Saturday, January 30, 2016

Where Our Words Come From...

I'm back on faculty at Weekend with the Writers. I'm always inspired by author, Kristen Heitzmann, an amazing award-winning writer. I sat in on her class and found my passion for writing reignited. Here's one of the quotes that reminded me of exactly why I write.


Writing Draws from our Imaginations the filaments to spin a web that
Snares & Captivates - Kristen Heitzmann
I'd love to know how you feel when you write.

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

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Obedience

Edie here. I want to make sure you know that Henry's latest book, Riverbed Justice, is now available. Read more about it at the end of this post. Also, today is Henry's birthday. Be sure to leave him lots of well wishes. And remember, the best gift we can give a writer is a review!

Obedience
by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas


It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn't want our success; He wants us. He doesn't demand our achievements; He demands our obedience.
~ Charles Colson as quoted in Mike Huckabee's God Fruits

Why is it hard sometimes to give God what he wants most from us—our obedience?

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A Writer’s Publishing Team

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

A writer’s passion for a book project isn’t enough. Success depends on her team’s 100% commitment to the project. Writing and publishing are not single-handed ventures. 

It takes a community of specialized people to write, edit, design, market, promote, and sell a story that readers will eagerly purchase, read, and recommend.

Take a look at the overall picture of what goes into placing a story in front of a reader’s eyes.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Differences Make a Difference

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

In a month, I will either be on Cloud 9, or absolutely out of my mind. Because in one month, we’ll be on the verge of Florida Christian Writers Conference. And I’m one of the two directors.
Egads.

This past weekend, someone who plans to be at the conference as a First Time Conferee told me that one of the “differences” FCWC offers is why she chose our conference this year over others.

And what are those differences, you ask?

Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Confidence to Be Creative in Writing

by Brenda McGraw @BrendaMMcGraw

As I was walking past my office, I seemed to be able to find everything under the sun to distract me from what I needed to get done. There was mail to be opened, bills to pay, phone calls that needed to be returned, not to mention the stacks of papers and files that needed to be filed away where they belonged. 

Remembering that a deadline was quickly approaching for an article that needed to be written, with no vision of what it would even be about, I found myself stuck.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Why Should I Attend a Writing Conference?

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

“Tell me why I should go to a writers conference,” my friend Melissa said. “I’m swamped at work, discouraged about my writing, and behind on my W.I.P. (Work In Progress). I’m not sure I can afford the time away.”

Melissa and I have commiserated on the ups and downs of the writing life for years. She’s a seasoned writer who could probably teach most of the conference workshops. She doesn’t need another class on self-editing or how to write dialogue. Yet I still encouraged her to attend.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

3 Things I Learned in My First Days as a Literary Agent… (Part 1)

by Cyle Young @CyleYoung


A couple of months ago, I began the new and exciting adventure of becoming a literary agent with Hartline Literary Agency. The last few months have brought a whirlwind of information, learning, emails, reading manuscript submissions, and signing clients.

In just a matter of days, my inbox became flooded with submissions from authors seeking representation, and as I reviewed manuscript after manuscript and proposal after proposal, a few significant trends came to light. In an effort to help other authors on their writing journey, I will share a few of those insights with you.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

7 Ways to Re-Ignite Your Writing Inspiration

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28


Some days the words just don’t come. I sit at my desk and look at the computer screen. I wait for a sense of inspiration to wash over me, and … nothing. Blank page, ticking clock, and nada. I don’t even know where to start.

If you have days like that, you’re not alone. Sometimes we can leave our computers and come back an hour later, and poof! The inspiration returns. But in case it doesn’t, here are some ways to reignite the flame of inspiration in your heart and get some words on the page—some good words that will benefit your readers.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

How to be Friends with Fellow Writers & Speakers

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel


I just returned home from my annual retreat with two dozen other authors and speakers—a time where we unplug and pray and share life with one another as we listen to God for the upcoming new year. 

In reflecting on this time, I realized that having true friends “in the business” is a privilege not to be taken for granted. 

While I have certainly not always been this kind of friend, I’d like to offer a dozen principles on nurturing such relationships.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Fear Knot

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson


Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

We live in volatile times. There are wars, rumors of wars, and natural disasters in abundance. 

Everywhere we turn, fear rears its ugly head. But if we give fear too much power, it
can render our faith mute. We can get so focused on the what-ifs of this life that we miss what God is doing around us and through us.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Write to Entertain Yourself

Edie here. As promised, I'm continuing my series introducing to new authors I meet and love. Danele Rotharmel is one of those and you'll definitely want to check out her new book, Time Tsunami, from Prism Book Group.

Write to Entertain Yourself
by Danele Rotharmel 

There are many reasons why people write books, but I’ve come to believe the best reason of all is writing for one’s own enjoyment. You see, my writing journey has been different than most. I wrote Time Tsunami and the other five books in The Time Counselor Chronicles while I was undergoing seven years of quarantine. Quarantine was lonely, and writing became a way to escape my restrictions.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

ReWrite - Publishing As a Second Language

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

Ah! The beginning of a new year. A time to start over. A time to set new goals and try new things.

Our word this month is rewrite. Just the words, “I’d like you to do a rewrite,” can put panic in the heart of a writer. The word itself literally means to write again. You might look at it as a way to start over and make your writing better, not something to fear.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Writing Expectations

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Expectations are a double-edged sword. They can be uplifting or frustrating. Still we all have expectations. It’s what we do with them that makes the difference.

When we waltz through the door of a new restaurant, we expect great things. Birthdays bring expectations (I expect my spouse to remember). After the commercial with the E-Trade baby fades from the screen, we expect results for our stock-pocket to be as easy.  Not to mention, the newest book from James Patterson is expected to be his best yet.

Expectations are everywhere. It seems we place them on everyone but ourselves. It’s easy to demand the best from others yet when we look at our work . . .there are few expectations.

Monday, January 11, 2016

17 Things To Do—Right Now—to Take Your Blog to the Next Level

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I have a lot of writers ask me about blogging. 

Some want to get a solid start. 

Others want to ramp up their connections. 

Whatever information you're looking for, today I’m offering small things that give a big kick. (I'm also including a printable version of the list at the end of the post.)

Many you may already be doing, but adding just one or two of these can make a significant difference.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

And It Is Kindess....

by Sarah Van Diest


“…I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.”

Words by Jane Austen from her novel, Pride and Prejudice, spoken by Mr. Darcy as he attempted to explain to Elizabeth how he came to be in love with her. He could not tell her the moment it began, as if it had crept up on him and had been working quietly behind the scenes of his consciousness.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Doing Nothing


by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

It’s been a year of deadlines for me … going from one deadline to the next to the next … and repeat, repeat, repeat.

Add in the non-writing parts of life and there’s not been a lot of doing nothing in 2015.

I often find those quiet moments of nothing in the middle of the night when I’m awake and everyone else in my house — including all the assorted doggies — are asleep. Silence is indeed golden and often toasted with a cup of my favorite tea. (Constant Comment, anyone? Or Lady Gray?)

And what do I hear when I’m not bothering?

Whispers of conversations that encouraged my heart.

Snatches of laughter … always the music of laughter.

The sweet nonsense chatter of my GRANDdaughter, who in her mind, is making complete sense.

The mind-mentions of friends’ names … which turn into prayers for them.

But mostly I savor the stillness, the hush, that’s overtaken the house. There’s not much to hear … but there’s a knowing that loved ones are resting … and God is still awake.


In Your Words: 
When is the last time you did nothing? 
What did you hear when you listened to all the things you can’t hear
What do you think is the value of not bothering?

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” 

A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Letting Life Experiences Flow Through Our Writing

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

A few years ago my husband and I took our two youngest grandchildren to Cherokee NC to learn more about our Cherokee heritage. But on our way home that day, I realized I did more than simply learn dates and historical events. I began to write about it, at least in my mind. http://www.vondaskelton.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif

Isn't that the way we are as writers? We go on a simple vacation or go shopping or read a current event and before we know it, we're contemplating characters, mapping out plots, scouting locations, capturing events, and creating a world inside our heads.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Redemption in Your Writing Career

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I want to tell you a story.

It involves football, but it’s not a football story.

Stay with me.

A few weeks ago the Clemson punter, Andy Teasdall, messed up.

This wasn’t a small mistake. This was huge.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Write With Love

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

In my quiet time with God, He’s shown me a common thread that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

It is love.

It was love that freed the Israelites, time and time again. It was also the love of Christ that freed us all. God even tells us that love covers a multitude of harmful actions and words—which I understand to mean we can’t sin while acting in love.

But what does this have to do with writing?