Sunday, December 31, 2017

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.

Friday, December 29, 2017

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.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

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?

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

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!

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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.



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

Friday, December 22, 2017

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.”

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

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.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

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.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

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.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

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.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

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.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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.

Monday, December 11, 2017

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.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

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.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

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.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

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.  

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

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).

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

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.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

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.

Friday, December 1, 2017

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.