When is it Acceptable for a Writer to Borrow from Other Writers?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

This is an issue that’s come up a lot lately in my communities. The borrowing I’m referring to is in reference to anything that’s written or taught. The teaching could be in person, online, or at a conference.

We all want to be generous, but we also want to be respectful of the work others have put into the things they share. So here’s my list of things we might borrow and how we need to handle the borrowing ethically.

The Tortoise Teaches Writers Valuable Lessons

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

When God added writing to my calling, I should have known my progress would mimic the rest of my life—slow and steady. No one has ever mistaken me for the hare in Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. While I’ve always been athletic and love sports, speed has never been my forte. But as we learned in that fable, tortoises have advantages.

Success in writing, like most things in life, is built upon the mastery and consistent performance of little things. Many of us recall our elementary days of doing drills. We practiced writing letters and words until we mastered the pencil strokes. We paced the floor, memorizing spelling words in a frantic effort to pass the Friday spelling test. As children, we discovered writing well required slow and steady practice and lots of it.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: What Do You Want as a Writer?

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I made a life-changing discovery in 2017.

While at the Blue Lake Writers Retreat, I spotted a piece of paper—an 8 ½ by 11 and nondescript—which told about a prayer labyrinth that could be found on the property. Although I had heard about prayer labyrinths, I knew little about them. So I did what I always do when I learn a little about something but know next to nothing—I research.

In time, that research led to a deeper walk with God . . . and a book, The Third Path, which won the AWSA Golden Scroll Book of the Year this past August. The research also led to several years now of teaching a speck of what I learned by studying the questions God asked in the Bible. 

Be Ready to Engage With Readers—29 Ideas for Social Media Updates to Share

by Edie Melson @ediemelson

The holidays are upon us and so is the holiday rush. While this time is filled with fun, sometimes it can be hard to keep up with a normal routine. Instead of stressing, look at this list for quick and easy social media updates to share!

These 29 tips are divided into three sections—things we can do now and share later, things we can share on the fly, and things we should avoid sharing.

Are You Looking Back at Past Writing Disappointments, or Forward to God's Promises

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven.This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done (Philippians 3:13-14 CEV).

Publishing is a tough business.

It’s almost impossible to write anything for public consumption without feeling like you’re throwing your heart into the lion’s den.And I don’t know about you, but I give negative comments a lot more credibility than the positive ones. The good ones I tend to disregard with the thought that the person commenting was just being nice.

Dismantling the Myths of Story Structure for Writers

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

Myth #1: Story Structure Makes Projects Formulaic

One prevalent misconception about story structure is that it forces writers into a rigid formula. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Story structure is not about paint-by-numbers; it's about uncovering the timeless, universal principles that underlie all successful narratives. These principles, as old as Plato and Aristotle's teachings, are woven into the very fabric of the universe, providing an intuitive guide for storytellers. Once you tap into these principles, rather than constricting creativity, you’ll be empowered to craft stories that resonate with readers on a profound level. 

5 Good Reasons to Take a Christmas Break from Writing

By Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

With the Christmas season upon us (are you reading this while Black Friday shopping?), many writers struggle to create content amidst the pull of holiday activities. I mean, which would you rather do, write a blog post or watch It’s a Wonderful Life? Edit an article or make Peanut Butter Temptations? Write a newsletter or decorate with the newest nativity set you found at Hobby Lobby? 

Even the most disciplined writer feels the pull to ditch writing and do Christmas.

I say, “Why not?”