Friday, August 29, 2014

Checking the Internet Shelves

I have lots of bookshelves in my house, but even I have to curate the collection from time to time. On my latest Internet journey, I found some tips I thought you might like.



1.  Zoe McCarthy has some unique ways to make the books on her shelves "earn their keep."

2.  Sandra Ardoin, at Seriously Write, gives tips on booksignings and why they're so valuable.

3.  Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, gives detailed instructions on how to set up your Google+ profile. Social Media is the place to be for writers and readers alike. Anything that can shorten the learning curve will be worthwhile.

Writers and Readers:  How do you decide what books are keepers and what books you can give away? Do the ones you retain take up space or do you use them in some way? Please share.

Have a blessed week!

Photo Credit:  tradingday

Monday, August 25, 2014

Another Link Found



No, I'm not talking about the so-called, "missing link." Rather, an article on World Net Daily reveals another link between Isaiah 9:10 and the horrible events of 9/11.

Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger discovered that the daily reading for September 11th in the One Year Bible included Isaiah 9:10 for 16 years prior to 9/11 and the 13 years since then. My late husband read daily from The One Year Bible, so I grabbed it and looked up September 11th. Sure enough, there was Isaiah 9:10.

The Moses Conspiracy, was not meant to be prophetic. I wrote it as more of a "what if" scenario. Many people waved it off as an impossible. Yet, much of what I'm reading makes me wonder if it's really so far off the mark.

If you have any interest in Bible prophecy, this article is a must read. Here's the link:

http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/isaiah-910-linked-with-911-in-1985/?utm_campaign=2333108&utm_content=418235509&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

Writers and Readers: I'd be interested in your thoughts on the article.

Photo Credit:  nkzs

Friday, August 22, 2014

Take a Closer Look



I subscribe to various blogs and the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) loop. Often the subject line will catch my eye, and I'll click on the link to take a closer look. Here are a few of my latest finds:

1.  I saw Elaine Stock advertise a guest post on her blog as, "Are You God to Your Characters." Before you get all up in arms, Connie Almony explains what she means. That title certainly made me do a double take, and I had to check it out. Will you?

2.  Sandra Ardoin hosted Mindy Obenhaus at her blog. Research fascinates me, and the way she injected realism into her novel required much daring. While I wouldn't go quite that far, she made me think of ways I could use my life experience to liven up my manuscripts.

3.  Carol Garvin, at Careann's Musings, shares a quote from Dale Carnegie.

Writers: What have you learned in the course of writing your manuscripts whether fiction or non-fiction?

Readers: Do you gravitate to posts with catchy titles or do you consider them gimmicky? Please share.

Photo Credit:  GlennPeb

Monday, August 18, 2014

Do You Give Yourself "Margin?"





Every time someone asks me to do something, I hear it. When I read, I'm reminded of it. When I set up a document, I have to set them.

"Margin."

When I make a commitment, I must allow for some margin in case things don't go as they should. And we all know that's almost guaranteed to happen.

There were times I didn't allow any or not enough breathing room:

-  The time I agreed to help with managing a writers conference, and my husband got sick. Any extra time built in disappeared, as well as the actual time set aside for the project. I ended up bowing out - not something I like to do.

-  The time a Condo Board member said, "It's only one meeting a month." NOT.

-  The time I took on a project, and my job situation changed.

-  The time I planned to get my house in shape, and I broke my elbow.

Yes, margin is critical to the success of any endeavor. Construction companies factor it in when they promise to get a job done by a certain date. Writers give themselves stricter deadlines than the ones imposed by their publishers.

Margin comes in handy when the car breaks down, dinner burns, Jr. calls from the Emergency Room, or a flight is cancelled.

We all need margin.

Writers:  Do you build margin into your projects? Please share a time when you didn't, and everything blew up.

Readers: Do you build margin into your daily lives? How about leaving 10 minutes early for an appointment, so you know you'll be on time? Please share.

Photo Credit: skingolf

Friday, August 15, 2014

Internet Treasure Hunt



When I was a kid, I enjoyed Nancy Drew. Many stories involved treasure maps or disciphering clues. The Internet is like a giant treasure hunt. Here are some of the things I've discovered in my travels:

1.  Zoe McCarthy gives 5 tips on building relationships. She stresses a genuine caring to see others succeed.

2.  K. M. Weiland guest posts at The Write Conversation about using lighting to communicate mood in a scene.

3.  I love teacups and saucers. While most of my modest collection aren't antiques, it's fun to read about them. Here's a website that gives tips for beginning collectors.

Writers:  What are some of the techniques you use to show danger or match a dark mood?

Readers: When reading a book, what makes a scene creepy for you?

Photo Credit:  alexdehnel

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Loss of The Tree of Hope



News Flash

Jonathan Cahn reveals the Tree of Hope at the site of 9/11 died this past spring and was removed. It represented the last Harbinger (warning) in the Isaiah prophecy.


Monday, August 11, 2014

Conference Pictures and Report

Left to Right:  Jeanette Levellie, Susan Panzica, and yours truly. This picture was taken in the cafeteria during our lunch break on Saturday. The Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference has trained, encouraged, and given opportunities to writers for over 25 years.

Susan Panzica is a non-fiction writer/speaker. She's been published in a Chicken Soup Anthology, is co-founder of The Justice Network, and blogs at Eternity Cafe. She's also written a book, and I can't wait until some smart editor snatches it up and gets it published.

Jeanette Levellie is my favorite funny lady. She presented two workshops at the conference - one on time management and the other on humor. Check out her book: Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top. 
Here's Jeanette again during her humor workshop. She's a sought after speaker, vocalist, and writer. She blogs at Wings of Mirth and Worth.

Lisa Crayton, Freelance Writer/Author/Teacher, and I met at the Philly Conference years ago and have stayed in touch. She taught a Continuing Session (5 1-Hour Classes) this year on You CAN Write Magazine Articles. This talented friend loves pouring into aspiring and published writers alike.

My own conference experience involved re-connecting with friends, meeting new ones, and getting some excellent advice on marketing and promotion. This year's theme centered around Write His Answer. The keynote speakers challenged and gave conferees ideas on how to communicate the love of Jesus Christ in today's culture. I came home rejuvenated, encouraged, and ready to press forward.

Writers: Have you ever attended a writers conference? If you have, please share your most memorable moment.

Readers: What book is on your nightstand this week?

Pictures: Susan J. Reinhardt @Copyright 2014

Friday, August 8, 2014

My Weekly Wonders



I love summer and enjoy nature's wonders. The Internet provides much inspiration, and the discovery process delights me. Here are some of my Weekly Wonders:

1.  Ray Edwards guest posts at Goins Writer. So much of the ads we see try to manipulate or scam the reader. Mr. Edwards takes us through steps that care, love, and provide real answers to real problems.

2.  The Christian Bookworm is a new site that alerts readers to Christian bargain or free books. They're still under construction, but I've signed up for their emails. Since they're so new, authors can suggest they highlight their ebooks.

3.  Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, has a great checklist for editing your blog posts. Whether you're a professional writer or not, typos and wonky formatting detract from the quality of your blog. I've been blogging for six years, and these are the best tips I've come across.

Writers and Readers: Do you subscribe to a service that alerts you to Free or Bargain books? Please share your experience - positive or negative.

Photo Credit:  Krappweis

Monday, August 4, 2014

Cheat Sheet or Quick Reference Guide? Part II






Last week, we talked about Cheat Sheets and how they keep you from putting forth your best writing efforts.

When I read a craft book, blog post, or take an online course, I often think, "how am I ever going to remember all this material?" Well, the plain fact is I won't recall everything. Unlike a Cheat Sheet, a Quick Reference Guide is designed to summarize the important stuff without explaining every nuance related to the topic. It's a memory jogger, not a way to cut corners.

How do I construct a Quick Reference Guide?

1.  If a nugget jumps out while I'm reading a craft book or other educational tool, I jot it down. It's helpful to have more than one document or file with each focusing on a specific topic.

For example: I have a mental block with techy stuff.  "Now, how do I do an em dash?" I have the simple instructions printed out for quick reference. This way, I'm not searching the Internet every time I need an em dash.

2.  A short statement that gives me a fast definition of a term.

Jill Elizabeth Nelson's book, Rivet Your Reader With Deep Point of View,* drove a particular point home: Don't name your character's emotion. That simple statement keeps me on track when writing my novels.

I read this book while writing my second book, The Scent of Fear. One reader commented: "I don't know what you did in this book, but it's even better than the last one." I employed the principles in Jill's book to my writing.

3.  Writers Conferences

If you want to talk about cramming tons of information into your head, this is the place it happens. Many workshop presenters hand out notes to help you retain the material, but I rarely have time to go over them more than once.

I try to isolate the principles they're teaching and write them down. This helps me remember the highlights and apply them to my writing.

For example: Tim Shoemaker taught a workshop on Show, Don't Tell. He gave out a small tube and a lightweight ball. The lesson is embedded in my brain forever. I look through the tube at the ball. This represents what the Point of View Character sees, hears, and knows. This character cannot refer to what another character is thinking. He's not a mind reader.

These are the types of items that go on my Quick Reference Guides. Most of the time, they're not formal lists. They can be notes in a file that I can grab when I need them.

*I was unable to get the Amazon link to work in this post. This book is available on Kindle.

Writers: What Quick Reference Tips do you have for me?

Readers: Do you ever save household/DIY/craft or other tips to jog your memory about a subject? Please share.

Photo Credit:  xaila

Friday, August 1, 2014

Bouncing Around the Net

Let's take off down the Internet court and dribble that ball. Ready, set, shoot that basket!

1.  Heather Sellers guest blogs on the Writers Digest website. Here are 7 things she's learned so far in her writing career. Check out these valuable tips.

2.  Carol Garvin, at Careann's Musings, often blogs about gardening and nature. Her pictures are an integral part of her posts. She relates one of her experiences to the importance of attending writers conferences.

3.  Bruce Brady guest posts at The Write Conversation. He talks about not letting don'ts stop you. With a title like that, I had to read it.

Writers:  Have you attended a writers conference? Please share your experience.

Readers:  Have you ever undertaken a project people said was absurd (or impossible) and succeeded? Please share.