Monday, May 31, 2021

Fulfill the Promises You Made Your Readers!

Edie here. Today we're welcoming another amazing writer to the Write Conversation columnist team. Welcome Molly Jo Realy! She a writing coach, social media expert, and one of my dearest friends. She also has several books out, including her novel, NOLA.  Be sure to give her a warm TWC welcome!


Fulfill the Promises You Made Your Readers!

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

 

If y’all are family, friends, or follow me on social media, you’ll know I moved to the South around two and a half years ago. I spent a few decades in the desert of Southern California, and while it had its perks, the Southern Life is where it’s at. 

Saturday, May 29, 2021

How to Get the Most Value From an Online Writing Conference


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

If 2020 taught us anything, it was how to Zoom. 

 

Meeting together online has become normal for a huge part of our population and the writing conference landscape has radically changed because of that. First, because last year, there was no other option. If we wanted to offer a writing conference or attend a writing conference, online was our only option. While we lamented the fact that we couldn’t be together—in person—we also discovered the ease and money-saving value an online conference can offer. 

Friday, May 28, 2021

Want to Win a Writing Bet? Gamble on these Four Grammar Mistakes


By Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Every good gambler knows to bet on the side of probability. Probability is simply the likelihood that something will happen.

When I sit down to edit a client’s work, it’s probable they’ll make at least one and perhaps all four of the errors I’m about to describe. If you need to make some fast cash in the writing circles, you’ll win almost every wager if you bet on the probability of finding one or more of these mistakes in your writing buddies’ work.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Don’t Be Afraid


by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

In 2020 and so far in 2021, these strangest of years, we’ve had to deal with restrictions on our activities, our jobs, our churches, our contact with family, and a bizarre election. Some have seen loved ones pass away. Others have struggled through Covid itself. Some have lost jobs or closed their businesses. We’ve all been touched.

I’m sure many of us may have asked, or heard others ask, “God, where are you in all of this? Why did you let this happen?”

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Confessions of a Fiction Writing Addict


by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Fiction writing addicts tend to have common set of traits, and these are personal and professional. It’s who we are, how we think, and how we process information. Fiction writers are wired to juggle character, plot, emotion, dialogue, setting, and thoughts like priceless pieces of art.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Dipping The Quill Deeper: Overlooking Those Nasty Book Reviews


by Eva Marie Everson

Let’s be honest—we love our own work. We gave birth to it, after all. We slaved over it. Bravely took it to our critique groups and partners and allowed friends and family to read it before sending it to the publisher. The publisher loved it (obviously). The editor at the publishing house helped to make it the best it could be, and they loved it too. 

Once the book comes out, we anxiously await the reviews. We sometimes even pay for them—offering our hard-earned coins by sending Advanced Reader Copies (ARCS) to services with folks who love to read and who then post their honest reviews to their social media sites. 

Monday, May 24, 2021

Writing Research: Do You Delve or Dive?


by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

Whether you write contemporary or historical fiction, you will need to do research. Otherwise, you could find yourself fifty-thousand words into a manuscript and discover you've written your characters into a conundrum without a way out. I know from experience. 

Now some writers do all their research before they start writing, taking trips to near and faraway places before they begin internet searches. For those of us who are more seat-of-the-pants writers, that's not always an option. We might have the location in mind and could do a road trip, but we don't always know WHAT we need to research.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

The Best Researchers Make the Best Writers


by Craig von Buseck @CraigvonBuseck

In journalism school, my writing mentor, Bob Slosser, repeatedly admonished his students: “The best reporters make the best writers.” Bob had been a reporter and editor for the New York Times, so when he said ‘reporters’ he meant ‘researchers.’

The more background information you gather, the deeper and richer will be the writing. I’m speaking from my experience in nonfiction and biographical writing, but these tools will work for fiction and other genres. There are some research methods that may seem obvious, but perhaps there are other methods you’ve overlooked that can reap rich results for your writing project.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Writing Apples of Gold Devotions

Edie here. Today I'm honored to introduce you to an author I greatly admire. She has a new book coming out and I persuaded her to join us and share some of her insights into writing devotions. Please give her a warm TWC welcome!


Writing Apples of Gold Devotions
by Tracy Crump @TracyCrumpWrite

Early in our marriage, my husband surprised me with a unique Christmas gift. He bought a signed and numbered print by wildlife artist I. H. Farnsworth. Then he chose just the right wood border along with complementary matting and had it custom framed. We proudly hung it in our new home and later bought two more Farnsworths, framing them to match colors and textures in the prints.

A beautiful frame enhances a painting, but the focus is always on the artwork itself. The frame is secondary. So it is with devotions. The vast majority include personal experience stories, but a good devotion focuses on Scripture, the masterpiece of an ultimate designer. God’s Word “is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11 ESV).

Friday, May 21, 2021

Love One Another—Including Your Editor


by Crystal Bowman

Whether you publish with a traditional publisher, co-publisher, or if you self-publish, you need an editor. Your editor is not your enemy—he or she is your friend who wants to help you polish your manuscript and make it worthy of publishing. 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Zoom Fatigue for Writers Validated


by Susan U. Neal
@SusanNealYoga

Adverse Effects of Zoom 
A recent study confirmed that Zoom fatigue is real. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, or other video calls are taxing on the human mind. Last year via Zoom I led a monthly Word-Weaver Christian Writers Group meeting. After the two-hour meetings I felt utterly wiped out. My eyes felt like they were bulging, and I couldn’t concentrate on any major work projects for the rest of the day. I was experiencing Zoom fatigue. Can you relate?

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Add a Freebie to Your Newsletter


by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

A free Bible study on Philippians. Three steps to hand lettering (for artwork and journaling). A PDF guide to pitching a book. I couldn’t resist any of these. I gave my email address as they asked, and in my inbox appeared the “happy” I wanted. 

 

Do you give subscribers a freebie for signing up for your blog or newsletter? 

 

Writers like to entice readers to subscribe by giving them a free e-book or PDF up front. It’s satisfying to open that welcome email and download the gift. 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

When You are Overwhelmed or Discouraged with Writing, Read This


by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel

Hey, I’ve been there. After the high of a fabulous writers’ event where the formidable input was like drinking from a firehose, I settled back into my desk chair and felt totally overwhelmed. “Where (and how) do I even begin to build my platform/craft/brand/website/proposal?”

Or after hearing from such exemplary faculty, I feel like an imposter and mumble, “Who will even miss my words if I don’t write them?”

No pat answers from this end, friend. But the apostle Paul and I do have a few things to speak into your life today.

Monday, May 17, 2021

Networking Opens Doors to Promotional Opportunities for Writers


by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

Hire Help If You are Clueless and Without Connections

You can start networking with author friends or start with knowing almost no one. Years ago, I wanted to be a guest on TV shows with my books. I had been a TV host with a puppet show but knew no Christian TV hosts. I hired a publicist with the goal of booking me on TV appearances to create video footage.

One Appearance Leads to More

The PR agent scheduled me for two shows. I made friends with the host of the show in my state of Florida and became a regular guest with any new releases The other show included a producer from South Carolina who invited me to be a guest plus connected me to a producer in Georgia. The host of the show in South Carolina also connected me to a show in another city in the state. I’ve been back on all those stations multiple times, including with my 2021 spring release.

My recent trip for the stations in SC opened new doors. One host plans to connect me to a host in my state, in a different city. One of the other stations had a host who is new to me. She has her own show with the station and invited me on for my next release. I love meeting producers, hosts, and other guests for the show.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Thoughts on Writing Classes at a Conference


by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writing conferences are still different for 2021. Many have chosen to stay with a virtual conference again this year, while others are going to be in person. Being an extrovert, I’ve enjoyed going to conferences and long for the day when those around the country can open their real doors once more instead of the Zoom link. At least that Zoom link kept us working on our craft and seeing each other’s faces since we couldn’t gather together. 

Feeling nostalgic for those in-person conferences, I pulled out my notebook of notes I’ve taken over the years. I went through page by page to see what kept me madly scraping my pen across the paper. On some of the notes, I was excited to see where the lesson taught was one I’ve put into practice or at least now understood. Yet others I noticed I must not have caught on as I saw I had repeated a class at another venue.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Writing Restored by the Sabbath


by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

Sunday was a sacred day to my grandmother—a day where she would abstain from all manual labor. From her morning worship experience at church, she would reflect on her life and His purpose for her being. In the afternoon our family would gather at her modest home to enjoy a meal that she had laboriously prepared the day before and had only to warm in the oven for all to enjoy.

Friday, May 14, 2021

3 Ways to Encounter God at Your Next Writing Conference


by Joshua J. Masters @JoshuaJMasters

The hurried pace of a writing conference can rattle the most seasoned author—after all, we want to get the most out of the experience. But with so much to do and learn, it’s easy for the Christian Writer to leave God on a shelf at home.

You can’t actually do that, of course. God is going to be at the conference whether you want Him there or not. The real question isn’t whether He’s present but how present you’re willing to be with Him. 

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Add Videos to Your Book Launch Campaign


by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

When it came time to create a book launch campaign about a year ago for my upcoming book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell, I recalled several faculty members of recent conferences, namely Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Florida Christian Writers Conference, touting the popularity of videos on social media. 

“Engage followers with brief videos,” they said, “and give them some great content.”

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

The Importance of Copyediting for Writers


by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

“We just published a similar article.”

“The subject doesn’t meet our editorial needs.”

“This article is not a good fit for our publication.”

Those are phrases you often hear from editors as you submit manuscripts to their publications. But the one thing you don’t want to hear from an editor is, “Your manuscript is not well-edited so we will have to pass.”

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Digging Deeper into Four Common Writing Tips


by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

We’ve heard them—writers, who offer all the best tips for writing. Is there ever anything new? Well, new isn’t always best. There’s validity in what works, but do you fully understand what lays below the surface of each tip? 

What’s not to understand about love your story or don’t tell readers everything you know? Seasoned authors do their best to share their knowledge, but there are times it seems the reader is hearing the same ole, same ole. Let’s dig deeper into a few writing tips we hear continually and see what we are missing.

Monday, May 10, 2021

Speaking Tips from Keynote Speakers at the Speak Up Conference 2021


by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

The Annual Speak Up Conference will be virtual again in 2021. The Speak Up Conference runs July 14-16, 2021 and includes a pre-conference day on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Several speakers will facilitate breakout sessions, take appointments, and host virtual meals. Only the keynote speakers are highlighted here. 

Sunday, May 9, 2021

When the Plans Change


by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. Romans 1:13 NLT

Transverse lie. I had never heard the term before. 

Breech I had heard of, but not transverse lie. “It’s when the baby is sideways and facing up,” my wife explained. And this was the condition of our fifth grandson, Silas.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

How Being Grateful Helps Us Be Better Writers


by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

I’m sitting down to write this blog post on Wednesday, May 5, which just happens to be my birthday.

I’ve developed a tradition for my birthday: Throughout the day, I take time to count my blessings. I think about all the reasons I have to be grateful—often people come to mind, as well as events from the past year. I’ve found it to be the best way to celebrate my birthday.

Through the years, I’ve also come to realize that gratitude is a vital character-quality for writers.

Friday, May 7, 2021

Using Ensemble Casts to Write Without Preaching


by A.C. Williams @ACW_Author

How do you make a point without being preachy? In your writing, how do you help an audience come to a conclusion without connecting the dots for them? To get an audience to understand your story’s meaning, don’t you have to tell them how to think?

Thursday, May 6, 2021

What to Do When Another Writer Offers Help


by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

SAY YES!

Have you ever been at a conference or in a writing group and had an author offer to help you in some way? Maybe they offer to look at a few chapters of your manuscript or to let you write for their blog. They may offer to loan you some of their books on writing craft, or to go to lunch with you and talk about your career.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

The Writer's Journey


by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

As writers, we often utilize the Hero's Journey to set up our stories, a technique that allows a reader to follow protagonists through their character arcs. But most people don't realize it's really a template for the writing life too. 

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Are You a Fiction Outliner, Plotter, or Plunger


by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

While there is absolutely no right or wrong way to do the craft, those who spend a lot of time writing fiction tend to naturally find themselves in one of three categories with the occasional hybrid.

Monday, May 3, 2021

4 Exercises for Writers Inspired by Physical Therapy


By Kristen Hogrefe Parnell @khogrefeparnell

In March, my husband and I went on a ski trip with some friends, which was everything a good time should be—until I crashed on the slopes and dislocated my shoulder. When we returned home, I scheduled the first of many physical therapy sessions to regain full mobility. 

 

As my therapist walked me through an evaluation and showed me several exercises, the writer in me noticed parallels between PT and the writing journey. Even writers can use physical therapy, and the good news is you can start these exercises today—no referral needed.

Sunday, May 2, 2021

What God Has Made Crooked


by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:13

 

The twisting, crooked roads of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa don’t allow for speedy driving. Travelers must take it slow. Over the decades, many impatient, hasty drivers have plummeted to their deaths over the steep cliffs. 

 

Driving slowly transforms life-threatening danger into breathtaking vistas of God’s beauty and power. The cautious, careful sojourner is gifted with glory on the journey. She arrives at her destination filled with awe and wonder.

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Why A Writing Group Is Important


by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

One of the best things I did when I decided to become a writer was to look for a tribe. A group of writers where I felt I fit in. I didn’t know of any writers in my family, or among my friends. I’ve always read a lot, including the 1964 World Book Encyclopedia. (My Mom was so proud of it. And it was near the heat register.) And when I taught I enjoyed writing my own Bible studies or course work.

To me, writing for income or for the public was merely a dream. Most of the writers I’d heard of were either dead, preachers or professors, or lived in New York City. (Cue the Pace Picante Sauce commercial.) It sure was something anyone from my community could hope to have any success at.