The Power of Labels

You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23

Have you ever thought about the power of labels? 

What about the power of those we let hang the labels on us? 

We’ve all got labels—and people who label us. 

Used By God

God never uses anyone greatly until He tests them deeply - A.W.Tozer

Being tested is never easy, but I've found it prepares me for the work God has for me. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Share your answers 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.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

30 Days of Idea Starters for Writers - Calendar Days - August's Crazy Holidays & Special Occasions

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It’s time again for Calendar Days. 

These are fun to read and also a great way to jumpstart our creativity when looking for ideas for articles and blog posts. They’re also a fun writing prompt idea. 

In addition, calendar days are great conversation starters for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Patience Now for Writers & Dreamers

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

There is a scene in Star Wars, Episode IV, where Luke is attacking the Death Star, about to drop a bomb down a chute to the core of the weapon. His wing commander tells him, “Wait for it. Wait for it.

Did you know the Lord tells us basically the same thing? In Habakkuk 2:2 – 3 (NLT) the prophet writes:

Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

How many of us have ever prayed along the lines of: Lord, fill me with Your patience. NOW? I think we all have in one form or another. We have a dream, a desire, a goal and it feels like it’s never going to happen.

Excellence Today Will Ensure Writing Success Tomorrow

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Professional writers achieve success by initiating effective practices that increase their skills and self-confidence. The moment they accept the writing challenge, they develop a plan of action by studying how others have attained their goals.

Writing and thriving with sellable manuscripts require a tremendous amount of work. Each writer is different in his approach and method, but by following the steps of established bestsellers, we can make a name for ourselves in the world of publishing.

Fact From Fiction—Is There a Difference?

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

In the past few years I’ve found myself in a strange predicament.

           

For a fiction writer, I’ve been telling a lot of truths.

           

This realization began years ago when I heard the story of Joan Hunt Zimmerman. My friend, Sharon Decker, who happened to also be a friend of Mrs. Zimmerman told me about her. “What do you think,” she said, “of a woman who comes from England to American after World War II, moves in with four strangers, and ends up buying a wedding dress with them?”

Grow Your Blog by Using Twitter

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’ve never met anyone who has a blog and doesn’t want it to grow. One of the best ways to see that growth is to spend a little bit of time with Twitter. With the judicious use of Hashtags and a little consistent tweeting you can add another layer to your blog audience. Here’s how:

Make a Name for Myself? Or Make a Self for My Name?

Edie here. Today I'm excited to introduce you to the newest member of our blogging team here at The Write Conversation. I've been a fan of Rhonda's for years and I'm so excited to also call her my friend. I'm sure you'll be as blessed as me by her wit and wisdom. 

Make a Name for Myself? Or Make a Self for My Name?    
by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Life as an author has enough unabashed self-promotion connected to it to make most normal people blush. Or at least make them a little uncomfortable. Me? I’ve tried repeatedly to convince my publisher that a life-sized cardboard cutout of me would be a good idea. Of course, mostly I’ve wanted to have it at a book-signing sometime just so I could say something like, “I’m so happy to be here that I’m beside myself.”

Rest

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

How do you find rest? Kirk and I live to retreat to the mountains- or sometimes the seaside.

Share your answers 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.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Why You Won’t Submit Your Writing After a Conference

By Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

You attended a writers conference recently and met with industry professionals. You pitched a book, an article, or a blog post, and someone said the words you hoped to hear, “Yes! Send it to me.”

Yet 70 percent of you won’t submit it.

This surprising statistic is why most wanna-be writers won’t make it. Not because they’re not good enough, but because they won’t try. And try. And try again.

5 Ways to Write Using the Five Senses—Smell

by Cyle Young @CyleYoung

I don’t know about you, but every time I smell cinnamon rolls in the oven, I am transported back to 1980’s. My thoughts drift to waking up on Sunday morning to the sweet smell of breakfast baking in the kitchen. My stomach growls. My mouth salivates, and I can almost hear my mother rustling the dishes.

What a great memory from my childhood.

Smell has a powerful effect on our memories, and to be a great writer you must harness the power of smell along with your other four senses.

The Top 10 Elements for Writing an Effective Bible Study

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

If you’re a Bible study author, you’re a messenger of hope and truth. You’ve most likely read a study that affected you for good, and you want to be that kind of writer for others. God’s Word has the power to change lives and heal hearts, revive the soul and break bondage. As Bible study writers, let’s depend on God for the understanding, wisdom, and warmth we need to write our studies, and remember to include the most effective elements in our writing.

Writing Bible studies doesn’t just involve seeing a treasure in Scripture and writing down thoughts about it. Writing is both science and art. There are good rules to follow, but there’s also room for personality and creativity. So what are the ten effective elements?

What To Do With a Bad Review

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Have you experienced a bad review? 

I say experienced because that’s really what it is, isn’t it? You don’t just read it and move on. Not if it’s about your book. Am I right? 

A while back, I had such an experience, and was able to use it as a Cinderella moment. 

Grab yourself a glass of tea while I tell you a story.

Power of Prayer

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

Prayer is an amazing thing. I've been reminded lately of the fact that God is always there when we call. Beyond that, He's already putting things in place to answer prayers we've yet to voice. 

How have you seen God work before you even called out to him?

Share your answers 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.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

TWEETABLE
"God is already putting things in place to answer #prayers we've yet to voice." @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

A Time for Yes & a Time for No—Seasons of the Writer’s Life

by Kristin Hogrefe @KJHogrefe

Rejection is part of the writer’s life. How many of us can relate to one of the following?

• I like your premise, but our house isn’t accepting any more titles in your genre.
• Your story wants to be there, but it isn’t ready yet.
• I’d love to represent you. Call me back when you have 1,000s of subscribers.

The Opportunity to be a Writing Star

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Ever wished you could have someone sitting looking over your shoulder while you write? Or maybe you have written many pages and now the creativity has dried up and you just don’t know what to do next! All writers have that experience occasionally but all don’t have the opportunity to do something about it.

11 Things I’ve Learned from Top Christian Writers

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

I’ve been blessed to attend and teach at hundreds of Christian writers conferences. My habit is to always purchase the CDs or MP3s of every conference so I’m able to continue to learn from the masters. Gathering those recorded classes is, bar none, the wisest thing I have ever done for my writing career.

Here are the best eleven things I’ve learned from top Christian writers.

Eternal Hope

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

There are some days that I need to lean into hope more than other days. Not just for myself … I’m hoping for the ones I love.

Hoping for new beginnings.

Hoping for healing.

Hoping for dreams to come true.

Hoping for life to be easier . . . or more satisfying . . .  for the pieces to fall into place in a way that makes sense.

And yet, hoping doesn’t make it so. 

Hopes are dashed . . . prayers go unanswered . . . or the longed for yes is a no.

And still I hope. Not in myself, or in some other person to make things right. Sure, sometimes I can fix what’s wrong. Sometimes I can’t. Sometimes someone else knows just what to say or do … and then again, sometimes the one person my hopes are pinned on fails me utterly.

Ever heard the saying “Hope springs eternal?”

The real question is why? Why do I hope? Why do you hope?

My hope is anchored to the eternal God. My hopes aren’t always realized. But God never fails me. 

In Others’ Words: What are you hoping for today? Where are your hopes anchored? And if you’d like to share a prayer request, I’d be honored to pray for you.

TWEETABLE
"My #hope is anchored to the eternal God." @BethVogt (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” 

A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

Do I Really Need a Literary Agent?

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

When I teach at writers conferences, I often get the question, "Do I really need an agent?" Well, you'll be happy to know I can confidently and unequivocally answer that question in three simple words: Yes, no, and maybe.

When I wrote my first book, I knew I didn't want an agent. I mean, why would I want to give a whopping 15 percent of my earnings to a total stranger when I could do it myself and keep all that money?

When You Want to Be Somewhere Else with Your Writing

by Lynn H Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I felt so sorry for him.

My youngest son was surveying the scene on his first morning of day camp—and he was not impressed. Kids were running around playing with hula hoops, bouncy balls, Legos, Crayons, and board games. It was a kids’ paradise in there, but the mutinous expression on his face refused to budge.

A special offer from Writer’s Digest for the Readers of The Write Conversation

Edie here. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time you know how important writing conferences. You also know that I’m a HUGE fan of the magazine, Writer’s Digest. 

So you can imagine my excitement when Writer’s Digest contacted me and offered the opportunity to pass along the opportunity for you to save money on their premier writing conference. I wish I could join you there this year, but I’ll definitely be there next year!

Inspiring Quotes for Writers

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Today I'd like to do something a little different. Summer is full on us, so I thought we'd celebrate the beauty of the season with a round up of memes.

I took every picture below and added the quotes through PicMonkey, so you're welcome to share them on social media. If you want to learn how to make your own: Step-by-Step Instructions for Adding Text to Images screencast is the place to begin. 

"Summer's Lease hath all too short a date." William Shakespeare

Abusive Language in our Writing

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).

Last month, this verse prompted me to write a miniseries on graphic description and abusive language in Writing Against the Grain. Today, let’s discuss the popular belief that we must use foul language to sell books because, “That’s what the public wants.”

“It’s how people talk.”

Sometimes it’s better not to give the public what they want.