Pappy’s watch. But one customer wanted it, and in a moment of stupidity, I sold it. I’ve regretted it ever since—just one of the things I regret. 
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18 NLT).
I suppose many Israelites regretted their wayward ways that had led God’s people into two captivities: Egypt first and later Babylon. They spent four hundred years in the first place and seventy in the second. But God told them to forget about all that misery. He had something better for them in the future. 
All of us have regrets. Bad choices we made. Like selling a family heirloom. Relationships we ended . . . or entered. Places we left behind. Things we sold. Like the many items my mom sees at thrift or antique stores that she once had but sold at a yard sale. Sins we’ve committed. People we have hurt. The times we didn’t obey what God wanted. Opportunities we let slip by. 
And we writers have our share of regrets, too. We regret not entering that contest; sending that article, devotion, or MS to a publisher; keeping in contact with the friends we made at the last writing conference; praying for that writer who is struggling with quitting or is experiencing a family or personal crisis; joining that critique group. Shall I ramble on? You get the picture. 
Reflecting on such times is healthy. We can think of the lessons we’ve learned. But we shouldn’t live in that regret. Doing so will keep us from moving forward in relationships—with family, friends, and even God. We’ll find ourselves mentally and emotionally trapped. We might also face that blank page, feel writer’s block, and throw up our hands and throw in the towel. What’s the use? No one will publish it (whatever it is) anyway.
I made a bad decision to sell a treasured family heirloom. I learned from it. Now, I keep or pass my treasures to other family members, but I don’t part with them unless circumstances give me no choice. 
Regrets teach us essential life lessons, and writing regrets can pummel us forward into new territory God wants us to explore. 
What lessons have you learned from your writing regrets?
TWEETABLEHandling Those Writing Regrets from author Martin Wiles (@LinesFromGod) on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Martin Wiles is the founder of Love Lines from God (WWW.LOVELINESFROMGOD.COM) and serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions and Directing Editor for VineWords. He has authored six books and has been published in numerous publications. His most recent book, DON'T JUST LIVE...REALLY LIVE, debuted in October of 2021. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, author, and pastor.

Writers, Let’s Be Mindful About Gratitude

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt
November always turns my heart toward gratitude because of the Thanksgiving holiday. But why limit being thankful to just one day of the month? Why not spread thankfulness throughout the entire thirty days?
Did you know there are health benefits to being grateful? Yep. According to a 2023 article By UCLA Health, gratitude:Reduces depression: People with a grateful mindset say they have a higher satisfaction with life than those who don’t practice gratitude. Lessens anxiety: Choosing to be grateful combats negative thinking.Relieves stress: Stress can trigger a fight-or-flight response in your body, causing your heart to beat faster, your adrenaline to pump, and your muscles to contract. Gratitude can help calm your nervous system because it brings down your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
With these benefits of gratitude in mind, I invite you to read the following gratitude quotes, as well as Psalm 100, which is a song of thanksgiving to God. Consider what—and who—you can be thankful for today. Maybe write out a detailed list of things both big and small that you’re grateful for—maybe even take the time to write a note to someone and tell them why you’re thankful for them.
***
“Thanksgiving is a spiritual exercise, necessary to the building of a healthy soul. It takes us out of the stuffiness of ourselves into the fresh breeze and sunlight of the will of God.” Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015), author
“As you look at your blessings, take note of what happens. Anxiety grabs his bags and slips out the back door. Worry refuses to share the heart with gratitude. One heartfelt “thank you” will suck the oxygen out of worry’s world.” Max Lucado (1955-), minister and author
“Gratitude is the most fruitful way of deepening your consciousness that you are not an ‘accident,’ but a divine choice. It is important to realize how often we have had chances to be grateful and have not used them. When someone is kind to us, when an event turns out well, when a problem is solved, a relationship restored, a wound healed, there are very concrete reasons to offer thanks: be it with words, with flowers, with a letter, a card, a phone call, or just a gesture of affection. . . . Every time we decide to be grateful it will be easier to see new things to be grateful for. Gratitude begets gratitude, just as love begets love.” Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), theologian and writer
Psalm 100, a psalm of praise and thanksgiving
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.2 Serve the Lord with gladness;Come before Him with joyful singing.3 Know that the Lord Himself is God;It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter His gates with thanksgivingAnd His courts with praise.Give thanks to Him, bless His name.5 For the Lord is good;His lovingkindness is everlastingAnd His faithfulness to all generations.
TWEETABLEWriters, Let's Be Mindful About Gratitude, insight from author @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

Please Nominate The Write Conversation for the Writer's Digest List for 101 Top Sites for Writers

 

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Here I am again, asking for your help. If you are enjoying this site and find it valuable, please, please take a moment and nominate us for the Writer's Digest 26th Annual Best Sites for Writers!

They are accepting nominations until November 27, 2023. So be sure to spread the word and give us a shout-out in the process.

Here's a link to the page on the Writer's Digest Website, explaining the process:

Writer's Digest 26th Annual Best Sites for Writers

If you want to go directly to the nomination form:

Just click on this link to nominate The Write Conversation—and any other sites you love. 

No matter whether we make the list or not, I KNOW we have the best community of any blog on the internet! 

Thanks & Blessings,Edie & The Write Conversation Team 
TWEETABLEPlease Nominate The Write Conversation for the Writer's Digest List for 101 Top Sites for Writers - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Writing for an Audience of One

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites
“Write for an audience of one.”
You may have heard these instructions at a conference or read it in your favorite writers magazine. 
In other words, don’t try to write for the masses or you could lose your focus. Picturing that one reader as you write a story or article tends to give our writing a more personal touch. It helps the reader feel like we’re talking specifically to them. 
Years ago, in an interview about his book Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck said, “Your audience is one single reader. I have found that sometimes it helps to pick out one person—a real person you know, or an imagined person and write to that one.”
I get this—I really do. But let’s be honest. When we write a blog post, magazine article, book, or even a Facebook post, we hope more than one person will benefit from our time and effort. Right? 
Would we write the same words and spend the same amount of time on our projects if we knew for certain only ONE person would read our work? 
As I prepared to teach a class at a writing conference last spring, I expected at least a handful of attendees for each session. I spent hours choosing my words and creating a power point presentation. 
I taught four classes at the conference. One class was so full I had to steal chairs from an empty classroom. The other two had above-average attendance and eager learners. 
The last class, “Tips and Suggestions for Supporting Fellow Authors,” was a different story. Only one person showed up for the class. One. My audience of one. 
I taught the class as planned, recognizing that some conferees would listen to the recording later. 
At the end of my talk, I turned off the recorder and power point presentation and sat with my new friend. As we chatted about her writing journey, I quickly realized how accomplished she was as a writer, teacher, college instructor, and more. 
“You should be teaching at writers conferences,” I said. 
Although she often spoke at women’s ministry events, she’d never thought of teaching at writers conferences. She promised to look into it.
Fast forward to last month, when she and I sat next to each other at the faculty meeting. “I’m here because you encouraged me to apply to teach,” she whispered. “Thank you.” She went on to share her experience and insight with many writers there.
Our audience of one might have the potential to reach the masses, but not always the way we planned. Sometimes God has much bigger ideas. Let’s write with one in mind and trust Him to do the rest. 
TWEETABLE Writing for an Audience of One from author @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Julie Lavender is grateful this month for the release of her newest book, Strength for All Seasons: A Mom’s Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers, published by Zeitgeist, an imprint of Penguin Random House and the upcoming release in December of a bilingual version of her first book with Penguin, Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime. And she’s super-excited that two picture books will release in 2024 and 2025 from End Game Press and Wren & Bear Books.

Thankful for Being a Writer

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden
“How can you sit all day in front of your computer and write?” 
“Don’t you get lonely or tired of not seeing anyone else but your computer?” 
“I love your writing, but it must be a terribly hard thing to do.” 
I’ve had many people ask me these and many similar questions. From friends to family to strangers in the grocery store, they are astounded that the solitary writing life seems so fun and fulfilling to me.
This is the month we focus on being thankful and I have to say that after my Savior, husband, family, and friends, next on the list would have to be my writing. I am so thankful I get to spend my days writing for the Kingdom and being a missionary in print. There are many aspects to be thankful for as a writer and I am always happy to share them.
4 Reasons We can Be Thankful to Be a Writer
1.Writing is my calling. Until we find our calling in life, we are never truly happy. But when we discover what God created us to do, there is such a feeling of peace and commitment to our calling I can’t believe we would be happy doing anything else. When you discover your calling, you find what truly makes you content. On the few days I am busy, I find as I walk by my computer it beckons me to sit down and write. If I just don’t feel I have time at that moment to join Vera (the name I have given my computer), the rest of my day seems like it is missing something.
2. I love being able to fulfill the calling God has given me and still be at home with my children. They understand when I have a deadline and respect that. When they were younger, I wrote in my head all day, then when it was naptime (which was never as long as I would have liked!), I raced to my word processor and quickly got the words in my head down on paper. Even if that was just ten minutes I was able to get a start on my article and be ready to continue at the next break or at bedtime. As they got older, they wanted to become more involved in my writing and help whenever they could.
My first book was called Love Notes in Lunchboxes and all my son’s friends wanted to comment in it. I complied and these “lunchbox kids” were my best launch team. Later I wrote a soccer handbook. I had very little knowledge of soccer. Once again my son’s friends came to the rescue. Every day on the way home from school they stopped by. I had warm cookies ready, and they stood in the middle of my den and showed me how to do the moves. It’s much easier to write about something if you know how to do it.
3. Because I am a writer I have lots of friends who support what I do. Although we only see each other at conferences and a few other times a year, we still feel a close bond and talk often through Zoom or on the phone.
Because many of my friends are writers, we understand each other and know the hard parts of being writers. If we have questions about writing or computers, we can almost always find a friend who knows the answer.
4. As I have a new idea, I realize where that idea came from. It helps me focus on God as I realize he gave me that idea and it was something he really wants me to share with others through my writing. Often when I can’t think of anything to write about, I spend time in prayer asking God what I need to be writing about.
This month I have so much to be thankful for. Beside those things which are tangible, I have the love and support of my family and friends and the assurance of knowing I am doing just what God has called me to do.
How about you? Do you have that assurance? Why don’t you make a list of the things you are thankful for and commit to pray and thank God for those things every day. Especially remember the blessing of His calling you to write.
TWEETABLEThankful for Being a Writer from author @LindaGilden on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda’s book, Articles, Articles, Articles! can give you more information about articles. She is the author of over two thousand magazine articles and 35 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities series. As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com