Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Basics of Building an Author Platform

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

What is an author platform and why do I need one?
What is a platform and How do I build one?
These are good questions, but difficult ones to answer in a single blogpost. As a matter of fact, these question are the source of entire books. There truly is no easy answer. 

That said, let me lay out some of the basics.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

A Writer's Prayer

Edie here. I was fortunate to speak at the Mid-south Christian Writers Conference this spring and met April Thompson. April was our emcee, but is also a talented writer in her own right. When she shared this Writer's Prayer, I knew it was something I needed to hear, and something I wanted to share with you. Please give her a warm, Write Conversation welcome!

A Writer's Prayer
by April Thompson @AThompson_WREG3 

Lord you have put this desire in my heart
to tell others through words what you would have them to hear.

Let me use it wisely, carefully and guided by you...
not to give myself glory or riches, but to give you glory and those I reach a path to real living in you.

Help me to boldly write the words that you want written
      ...not afraid of judgment or condemnation,  for if the words are from you, they are true.

This is a noble calling I don't take lightly.
You have trusted me to be a voice for you.
Speak to me...give me the heart to feel, the ear to hear and the courage to write.

TWEETABLE

April Thompson is an Anchor and Investigative Reporter at WREG TV News Channel 3 (CBS) in Memphis, TN. April is an avid writer who has spent nearly 30 years writing, reporting and anchoring television and radio news stories across the Southeast. Her detailed and straight-forward ability to relate to all audiences has resulted in accolades and awards. With a desire to find deeper meaning in her work and also in her calling as a Christian, April embarked on writing her first Christian novel. She enjoys meeting other authors, speaking to audiences and emceeing public events. Connect with April Thompson on Facebook (April Thompson) and Twitter @AThompson_WREG3.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Blogging Smarter by Narrowing Your Scope

by Jennifer Slattery @JenSlattery

Edie here. Today I'm excited to welcome back Jennifer Slattery. She has a new book, Breaking Free, and I'm sure you'll want to download the free sample and give it a test run. Jennifer is an expert blogger and has some valuable advice for authors.

Blogging Smarter by Narrowing Your Scope
It’s quite possible to wear oneself out writing numerous articles and blog posts with little to show for it. Though I was hitting my target readership, I didn’t realize my scope was too broad. My topics: Christian living, because, well, I guess I figured all women between the ages of 35-70 need daily encouragement. And that worked—for fiction. The problem is, I eventually want to break into the nonfiction arena as well.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Why Bloggers Should Consider Pinterest

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

When I needed decorating ideas for my daughter’s baby shower, I went to Pinterest. When I searched for a recipe for a French toast casserole, I went to Pinterest. When I lost the directions for how to make reindeer Christmas tree ornaments, I went to Pinterest.

As the fastest growing social media site, Pinterest has become the go-to place for information. But is it also a valuable platform for writers? I say YES.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Joy of Character Serendipity in Writing

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

The Joy of Character Serendipity
I find myself in a bit of a transition in my writing right now. A while back, my weekly writing group challenged me to write a fantasy novel. (I love you, Solitary Scribes.) My agent at the time said I’d have to come up with a pen name because it’s such a genre switch. I’m thinking C.S. Tolkien might work. Or Tim Dekker. Or Johnny C. Jenkins.

Part of the challenge I set for myself—I really can’t blame my group for this—is to write it organically as Steven James calls it. So, yeah, he gets some of the blame/credit for this too.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

When Does Writing Commitment turn to Publishing Obsession?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

When does writing commitment turn to publishing obsession?
A writer who is serious about embarking upon a publishing career understands commitment is critical for success. Adhering to a schedule and making provisions to learn the craft and apply diligent work is essential. 

But what happens when determination, goal setting, isolation, and priorities are misconstrued? The writer’s health, relationships, spirituality, and quality of writing suffers.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

One of the Best Ways to Learn About Writing

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

One of the Best Ways to Learn About Writing
I’m often asked what book or workshop or set of studies I dove into in order to learn how to write fiction.

The answer is simple: none.

Oh, granted, I’ve read books and attended workshops and spent hours studying … but that’s not how I learned to write fiction.

Instead I taught myself by sitting in front of the television with a (then) VHS remote in one hand and a pen poised over a notebook in the other. I recorded television shows like Matlock and Murder, She Wrote (the plots are simple) as I watched them for the “first viewing.” Then, using the remote, I played the shows back, stopping at the end of each scene to write what plot points had occurred, what new characters had been introduced, what we knew about them, etc.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

When Writing Turns Serious

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father Colossians 3:17 NLT.

Stir up the gift within you, the voice whispered. I knew I had to stop messing around. It was time to get serious.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

The Possibilities Behind the Door Marked 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, March 18, 2016

One Great Tool To Make Twitter Even Better

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

There are so many tools and programs available to people who market on the internet that I would go right over my word count trying to talk about them all. So I’m going to focus this time on bit.ly.

A productive marketing tweet says something interesting to your followers, has hash tags so that it spreads around the twitter-verse, and has an address in it. Your marketing tweet ought to look something like this: “Still cheaper than Starbucks coffee! Foreclosed and Eminent Domain Mitzy Neuhuas Mysteries http://t.co/pnE4HIn http://t.co/GDrrvSs #ian1” To make a tweet like that happen short web addresses are essential.