Wednesday, January 31, 2018

19 Things to Remember When the Writing Life Gets Tough


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

A writer’s journey is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we’re on top of the world—the words flow and the opportunities abound. Other times, well, not so much. 

Everyone who reads this blog knows I preach over and over that we can’t do this writing thing alone. But it’s hard to know what exactly what we need to do when difficult times hit. 

Today I’m going to share some things to remember when the going gets tough.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

February Idea Starters for Writers—Holidays, Special Days & Downright Crazy 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. 

Monday, January 29, 2018

Facebook Changes, Terminology, and Best Practices Screencast


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As I've shared in earlier posts, a lot of things have changed on Facebook in the past couple of weeks. This screencast is going to help writers continue to engage effectively on this valuable platform.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Let Us Spray—The Importance of a Good Foundation


by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Sometimes I’m tempted to take some time off from hairspray. Sometime when I’m planning to go nowhere. And I mean absolutely nowhere. I think I would call it a spray-cation.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Tips for Connecting Your Readers to Your Book


by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Last week I was meeting with a new client, and he asked me a powerful question. “Cathy, I basically know what concepts I want to share in my nonfiction book. But, how do I get my target reader to first buy it, then read it, then use it?”

What a great question! Aren’t those the issues we’re all trying to resolve as nonfiction writers?

Friday, January 26, 2018

Launch Your Writing with an Effective Query Letter


by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

You’ve done it—you’ve finished your article, devotion, or poem. Now what? How do you get it out of the computer and into the hands of readers? Second only to excellent writing, the key to publication is knowing how to write an effective query letter.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

How to Build Exciting Characters into Your Novel


by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

One comment I hear frequently from readers is how much they like my characters, especially my secondary characters. I’m often asked how I find them and develop them or what techniques do I use to create them.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Evaluating Writing Goals at the Start of a New Year


by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills


Sometimes evaluating our professional writing life leaves us perplexed. We understand the value of analyzing progress, but how do we move forward? 

Do we continue with the same social media, marketing, promotion, and branding strategy as 2017, or do we explore new or enhanced methods that have the potential to raise our visibility? 

Monday, January 22, 2018

When Writers Struggle with Social Media Commitment Issues


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

We all know it’s important for writers to have a solid presence online. 

But many of us struggle with Social Media commitment issues. We have good intentions, but our follow-through may be less than stellar. 

So today I’d like to share some tips to help you stay on track.

Friday, January 19, 2018

How Authors Can Build an Indie Empire—What You Write Matters

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

*disclaimer from Traci. This series is about following rules. I know that indies don’t have to follow rules. That’s the whole point of being indie. But indies who pay attention to what rich and famous authors do, have a much better shot at fame and riches.*

Russell Blake taught me his guaranteed method to building an audience for your work. It starts very simply: Give readers exactly what they want.

I could end the blog there, but like me, you might need help figuring out what readers want.

What Readers Want

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Battle Against Facebook Engagement Baiting


by Cyle Young @CyleYoung


Facebook is one of the primary social media tools for authors. It doesn’t matter if an author is self-published or traditional published, Facebook provides significant opportunities for growing and sustaining platform while supporting and launching book sales.

But things are about to change!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

6 Ways to Make PRAYER a Priority in Your Writing


by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Our Father God is faithful to hear the prayers of His children. And His writers. Just as God answers prayers about health, income, life’s trials, and daily surprises, He hears the prayers of those who seek to encourage others through the written word.

Do you need some “punch” and pizzazz in your wording? Do you need perseverance to finish a book or create a book proposal? Do you need some help to know how to edit what you’ve written? Do you want people’s hearts and minds to be touched forever by your writing? One of the keys to effective writing, and an effective ministry through our words, is P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Recent Facebook Changes—Breaking It Down for Writers & Authors


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Some birthday present, huh? January 11 (my birthday) will definitely be one for the books when it comes to Facebook changes.

By now I’m sure most of you have heard about the Facebook announcement made that day. Mark Zuckerberg has rocked our social media world with the projected changes that have already begun rolling out.

Today, I’m going to try to help you understand how this affects us as writers and authors.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Guard Your Social Media Reputation


by Molly Jo Realy @RealMoJo68

We all love to blow off steam and when Friday rolls around, most of us are counting the seconds til closing hour. Then, bliss! Over sixty hours to spend however we want.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Seeing the Small Joys


by Beth Vogt @BethVogt 


I can spend my days so focused on the one big thing that I hope will ensure me happiness … fame … or accolades … or some sort of self-satisfaction that creates an “I’m enough” feeling — however fleeting …

Friday, January 12, 2018

Tips to Start Your Own Cyber Small-Group for Writers


The Light Brigade: Our Own Cyber Small-Group for Writers

by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

Many of us would agree with writing greats Stephen King, Isaac Asimov, and Ernest Hemingway in saying “writing is a lonely job.” Some days, apart from the snoring pooch at our feet and a few quick forays into Facebook feeds, the only people we talk to are the imaginary ones in our heads. And sometimes even they fail to show up. Even though we don’t see immediate results, we remind ourselves we aren’t being non-productive. But on those days when all we have to show after hours at the computer is a hundred-word paragraph, we’re tempted to think that person who suggested we should get a real job was right after all. 

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Reduce Blogging Stress with These 12 Tips

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Blogging is a valuable tool for writers wanting to grow and connect with an audience. It provides us with the opportunity to go deeper than a quick social media post. It also gives our readers a place to hangout with us in cyber-space. 

But anyone who has done much blogging knows that it can also be stressful. These are my tips for reducing that stress.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

An Invitation to the 2018 Carolina Christian Writers Conference


by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

How is 2018 shaping up for you? Even though we are only a two weeks into this new year, I am finding refreshment in viewing a calendar with a little extra space, at least for now. I love feeling like the slate is clean and I have a second chance to meet all my goals and accomplish all the things God has for me.

One of the things I always make sure to put on my calendar is at least one writers conference for personal growth as a writer. Writers need to take the next step in their writing expertise and learn what is new in the publishing field.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Writing with Emotion


by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted


Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

I still get chills when I hear those words. Something inside me churns. I scoot a little closer to the television. As the stars shoot past me on the screen, I am drawn into the next adventure of the Enterprise. Excitement. Anticipation. A touch of anxiety—all emotions set into play by the author.

The joy in reading comes when an author tweaks the reader’s emotion. It doesn’t always have to be earth shattering—but it does need to spark an element of sensation.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Tips for Freelance Writers: Dos & Don't for Conducting a Sports Interview

Edie here. Today I'm excited to be able to introduce you to a man who's become a good friend. Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and a master of the sports interview. Besides the value you'll see in the post below, I recommend you follow him on social media and through his blog!


Dos & Don'ts for Conducting a Sports Interview
by Del Duduit @DelDuduit 

Over the past several months, I have conducted interviews for three projects currently in the works. Each one has required me to gain personal access to famous athletes. This has not been easy, but it has been fun.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Standing Strong During Writing Adversity


by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

It’s the first of a new year. Many of us have spent a lot of time the past few weeks eating too much Christmas goodies and thinking about our writing, looking back at the last year at our achievements and missed goals and planning ahead for new goals.

Friday, January 5, 2018

6 Creative Ways to Boost Your Writing in 2018


by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.”
Twyla Tharp

Some believe we’re either born with the creative gene or we’re not. Truth is, it’s a moot point. God created us in His image so it seems likely that we all have some measure of creativity pulsing through our veins. The challenge is to transfer the creativity in our veins to paper.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Word Crawl - A Creative Way to Make Your Word Count Goal


by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn


I don’t know what kind of writer you are, but I’m the kind of writer that prefers to have at least an hour, preferably a couple of hours, to focus on my story. In a perfect world this would happen every time I sat down to write.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

No New Year’s Resolutions for Me!


by Sarah (Sally) Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Good-bye, 2017! Hello, 2018!

Are you, like me, being inundated with left-brained people—well-intentioned people!—who want to help you set goals and get organized for the new year? Gosh, my email inbox, and even my post office box, is full of charts and calendars and great ideas for 2018.

I say bah, humbug! Oh, wait. That’s for Christmas, not New Year’s Day. Maybe Doesn’t Work for Me is better.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

12 Quotes to Inspire Your Writing Journey


by Cynthia Owens @EfficiencyAdict

It’s a brand new year, full of possibility and promise. We know that 2018 can be amazing, but how do we harness its potential? How do we make 2018 the year our writing grows and soars?