Writers Block/Editing/Heartbeat Bill/Devo/Reader Gifts

1. Tammy Karasek posts at The Write Conversation. Are you having trouble putting words on paper? She has some great suggestions on how to break through it.

2. Barbara Linn Probst gives us an excellent tutorial on how to eliminate unnecessary words from our manuscripts. She also gives examples of when to keep words that show up often. Check out her post at Writer Unboxed.

3. The Ohio House has voted to ban abortions once there is a detectable fetal heartbeat. There are enough votes in the Senate to pass the bill. However, Governor John Kasich has opposed the bill and will not sign it. The President of the Senate is considering holding the vote until the new governor, Mike Dewine, takes office. He has pledged to sign the bill. Check out the article at Breaking Christian News.

4.  Dena Netherton posts about healthy habits, which includes her daily quiet time. I'm always interested in how people like to study the Word.

5.  We've seen a lot of posts on gifts for writers, but what about readers? Besides the obvious gift of books, here are some suggestions at Best Products. (Note: I don't endorse all the products, but 98% are okay.)

Writers and Readers:  What is on your writer or reader Wish List for this Christmas?

Photo Credit: Doctor-a

Your Song/Research/Pro-Life/Devo/Christmas Cards

1.  This is not the usual writing advice found in this section of Weekend Potpourri. Emme Gannon's post at The Write Conversation resonated with me, and I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.

2.  Research is a vital part of writing a book, whether fiction or non-fiction. Dan Koboldt posts at Jane Friedman's blog, giving some examples of research gone wrong. He then provides advice on how to make sure you're information is accurate.

3.  Breaking Christian News highlights the theme of this year's pro-life rally, "Pro-Life Is Pro-Science." This thorough article shows the science behind the pro-life position.

4.  Whatever creative endeavors you enjoy, there comes a time when it seems to die. Take heart as you read Dena Netherton's post, "The Source of the Harvest."

5.  I'm nostalgic for the Christmas celebrations of my childhood. I found this site that offers information on vintage Christmas cards. My mother would collect all the cards and then tape them around the large mirror over our couch. We used any additional cards to decorate the opening between the living room and dining area.

Writers and Readers: Are you sending out Christmas cards this year? Please share.

Photo Credit: Irenels

Writer Voice/Discouragement/Possible Cure/Inspiring Post/Recipe

1.  For all you newbie writers and for those still confused about writer voice, Lisa Hall-Wilson clarifies its meaning. https://lisahallwilson.com/how-to-discover-your-author-voice-and-why-you-probably-already-know-it/

2.  Janet Sketchley posts at the Seriously Write blog about discouragement and thoughts of quitting her writing. https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/2018/08/quitting-time-by-janet-sketchley.html

3. Cancer is a horrible scourge, so any news pointing to a possible cure produces great hope. Breaking Christian News reports on development of a drug for acute myeloid leukemia.   http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=25446

My husband died from the acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a different form of the disease. Please pass this information along to anyone who is suffering or has a loved one battling leukemia.

4. Dena Netherton volunteers at a crisis pregnancy center. In this post, she gives a glimpse of her activities. She may never know the full impact of her work, but she knows God is weaving the threads into a bigger tapestry. https://denanetherton.me/2018/08/23/a-single-thread/

5. I don't know about you, but I love pasta salads. Unfortunately, most of them require mayonnaise or creamy dressings, which I can't eat. Averie Cooks came up with a Skinny Italian Pasta Salad recipe that I just printed out. If you try it, please let me know if it's as tasty as it looks.  https://www.averiecooks.com/skinny-italian-chicken-pasta-salad/

Writers:  Have you ever been confused about "writer voice?" What is your definition?

Readers:  Which topics in the Friday posts speak to you? I'd be interested in your feedback. :)

Photo Credit:  Bartek Ambrozik

Weasel Words/Romantic Hero/Archaeology/Devotion/Plain People

1.  One lesson drilled into writers involves banishing "weasel words" from their work in progress. Zoe M. McCarthy addresses the use of one of these words, "just." Is it always bad?

2.  Donna L.H. Smith gives tips on getting inside the romantic hero's head. If you're writing a romance, you'll want to read this post.

3.  Breaking Christian News reports on an archaeologist in Israel who uses the Bible as a guide for digging.

4.  Dena Netherton talks about how love needs memories. I hope you enjoy this beautiful devotion.

5.  Readers: If you're a fan of Amish/Mennonite/Quaker novels, check out this article o Pennsylvania Colonial Plain People. Christy Distler does an excellent job summarizing their beliefs and practices during pre-revolutionary times.

Writers:  What "weasel words" have a way of appearing in your writing? Please share.

Readers:  What effect does reading historical fiction have on your interest in various cultures?

Photo  Credit:  Mike Munchel

Solitary Writers?/Setting/Testimony/Dena/Summer Activities

1.  Tim Suddeth posts at The Write Conversation on, "Writers Shouldn't Write Alone." I skipped a writer's conference last year and realized how much I missed interacting with others on this journey. Tim reminded me of all the reasons I need to stay in touch.

2.  A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii and raved about the author's use of setting and description. I just came across Lisa Hall-Wilson's post on, "3 Ways to Ramp Up Setting And Description With Subtext." She gives excellent examples and teaching on the subject.

3.  Testimonies increase our capacity to believe God for the miraculous. Breaking Christian News shared the story of a Gospel singer, who was healed of uterine cancer and then got pregnant with her son.

4.  Dena Netherton, at My Father's World,  My Father's Words, shares how words and reading affected her as a child. I always enjoy learning more about authors and bloggers.

5.  Whether you're a parent, grandparent, babysitter, or Sunday School teacher, it can be a challenge to keep kids occupied during the summer. The Activity Village, from the U.K. has some fun craft ideas to keep the little ones smiling.

Writers:  In what ways do you interact with other writers?

Readers:  What kinds of crafts do the children in your life enjoy? I always liked coloring. :)

Photo Credit:  Felipe (Aladim) Hadler

Social Media Safety/Memoir/Starving/Devo/Declutter

1.  Most of us are active on social media. In these dangerous times, it's important to take common-sense precautions to keep ourselves safe. Did you know that the pictures you post can have information on your location? Check out this article at The Write Conversation.

2.  Here's a rare post on writing a memoir. Cyndy Etler, at Jane Friedman's blog, shows us how to help the reader "live it."

3.  Breaking Christian News reports that Oregon passed a radical bill allowing mentally ill patients to be starved to death. The abortion culture has opened a Pandora's Box of death.

4.  Dena Netherton's devotion called, "Cactus Underwear of Cascade Mountain Lake," focuses on being thankful.

5.  Spring cleaning time is here. Lamberts Lately is a cleaning/declutter blog. In this post she gives a list of things you can purge right now.

Writers and Readers:  What precautions do you take to protect yourselves on social media? Please share.

Photo Credit: Davide Guglielmo

Write Faster/Create Conflict/Occult/Devo/Recipe

1.  Do you want to write faster? Here are some tips from Grammarly.

2.  Janice Hardy posts at Writers in The Storm on 6 Ways Your Setting Creates Conflict. Setting challenges me, so this article gave me some ideas.

3.  When a nation turns away from God, they inevitably fill that vacuum with evil. We see this in the Old Testament accounts of Israel going into idolatry. The old Soviet Union promoted atheism, and its people turned to occult practices. WND reports on the growth of witchcraft in America. We don't like to think about such things, but we'd better re-affirm our own faith, live it, and pray for this nation.

4.  Dena Netherton, at My Father's World, My Father's Words, talks about, "Tiny, but Powerful."

5.  Many of us think about baking as the weather gets colder. I discovered a Banana Bread recipe at Mz. Witherspoon's Cottage. The steps are illustrated with pictures. Enjoy!

Writers:  How do you increase your productivity?

Readers:  What are some of the projects you save for colder weather?

Photo Credit:  Roger Kirby

Wordiness/Workout Writer/Adoption/Motivation/Summer Fun

1.  Is your writing plagued by wordiness? Zoe M. McCarthy gives concrete examples of how to correct this, but also shows times when it's appropriate.

2.  Katherine Magendie guest posts at Writer Unboxed about the Workout Writer:  Perceived Weakness. Warning: This is not a Christian site, and there is some mild language. However, the advice was so good that I decided to include the link here.

3.  I'm a big supporter of adoption. When I was younger, I considered single-parent adoption, but it wasn't as common or easy as it is today. When my husband and I married, we looked into adoption, but our combined ages ended our hopes.

Breaking Christian News shares the heartwarming story of seven siblings adopted from foster care by a Georgia couple. It brought a smile to my face, and I hope it blesses you as well.

4. Fellow-blogger, Dena Netherton, wrote a post on Slugs and Motivation. I'm pressing on. How about you?

5.  I came across this list of 50 Fun Summer Activities on Real Simple. Picking berries attracted me right away. I'll have to see if there are any berry farms in my neck of the woods.

Writers:  Do you allow your perceived writing weaknesses to stifle the creative flow? How do you overcome negative self-talk?

Readers:  What fun activities are you planning for the summer besides reading?  :)

Photo Credit:  William Stadler

Likeable/Slush Pile/Cliff Barrows/Finished?/Christmas Gifts

1.  Lisa Cron, the author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, joins the Writers in The Storm contributors. In her first article, she deals with the question, "What Does Likeable Really Mean?" Fiction writers hear this term tossed around all the time. Wouldn't you like to know what it means?"

2.  Here's one for all the Indie authors out there. Tracie Tyne Hilton, at The Write Conversation, discusses why an Indie Author Needs a Slush Pile. Yeah, catchy title. It's worth checking out.

3.  Christian Headlines reports that Cliff Barrows, friend and associate of Billy Graham, has passed away at age 93. I have fond memories of this great choirmaster. Way back in the sixties, Sweetie Mom and I sang in the choir at the New York Billy Graham Crusade. It was amazing how this kind man took hundreds of singers and transformed them into a choir.

4.  You don't have to be a writer to receive this encouraging message from Dena Netherton. :)

5.  Christmas preparations are in full swing around here. I love planning gift giving and try to find something special for each person on my list. Real Simple gives 6 Clever Items to Simplify Your Life. There are a couple of items on the list I wouldn't mind getting for Christmas. :)

Writers:  How does the term, "Likeable," translate in your stories? How do you keep readers from wanting to smack your characters?

Readers:  Do you search online for unique gifts for family and friends? Maybe you could pass along some of your tips. :)

Photo Credit:  John Siebert

Opening Lines/Marketing Secrets/Movies/Celebration/Thrifting

1.  Do you want to hook your reader? Zoe M. McCarthy instructs us to look for the mystery in the opening line of our books.

2.  Wow! Edie Melson delivers some great book marketing secrets. Check them out here.

3.  Did you see The Passion of the Christ? Christian Headlines reports Mel Gibson's next project may be a sequel, covering the resurrection.

4.  Dena Netherton celebrates an answer to a 40-year prayer.

                                                                                                     

5.  For all the collectors out there, A La Carte shares her Friday Finds. So much fun to see what she found thrifting!

Writers:  What was your favorite book marketing secret?

Readers:  Are you a movie buff? What did you think of Mel Gibson's plan to do a movie on the resurrection?

Photo Credit:  Debbie Schiel

Helping Authors/Deep Edit/Prayer/Devo/Introverts

1.  Penny Sansevieri gives 5 Quick Ways to Help Your Favorite Author.

2.  Margie Lawson does a deep edit of Susan Donovan's prologue at Writers In The Storm. Wow! This emphasizes the importance of word choice. It's a great piece on writing craft.

3. I love hearing testimonies about how God moved in a person's life. Christianheadlines.com shares how a pastor and his wife prayed for a boy hit by a truck.

4. We all have "one of those days" from time to time. Dena Netherton talks about her own day and how it led to a pity party. I thought her suggestion at the end was great, and I pray the Lord will remind me to do this on a regular basis.

5.  Jeanette Levellie gives tips on how to relate to an introvert. She plans to do a similar post on extroverts. I can't wait. :)

Writers:  What was your favorite part of Margie Lawson's deep edit of Susan Donovan's prologue? Why?

Readers:  Are you or someone you love an introvert? Which tip spoke to you the most?

Photo Credit:  Matthew Bowden

 

Book Proposals/Characters/Privacy/Devo/Flowers

1.  Book proposals rank at the top of the list for dreaded tasks. (Synopsis writing comes in a close second.) This document tells a publisher all about your book project. Chad R.  Allen wrote a great article on the importance of the content, as well as formatting.

2.  Jerry B. Jenkins, co-author of the Left Behind series, gives tips on how to create unforgettable characters.

3.  Think your home is your castle and the bastion of privacy? Think again. WND reports on how the government may use "smart" home devices to spy on people. (This is based on testimony from our Intel Chief.)

4.  Dena Netherton's devotional reminded me of my crafting days. I loved her analogy and thought you might enjoy it as well.

5.  Spring is my favorite season. Here's a slide show of spring flowers compliments of Better Homes and Gardens.

Writers:  What is your most dreaded writing task? 

Readers:  Which fictional character is your all-time favorite? Why?

Photo Credit:  Maria Amelia Paiava Abrao

Setting/Publishing Rights/Skinny Genes/News/Clutter Hypocrite

1.  Dena Netherton uses her stage experience to talk about setting in our writing. Her examples are spot on.

2.  Every aspiring writer dreams of getting "the call." While it's an emotional rush after years perfecting our writing, signing a contract is serious business. This advice also apples to self-publishing contracts. Susan Spann guest posts at Writers in the Storm about what rights a publisher really needs.

3.  FRC Action sent me an email entitled, "The Skinny on Genes." (Now, there's a lesson in attention-grabbing headlines.) We've heard a lot about GMO's in relation to our food, but what if they started genetically engineering people?

4.  Writer Unboxed reports on what's new in the digital publishing industry.

5.  Jeanette Levellie writes with her usual tongue-in-cheek style about being a "clutter hypocrite."

Writers:  Do you enjoy creating a stage for your characters? What are some of the things you take into consideration?

Readers:  Do you collect a lot of books? How do you keep any kind of collection from taking over your house?

Photo Credit:  Anonymous

Marketing/Voting/Tiny Baby/Confidence/Devo

1.  Katherine Grubb guest posts on Chip MacGregor.com about four no-fail ways to market your book and grow in confidence.

2.  With election season in full swing, U.S. voters are inundated with candidates seeking our support. Kathi Macias wrote an insightful blog post on the subject. I hope you'll check it out.

3.  Imagine giving birth to a baby at 25 weeks gestation. This little one was given no chance to survive, but she surprised everyone. The pictures are amazing. Read this heartwarming story of Naomi.

4. Gail Elaine Kittleson guest posts at The Write Conversation. She talks about finding the confidence to write.

5.  Dena Netherton wrote a devotional on Five Ways To Avoid Regret.

Writers:  How long did it take you to gain enough confidence to submit your work? Please share.

Readers:  Was there ever a time in your life where everyone declared there was no hope that a certain situation would turn out okay? Please share if you are able. I'll start. After my husband died, it looked like my job prospects were dim at best. Through much prayer and obedience to that still, small voice of the Lord, I eventually landed a great part-time position that went full-time two years later.

Photo Credit: Anonymous/Unknown

Real Life/Weed Words/Devo/Budget/Cats

1. LoRee Peery guest posts at Zoe M. McCarthy's blog. She shares about how she used her real-life experiences in writing her book. There are some great ideas here for writers and bloggers alike.

2. Are "weed words" creeping into your writing? Cyle Young guest posts at The Write Conversation.

3.  Dena Netherton writes about a new venture and Leaving the Results to God.

4.  FRC talks about the worries in Washington, D.C. about the impending budget crunch. Lobbyists are worried that any shutdown will have a negative impact on an already volatile market.

5.  Jeanette Levellie shares what she learned from her feline friends.

Writers:  What "weed words" trip you up?

Readers: If you've ever had a cat, what has it taught you?

Photo Credit:  Christoph Kurtzmann

Self-Publish/Website?/Magazines/Applesauce/Curiosity

1.  Many people are going the Indie route these days. I came across this article by Brian Hutchinson, at Positive Writer.  He shares how to publish a paperback on CreateSpace.

2.  I've been debating whether or not it's time to get a website. Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, posted on the subject and helped me make an informed decision. (I've decided to stick with my blog.)

3.  Not everyone writes novels. Many writers focus on magazine articles, devotionals, etc. Here's a great post at The Write Conversation about what it means to write on assignment and how to get there.

4.  When I saw this recipe for Crockpot Applesauce, I decided to share it with all of you. The idea of using my slow cooker to make one of my favorite things intrigued me.

5.  Dena Netherton encourages us to Be Curious. 

Writers:  Website or blog, and why?

Readers:  Curious or nosy - what do you think?

Photo Credit:  John DeBoer

Image Types/Graphics/Colors/Phishing/Devo

 

1.  I found a site called, BuildBookBuzz. This particular article talks about boosting your social media success with 3 image types. I signed up for their emails, and they sent me several free resources that I was able to download.

2.  Wow! I'm loving this BuildBookBuzz website. I clicked on another link and found an article on how to pick the right images for your blog posts. Graphics catch people's attention and draw them into the content. There were some great tips here.

3.  AddThis is my choice for blog buttons. They recently sent me an article on why the right color palette matters for your brand.

4.  A lot of scoundrels want to get your information. Blogging Bistro warns about a phishing scam on Facebook.

5.  We've covered lots of social media issues so far in this post, so it's time to change it up. Dena Netherton talks about a "Cathedral of Cedars" near her home. She's found a place to walk/jog where she can have some quiet moments with God.

Writers:  Most of the time I gravitate to Christian writer blogs. Lately, I've been gleaning some great information from general market writers. Do you check out general market resources for writers? If so, what are some of your favorites?

Readers:  Do you keep an eye out for scams that target those on social media? One of the ways I head off trouble on Facebook is to look up someone on my Friend List before accepting a friend request. This has helped me avoid friending a hacker more than once. What are some of the things you do to prevent problems on Facebook?

Have a blessed week!

Photo Credit:  Jenny Kennedy-Olsen

Tool Chest/Christianity/Devotional

1.  Dena Netherton, at My Father's World, My Father's Words, gives 7 Ways to Build Your Tool Chest. This is great advice for both writers and non-writers.

2.  Pamela Christian always writes unique blog posts on what Christianity is all about. She tackles the subject, "Distinctions Unique to Christianity," in her latest post.

3.  Susan Panzica posted this devotional for Presidents' Day. (Okay, I'm a little late to the party here, but I thought she made some excellent observations.)

Writers:  We've often talked about ways to prime the creative pump. What non-writing activity gets your ideas flowing?

Readers:  Do books (other than the Bible) inspire/influence your daily life? Please share.

Philippians 4:19

Photo Credit:  vierdrie

Friday Round-Up - #227

Having trouble remembering what happened yesterday? Dena Netherton shares ways to keep your memory in tip-top shape.

Everyone: What are some of the ways you preserve the ol' gray matter?

Friday Round-Up - #204

Dena Netherton, at God n Me, encourages writers to write more like God.

In what ways do you "write more like God?"

I'll start off the discussion. I noticed how Jesus used stories and illustrations to make a point. It's one of the techniques I use to communicate to readers.



Happy Weekend!