Myths and Truths/Opening Scene/Modern-Day Joseph of Arimathea/Devo/Visual Inspiration

1.  Parul MacDonald guest posts at Writer Unboxed. While she works primarily in the general market, I think her advice is sound on what an editor at a publishing house looks for when reviewing a submission.

2.  Another general market site is Jane Friedman's informative blog. Hallie Ephron guest posts and teaches on the importance of a strong opening scene. I'm going to read this one more than once.

3.  Breaking Christian News shares the story of a woman called, "a modern-day Joseph of Arimathea." The original Joseph claimed Jesus' body after the crucifixion and buried it in his own tomb. You won't want to miss this touching story.

4.  Marja Meijers continues her devotional trip through the alphabet with the letter, "U."

5.  I popped over the Thrifty Style at 68. The pictures immediately set off a train of thought on how they inspire me. Perhaps the third snapshot of a bedroom could help furnish my heroine's boudoir. Another might trigger a blog post. Check it out.

Writers: Reading a strong opening scene, as well as pictures on sites like Pinterest, inspire me. What inspires you?

Readers:  Do you read the first page of a book before plunking down your dollars and cents? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Ramel Gamboa Sanchez

Blog Posts/Backstory/Redefinition/Devo/Coloring Books

1.  Zoe M. McCarthy gives 7 Tips to Generate Blog Posts. If you've been blogging for a while, you know how challenging it can become.

2.  Jerry Jenkins delivers a first-class article on Why Backstory Is Better Than Flashback. Far from an information dump, this backstory sets the reader up for a great payoff down the road. I've got to try some of these techniques.

3.  The state of Massachusetts recently tried to redefine places of worship as "places of public accommodation." This gave them the right to dictate what was said and done within churches. See how the Alliance Defense Fund challenged the state and won.

4.  Marja Meijers' post, "Give Me A Q," made me think.

5.  Donna, at The Enchanted Cottage, highlights her daughter's new coloring book, "Bedrooms." For all of you enthralled with coloring, I thought this might be an unusual change from flowers and animals. There are some neat pictures. It almost makes me want to take up the hobby. If only I had the time!

Writers:  Flashbacks are frowned upon these days. How do you handle events that shaped your characters' outlook on life?

Readers:  Do you enjoy coloring books? If so, what are your favorite subjects?

Photo Credit:  Dan Colcer

Windows 10/Non-Fiction/Love/Turkey/Alphabet

1.  All those with Windows 7 and 8 have been prompted to install Windows 10 for free. Hmm, Microsoft giving away an operating system for free? Here's an article about the move toward having MS peering over your shoulder every time you're on the Internet.

2.  I realize that not all writers are into fiction. The Write Conversation had a post on picking the right story. Items covered:  Does the story I'm using to illustrate a point relate well with my topic? Does the story have the same mood as the rest of my writing? Is the story believable?

3.  Let's face it, in the publishing business marketing is a fact of life. How do we get past our discomfort with it and learn to embrace the process? Kathryn Craft, at Writers in The Storm, talks about how love sells books. Yes, love!

4.  Turkey is the star of Thanksgiving Dinner. Check out their recipes for some mouth-watering ideas.

5.  Marja Meijers, at Fresh Insights On Ancient Truths, is going through a Bible Alphabet. She's up to the letter, "G." 

Non-Fiction Writers: How do pick your topics?

Readers:  Have you downloaded Windows 10? Please share your experience with the browser.

Photo Credit:  Maria Rodrigues

 

Pitch/Rescue/Blog/Devos

1. With conference season upon us, crafting a dynamite elevator pitch may make the difference between a request for a full or partial proposal and being sent home empty handed. Writers In The Storm give excellent instructions on how to produce a great one or two sentence pitch.

2.  Fox News star, Greta Van Susteran, goes all out to rescue Christians - She notes that her parents' generation said they didn't know what was happening to the Jews. Our generation cannot use that excuse. We see the evidence every day on the news and through the Internet. Check out this insightful article.

3.  Do you want people to find your blog? Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, gives valuable information on how to find labels and tags that will make the search engines sit up and take notice.

4.  Susan Panzica, at Eternity Cafe, wrote an insightful post on How Can I Know God's Will? I think you'll find it helpful.

5.  Marja Meijers, at Fresh Insights On Ancient Truths, talks about restored relationships.

Writers:  Do you have a one or two sentence pitch for your manuscript? Please share any tips you have on producing one.

Readers:  If you blog, what kinds of tags and labels do you use?

Photo Credit:  ilco

On My Nightstand - Sacred Sabbath by Marja Meijers

My blogging friend, Marja Meijers, is writing a series on The Ten Commandments. Since I've been reading her blog for a couple of years now, I knew this would not be a legalistic type book. She always brings a New Testament viewpoint to Old Testament truth.

I can depend on Marja to challenge my thinking. Sacred Sabbath is not a book you zip through in a day, but one to savor and enjoy. She makes some interesting points on time management that apply to everyone in this frenetic, plugged in society. Taking a day to pursue God's interests instead of our own actually multiplies what we accomplish in the other 6 days.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit Marja's blog and pick up a copy of her book.

Writers and Readers: Have you ever wondered if you're too busy? How do you cut back when there's so much to do?

Interview at Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths

Marja Meijers, at Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths, invited me for an interview. I hope you'll pop over there and start/join the discussion. :)