Where do You Find Help when Things get Hard?

I'd love to know where you find help when things get hard.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm  46:1

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

More Tips on How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party – Part 2

Last month in From the Editor’s Desk – A No nonsense Approach to Non-Fiction, I shared three tips to help you preparefor a successful book launch party – enlist the help of friends, make a book cover poster, and print invitation postcards. This month I’d like to share two more tips for planning and executing a successful book launch party.

For Writers—Giving Criticism

by Henry McLaughlin @Riverbendsagas

A look at 5 areas to take into account when criticizing.

There have been a ton of articles and blog posts on how to receive criticism. Receiving criticism is hard for everyone. It’s difficult to not view criticism of our work as personal criticism of ourselves.

I don’t recall too many posts on how to give criticism, whether it’s in a critique group or one-on-one. Today, I’d like to look at five areas the person giving the criticism should take into account.

For Writers: AA—Avoiding Average

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

While working my first real job, a supervisor made a comment that has stuck with me over the years—more like haunted me. He said, “Average is the best of the worst, and the worst of the best.”

Ouch. Not where I want to be. But I have to ask myself, how many writers are content with average writing? Publishers have a few top selling writers, but they have far more who sell consistently a lesser amount of books.  Average writers pay the bills and best sellers are the perk. Although it’s nice to be needed, who wants to be shoved into a category as . . . the best of the worst and the worst of the best?

12 Things Every Writer Should be Storing in Your Writer’s Vault

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Saving for a rainy day isn’t just good financial advice—it’s good writing advice. We all have those times when inspiration doesn’t choose to shine on us. But if we’ve been storing valuable things, we’ll be able to continue to make progress.

Major Blogging and Social Media Mistakes to Avoid

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Successful social media is something of an art form—with lots of gray areas. Building a successful online presence takes a good amount of flexibility and a little bit of experimentation. But even though I encourage people to find their sweet spots, there are a few things you want to avoid. Today I’d to weigh in on linking your social media accounts and other major blogging and social media no-nos.

It’s the Master Artist Who Paints our Lives with Color

In the beginning God created… Genesis 1:1

My mother is an artist, and I’ve always admired the sure strokes she uses as she applies color to canvas. The picture didn’t just happen, dictated by the tools she used or the circumstances. It was dictated by the vision she held so firmly in her mind.

In her mind’s eye, the picture was always finished before she even began. But to me, watching it take shape, it so often looked more like chaos than art.

From Failure to Failure

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

"Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill

Writing Life Lessons—Write From the Heart

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

There's never been a better time to be a writer.

There’s never been a better time to be a writer.

Newspaper and magazine publishers are closing their doors. Large, traditional book publishers are consolidating, merging, and discontinuing some imprints. Booksellers are going out of business.

Wait! Didn’t I say there’s never been a better time to be a writer?

Personality and the Writer

Edie here. Today I'm excited to introduce a guest post from a good friend of mine, Linda Gilden. Linda isn't just a fabulous writer, she's also a conference director. The Carolina Christian Writers Conference is one of my go-to recommendations every single year. 

Personality and the Writer

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Recently a friend called. “How do you do this?” she demanded.

“Do what?” I asked.

“How do you sit there all day and write? Don’t you get bored? Are you tired of being by yourself?”

When We Don’t Feel Like Writing

by Lynette Eason @LynetteEason 

What do you do when you don’t feel like writing? Gasp! Not feel like writing? Is that even a real feeling?

Um…yes. Unfortunately, it happens. At least to me. Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. I adore my job and the flexibility it affords me. Believe me, I don’t take it for granted. But I don’t wake up EVERY SINGLE day thinking, “Oh boy! I’m just so excited, I can’t wait to hit the keyboard!”

For those of you who do this, we are not friends and you can go away.

Just kidding.

Sort of.

9 Writing Productivity Mistakes to Avoid

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Productivity Tips for Writers.

There are a lot of tasks we must master as we make writing a priority. But with these additional tasks, our productivity may drop. 

Learning how to juggle this multi-tasking is part of becoming a professional writer. 

Today I’d like to share 9 Productivity Mistakes to Avoid.

8 Tips for Those with Social Media Commitment Issues

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

We all know it’s important for writers to have a solid presence online. 

But many of us struggle with Social Media commitment issues. We have good intentions, but our follow-through may be less than stellar. 

So today I’d like to share some tips to help you stay on track.

The Apple of His Eye

Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, Ps 17:8 (NASB)

I grew up hearing my parents and grandparents use the expression apple of my eye. I was often told I was the apple of my daddy’s eye. There was even a polished, wooden apple, with a small picture of me in it, sitting on my daddy’s desk. It was a constant reminder that I was precious and important to my daddy.

One day, I began to wonder what that phrase actually meant and very shortly was surprised to discover the saying originated in the Bible, specifically, the Old Testament. So I went back to Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament and discovered that the apple of someone’s eye is the pupil. It’s even more than that—it’s the reflection of yourself in the pupil of someone’s eye. Imagine standing close enough to someone to see yourself reflected in their eye. This is a perfect picture of the close relationship God wants to have with us. He holds us so close and so precious that we can see ourselves reflected in His eye.

So what does that have to do with my writing life? It has to do with God’s character—Who He is. He is a creative God. The very first thing we see Him doing, in the first chapter of Genesis, is creating. We all have that aspect of God somewhere within. For me, it’s reflected in my writing. And I’m never more in tune with God than when I’m writing. Rather than looking tolerantly at me when I’m writing, I know God is rejoicing that I’m using the gift He’s given me to create.

So I encourage you, draw close, gaze into your Creator’s eye—revel in the fact that He loves you with a love that defies description—and then feel His joy as you become a living example of Who He is.

Who Makes Your Soul Blossom?

Since today is Valentine's Day, I'd love to know who makes your soul blossom.

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

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

10 Superstitions Debunked for Writers

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

Today is Friday the 13^th, a perfect day to look at 10 superstitions from a writer’s point of view.

1. Superstition: A black cat crossing your path will bring bad luck.

Writer’s Truth: Any frivolous thing you allow to distract you from your writing path will bring bad results.

2. Superstition: It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder.

Writer’s Truth: You can’t climb the ladder of success by walking underneath it. You have to get on the ladder and do the work to move up.

Pen or Computer: Which is Better for a Writer’s Creativity?

by Warren Adler @WarrenAdler

"Writers fear a dam that changes the course of the
river of creativity." —Warren Adler

For writers of the imagination, what we fear the most is a disruption, a blockage, a sudden dam that changes the course of the river of creativity. Back in the late sixties and early seventies when technological innovation began to creep into the public consciousness, I shunned all the so-called marvels of computers when it came to my writing process. As a novelist, I feared that switching to these new fangled machines might somehow inhibit my ever-reliable muse, but what I feared most was a disruption of my creative process, a drastic change to my internal thinking patterns that would inhibit my imagination. A strange new means of composition at the time, the computer seemed an intrusion or, at best, an unwelcome detour on a well-traveled road to storytelling.

8 Tips to Rekindle the Romance of Writing

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Between deadlines, edits and rejections it’s easy to fall out of love with our writing. It can get so bad that we begin to dread sitting down at the keyboard.

When that happens to me my mind begins to reprioritize my life. I can suddenly find a million things more important than putting my rear end in the chair and pounding out words. 

When I begin arguing with myself, stating that clean baseboards are more important than word count goals, I know I’m in trouble.

Today, in honor of the upcoming holiday of love, I want to share some tips that help me fall back in love with writing.

So You Were Asked to be a Beta Reader

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

The email asked, "Would you be a beta reader?" Before there was ample time to think it through, you shot an email back with an emphatic, "Yes."

A few days later, a pdf or paper book arrive along with Beta Reader Instructions.

Becoming a beta reader comes with it's perks - an early look at a new book, perhaps a signed copy , or even a personal thank you note from the author. All which are fun, but . . . there's a great responsibility that comes with serving in this position.

Five Ways To Tell If You're a Fiction Writer

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce you to one of the 2015 Blogging Excellence Award, Michelle Griep. Not only does she have a fabulous blog, Writer off the Leash, she's also a regular contributor of Novel Rocket. She's a fiction writer extraordinaire  and she has a super new book for writers out, WRITER OFF THE LEASH: GROWING IN THE WRITING CRAFT. So with no further delay...

Five Ways to Tell if You Are a Fiction Writer

by Michelle Griep @MichelleGriep

Writers are strange animals. They’re solitary mammals, prone to long stretches of hibernation unrelated to weather conditions. Generally, they’re pale, wear glasses, and for some reason I’ve never been able to figure out, tend to wear flamboyant hats. What’s up with that?

If you suspect there’s a writer gene in your DNA, here’s a surefire test that doesn’t require a blood draw or even a swab of the inside of your mouth.

The Dance

by Sarah Van Diest

“I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path.” Psalm 142:1-3a

“Let them praise his name with dancing” Psalm 149:3a

Greetings, friend.

I hope you are doing well; that your heart is secure in the love of our Father each step today; that rest comes easily and food is satisfying. The simple things of life seem to be the basis from which all other joys emerge, so I hope those simple things are in place for you today.

But I counter my own conclusion with the understanding that life’s trials bring a deeper joy than simple pleasures are capable of producing. The body may be failing and yet its associated pains are not sufficient to drown out the joy of knowing that the Father sits with us when we are unable to walk.

Beauty in Words—A Social Media Image to Share

I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan, and this weekend we had the opportunity to hang out at Poe's Tavern, in Charleston, SC. So in honor of this amazing place, I'm sharing a quote from Poe.

I'd love to know what your favorite Poe quote is.

"Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words." - Edgar Allen Poe

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

A Musing Writer

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

I love art.

I especially love musing art until I have a story to go with it. All forms of art, whether created by camera, computer, musical instrument, or hand, set my mind in motion. They grab my eyes or ears—then my mind.

You see, every piece of artwork has a compelling story. At least for me. And the moment it captures my attention, I begin to imagine the motivation behind it.

The Value of our Editors—in Decorating & in Writing

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn 

People tend to assume if you’ve written a book that you are super creative in many other areas. The reality is while you may be creative with words, that doesn’t mean you have one ounce of skill with fabric, color, or that you have a clue how to pick out a lamp.

I am one of those people.

Finding God’s Fingerprints in Our Writing

Lynette Eason @LynetteEason

Finding God's Fingerprints in Our Writing

Hi all, Happy Wednesday. Hope everyone is doing well and making progress on whatever you’re working on this week. 

When I was wondering what in the world I might blog about today, I thought about God’s fingerprints.

I’ve been writing pretty steady since about 1999. I was published in 2007. Since then I’ve written thirty some odd books. That’s a lot of writing if you stop to think about it. LOL.

Calendar Days—February's Crazy Holidays & Special Occasions to use for Idea Starters

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It's easy to come up dry when searching for blogging and article ideas. To help, I've decided to return to my monthly post on Holidays and Special Occasions. 

Now onto some really fun holidays in February!

It's that time again—Calendar Days. I sure hope you all are enjoying this column as much as me. It's funny, as I research these each month, I think of so many of you.

Social Media Monday—Is Your Blog Healthy?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

One thing I get asked a lot is how to grow a healthy blog. At first, I used to answer with the steps I recommend:

• Find a focus.
• Post regularly.
• Answer comments.
• Be active on social media.

About half the time the person asking the question would reply that they were already doing that, but it wasn’t working. Finally it dawned on me that most people don’t really know what healthy blog growth looks like.

Is Anything Really Big to God?

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17

For many years, I prayed and spoke to God from behind a wall of misapprehension. I used to categorize my requests to God into two lists. Those that were big things and those that were small things.

I tried to only bother Him with the big things. When I shared my prayer requests with others, I was careful not to bring up requests that I’d decided were minor.

I knew that nothing was too big for God, and I’d even share that thought with others who were struggling. And while this is an absolute truth, it leaves out so much. Then one day I had an epiphany.

With God, no matter how big the request, it’s still small to Him.

That bit of revelation took me a few days to process. But as the truth of it permeated, so did the freedom that came with it. My attempt to differentiate between big and small, hard and easy, was artificial. It was a barrier that I had invented and erected between us. Since everything is small to Him, there really is nothing that I can’t share with Him.

The truth is that God cares about everything that I care about. I am His child, precious to Him. So I’ve given up categorizing my requests and worries, and I’m just taking everything to Him.