Isolation/Platform/Intelligent Design/Devo/Progress Report

1.  Frank McKinley, at the Positive Writer, talks about why writing in isolation is good for you. My own experience mirrored his. I get too distracted if the Internet, email, music, or other things are vying for my attention. Check it out. You may find a tip that makes your writing life more productive.

2.  Platform is one of those words writers love to hate. Publishers demand Social Media numbers most of us can only dream about. Lisa Hall-Wilson addresses how to build a platform on Facebook. She has a unique way of approaching the subject that I found helpful.

3. Christian Astrophysicist offers a brilliant reply to Richard Dawkins criticism of intelligent design. See the article on Faithwire. Home school people - you might find this valuable for your curriculum.

4.  Rhonda Rhea's devotional on The Write Conversation tells us about "Scratching Where It Itches." I'm sure that captured your attention. LOL! She uses humor to talk about a serious subject.

5.  You may recall that I've started a modest succulent collection. I'm not a great photographer, but the photo at the top of this post shows that I haven't killed any of them yet! My Jade plant is growing so fast that it will need a bigger pot soon. 

Can anyone identify the plants in the pictures below? I know one of them is  an  Echevieria (Sp?). There are so many varieties that I'm having a hard time locating their names. The one in front is so pretty with green leaves tipped in red.

Writers:  Please share some of your platform-building hacks.

Readers:  Are you a gardener/houseplant lover? What was your favorite project this summer?

Photo Credit:  Susan J. Reinhardt

Writing Zone/Resolutions?/Pro-Life/Devo/Upcycling

1.  How do you start the writing journey? I've heard this question multiple times. Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, asks, "Have You Entered the Writing Zone?" Newbies, you'll find this helpful, and it's a good reminder to those of us who are further along in our journey.

2.  Did you make New Year's resolutions about your writing? How's that going? If you're stuck, Positive Writer gives 7 Writer Hacks.

3.  Faithwire reported in January on Ben Shapiro's address at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Science shows that life begins at conception. All the arguments for abortion are based on when life matters.

4.  Rhonda Rhea posts at The Write Conversation about Cut and Dry. There are some things you don't want to DIY!

5.  Everyone's into recycling these days. Here are some cool ideas for upcycling milk jugs. The last one caught my attention. I'm always searching for something to use as a saucer under my plants.

Writers:  Did you make any writing resolutions at the beginning of the year? How are you doing?

Readers:  Do you have any upcycling ideas? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Odan Jaeger

Writing Zone/7 Writer Hacks/March for Life/Powerful Words/Spring

1.  How do you start the writing journey? I've heard this question multiple times. Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, asks, "Have You Entered the Writing Zone?" Newbies, you'll find this helpful, and it's a good reminder to those of us who are further along in our journey.

2.  Did you make New Year's resolutions about your writing? How's that going? If you're stuck, Positive Writer gives 7 Writer Hacks.

3.  Faithwire reported in January on Ben Shapiro's address at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Science shows that life begins at conception. All the arguments for abortion are based on when life matters.

4.  The old saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never harm me," is totally false. Edie Melson, from The Write Conversation urges us to remember the power behind our words. Whether we're writers or not, what we say can have either a positive or negative effect on others.

5.  I'm giddy that spring is here. To get a taste of the season's floral delights, I hopped over to Better Homes and Gardens and checked out their spring flower slide show. I hope it has the same effect on you as it did on me!

Writers:  How are your writing goals progressing? Please share.

Readers:  Have any of the books you've read (other than the Bible) had a profound effect on your life? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Chris Burke

Self-Publishing/Finish Writing/Vote/Devo/Fall Recipe

1.  With so many authors self-publishing, I thought this piece by Jane Friedman might provide useful insights on what mistakes to avoid.

2.  Are you struggling with finishing your work in progress? Bryan Hutchinson, at Positive Writer, talks about, "How To Get Past Excuses and Finish Your Writing."

3. Breaking Christian News reported on Dr. James Dobson's urgent call for Christians to vote in the upcoming elections or face losses of freedom as seen in Canada.

4. Maria Morgan asks, "Are you distracted?" We're so accustomed to multi-tasking that we've forgotten how to focus on what's important.

5. With summer heat giving way to cooler temperatures, many of us are thinking about baking again. I found this recipe at Food Network for Apple Crisp, and thought you might like to try it. Happy eating!

Writers:  What did you take away from Jane Friedman's post on self-publishing mistakes to avoid?

Readers:  Does the desire to bake hit you when the weather is cool? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Aleksey Lisovsky

Writing Habit/Consistency/South and North Korea/Facing Fears/Author Homes

1.  Jennifer Blanchard, at Positive Writer, gives 9 Ways to Create a Rock Solid Writing Habit. I particularly liked how she gave practical and thought-provoking advice on how to get started and how to stay the course.

2.  Jim Dempsey guest posts at Writer Unboxed on, "Keep Your Characters Consistent." I enjoy articles like this because they challenge me as a writer.

3.  Christian Headlines reports on the recent meetings between South and North Korea have raised hopes that conditions will improve for North Korean believers. Let's all pray for our brothers and sisters in that country.

4.  Tim Suddeth, at The Write Conversation, talks about the fears we face as writers. It can easily translate into any other occupation. I loved this particular line, "In each of our lives, we are going to face new twists and turns that we can call either fears or opportunities."

5.  Jean Fischer, at Something to Write Home About, shares pictures and a blurb about the homes of famous authors. It was fun to see where Laura Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott wrote their stories.

Writers:  How did you establish your writing habit?

Readers: Which of the author homes did you like the best? While not my favorite home, Edgar Allen Poe's house brought back fond memories. My grandmother and mother would take me on walks to Poe Park. I always had to check out his tiny home.

Photo Credit:  Kym Parry

Pressures/Writing Boo-Boos/Airline Security/Inspiration/Apple Recipe

1.  Zoe M. McCarthy is a fellow Hartline author. In this post she talks about the pressures of deadlines, platform, and life commitments. She also shares her method for staying on top of things.

2.  Lori Hatcher posts at The Write Conversation and reveals 4 Writing Boo-Boos You Don't Want to Make. The whole "pique/peek" thing is a pet peeve for me.

3.  An author friend recently posted about an experience going through security at an airport. I'm giving you a link here, so you know your rights when traveling via airline.

4.  Positive Writer shares 7 Inspirational Quotes That Could Change Your Life.

5. Recipe time! Here are apple pie baked apples. Yes, you can actually bake a pie within an apple instead of a crust. Check out Delish's recipe.

Writers:  Which writing boo-boo have you either struggled with in the past or still makes you confused?

Readers:  Airline security affects so many people. Have you run into any issues when flying? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Gurkan Kurt

Journaling/Obstacle?/Pro-Life/Writer Quote/Recipes

1.  Positive Writer continues with a post on Creative Journaling. It's geared toward novel writers, but I can see how it would be valuable to non-fiction writers. Readers: How about experimenting with this to help you write book reviews or just for fun?

2.  As writers, we've come up against detours toward publication. Kathryn Craft guest blogs at Writers in The Storm and examines the question, "Obstacle or Opportunity." It made me look at some non-writing offers in a different way.

3.   Missouri's governor recently signed a sweeping pro-life bill into law. One feature is that pregnancy centers will not be forced to counsel about abortion. Read the entire article at Christian Headlines.

4.   Edie Melson, at The Write Conversation, posted a Nathaniel Hawthorne quote for writers.

5.  Do you want some new recipes for the holidays? Why not give some of these a test run? Check out My Incredible Recipes.

Writers:  How do you handle opportunities that may not fit into your writer goals at this time, but could reap dividends down the road?

Readers:  What did you think of the quote for writers? Do you agree or disagree?

Photo Credit:  Justine FG

Journaling/Marketing/Shocking Proposal/Impossibilities/Purple

1.  Nicole Gulotta, at Positive Writer, talks about 5 Very Effective Journaling Methods. If you've journaled in the past but stalled out, you might find her suggestions helpful.

2.  Marketing is a key part of an author's job these days. Zoe M. McCarthy shares some of the things she did to prepare for her first book launch and what she's doing for the second book.

3.  Newsmax reports on a Chicago professor's shocking proposal: Kill Deformed Newborns. Is it really so surprising this step from abortion to infanticide?

4.  Adelee Russell, at Rewritten, talks about God making a way when it seems impossible.

5.  I have a love for the color purple. I'm drawn to clothing, decor, and flowers in its various hues. Susan, at Writing Straight From the Heart, talked about her father's lavender irises. By the way, she has some really fun blog links on her sidebar.

Writers:  Do you journal? How do you go about it?

Readers:  What's your favorite color? Do you use it for clothing, decor, and plants? Please share.

Photo Credit:  vada0214

Discouraged?/Journaling/Refugees/Fears/Recipe

1.  I never realized when I began this writing journey how daunting it could be.  If you're feeling discouraged, take heart. Your writing matters. A post at The Write Conversation will give you a lift.

2.  Not everyone who reads Christian Writer/Reader Connection is a writer. Yet, journaling can be a powerful tool toward becoming more positive. Although this article isn't on a Christian site, you can find these principles in scripture. David praised God during his most difficult times. Check out Positive Writer's take on journaling.

3.  WNDhttp://www.wnd.com/2017/01/establishment-in-full-meltdown-over-trump-refugee-orders reports on the many reasons for a hiatus in refugee settlement. Americans have big hearts, but they're also protective of their families. One of the positive aspects of the hold on refugees are the exceptions. Christians and other religious minorities will be allowed to come here. Less than one percent of refugees from these nations were Christians. Yet, they face certain death at the hands of ISIS. Check out this informative article.

4.  Fear can paralyze a person and is a common problem. I found this devotional on Crosswalk.com. Like the author of this piece, I discovered the importance of dealing with my thoughts and facing my fears.

5.  Spring is around the corner, and my thoughts are gravitating to flowers, bright skies, and shedding the heavy clothing of winter. I looked up Spring recipes and found this basil, chicken and tomatoes dish.

Writers:  What kind of expectations did you have when you started writing? Has reality measured up to your expectations? Please share.

Readers:  Doesn't that recipe sound yummy? Do you have a favorite Spring/Summer recipe link to share with us?

Photo Credit:  Crystal Leigh Shearin

Characters/Writing Goals/Confiscated/Memorizing/Flowers

1.  Character development has a strong impact on dialogue. Chip MacGregor, at MacGregor Literary, gives tips on developing character voice.

2.  We're not too far off from the beginning of the year. Are you accomplishing your writing goals? I came across an article on Positive Writer on One Goal to be a Brilliant, Accomplished Writer (Are You Ready?) Be forewarned this isn't a Christian site, and he uses the term, "mantra," quite often. (Otherwise, it's okay - no profanity.)

3.  Christian Headlines reports on a Church Retreat Center being confiscated by the Iranian government.

4.  Jeanette Levellie, at Hope Splashes, shares 5 Ways Memorizing Scripture Can Enrich Your Life.

5.  Are you looking forward to spring as much as I am? Last year, I got such a late start on my garden. After I broke my wrist, it was impossible to finish. I've promised myself that I won't procrastinate in 2017. Here's a site to give you some inspiration.

Writers:  How do you make your characters different from each other in terms of personality?

Readers:  Are you longing for spring? Do you have a color palette in mind for this year's garden?

Photo Credit:  Filip George

Alzheimers/Amazon/Denmark/Jerry B. Jenkins/Weak Words

1. Jeanette Levellie, at Hope Splashes, talks about ways to avoid Alzheimer's and Dementia. It's no surprise that reading can provide some much-needed mental exercise.

2. There's been a lot of panic about Amazon's new rules for ebooks. John Dopp has clarified the rules, and it's not all that scary. Your book will not be pulled off the market or get a warning for an occasional typo that slips through. Get the real scoop.

3. A lot of people are touting Socialism as the way to go. Denmark is a prime example of a Socialist country. One of their citizens gives us the real story on what it's like to live under that system.

4.  Positive Writer interviewed Jerry B. Jenkins recently. He talks about his writing journey and how he still deals with insecurities.

5.  The Blogging Bistro talks about 11 Weak Words That Dilute Your Blog Posts' Impact.

Writers:  What are some weak words that trip you up?

Readers:  Do you agree that reading is good mental exercise? Please explain.

Photo Credit: John Pilge

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

Dialogue/Guest Posts/Sovereignty/Blog Titles/Twitter

1.  Art Holcomb guest posts on Storyfix about writing dialogue. This is an excellent article and a key element in novels.

2.  Have you tried doing guest posts for other blogs? It can be a rewarding experience. Shanan, at The Procrastiwriter, gives tips on how to pitch a guest post. Once you have a book on the market, guest posting is a great way to promote your work.

3.  WND reports on a trade deal now being considered by Congress that would put the sovereignty of the United States in grave jeopardy.

4.  Attention Bloggers! Zoe M. McCarthy gives us four resources to help us become awesome at creating blog titles.

5.  Brian Collins guest posts on Positive Writer. He hands out some secrets about Twitter that will help you navigate that social media platform.

Writers:  What's your biggest challenge when writing: dialogue, setting, or story tension? If it's something else, feel free to comment on that as well.

Readers/Bloggers:  How do you come up with your blog titles?

Photo Credit:  ilco

 1.  Sierra Godfrey posts at Writers In The Storm about promotional items for authors. She discusses giveaway items, setting up a booth at book fairs or other venues.

2.  Positive Writer talks about keeping others from sabotaging your work.

3.  WND reports on the second state to resist the militarization of local police forces. Law enforcement agencies are using federal grants to buy heavy-duty military equipment.

4.  Are you in a quandary between traditional publishing and Indie? Barbara Hartzler guest posts at Elaine Stock's blog on 5 Reasons Why I Decided NOT to Choose Between Them.

Writers:  Do you share your work with others or hold it close until it's in publishable condition? Please share.

Readers:  Do you read Indie books? Please share.

Photo Credit:  creactions