The Truth About the Size of Our Prayer Requests

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17

For many years, I prayed and spoke to God from behind a wall of misapprehension. I used to categorize my requests to God into two lists. Those that were big things and those that were small things.

Promoting Your Book Through a Facebook Group

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

There are a lot of ways to promote our books: 

• Launch teams (sometimes known as street teams)
• Paid ads (like BookBub or other outlets)
• Facebook parties
• Launch events and signings
• Interviews
• Blog posts

The list goes on and on. The question tends to be less about what we CAN do than what we SHOULD do. 

I Can Only Imagine How God Wants to Use Your Writing

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

I hope by now you’ve watched the movie I Can Only Imagine, which tells the story of Bart Millard, MercyMe’s lead singer’s relationship with his father. A hauntingly beautiful tale about pain and forgiveness, the film’s central message displays God’s ability to redeem the most broken situation and soften the hardest hearts. 

When It's Time for a Writer to Refocus

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

As you know from previous posts, I have a heart condition. A serious one. And sometimes it’s tempting to give in to it, to pamper myself, to let it limit my experiences and enjoyment of life. But I don’t. I want to live to the fullest, to enjoy all God has for me. I take care of myself and listen to my wife and the medical team around me so I don’t do stupid. But I won’t let the condition hamper me.

Sometimes, I’ve been tempted to give up on writing because of what seems to be insurmountable obstacles and limitations.

How Do You Write a Character That Shows Sacrifice?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Our characters are plunged into an unsteady world brimming with high stakes and a strong potential for failure. The character chooses to go after a goal or solve a problem and is determined to do whatever it takes to succeed. But does the character understand that determination and commitment mean sacrifices? How far will a hero go to ensure what he/she treasures is happy and safe?

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Writing As the Cure

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

In his book, Unless It Moves the Human Heart, Roger Rosenblatt makes a thought-provoking statement: Writing is the cure for the disease of living.

The book is an exploration into the journey of a class Rosenblatt taught titled “Writing Everything” and these are among the words he spoke to his students.

My 5 Best Tips on Making Memes

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

Let’s face it, pictures are worth ... yeah, yeah, a lot. There are many kinds of memes: funny ones, political ones, life commentaries, inspirational ones, and more. But for this post, I’m focusing on book promotion and author promo.

Strong & Sweet: Thoughts on Coffee & Faith

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

For me, coffee isn’t quite strong enough until it holds the spoon up by itself. I like it when it’s somewhere close to chewy. Coffee you can sink your teeth into. That’s perfection.

Writing the Acknowledgements Page of Your Book: The Art of Saying Thank You

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

My mother taught me that when you receive a gift, you must write a thank you note. In fact, I was not being allowed to play or even leave the writing table until my thank you notes were written.

Mother’s advice still holds true: it’s important to say “thank you,” especially once your book is written. You needed the help of others during this experience, and your “Acknowledgements” page should honor all those who supported you in this journey.

Professional Polish for the Indie Publisher Step Three: Seek Industry Approval

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

One thing those pesky traditional publishers have that I have always wanted is editorial reviews. But where? How? Kirkus charges indies over $5oo and Romantic Times just closed!

I strongly encourage you to Google the heck out of options, hunting for all of the review sites you can. While hunting for your future reviewers, you can also hunt for contests!

Common Facebook Scams & How to Avoid Them

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Social media is big business these days. And like anything that involves large amounts of money, there are lots of unscrupulous people trying to cash in. 

While there is no reason to be afraid, we do need to educate ourselves. It’s important that we’re wise in our social media interactions. Today I’m going to share some of the most common scams and some you may not be as aware of.

A Writer’s Best Baggage

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

Mike and I had arrived at the New Hampshire retreat center as speakers for the week’s Family Camp. While settling into the Lodge I glanced over at a bookshelf full of bound volumes of… what was it? Old copies of InterVarsity’s HIS Magazine from the 70’s and 80’s. 

Feeding Their Muse: Authors in the Kitchen

by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

Years ago when my husband (a polyester-clad, New York City dweller from Queens) asked me (a back-to-the-land, tepee-dwelling ex-hippie) to marry him, I asked him how he felt about dinner. After a moment of stunned silence, he said, “As in eating it?” 

Clearly he was mortified by images of grazing in the garden after a day’s work and would need a properly concocted meal. Over the years, I’ve learned to make some cd’s, as he calls them—culinary delights—although I never acquired an attachment to the kitchen. That’s why I was surprised when a friend said she’d thought of me when she came across a cookbook. Turns out her association was all in the title: Lit A’ La Carte: Favorite Recipes of Famous Authors.

5 Things to Consider When Naming Your Characters

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce guest blogger, Erica Vetsch. She and several other writers (including our own Ane Mulligan) have just written an amazing book on writing, Writing from the Trenches. Be sure to give Erica a warm welcome and check out this newest book on writing. 

5 Things to Consider When Naming Your Characters

by Erica Vetsch @EricaVetsch

Do you struggle to find just the right name for your fictional characters? It can be a challenge, for sure. Sometimes a character springs into your head with all their quirks and abilities and facial features and with their name solidly in place. Other times, you’re piecing together a character through discovery, asking, coaxing, sometimes begging them to reveal themselves, their personality, and their name.

Create Rich Characters by Tapping into Your Past

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

“Oh Agnes, oh my soul, so may thy face be by me when I close my life indeed; so may I, when realities are melting from me, like the shadows which I now dismiss, still find thee near me, pointing upward.” 

Charles Dickens penned these poignant words in what some say was his veiled autobiography, David Copperfield. The character Agnes was based on the love of his life, Mary Hogarth, who died at age seventeen in Dickens’s arms. His lost love plagued his dreams and thoughts his entire life and sought restitution in his writing.

Writers Have to Be Jugglers: Tips for Managing Multiple Projects at Once

Edie here. Today I want to give a shout out to Linda Gilden and her co-author, Linda Goldfarb. Their newest book, LINKED Quick Guide to Personalities: Maximizing Life Connections One Link at a Time, just won first place in the Golden Scroll awards. I want to say, CONGRATULATION!

Writers Have to be Jugglers
by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Even if writers maintain a strict schedule and finite office hours, part of almost every day will include juggling. Why?

The Immeasurable Power in You as a Writer

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

You are not alone in this venture to become a writer. You don't have the privilege to whine and whimper that writing is hard or no one wants your work. Get over it. You're not alone.

The Basics of Successful Blogging

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I love to blog, and I try to share my love of blogging when I teach at writing conferences.

I also know that many of you aren’t such fans. Many try to love blogging because it’s a good way to connect with readers and build an online presence. Others, don’t even try to love it, but do it out of necessity. The rest are like me, and enjoy the process as well as the connections it brings.

Created for Truth

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” 2 Corinthians 11:3. 

“You are alone.” “You are not enough.” “There is no place for you in this world.” 

These are difficult words, yes? They represent exclusion, rejection, and pain. Some of us have heard these words, or some similar, spoken directly to us from those we believed cared about us. Others have heard these words in their own minds and hearts, coming from a place deeply buried and hidden. 

Never Walk Back

by BethVogt @BethVogt

Progress is not about how fast you are going, but it is most definitely about forward motion.

We almost always equate progress with success — although sometimes that is debatable — and sometimes we also believe success has to happen quickly. Hence, the term “overnight success,” which is an oxymoron in itself.

6 Ways Creative Writing Prompts Can Move You Toward Your Goal

by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker

Is your muse in need of a little nudging? 

I admit to not always seeing the value of writing prompts. I want what writing time I have to count toward a specific project. Only recently have I begun to see their truth worth. 

In a matter of minutes, writing prompts can help spark our imagination, free our mind, and jumpstart our creativity. They pack a punch!

Soul Care When You're Weary

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’m coming off an intense writing season and I’m drained in every imaginable way.

So the timing couldn’t have been better for me to get my hands on my friend (and the wonder woman who runs The Write Conversation) Edie Melson’s latest book, Soul Care When You’re Weary.

The idea behind this book is that in a world where our margin for recovering is shrinking (or nonexistent) and peace is elusive we all need a way to be refreshed at the soul level.

The Art of Writing Intimacy, Part 2

by Sarah Greene Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

In Part One, we discussed the natural, normal way that humans express intimacy. But fiction is a little different, not because we don’t follow the same steps in our writing, but because we show it differently on the page. And also in fiction, it’s not only about physical intimacy. It’s about how characters are introduced to each other and how they feel about it.

Writer Branding: A Cheat Sheet for Your Brand Elements

by Cynthia Owens @EfficiencyADict

As writers, we regularly hear about branding, but what is it really? Simply put, branding is what helps others recognize you.

Seeking Great Things—Thoughts on Faith, Writing & Marketing

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

Do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them (Jeremiah 45:5, NKJV).

Alone with the Lord, tucked away in the secret place of solitary worship, His words come to me like dancing light, filling my soul with indescribable gladness and satisfaction. Like a fragrant, freshly baked pound cake out of my great-grandmother’s oven, they beg to be shared. I run with them, out to the crowds, proffering my gift for all who will indulge.

Stay on Track with Your Writing When Chaos Descends

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

September has arrived. In the air, there’s the sense of pumpkin spice and cooler weather.

Where has the summer gone? All the plans, the trips, the whole family gathering together and connecting. Okay, that last one was a bit much.