My Top 10 Favorite Writing Quotes

by Edie Melson

I love quotes about writing.

I love quotes about writing. So today I thought I’d share my top 10 favorite writing quotes with you.

10. It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.


- C. J. Cherryh

9. It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.


- Ernest Hemingway

8. I try to create sympathy for my characters, then turn the monsters loose.


- Stephen King

Social Media Monday—How I Do Social Media in 30 Minutes a Day or Less

by Edie Melson

I'm a glass half-full kind of girl.

You can look at this digital age we live in as a blessing or a curse—and there are merits to each viewpoint. Since I’m a glass half-full type girl, I happen to take the positive approach. I like the connectedness of this time and place. I like connecting in person and online—especially through Facebook and Twitter.

A word of warning here, it’s possible to let these tools (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) eat into your writing time. For myself, the way I combat that temptation is to schedule my networking time. I prioritize the things I have to accomplish. 

Weekend Worship—Prince of All

Spring is just around the corner, and with that comes Easter. Today I'm reposting one of my poems. I think we all need an occasional reminder that happily-ever-after ISN'T just a fairy tale.

Once Upon a Time
by Edie Melson

Dust & ashes
Filthy rags
Hateful masters
Ugly hags.

Aching heart
Wishes made
Things changed
Rules obeyed.

Pretty clothes
Delightful gathering
Striking clock
Hope unraveling.

Life abandoned
Party fled
Dream denied
Future dead.

Broken heart
Determined prince
Kingdom searched
Message sent.

Trail followed
Captive sought
Desolate found
Freedom bought.

Lifted up
Life redeemed
Carried away
Fulfilled dream.

Fairy tale
Cosmic joke
Cruel lie
No hope.

Jesus Christ
Heard my call
Paid the price
Prince of all.

Social Media Image—Patience

Patience . . .
We all need it and we all abhor it.

God has used patience to refine my character in ways I never thought possible. It's been incredibly painful and a blessing beyond belief as I've watched my hopes and dreams begin to come to fruition. 

How has God used patience to answer the cry of your heart?

Teach us. O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. - Peter Marshall

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

Independent Publishing—Self-Publishing is all Grown Up

by Edie Melson

Self-publishing is all grown up.

There was a time, many years ago, that I would have much rather remained unpublished rather than admit to self-publishing. Back then the companies who charged you to publish your work were referred to as Vanity Publishers. Many of those companies charged thousands of dollars and left the author with boxes and boxes of questionable books.

Not any more.

Thursday Review—The Art You Were Meant to Live

by Lynn H. Blackburn

I just finished re-reading A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman. I’ve dog-eared and highlighted half of the book. The last lines brought me to tears. Again.

A Million Little Ways isn’t a book on the craft. It isn’t even specifically a book for writers. It is, as the subtitle says, a book that seeks to help you “uncover the art you were made to live.” I have recommended this book to friends whose art varies from baking to decorating and from music to mothering. But if you have even the slightest inkling that your art is writing, you are going to see yourself in every chapter. Maybe on every page.

A New Chapter in My Writing Life

by Edie Melson

As writers we sometimes get to do really cool things!

Over the course of my writing career, I’ve gotten to do a lot of pretty cool things. This past week I’ve been teaching at the Florida Christian Writers Conference and I got to sit and visit with the editor who purchased by very first article during my first time at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The editor was Jesse Florea of Focus on the Family.