Life Lessons—Unexpected Storms

by Reba J. Hoffman, Ph.D

Last Sunday, Edie shared the horrible scare she and her family faced when her youngest sonbroke his back. Now that’s something that will turn your world upside down!

I can imagine how it went. They were enjoying the night before Thanksgiving. Most likely they were sitting by the fire watching a favorite flick. I bet Edie was knitting as the scenes played out on the big screen TV.

Then the unexpected storm—and certainly something no parent ever wants to hear—came blowing in out of nowhere, fracturing her blissful evening and raining terror on her peaceful little world.

Thursday Review—Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins

A review by Lynn H. Blackburn

I’m going to tell y’all something that I don’t make a habit of sharing. I wouldn’t even tell you, except, well, you’re writers.

So, I’m hoping you’ll get this.

Sometimes…

I stand in front of my mirror and act out my scenes.

Does anyone else do this? Anyone?

The Key to Writing Good Fiction—Put Your Reader to Sleep

by Edie Melson

Yes, you read the title correctly. Put your reader to sleep. 

Okay, maybe not completely to sleep, but at least allow them to dream. What does dreaming have to do with writing? Everything. The dream I’m referring to is the fictional dream. If you’ve never heard the term before, don’t worry. I guarantee you know what I’m talking about. I think author, John Gardner says it best. 

“What counts in conventional fiction must be the vividness and continuity of the fictional dream the words set off in the reader’s mind.”

You are Killing Yourself with a Weak (on nonexistent) Writer’s Bio—or Why a Writer's Bio is Essential

by Edie Melson

You're killing yourself with a eek writer's bio!

I’ve been accused of being blunt and forthright, and I suppose the title of this post proves it’s true. But really people, don’t you realize how important those few lines at the end of a guest post or article really is? That space is valuable real estate and you’re growing weeds on it.

I’ll say it again, you are killing yourself with a weak writer’s bio.

Social Media Monday—Top 7 Mistakes Authors Make Online

by Edie Melson

I travel all over the country, training writers how to utilize social media and blogging to grow their readership base.

And I find the same mistakes over and over again.

These things are easily fixed, they’re generally small and often overlooked. Today I’m sharing the top 7 mistakes authors make online.

What If…NOT a Place for Believers to Dwell

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

This past week our family had quite a scare. 

Our youngest son was back home from college and at a trampoline park with friends. He landed wrong and broke his back. 

Fortunately there was no spinal cord damage.

Now, I’m good in a crisis. For some reason what makes other people panic creates in me to the ability to act clearly and decisively. So when they brought him home, I was woman-in-control. I can be calm and clear-headed in the worst catastrophe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!