Merry Christmas

Prepare Him Room

Prepare him room

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

Have you ever wondered what excuse the inn keepers could possibly have come up with that first Christmas that would’ve been sufficient justification for allowing the Son of God to be born in a barn? Sure, they had that census crowd excuse going for them. But lighting up a “no vacancy” sign as a hugely pregnant woman rides up on a donkey? You’d think somebody would’ve made some room.

The Power of Small

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

Have you ever attended a writers’ conference where they gave an award for “Smallest Blog in the Blogosphere”? How about a gold-embossed certificate for “Fewest Pageviews”? “Lowest Royalty Check”? “Subterranean Amazon Book Rating”? “Facebook Post with No Shares”?

Some of my writer friends have blog posts that have gone viral. Others have subscriber bases numbering in the Ks (15K, 20K). Some have dozens of books to their credit, and others actually get advances on their publishing contracts (I know, what’s a publishing contract?). They have editors pitching books to them instead of the other way around.

But they are exceptions.

The Novelist’s Christmas

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Up on a bookshelf

A reader’s list

Filled with Christmas

Novels as gifts.

Down through the aisles

With lots of books,

All with metaphors and crazy hooks.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Oh, up on a bookshelf

Click Click Click

Down through the aisles

Comes a bestseller’s pick.

Grab me a Kindle

Writers heed.

Download multi-books to read.

Some with bad guys

Some with romance

All a reader’s adventure

Filled with mystery and suspense.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Oh, up on a bookshelf

Click Click Click

Down through the aisles

Comes a bestseller’s pick.

Writer note Pinterest,

Google Plus too,

Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter stew.

Tumblr, You Tube, 

Instagram, Blog

How can I keep up 

With the social media fog?  

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Oh, up on a bookshelf

Click Click Click

Down through the aisles

Comes a bestseller’s pick.

Christmas is nearly here! What would fill your writerly stocking?

TWEETABLE

The Novelist's Christmas - via @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Are You on the NAUGHTY or NICE List for Social Media?

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’m in a holiday sort of mood, so I thought I’d carry it over into my social media post today.  

I hope you enjoy my impromptu quiz. To stay on Santa’s nice list, no cheating allowed. 

Take the quiz first, then look at the answers below.

Seeing Red—In Christmas & (Writing) Critiques

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

Seeing Red in Christmas & Critiques

What color reminds you of Christmas?

Red is one of my favorite colors all year long, and it’s definitely my favorite color in December.

It’s safe to say that Christmastime brings out the red in us. Everything from our wardrobes to the decorations to the wrapping paper choices proclaim our love for all things red. All things, that is, except the manuscript. If we’re not careful, blood-colored marks on our carefully-written pages can cause us to see red!

PSL—Publishing As a Second Language Becomes CSL—Christmas as a Second Language

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

One publishing word that comes to mind right now is the word “seasonal.” What does that mean to writers? Any piece of writing that is tied to a particular time of the year is considered seasonal. 

Obviously, right now we think of Christmas articles and books. But now that the season is upon us, it is too late to think of submitting articles and books for that year. 

The time to begin thinking about Christmas articles is in the spring. Yes, April is a good time to put on the Christmas music, turn the air conditioner down low to put a chill in the air, and put on your thinking cap.

Market guides suggest six to twelve months ahead for “seasonal” articles. So when summer has ended, it is time to put on your Easter bonnet and think about submitting articles for Easter. Look at the calendar for other “seasons.” Perhaps you can find one that is not as well known and celebrated that would pique an editors interest.

It is only the first half of December. You have plenty of time to write a seasonal blog. You could touch someone’s life and help him or her have the best Christmas ever. Do you have an hour or two today that you could use to submit to an online blog or even your own blog still waiting for Christmas material.

The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The Twelve Days of Christmas has been given a new twist. This version is for writers.

On the first day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

A conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the second day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the third day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the fourth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the fifth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the sixth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the seventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the eighth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Eight thick-skinned edits,

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Nine cups of Starbucks,

Eight thick-skinned edits,

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the tenth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Ten Godiva chocolates,

Nine cups of Starbucks,

Eight thick-skinned edits,

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the eleventh day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Eleven million readers,

Ten Godiva chocolates,

Nine cups of Starbucks,

Eight thick-skinned edits,

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas.

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me

Twelve books on blogging,

Eleven million readers,

Ten Godiva chocolates,

Nine cups of Starbucks,

Eight thick-skinned edits,

Seven eager agents,

Six pink highlighters,

Five contracts signed,

Four proofreaders,

Three iPads,

Two webinars,

And a conference in Dallas, Texas!

Actually, I signed the contracts and sent back the gifts. 

Merry Christmas!
DiAnn

TWEETABLES
New twist on a classic carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers! - @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers - via @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than sixty books published. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2014 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Visit her website at www.diannmills.com and connect with her on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DiAnnMills

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/DiAnnMills

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DiAnnMillsExpectAnAdventure/posts

Christmas—A Conspiracy of Love

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

I also invite you to use this image any way you like online. Post it to your blog, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, anywhere you'd like. All I ask is that you keep it intact, with my website watermark visible.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,
Edie

Evaluating the Writers Path

The writing path is a journey of a lifetime

I’ve found the writing path to be the journey of a lifetime. At times it’s fraught with discovery and at others, discouragement. I’ve learned how to avoid some of its pitfalls by spending some time each year gazing back at the way I’ve come.

This time of year, with Christmas and New Year's close at hand, my thoughts turn backward as I evaluate the past year and prepare for the next one. I've given up New Year's Resolutions completely and find the freedom from those expectations a major relief.

Weekend Worship—Inclusive, not Exclusive

Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. Acts 17:23

Everywhere I turn, it’s beginning to look more like Christmas. Carols are humming over the airwaves, stores are decked in red and green, and Santa and his elves can be seen peering around every corner. As a Christ follower, this is the season I celebrate His birth. It’s the time when the God of creation stepped into the world and divided time…B.C from A.D. It doesn’t matter that scholars are renaming the divide, it can’t be argued who initiated it.

It’s also a time of unprecedented political correctness. It’s no longer Merry Christmas. Instead a chorus of Happy Holidays fills the air. Schools aren’t out for Christmas, but close for winter break. It’s not inclusive enough to have a Christmas party—only generalized holiday themed celebrations are lauded for their open-mindedness. Christmas, it’s argued, is only for Christians. It’s too exclusive, and leaves people on the outside of the fun.

Everyone seems to have forgotten God came to save the world—the entire world. I don’t think it can get more inclusive than that.

So this year I’ll be unashamed as I remind everyone I meet that they are included in Christmas. The message isn’t one of exclusivity, but one of love. It’s the season of God’s outstretched arms, encircling a cold world in His loving embrace,  through the birth of a baby.