Engage the Five Senses to Boost Your Writing

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to announce a new addition to our blogging team here at The Write Conversation. Please welcome Cathy Baker as a permanent part of TWC!

by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker

Fall offers up a feast for our senses—pumpkin lattes, the rustling of leaves, and fuzzy sweaters—refreshing us spiritually, physically, and emotionally. When we intentionally engage the senses our mind is energized, leading to fresh ideas and solutions for our works in progress.

Exercise Your Writing Muscles

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

If you wanted to run a marathon, would you ever just strap on a pair of tennis shoes and go out to run 26 miles without any prior training? Probably not. If I did that I would likely kill or injure myself, and long before the end I’d probably swear never to run again.

In much the same way, I hear about prospective authors who want to write a book sitting down and trying the write the whole thing, all at once from scratch. It’s no wonder that they become discouraged and disillusioned with the experience. They haven’t been exercising their writing muscles!

Why It's Better for Writers to Savor than to Strive

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

“I’m four now,” my granddaughter announced as she came down the stairs on her birthday. “What comes next?”

Oh, I am so like our little Lauren. And you are too.

We writers are an ambitious lot. We set word count goals, create a career map, and plot the rise of our first Amazon bestseller. And our second. And our third.

The Testing Of a Writer's Character

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Psalm 105:19 (NLT)

In the Old Testament, God tested Joseph. A lot. Mistreated by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Falsely accused of rape. Thrown into prison. Forgotten by those he helped.

Did you ever wonder why Joseph had to go through so many tests? Psalm 105:19 tells us God did it to test his character. And it sounds like Joey had some stuff to work through.

What to do When Your Novel Falls Flat

Troubleshooting Your Novel

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

One quarter of the way through my current writing project, I realized the story had fallen flat.

No interest.

No insight into my characters’ inner turmoil.

No excitement about building the plot.

No display of courage and stamina from my characters.

No romantic attraction between my hero and heroine.

No high-stake scenes to keep the reader turning pages.

First Rules of Critique—“Rule One”

Learn the rules of critiquing for writers.

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

I’ve been a part of critiquing written work for over twenty years.

In March 1997, I sat around a dining room table in Longwood, Florida with four other writer wannabes. We were the beginning of Word Weavers International (though we didn’t know it at the time), which is now over 600 members strong and stretches from one end of the globe to the other.

3 Tips for Better Engagement on Social Media

by Bethany Jett @BetJett

1. Use Visuals
Why are photos important?

It's Not Really a Package Deal

Evening must make their own individual faith decision.

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Big things come in small packages. I think the person who said that sat beside me in my high school geometry class. And even though I was really bad at geometry, I would never copy off that guy’s paper. Because that would be very wrong, yes. But also because the answer would also likely be very wrong.

Keep Writing, Even When Someone Tries to Sabotage Your Dreams

Don't let anyone steal your writing dreams!

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

We can’t help it. Whether it be books or people, we are drawn to an attractive and commanding cover. First impressions are often deceiving. In fact, the dictionary defines cover as, “a wrap, cover-up, hiding place.” A quick rejection will often deny us the gift that is awaiting us upon further inspection.

Good & Bad Reasons to Self-Publish

Things to consider before going the indie publishing route.

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

Great Reasons to Self-Publish

2 Writing Podcasts You Need to Know (But Probably Aren’t Listening To)

Don't neglect your publishing education.

by Cyle Young @CyleYoung

Do you want to make $100,000+/year writing books? If so, these are two podcasts you need to start listening to today. Podcasts provide a wealth of free information, news, and strategies for helping you achieve all of your writing goals.

But, most people don’t listen to podcasts, or at the very least, they aren’t listening to the right podcasts. The “right” podcasts will teach you in “real-time”. They will give you excellent information, statistics, research, and ideas.

If you want to start or continue on your journey to making a living at writing books, these podcasts will be a great help and support to you on your journey.

Utilize Your Blog as a Powerful Marketing Tool

Tips to help you blog with purpose

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Did you know that every blog post you create is a powerful marketing tool? It can draw readers to your website where they can learn more about you and your books. A blog post infused with personality, well-written content, and benefit to the readers can cause them to follow your blog or explore your website. But first, you have to get them interested in your post.

What Writers Say About Writing

Inspiration for writers

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

I just spent a glorious weekend surrounded by 70 writers and speakers at “reNEW” here in New England -- all of us seeking to be “renewed in knowledge after the image of Him.” (Colossians 3.10) It’s always stretching to interact with other creative Christians and I hope you have an opportunity to do that soon, whether in a large or small gathering. Because one thing we writers love to do is be inspired by other writers!

           

Today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite words from some favorite authors – Enjoy!

10 Ways to Market Without the Social Media

Connect through more than just social media

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

I get it. People are social by nature, but sometimes you just want to remove the media marketing aspect. Am I right? You’re out with your girlfriends and some teen nearly divides your group in half because he’s reading his text messages instead of watching his steps. Or you miss an important piece of conversation with your dinner partner because the group next to your table is loudly observing the newest YouTube video. Folks, we don’t want to be like them, do we? Heck, no! Can I get a holla, holla?!

Write the Hard Stuff

"It's not easy to be a writer, but we must commit to write out of passion." Andy Lee 

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

I don’t tell God “no” often. When he gives me an assignment, I’m off and running. I’m a faith junky—usually. But the other day that still, small voice whispered something that made me run in the other direction. My first reaction was not, “Here I am, Lord! Send me!”

Of Puddles and Progress

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

It’s raining here in Colorado. 

I’m not one of those people who love rainy days. A couple of my kiddos do, but not me. Rain interferes with things I want to do, like walking in the morning with my friend Mary. And it steals away those sunny days Colorado is known for. I’m all for the sunshine.

For Writers: One Way To Be Better at Anything

by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

Judging by the popularity of how-to blogs and books, we love our numbered lists: Three ways to improve your love life. Seven things to do before you die. Five steps to break a bad habit. (The lists of course are short—no one wants to read about the fifty ways it takes to lose stubborn belly fat.)

Being a fan of the bottom line, I’m going to contribute my one way to learn almost anything. Unfortunately, it’s not an original idea—learning theorists expound on it, and pet owners swear their animals do it. The instructor at the first writing workshop I attended was the editor for our local news journal. She gave us this advice: "If you're going to read one book, read Rick Bragg's news stories, Somebody Told Me."

Do Writers Need to Copyright Their Work?

What writers need to know about copyright

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

“Well, I’ll be glad to send my manuscript to you for editing as soon as I get it copyrighted. I don’t want anyone to steal my idea.”

Tips to Help You Find Your Writing Voice

"Voice is who you are on the page." Cindy Sproles

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

The radio blared in the backroom. A voice boomed through the speakers. Howard Stern. There was no question who the speaker was. His voice set him apart.

When I begin to form sentences on the page, not only my thoughts and ideas land on the page, but something that sets me apart from everyone else, lands there too. My voice.

Alone

The word, alone, provokes us...

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

Alone. The compilation of “all” and “one.” All + one. All that there is, is one.

A Free Tool for Writers – Valuable Criticism

Feedback is hard, but it can make us better writers.

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

Usually criticism is something we should run from. In most of our lives, we hear enough negative to weigh us down like an anchor. But there are times when criticism and feedback is helpful.

Like when you’ve finished your first draft. First—Yay! Congratulations!

Now what do you do?

Nurture Your Writing Soul

Tips to feed your creativity.

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Writing is hard work, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We spend hours at a computer, neglecting exercise and proper posture. Beyond that, we pour our hearts and souls into the words we arrange into stories, articles, even blog posts. We spend time and money learning how to write, constantly improving our skills.

Then, when it seems like it couldn’t get any harder, we take a deep breath and share our words with the world. So often that world can be less than kind. To face the tumultuous life of writing, we have to take time to feed your writer’s soul.

Today I want to share some tips you can use to nurture the writer within.

Thoughts on Handling Challenges as a Writer

"As long as you don't quit, it will get easier—and harder." -Lynn Blackburn

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

My family vacations every summer at a small lake house in the mountains of North Carolina.

It’s now one of our favorite places in the world but as I recall, my first trip to the house wasn’t particularly pleasant. My aunt and uncle own the house and they had invited our extended family to come for a cookout. They gave us detailed directions but I think half of us got lost that first time.

Editing Your Book, Part III—Substantive Editing: the 10,000 foot view

Each type of editing looks at something different.

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

As I mentioned in the Part I of this blog, 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. Today, we work with Substantive Editing (SE).

Tech Tools for Writers

by Cynthia Owens @EfficiencyAdict

Take advantage of all the time-saving tools for writers

In today’s publishing world, authors have to wear many hats. Beyond being the creators of inspiring stories, we also have to be bloggers, website managers, publicists, marketing planners, and social media experts. With all these areas requiring our attention, shortcuts are a necessity. Below are a few online tools I use weekly to make my non-writing tasks easier.

Writing in First Person Point-of-View - 7 Pitfalls & Praises

by Jayme H Mansfield @JaymeMansfield

Me, Myself & I - Pitfalls & Praises for First Person POV

When the idea for my debut novel was conceived, little thought was given to the chosen point of view. With abandon, I set off on my happy writing path, weaving a story that initially was only for me. Birthed was my natural inclination to write from first person POV. Three novels later, I can’t get the “I” out of me. Call it narcissistic . . . or perhaps it’s just plain fun.