Using Seeds of Failure to Grow Fruit

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23

I travel around the country speaking and teaching at writers conferences. Beyond being about to help other follow their dreams, I also get to hear about other authors’ journeys to publication. 

What Does My Writing Reflect?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

It’s no surprise—to anyone who follows my photography regularly—that I love reflections. My husband, Kirk, claims it’s not possible for me to pass a puddle without snapping a picture (I plead the 5th). But his observation has made me consider why I’m so enamored by these unexpected photo ops.

7 Traits of a Successful Writing Critique Group

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

I’m sure we’ve all participated in or heard stories about horrible experiences with critique groups. I’ve had a few myself. Unfortunately, I may also have contributed to some of them. To any writers I did this to, I apologize.

Why Writers Can’t Ignore the World Around Them

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Many writers are introverts and prefer to ignore the world around them. Writers genuinely care about others but working in cave mode keeps them on task. A quiet place with a laptop is much more appealing than noisy crowds. I understand the writing preference because many times I’m right there with you. While working independently is admirable, there’s a flip side to a writer’s life that we should all take heed.

Dipping the Quill Deeper – Writing About Sin in a Way that Honors God

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

There is a story in the Bible—a shocking one—about a king standing on the roof of the palace. He sees a woman taking a bath—a purification bath, to be more specific—on the roof of another building. He has a desire for her. He asks about her, learns she is married, but he sends for her anyway. They “lay” together, and, in that life-altering night, they create a child. This leads to the murder of the woman’s husband, the marriage of our two key players, and the death of the baby they conceived. 

Fry Count vs. A Life That Counts

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

You know your marriage is strong when one of you gets home with the drive-thru order and the fries are missing but you still stay together. I’m not saying no one checks for fry-breath or anything, but still.

Sometimes you have to look at what counts. Because there are a couple of burgers left in there, right? No wait. What I mean to say is…healthy marriage. Important. That.

I Double-Dog Dare You to Write

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

Were you ever “double dog-dared?”

Plantation Swim Club in Louisville, KY has a 32 foot diving board that has been legendary for more than 50 years. As kids we would talk about the high-dive, and we would “double dog dare” our friends to commit to making that dive. As a kid, I had promised myself that if I ever got the chance to visit that pool, I WOULD jump off that diving board, even though I’ve always been afraid of heights. After all, I had been “double-dog-dared.”

15 Tips for Hosting a Successful Facebook Live Book Launch Party

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Last month, in 5 Reasons You Should Host a Facebook Live Book Launch Party, I shared how, because of the pandemic, I had to postpone my in-person book launch party and instead launch Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible with a Facebook Live event. In addition to being fun, a Facebook Live event was easy for people to attend, relatively inexpensive, required no special equipment, and reached people who wouldn’t or couldn’t come to an in-person event. Like any other promotional event, a little planning goes a long way. 

Increase Your Website Traffic with Pinterest

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Social media is a powerful business tool, but not everyone uses it effectively. Driving traffic to your website is vital to your success as an author. Over the years I’ve worked on improving my reach and engagement on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. The platform I found the most success with, other than Facebook, has been Pinterest. I will share my journey in hopes that you will learn how to increase your website views through Pinterest.

10 Tips for Irresistible Writing, Part 2

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Connection. We want it during a pandemic. We want to feel connected to people we care about but can’t see in person. To stay grounded in an uncertain time through friendship and interaction. Even if it’s on Zoom.  

We also want connection in the book world—authors connecting with readers and readers connecting with their favorite authors. We can connect through social media, emails, and websites, but an ongoing connection that we can never take for granted is the one we build with readers in our books. We build a rapport with them through what we say and how we say it. 

Staying S.T.R.O.N.G. as a Writer

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

How has the pandemic and quarantine affected your life as a writer and speaker? I can imagine some of your answers because they are probably similar to some of mine: cancellations, uncertainty, inertia, and trying out new ways of communicating. Everything that exacerbates our weakness, not our strength.

Tips for Recycling Marketing Content

by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

Reuse, repurpose, and recycle should be good words when we think of our marketing. Once we generate words and/or images we want to get the most out of them. When we are in the same genre, or a series, it’s even easier to tweak and reuse material. You can repurpose your own words or grab words from a review to repurpose.

Chop that Writer’s Block

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

I’ve read several articles recently on the issue of Writer’s Block. It’s a thing. It’s not a thing. 

Well, is it a thing or not? Seems to me since so many folks are writing about it, it’s just gotta be a thing, right?

Facing Writing Non-Productivity Without the Guilt

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

We’ve experienced almost two months of lock down—government mandated boundaries that includes staying at home except for securing necessities. Since I wander around my house and garden alone these days, my thoughts and imaginations often suddenly explode like fireworks on the fourth of July. They come out of nowhere with uncanny clarity. The memories take on new life when looking back from the pivotal point of living in a pandemic with an unseen enemy.

5 Things I Love Most About Blogging

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

First, I want to thank you all for being such a loyal community. Back in early December, I asked for a special Christmas present. And boy oh boy did you all respond!

20 Newspaper Writing Tips for ‘20

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Looking for new or additional writing credits? Have you thought about writing for the local newspaper? I’ve shared tips for newspaper writing before, and I hope I’ve convinced some of you to tap into that market.

Pandemic Writing Opportunities

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Many people are a bit frustrated about having to stay at home during the pandemic. They are suffering from loss of income, socialization withdrawal, and not happy that others are deciding whether or not they can go to the store.

But as a writer, I feel like I have been given permission to stay home and do what I love. No one is asking me out to lunch and I can’t go out to interview a source for an article. So I can just stay home and write articles. For the last few weeks of the sheltering-at-home time, I have had more article assignments than I have in a long time.

What Makes a Writer?

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

The joy found in helping new authors is fulfilling. It brings a smile to my face when I find a writer who has a burning desire to learn. I met such a man after he contacted me with the news he’d read my novel. He told me he was making the transition from writing non-fiction to fiction and he had a novel in the works. 

4 Takeaways from a Book for Authors Who are Called to Speak

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

I read Called to Speak from cover to cover almost non-stop. The authors Edna Ellison and Linda J. Gilden stirred my existing passion for speaking.

If you’re a writer who speaks, you will welcome the help from Ellison and Gilden. Whether you present before a general market or a faith-based audience, this book makes a great addition to your library of resources.

When Fear Rules

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

All around, I witnessed fear. 

“I can’t find eggs for under four dollars a dozen, and I’m not gonna pay that,” one of my church members said as we talked on the phone. “Nor can I find any toilet paper.” 

The Coronavirus pandemic has made people act in weird—even illogical—ways. Hoarding toilet paper is one of them. After a while, this practice became a joke and the topic of many Memes. I laughed as I looked at them…but not when I, like my friend, went to store after store and couldn’t find any toilet paper. Or when I had to get to the store as soon as they opened to purchase only one pack after stores put a limit on how many packs a customer could purchase.

Celebrating the Beauty of Story

Edie here. Today I want us to celebrate the release of Beth's final installment in an amazing series. I had the honor of getting an advance reader copy and have read the entire series. It now has a special place on my "Favorite Books" shelf. In addition, during this time of social distancing, it's so important that we band together and help authors who are caught by circumstances. So be sure and give her a shout out!

Celebrating the Beauty of Story
by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

I celebrated two birthdays this past week.

That’s correct – two birthdays. 

Tuesday, May 5, was my once-a-year- birthday. 

Tuesday was also the “book birthday” for The Best We’ve Been, book three in my Thatcher Sisters Series.

The Art & Peace of CREATING

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I made some new friends last week. 

And by that, I mean I literally made some new friends. 

Pantsters vs Plotters – What's the Difference in Writing?

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Which kind of writing are you? A pantster or a plotter? Why does it matter?

Writer’s Block Or Submission Block?

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Playing to Win the Publishing Game

There are two types of writers. Those that submit for publication and those that don’t. In the writing industry, the difference between players and spectators is frequently determined by who takes the next step.

Lynette Eason's Aspiring Romantic-suspense Network

Edie here. Lynette is a very close friend of mine, but beyond that she's a genius when it comes to mentoring others in the world of writing. So when she told me about this program she was starting, I insisted she write me a post so I could share the opportunity with you all!  

by Lynette Eason @LynetteEason

Hi Friends, thanks for letting me stop in today and share something I’m kind of excited about. I’ve been thinking long and hard about developing a program that helps writers grow in the craft of writing romantic suspense. As you know, no matter where you are on your journey to publication, writing is HARD. It can often be lonely. And, often, you just don’t know what you don’t know. As a result, I’ve developed the LEARN Program.

Lynette Eason’s Aspiring Romantic-suspense Network 

(My hubby came up with that and I liked it! J)

Mordecai, the Purpose Proclaimer

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? 

-Mordecai’s challenge to Queen Esther in Esther 4:14

The book of Esther is not only the tale of an orphan-girl-turned-queen who risked her life to save her people. It is also the story of her remarkable uncle Mordecai. Mordecai proved that one brave person bold enough to proclaim purpose in times of uncertainty can change the direction of nations.

Stay In the Writing Ruts Until the Finish

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

I have to admit that, for the last few weeks, writing has been a struggle for me. Which is strange because, like most of you, we’re having to quarantine because of the coronavirus? It’s not as if I have a lot of places to go or other things to do right now. You would think this would be the best time to focus and to write.

The Myth of Writer’s Block

by Crystal Bowman

There’s no such thing as writer’s block. There—I said it because I believe it. I’m not sure who coined the term “writer’s block” but I’m guessing the person was not a true writer. Writers write no matter what. It’s our passion, our job, our mission, our talent. Call it what you want, but we write because we can’t not write. It’s what we do. Writing for us is like breathing—it keeps us alive.