NEWS FLASH!

I'll be on the radio at 4:00 PM Central, 5:00 PM Eastern time, TODAY! Travis Owen Bryan, from the LIVE Show, has invited me to share about my new book, Out of the Mist, and writing.

Here's the link:  http://www.wekt.org

I hope you'll be able to listen. :)

Pies/Contest/Lead Time/Recent Shootings/De-Clutter Treasures

1.  Lynn Simpson, at Connecting Stories, tells why she doesn't bake pies just 'cause.

2.  Are you an Indie author? Check out the Lyra Contest. This link will take you to the page with the rules.

3.  When should you begin promoting your book? Sharon Bially, at Writer Unboxed tells us why book public relations need lots of lead time.

4.  With all the recent shootings, I found this Family Research Council article quite eye opening.

5.  I chuckled at Susan's de-clutter experience. It sounds like something that would happen to me. Here's her post at Writing Straight From The Heart.

Writers:  Have you ever entered a writing contest? If so, please share your experience - positive or negative.

Readers: What kind of activities do you avoid "just 'cause?"

Photo Credit: Cheryl Empey

Author Buffet

There's something about a buffet that attracts me - the variety. I can sample a dish without purchasing a whole entree. Dessert? Ah yes, I no longer have to agonize between a hunk of chocolate cake and that yummy banana pudding. I can have a little of both and go back for a second serving.

I approach reading in much the same way. While I have my favorite go-to authors, the works of newbie writers and those who are new to me, but established, tempt my reader palate.

So what's an author/reader with limited time and finances to do?

1.  I belong to Swagbucks and pick up Amazon gift cards to increase my book budget. Amazon is always on my Wish List for Christmas and birthday gifts.

2.  When a favorite author releases a book, I pick it up.

3.  When it comes to the newbie and new-to-me authors that catch my eye, I sample their work via Kindle.

Usually, I'm reading a couple of books at a time - one print and one Kindle. If the book I'm sampling on Kindle doesn't appeal to me, I can move on to another without a huge financial/time investment.

What genre shall I sample today? Hmm, let's go with a Historical Romance.

Writers:  Do you stick to tried-and-true authors or do you give new authors a try? How do you balance your selections?

Readers:  Do you sample genres outside your normal preferences? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Photo Credit: Sufi Nawaz

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

Interview and Giveaway - Maria I. Morgan - Louie and the Leaf Pile

My guest today is Maria I. Morgan. She's generously offered to do a giveaway of her latest book, "Louie and the Leaf Pile." Check below for details.

Let's find out more about this talented author.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I guess you could say I grew up with a love for reading. My Mom read all kinds of books to my brother and me when we were young. Some of our all-time favorites were by Dr. Seuss – Green Eggs & Ham, and Sneetches on Beaches.

Although my formal education is in corporate wellness and nutrition, my real love is writing. Whether devotional material or children’s books, my hope is to share God’s truths and make an eternal difference.

A fun fact about me: even though my background is in nutrition, I have the world’s biggest sweet tooth!

You began as an inspirational writer for adults, how did you transition into writing for children?

It was really a God-thing. I had submitted a manuscript for a Bible study to a publisher. While I was waiting to hear from them, I went back through some pieces I had written previously and came across Louie’s BIG day!

And that was the beginning of the Louie the Lawnmower series.

Give us a brief overview of Louie & the Leaf Pile:

Louie the Lawnmower and his friends are back! Leaves are beginning to fall and Louie wants to be a hero. He comes up with a plan to tackle a mountain of autumn leaves. Will he succeed or will he forget a very important component? Join Louie and the gang in their all-new adventure!

What do you hope your readers glean from Louie & the Leaf Pile?

It’s so important to teach godly truths to our children. The Bible puts it this way:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7

I wrote Louie & the Leaf Pile to help parents/grandparents convey these concepts through a fun storyline. The book concludes with questions to stimulate conversation and help them re-emphasize biblical truths.

Where can we get a copy of your book?

Louie & the Leaf Pile is available in both print and Kindle versions. You can pick up a copy from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Louie-Leaf-Pile-Maria-Morgan/dp/1515349942/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442270413&sr=8-1&keywords=louie+%26+the+leaf+pile

And don’t forget that Louie has a website where you can sign up for a FREE audio book (Louie’s BIG day!):  www.mariaimorgan.wix.com/louie-the-lawnmower

 

Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She is the award-winning author of Louie's BIG day! Regardless of the age of her audience, her goal is the same: to share God's truth and make an eternal difference. She lives in the muggy South with her husband, two retrievers, and two Maine coon kitties ~ the perfect mix to fuel her creativity for years to come.

Giveaway Details: Maria will be giving away one copy of "Louie and the Leaf Pile" (print) to one commenter. To be eligible, you must leave your email address and be a resident of the U.S. Void where prohibited. 

Disclaimer: No payment was made to this blogger for featuring the author and her book. 

Writers:  Have you ever tried to write a children's book? Please share your experience.

Readers: What kind of stories do the little ones in your life enjoy?

Conflict/Role Models/Late Bloomers/Religion/Content Editing

1.  Piper Bayard guest posts at Writers in the Storm. She explores the layers of conflict in your story. We all know that without tension, a story falls flat. If you want some ideas on how to incorporate this element into your manuscript, this is an excellent place to start.

2.  Sara Goff guest posts at Everyone's Story. I love this quote: "You might be surprised to discover that while pursuing your own goals, you are also being a role model to others. Hang in there!" You never know how your example of perseverance is encouraging others whether you're a writer or involved in some other endeavor.

3.  Are you a late bloomer? I am. Susan Panzica, at Eternity Cafe, shares her inspirational story.

4.  While Christianity and the Bible have been kicked out of public schools, guess what religion is being promoted instead? WND reports on the indoctrination of our children.

5.  Editing - a word that makes my nose wrinkle and a shiver go down my spine. A lot of writers say it's their favorite part of writing. Jean Fischer takes the mystique out of one form of editing: the Content Edit. Half the battle is knowing what to look for and how to make the necessary corrections. Thanks, Jean!

Writers and Readers: Who was your most influential role model? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Sigurd Decroos

Mini Blog Break

I've been having major troubles with the Internet for several weeks now. On Wednesday, 10/7/15, Verizon will be installing FIOS (Fiber Optic Network). Hopefully, that will fully resolve the issues.

Friday, 10/2/15 was the first night I was able to get on here without too much trouble. I'm taking a blogging break today, but my regular Friday post will be up for your reading pleasure.

Have a blessed week!

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

Adventures with Hootsuite

For a long time, I've been toying with the idea of using Hootsuite to schedule tweets. I finally took the plunge, but must confess it's been challenging.

Since I'm still figuring out Twitter, there's a double learning curve. Usually, I tweet other people's stuff plus my blog posts. Writing 120 character blurbs bores me silly.

Ah, and then there's Facebook. I belong to a lot of groups, but still don't know how to schedule posts to them. I've tried looking at YouTube videos, but my Internet connection is slow. The screen shots and directions also rival the fine print in one of those TV commercials.

Bottom line: This is an appeal for a simple cheat sheet on how to schedule posts for Facebook Groups on Hootsuite. I could sure use some advice.

Writers:  Do you use Hootsuite or another service to schedule posts on Social Media? Which one do you prefer and why?

Readers: If you blog, do you schedule your posts on Facebook using Hootsuite

Photo Credit:  Maxime Perron Caissy

Comparable Titles/Social Media/Encouragement/Devo/Pumpkin

1. One of the toughest parts of writing a book proposal is finding comparable titles. Zoe M. McCarthy gives us some great ways to accomplish that task.

2.  Have you ever had a Facebook friend or Twitter follower drive you crazy with their posts? Shannan, at the Procrastiwriter shares her experience and gives tips on how to purge your social media.

3.  Publishing can be a long road, and it's easy to get discouraged. Edie Melson gives 19 thing to remember when publishing.

4.  Rhonda Schrock shares a devotional, "Breathe in, breathe out."

5.  With fall here, pumpkin recipes are in demand. I discovered one for Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins. (Now, you knew there had to be chocolate in there someplace!) Let me know how they turn out, and maybe I'll make them for Thanksgiving.

Writers and Readers:  How do you handle obnoxious Facebook friends?

Photo Credit:  Jean Scheijen

Writing Nugget - Keep Some Water in the Tea Kettle

Tea kettles are great, but I've learned from experience to keep some water in them at all times. If you forget to turn off the stove, you could end up with a burned kettle or a fire. One time, I even had a glass version crack.

I always keep some writing ideas stored in my tea kettle brain. Instead of writing down every thought, I end a session in the middle of a scene or chapter. This helps me continue the story without staring at a blank page and ending up with a burned-out mind.

Writers:  What are some techniques you use to keep the ideas flowing?

Readers:  If you're a blogger, how do you come up with fresh content?

Photo Credit:  Samantha Sargent

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

Interview and Giveaway - Jeanette Levellie

Let's welcome Jeanette Levellie to Christian Writer/Reader Connection! Jeanette has a new book out called, "Shock the Clock." I love that title, don't you? Jen is going deeper with this interview and sharing a bit of her history.

1.  What would you say is the theme of your life?

Grace in many forms, hope, and humor.

2.  How has the Lord shown His grace to you throughout your life, and now, in your middle years?

I grew up in an alcoholic family, and my parents divorced when I was six. My mom married another alcoholic when I was nine, and my real daddy, a sweet guy whom I loved dearly, died seven months later. As a teen, I rebelled against my parents and acted out from a deep sense of abandonment and rejection. God never gave up on me, and forty years ago, He led me to a great man of God, Kevin Levellie, to be my husband. We won't hold it against him that he's a preacher!

Now, as the parent of two adults who struggle with various issues, I'm learning that God's grace is sufficient for every trial. No one is exempt from trials, but some are more victorious in them. Those are the people who learn to lean heavily on the Word and their relationship with Jesus.

3.  Your blog is titled, "Hope Splashes, Finding Gold in Life's Puddles." Can you explain why you chose that name?

No matter what you are going through and how muddy you get, God always has a surprise up His sleeves for you. You may get muddy finding it, but it's there.

4.  Why is humor so important to you?

Humor and laughter keep me from falling apart when I feel like the underside of a snake in a deep rut. The benefits of laughter and humor, both to physical and emotional health, have been proven by many studies. But if you don't believe those, just watch a hilarious movie or a YouTube video of a baby laughing, and see if you don't feel better afterwards. My last book, "The Heart of Humor," is filled with funny stories and articles about how laughter helps you stay young and feel great.

5.  Why are you so interested in Time Management?

I see many people who have talent and intelligence, but who have no idea how to manage their lives. I was not born organized. I had the messiest crib in the church nursery. I learned how to manage my time as an adult. So I'd like to share what I've learned with others, so they can get the most out of their lives and enjoy themselves.

My third book, Shock the Clock, Time Management Strategies for Writers and Other Creatives, releases December 15th, but you can preorder it here:

Author Bio:  Jeanette Levellie, humor/devotional author, is the wife of one man, mother of two adults, grandmother of three children, and servant of four cats. Her favorite sport is eating out. she is the author of three books and has published hundreds of columns, articles, stories, greeting card verses and poems.

GIVEAWAY:  Jeanette has generously offered to give away one signed, print copy of her book, "The Heart of Humor," or an ebook to one commenter. To enter, please leave a comment and your contact information (email address).

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. Void where prohibited. Deadline: 9/17/15 at midnight.

Confessions of a Dialogue Nerd

Some people are grammar connoisseurs. Others can write settings that dance across your brain in living color. What makes me sigh is a delicious bit of dialogue. It stretches me as a writer to communicate a mood and give the reader a peek into the heart and mind of the character.

One of my critique partners commented that she liked this line from the third book of The Moses Trilogy, Out of the Mist. (It released on 8/16/15!)

"The tears that come from sadness over a loved one's death are never ugly. Every drop speaks of how much you miss them and how special they were to you."

My ears are attuned to how people express their innermost thoughts. A quote from a dear friend has stayed with me over 20 years: "We give counsel with an open hand." Another gem: "Look at the situation from God's point of view."

Writers and Readers:  People will quote bits of dialogue from movies or books that stick with them for years. What are some quotations that resonate with you?

Photo Credit: BSK

Reviews/Sell Books/Pinterest/Freedom of Religion/Devo

1.  There's been an enormous outcry over Amazon's policy on reviews. Rachelle Gardner, at Books and Such Literary Agency, did a blog post on the subject. Reviews mean a lot to authors. She summarizes the controversy and makes suggestions on how to avoid trouble.

2.  Sandra Beckwith guest posts at Writers Win and shares Six Magic Phrases You Can Use to Sell More Books. Did you know that quoting a person will garner more attention than quoting a publication?

3.  Pinterest is so much fun! I've been looking for some tips on how to create my own pins and found an article on Jody Hedlund's blog. She focuses on writers, but anyone can benefit from her instructions.

4.  WND reports on "freedom of worship" versus "freedom of religion." There's a vast difference between the two.

5.  Dena Netherton, at My Father's World, My Father's Words, talks about their recent move - the truck was too small.

Writers and Readers:  Do you have a Pinterest account? What kind of boards have you created?

Photo Credit:  Jean Scheijen