It's Contest Time at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference!

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Contests

The Selahs

BRMCWC Director’s Choice

BRMCWC Foundation Contest

We are happy to announce that our 2017 contests are now open

What is Your Social Media Purpose?

by Bethany Jett @BetJett

Why do you use social media?

There’s no wrong answer, but it’s probably not a question that you’ve taken the time to answer. After all, social media infiltrated our lives so rapidly that many of us jumped on board on a whim.

Follow Instructions, Use as Directed

by Rhonda Rhea
@RhondaRhea

If we actually follow the “lather, rinse, repeat” instructions on the shampoo bottle, won’t we end up stuck in a shower-time-loop for the rest of our lives?

Then again, if we read the directions on a lot of these products, we might instead just end up confused for the rest of our lives. Like the can of spray paint labeled, “Do not spray in your face.” Wow. Barely dodged that bullet.

Finding God in Nature

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Being outdoors fills me up. Nature reminds me of God's infinite creativity and love. How about you? 

"God writes the gospel not in the bible alone, but on trees and flowers and
clouds and stars." ~Martin Luther

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

3 Ways Writing Is a Lot like Flying

by Lori Hatcher 
@LoriHatcher2

Somewhere between Lexington, South Carolina and Rota, Spain, I realized that writing is a lot like flying. Luggage, boarding passes, and four-ounce. TSA approved bottles of essential liquids aside, I’d like to share three similarities.

Getting Through the Rough Spots

by Henry McLaughlin 
@RiverBendSagas

Have you ever wondered about the path your life seems to be following?

Why is it so rough at times, filled with problems and pain? Doubts and fears assail us like fierce winter storms.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is my path is uniquely my own, planned just for me. There are moments when it feels extremely lonely, especially in those rough times. And in those times where a colleague or a friend or relative seems to be joyously skipping along in happiness.

Tips for Writing Research

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writing and research go hand in hand. Every topic, whether fiction or non-fiction, needs an element of research. If the manuscript isn’t accurate, the reader will recognize the flaw and toss your work aside. If a writer is spot-on, she will be rewarded with good reviews and more readers. Sort of a no-brainer for us writers.

Why Writers Need to keep (Social) Media in Motion

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

Y’all know the phrase. “An object in motion tends to stay in motion . . .” It’s true with social media, too.

If you’re a writer or other type of creative, social media is a must. In this day and age, if someone can’t easily find you online, it’s detrimental to your public image. But do you know having an inactive media platform can be more hurtful than not having one at all?

Too Busy to Say No: The Secret to Thriving in a Yes World

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

I’ve never been good at saying the “no” word.

I’m your typical “yes” gal.

I find it’s easy to say because the corners of my mouth turn up when the word is formed.

Just try it. Say it with me out loud, “Yes!” See? A smile naturally forms on your face when this word is spoken. (It’s possible to say it with a straight face, but I contend that it’s work to do so; therefore, not natural. But I digress.)

The Contrasts of Life

We are a people defined by contrast. We judge good by bad, abundance by lack, happy by sad. We can't even imagine one without the other—think I'm wrong? Try to picture a coin with only one side. Not possible, is it?

Often my most treasured times follow my most trying times. What about you?

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. - John Steinbeck

When the Doctor Says, "Stop Typing"

by Traci Tyne Hilton 
@TraciTyneHilton

Tendonitis.

Carpel Tunnel.

Arthritis.

Autoimmune diseases.

Neurological diseases.

Accident with experimental flying machine.

You get the picture. There are an awful lot of people who have heard they will have to stop typing.

3 “Hot” Amazon Subgenres or Trends?

by Cyle Young 
@CyleYoung

As both an author and agent, people are always asking what are some “hot” Amazon subgenres or trends. This is always a loaded question and one that is very difficult to answer.

I recently reviewed some interviews from some of the biggest traditional publishers on this topic. Most of them refused to give an answer, and those that didn’t dodged the question.

Seven Giants All Writers Must Slay

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Sometimes they creep up on us. Sometimes they hit us with a battering ram. We may try to push them away, but until we slay our giants with the right weapons, they will ambush us in our writing journey.

You know what I’m talking about. The nagging voice of self-doubt, the bully of perfectionism. They keep us from finishing our work in progress by stealing our zeal and plugging up our creativity.

5 Tips for Writing Truth with Love

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

"Times, they is hard and they is clampin' down on a body's heart like a snake that bites and won't let go."

I loved my grandmother. She was such true woman of the Appalachians whose mountain phrases would either make you roll with laughter or scratch your head. Either way, there was always great wisdom there.

Do I Know You?

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

“Pardon me, but do I know you from somewhere?”

Recently I watched the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day in which being seen, recognized and known for who you really are is a theme. 

Almost every character undergoes some sort of tension as they work to either hide who they are, or struggle to uncover who they are. 

Though the movie is relatively light-hearted, it is a sad commentary on the prevalence of our desire to find our particular brand of fig leaf to hide behind.

The Riches of Love

"Who, being loved, is poor?" Oscar Wilde

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

When my husband and I were first married, we had very different views when it came to money. If the bills are paid — and they always were — and there was no money left in the bank, as far as Rob was concerned, we were fine. Nowadays, there’s always money left in the bank. When we were first married … well, that was another story.

Quotes on Love & Marriage from Warren Adler

by Warren Adler @WarrenAdler

On Marriage…

Those of us who marry for love, must understand that there is no logic to love. It strikes from nowhere and goes through stages. For the lucky ones it endures, deepens and morphs into deep commitment and friendship.

The cruelest joke is on those who enter the marriage bond only to discover that the love aspect was no more than a passing illusion, a false expectation, a lie fueled by imagination.

Writers are World Changers

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

“If you want to change the world, pick up a pen.” This is one of my favorite writing quotes and is from Martin Luther. Since the moment I heard it, I knew I had heard directly from God as to my calling.

I had always wanted to do something that made a difference. When I first started writing, I was content to write in my office and have a few things published. But sitting there all alone with my computer, didn’t make me feel like a world changer. Looking across the top of my computer out the window at the vast landscape in front of should have been inspirational. Instead because it was all the world I could see every day, it felt very small.

How to Name Writing Files for Easy Access

by Cynthia Owens 
@EfficiencyADict

Recently, I spoke with our local American Christian Fiction Writers chapter in Anderson, South Carolina about how to organize writing files. Two simple tips we discussed really got those writers excited. So, in honor of National Clean Out Your Computer Day this Monday, February 13^th, I’m sharing them with you today.

3 Social Media & Blogging 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.

TEDTalks, A Resource for Speakers & Writers

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddenth

Be ready in season and out of season. II Tim 4:2

To reach our biggest audience, often writers are called on to be able to speak in public. When some of us hear that, we perk our ears up like a good bird dog. Send me after it.

Others run and hide under the porch. Writing in the solitary of our homes, on our back porch, or at our favorite coffee house does not prepare us for standing in front of two, twenty, or two hundred people. Why, we’d have to get out of our pj’s. (Just the thought made you tremble, didn’t it?)

But there could come that opportunity to get out of the house and share about that topic you care about with others. And public speaking, whether in person or through a monitor is becoming even more popular. You know your story matters. What do you do?

Writing is a Gift

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

“Writing is an extreme privilege but it’s also a gift. It’s a gift to yourself and it’s a gift of giving a story to someone.” – Amy Tan

Amy’s words reminded me the Lord has blessed me with the privilege and gift of writing. It’s in my blood. I must write. Oh, I can ignore it for a season, but I can’t quit.

Troubleshooting Your Novel - A Book Review for Writers

Troubleshooting Your Novel

by Lynn Huggins Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I have a bit of an issue with writing craft books.

I love them.

My craft shelf is loaded with them, but there are only a few that get pulled out time and time again.

Troubleshooting Your Novel by Steven James is going to be one of them.

Troubleshooting Your Novel is divided into five parts:

Idea Starters for Writers—February Calendar Days

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It’s time again for Calendar Days. These are just fun to read. They’re 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, especially when two contrasting holidays fall on the same date.