A Gift for You in the New Year!

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Happy New Year!

I know, I'm a day early. But I have a present for you and I'm so excited to give it to you that I can't wait until New Year's Day.

My One Word for 2018

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Since we're nearing the end of 2017, I thought I'd share my One Word for 2018.

I’ve long since given up making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I use this time to allow God to redirect my steps onto the path He has for me. I’d like to take today to share how I go about that.

A Writer's Time to Reflect

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

This is the time of year where we reminisce about last year, looking at both the good and the not so good. Do we take the time to reflect on both areas? Do we try to figure why the good was good and what did we do to make it happen? Do we look at the not so good and see if there’s anyway to prevent it from happening again?

Tips for Mastering the Art of Story Description

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Mastering the art of description is an exciting reality of the writer’s life. The writer uses various techniques to show fresh and unusual details through the point of view character. The result immerses the writer and the reader into the story. The adventure begins!

First Rules of Critique—“Rule Three”

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Over the past two months, I’ve written about two “rules” necessary to provide proper critique within a critique group or one-on-one with critique partners.

The first rule was to know the writer’s level of expertise.

The second rule was to know the difference in the style of the writer vs. the rules listed by the different “style books.”

Now let’s take a look at the third rule, which is: Critique the work … not your feelings about the work.

Merry Christmas!

Writing Blogs and Articles to Grow Your Speaking Business

Using writing as a powerful business development tool.

By Cathy Fyock, CSP @CathyFyock

What’s the number one best strategy for growing your speaking business?

5 Ways to Balance Writing with Marriage

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Wide-eyed fiction writer Mike Dellosso didn’t start out as a writer. More science-minded than literary-minded, he’d been a physical therapist assistant for two years before he discovered the joy of expressing himself through the written word. He’d write whenever he could—early in the morning, late at night, and often to the neglect of his wife and children.

“I was a jerk about it,” he said at a recent Word Weavers conference. “Don’t be a jerk.”

Character and Plot According to God

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

If we were going to write an epic novel that appealed to countless generations of readers, what characters would we create? Would they be dashing or timid? Successful or defeated? A good novelist knows that a protagonist must be an enticing mixture of courage and hesitation, splendid qualities and identifiable weak points. He or she has to be true to life.

Where Does A Writer Find Peace?

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

Are you tired of hearing news reports of violence around the world juxtaposed with carols that sweetly echo “sleep in heavenly peace?” Are you ever tempted to respond “Bah Humbug” when someone cheerily wishes you a Happy Holiday?

About a hundred years ago, author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was also despondent on Christmas Day.

Inspiration for the Long Writing Journey

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

Every Christmas, under a canopy of stars, we would carry our pajama laden children to the minivan. We’d tuck them into car seats and strap down a television and VCR to provide entertainment during the marathon journey across the country.

Let Your Christmas Heart Song Fuel Your Writing

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

As writers, our tendency to look deep helps us create story energy and innovative characters. We break through imaginary walls and see beyond the ordinary as we unfold story. This also holds true in our own story. At least it does with me.

This Year I’m Going to Take My Own Writing Advice

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

My Best Writing Advice

How to Create a Captivating Murder Mystery

by Warren Adler @WarrenAdler

I’ve always loved mysteries, my favorite mystery author being George Simenon who, in my opinion, is the master of brevity. Simenon wrote a masterful series of seventy-five novels and twenty-eight short stories following Inspector Maigret. He inspired me to try writing my own mystery series, which I began in 1981. Here I share the top three things you must keep in mind if you want to create as captivating a murder mystery as possible.

Writing Lessons from a Christmas Tree

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

“Mom, why is Moses on our Christmas tree?”

           

“Moses? We don’t have Moses on the tree. You know the only ornaments allowed on the tree are those that have all three members of the Holy Family.”

           

For years I have collected nativity ornaments. My mother started my collection while I was still living at home and dated each one so I would remember when it was added to my collection.

Fall Clean-Up – 3 Tips to Getting Your Writing Habits Ready for Winter

Edie here. Sometimes, I can't help it, I just get it wrong. Cindy sent me this post for November and somehow I managed to put up the post meant for December instead. It's a fantastic post, so I refuse to not share it, but I didn't want you to think she'd missed the timing on this. 

Fall Clean-Up—3 Tips to Getting Your Writing Habits Ready for Winter 
by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

I swore I’d try to never write on a subject that is worn out. You know, the hundreds of devotions making analogies about gardening to their spiritual life? Well, guess what? I had an epiphany while cleaning out fall bushes and leaves that will not leave my creative desire to compare it to my writing life, alone.

Best Practices for Facebook in 2018

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Last week I shared Best Practices for Twitter. This week I’m following that up with a follow-up post about Facebook.

While there haven’t been any major changes lately with Facebook, it continues to make changes and updates regularly—especially in the Edge Rank Algorithm.

Who Made the Poppies?

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

In Switzerland—Burtigny, to be precise—there is a hill I climbed several times during my recent stay. Though autumn had secured much of the landscape, there remained a few bright red poppies blooming on the edge of a farmer’s field. Situated just above this field was a small wooded area with an enticing walking path through the heart of it. It didn’t seem to matter to me if the day was sunny and mild, or cloudy and wet, I still wanted to walk up the hill, venture into the woods if time allowed, and always visit the poppies.

Keeping Christmas All Year

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

I collect Nativity scenes. I don’t have an extensive collection, but I do have a much-loved assortment that includes a hand-sewn cloth Nativity that little hands may play with. I also have a treasured olive wood set from my mission trip to Israel in 2000, when my husband and I chaperoned a high school trip that our son went on. My husband and I brought back matching Nativity sets for each of our children, including our then-to-be-born “caboose kiddo,” Christa, who arrived later that year on Christmas Eve.

When Encouragement Comes Dressed As a Sympathy Card

by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

Will You Nominate THE WRITE CONVERSATION Again for the Top 101 Writing Blogs?

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Will you recommend The Write Conversation as a Top 101 Writing Blog?

This year I'm doing something different. I'm asking for a present from you—our loyal blog readers. It won't cost a thing—I promise! 

The team and I here at The Write Conversation are working hard to provide information to help equip you to follow your writing dream. We have a dream too, it's to be listed in the Writer's Digest top 101 Writing Blogs in The Write Life's 100 Best Websites for Writers.  

Editing Your Book, Part V—Copy Editing: the 5 foot view

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

There are four basic types of editing:

• Developmental Editing
• Substantive Editing
• Line Editing
• Copy Editing

Each type of editing offers an opportunity to look at a manuscript from a different place, and for different reasons. Today, we work with Copy Editing (CE).

4 Goal Setting Tips for Writers

by Cynthia Owens @EfficiencyAdict

It’s a December ritual—looking back on the current year and considering all the possibilities for the next. We celebrate, make resolutions to do better, and dream of what the new year could hold. However, statistics tell us that only 9.2% of those who make resolutions will achieve their goals.

I don’t share that to deter you. I list it so we know what we’re up against and can make a plan to overcome it. There are a lot of articles about how to achieve goals, but today I want to share four lesser known tips that have actually worked for me.

21 Best Practices for Twitter in 2018

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

There has been a huge change with Twitter recently—Tweets are no longer limited to only 140 characters. Instead you can use up to 280. The question is, should you?

Maybe...

There are other, less obvious, shifts in the Twitter universe as well. Those feed into how we should approach the length of our updates. Instead of length explanations, I’m going to share a list to help navigate this new paradigm.

A Writer’s Advent Prayer

by Danetta Kellar @DanettaKellar

Do you ever wonder why words have such power? As writers we are obsessed with them. We dream about them and parse them while we are awake. We endlessly fixate on synonyms and sit at our desks deeply preoccupied with finding just the right word to express the ideas that surge like lightening through our spirits.

Words may just be the most powerful force we wield. Yes, love is powerful. Compassion is transformational. Generosity can be revolutionary. But words are the pen with which God engraves value and meaning upon the human heart.

Record Your Blessings

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

The holidays can be festive, magical times. Twinkling lights, traditions, decorations reminding us of family and friends, an excitement and buzz in the stores, and anticipation of reuniting with family members.

The holidays can also be a very lonely time. A yearly reminder of friends or family who are no longer here to sit around the table, traditions with no one to share them with, and meals set for one.

Creative Christmas Gifts Only a Writer Can Give

by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker

As writers, we have the unique opportunity to give gifts not found on your typical Christmas list. Material gifts gather dust, but words captivate the heart.

While most of the gifts below are more meaningful than fun, all are in your wheelhouse waiting to be wrapped and given away.

Time to Write - the Gift You Give Yourself

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Most writers I know are part of a conflicted group. 

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.

Let My Words Be Few

by Heather Iseminger @Hiseminger

I can’t remember a time when my pencil didn’t scratch across paper or my fingers didn’t tap, tap, tap on a keyboard.

Writing is part of the air that fills my lungs and allows me to breathe. Crafting sentences into ideas is the way I express my most authentic self. I’m sure you can relate.

So what happens when God whispers, stop?

First Rules of Critique—“Rule Two”

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Last month I talked with you about the first rule of critique, which is to know the level of the writer whose work you are critiquing.

So, let’s move forward with Rule #2: There are rules … and there is style.

About a year ago, an email came into my Firefly Southern Fiction managing editor mailbox (oh, yes . . . another hat I wear . . . ). In the text of the email was a book proposal. In the text of the email. Well, I knew immediately that this writer didn’t have an agent. As I only work with agented authors, I quickly wrote back (without reading the proposal, mind you), and asked if the author had an agent (knowing full well she would say “no.”).

She wrote back a short while later with, “I do not have an agent.”

Yeah . . . I kinda knew that (insert smile here). So, I thought I’d quickly shoot back that I only work with agented authors. But before I could hit the “compose” button on my email page, a thought came to me. Eva Marie, said the Thought, you are the president of Word Weavers International. You are supposed to offer a word of encouragement . . .

Oh. Yeah. So, I decided I’d peruse the first few lines of the “in the text of the email” work, offer a few “kudos here and there” and then suggest that when the author find an agent, she contact me again. Well, reading those first few lines led to reading the next few lines. And then a few more . . . until I was convinced I’d found the next great Southern writer. I was Max Perkins and this was my Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Thomas Wolfe all rolled into one fabulous female from Memphis now living in Malibu!

I got on the phone, called the author, and asked (stupidly), “You don’t have an agent?” She repeated that she did not. “Hold on,” I said. “I’ll call you back.” Then I jumped back on the phone and called a Southern Belle agent I know who I thought would be perfect for this Southern Belle writer. After I read the first several paragraphs out loud, the agent said, “What on earth is that glorious writing?”

Long story a tad longer . . .  the writer had a new agent . . .  the agent had a new client . . . and I had a new author.

But here’s the deal. The author, Claire Fullerton, broke one “rule” after the other for the sake of style in her work and, in the process, handed me a most delicious body of work. Months later, when I sent Mourning Dove (releases June 2018) to the proofer, and after she’d done her job on it, she wrote me and said, “She broke every CBA rule . . .  and did it beautifully.”

Here’s the problem as I see it: sometimes rules are made to be adhered to; sometimes rules are made to be broken. For example, I hear writerly people going on and on all the time about the cursed “semicolon.” To which I say, “If God hadn’t meant for us to use semicolons, He would not have invented them.” (Insert grin here.)

But, oh . . .  someone will say . . .  but they stop me in my tracks. Well then, buy new shoes. (More smiles inserted; I’m feeling cheeky today.)

Here’s another one: don’t use ellipses. Honey, Southern people speak and think in ellipses. Therefore, Southern writers have to use them. I’m not sure if that’s a rule, but I think it’s a law.

When we critique work, we must listen for voice. Voice is found within word choices and punctuation. Voice is found in style. Voice is what sets the writer apart from all other writers out there.

If, as a critiquer, you are unsure if the writer broke a rule on purpose, then simply ask, “Is this going to style?” I’m not suggesting that the writer will always know, especially if they are new to the craft. But many times they will.

Repeat Rule #1: Know the absolute rules (periods go at the end of sentences) and differentiate between rule and style. In doing so, you’ll help the writer find her voice.

TWEETABLES
First Rules of #Writing Critique—Rule Two - from @EvaMarieEverson on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Always, always know the #writing rules, then break the ones needed to make the work sing - @EvaMarieEverson (Click to Tweet)

In case you missed the other posts, here are the links:

First Rules of Critique, "Rule One"

First Rules of Critique, "Rule Three"
First Rules of Critique, "Rule Four"

Best-selling, award-winning author Eva Marie Everson is the president of Word Weavers International, the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and the contest director for Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Her latest novel, The One True Love of Alice-Ann (Tyndale), releases April 1, 2017.

A Shift in Social Media Relationships

by Bethany Jett @BetJett

Critics say that social media creates less personal face-to-face interaction. “Too often at events or parties, guests are attached to their smartphones tweeting or texting, but no one is truly engaging or interacting with the people around them” (Fowlkes, 2012).

Holiday Games

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Don’t you just love a food-covered holiday table that’s about as big as a football field? You’re juggling several buttered rolls and a plate full of tasty side dishes while you’re trying to score some major turkey. It’s a big play. You have to really scramble to hit the turkey before all those ravenous relatives leave you stuck with only dark meat. First down and gravy to go.