Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Online Etiquette for Authors & Others

by Edie Melson

Recently I’ve been reminded what a small world publishing really is. Even if we don’t actually know each other, it’s likely that we have friends and associates in common. Because it’s such a small world, it’s important for us to all pay attention to how we interact, especially online. What I say and do, doesn’t just affect me. The ripples of my actions spread out and affect many others. So before we go bumping and jumping into the New Year, I thought I’d give us all a refresher in online etiquette.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Social Media Monday—Get a New Perspective on Social Media

by Edie Melson

I post a lot of information about social media here on TheWrite Conversation. Beyond that, I field a lot of questions about etiquette. I try to get to everything in a timely fashion, but sometimes you need the information right away. Today I’d like you to get a new perspective on social media and show you how that may give you the insight you need.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Weekend Worship--A Beginning


Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19


I love New Year’s Day. Not because of the partying and hoopla, but because it marks an end . . . and a beginning. You see, by the time I get to the end of a year, no matter how many good things have happened, I feel dragged down by all the junk that has accumulated.

Those unfulfilled expectations.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Social Media Image—Never Say Never

Never say never.

This is truly a cliche' of epic proportions. And yet, like so many cliches' before, it's truth is undeniable. Almost invariable, when I make a never statement, it becomes real in my life. I said I'd never live in the Houston area and BAM, I spent seven years there. Is said I'd never stand in front of people and speak, and again, it came to pass.

My good friend and author, Beth Vogt, coined the phrase you see on the image below. It was too good, and too true, not to pass along.

So when have you walked through the never door? If you haven't ever, what's keeping you!

"God's best is often found behind the doors marked never." -Beth Vogt

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,

Friday, December 27, 2013

Life Lessons—Where Does Your Writing Go From Here?

by Edie Melson

I can’t help it. The time between Christmas and New Years is—at least in my mind—no man’s land. It’s a time filled with clean up, hurry up and wait up. In many ways it’s the lull before the storm.

January is when I hit the ground running, determined to start things off right. One of the reasons I’m able to do that is because I do some re-evaluating during this week. I always ask myself one question. Where does your writing go from here?

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Top Social Media Mistakes Authors Made in 2013

by Edie Melson

I was originally going to include this information in my Monday post on the Top Blogging Mistakes Authors Made in 2013, but the post as just too long. So today we’re going to continue the fun with Top Social Media Mistakes Authors Made in 2013.

These are things I see on a daily basis as I hang out on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Pinterest. They may seem small, but many can cost you followers, mentions, and even friends.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas—An Image for You to Share

I'm taking today and tomorrow off from blogging. But I couldn't let Christmas pass without giving you a gift. So today's post is an additional social media image for you to share. Don't worry, I already have another one scheduled for Saturday.

Merry Christmas to you all!
Edie


Monday, December 23, 2013

Social Media Monday— Top Blogging Mistakes Authors Made in 2013

by Edie Melson

Collectively speaking, during 2013 I’ve seen a huge improvement in how authors interact online. That said, there are still some common mistakes. These things are affecting your blog, making readers click away before they finish a post and even unsubscribe altogether. 

Today I’m going to share the top blogging mistakes authors made in 2013.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Weekend Worship—A Season of Controversy

Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. Acts 17:23

This has turned into the season of controversy. Everywhere I turn, from social media, to magazines, to television I’m hearing about the Duck Dynasty Debacle. Christians are being painted as narrow-minded bigots.

And we’re being drawn into an argument that has side-tracked the reason for the season. We need to stay focused the bigger issue.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Social Media Image—Can Boundaries Actually Make Us More Creative?

I grew up in a very creative family—a good thing—but a tad bit intimidating. My mother is especially talented as an artist, and growing up I couldn't even draw a credible stick figure.

But I did discover I could come up with some amazing needlework designs when I used graph paper. The boundaries gave me the structure I needed to release my creativity. I think that's why I love grammar and even editing so much.

So how about you? Do boundaries help you be more creative? If so, which ones?

"Only when boundaries are established can true creativity begin." Elf, the movie
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,

Friday, December 20, 2013

Fun Friday–Let it Snow, Star Trek Style

I thought we could all use a little silliness today!





Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Man God Created Just for Me!


Today is our 32nd wedding anniversary. 

Kirk and Weslyn
Jimmy and Katie 
I’m thinking about weddings right now because our oldest son celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary this fall, and our middle son just got engaged.

As we’ve watched our sons choose life-mates we’ve been struck by how perfectly they complete each other. It’s as if God had chosen them for one another.



And I believe He did. Because He choose Kirk and I for each other.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Christmas Spirit—Just Another Ghost Story?

Is the Christmas Spirit just another Ghost Story?
Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? I Corinthians 3:16


How is your Christmas season shaping up? For so many of us, December is a month of insane commitments and looming expectations. It’s not just the presents or the gatherings—although those alone can be overwhelming. The real Christmas killer, in my opinion, is that elusive Christmas Spirit we’re all supposed to be filled with—like some kind of holiday ectoplasm.

If you ask me, that’s one scary ghost.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Social Media Image—The Pace of the Season

I love the holidays—the gatherings, the sparkle, most of all the gatherings of family. But even for me, there are times when the pace gets to be too much. I have to refocus on what's important and take a breather from all the chaos. 

So I'm curious.
How do you cope with the pace of the season? 

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Thursday, December 12, 2013

During This Season of Giving—Give Yourself the Gift of Time to Write

Give Yourself the Gift of Time to Write

by Edie Melson

We writers are an odd lot. 

We’re driven to write, spending time composing poetry, writing books, researching articles. We doodle titles, character names, and plot ideas on scraps of paper. All the while feeling guilty about the time we spend pursuing our dream. I call it writer's guilt.

Everyone of us has felt the tug. it’s all part and parcel when you work at home. 

I’ve fought the battle for years—sometimes more successfully than others. And the craziest thing is the guilt is pretty much self imposed. My family is frequently more supportive of my writing time than I am.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Social Media Monday—Add a FOLLOW Button to Your Personal Profile on Facebook

by Edie Melson

NOTE: Facebook has updated the interface since I wrote this post. The information is accurate, but the screens will look slightly different.

There’s a movement away from the necessity of having a professional Facebook page. For those of you who have growing and active professional pages, this post does NOT affect you. Keep doing what works. But for those of us who haven’t had much success migrating our professional connections over from our personal profile it’s a gift from Heaven!

Facebook now allows personal profiles to have FOLLOWERS as well as FRIENDS. This means we can utilize the success on our personal profiles in the professional world.

It’s easy to set this up and here’s how:

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Weekend Worship—A Material Girl

Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Matthew 6:31-32

This holiday season is hard for me, but not for the reasons you may think. It’s because I am—in so many ways—a material girl. I worry about what I wear, what car I drive, even what I serve my family for supper.


Everywhere I look during this time of year I’m inundated by the world’s confirmation that things matter. Sometimes the message is subtle, cloaked to look like I’m spending money so I can spend time. But no matter how it’s presented, the world wants me to spend money instead of time.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Social Media Image—What Says Christmas to You?

What says Christmas most to you?

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." W.T. Ellis
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

Thursday, December 5, 2013

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?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

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

by Edie Melson

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.

Monday, December 2, 2013

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.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Weekend Worship—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.