One of the topics on our agenda was the Voices ezine. When Susie May and I brainstormed the ezine in 2009, My Book Therapy (MBT) didn’t have the blogging team and the premium Team Membership that it has now. The Voices e-zine filled a niche.

Now that MBT offers a steady stream of quality Flashblogs and the premium Team Membership with webinars, informative articles and a forum where writing-related questions can be asked and answered, the Voices ezine has run its course. The content is being diluted by information available in the Bleachers forum and the Premium Team Member Locker Room.

And so, this issue will be our final edition in this format.

The Voices ezine was created to give Voices a way to help build their platform by offering publishing credits. We still want to offer you writing opportunities.

As soon as writing guidelines are updated, they will be sent out to all of the Voices. You will have the opportunity to write, but your article will be presented in a new format. Each week, we will rotate articles written by the Voices on the main page of the Bleachers forum. The Bleachers forum is private, but you can still get your articles in front of over 1300 Voices. Plus, you can encourage your friends to join the Bleachers level for free to read them.

Your articles will be available for one week, then they will be archived for continual reading in the forum. Articles from past issues of the ezine will be added to the forum too. Each author will have his or her own discussion thread. Once the ezine guidelines are updated to reflect the new changes, they will be presented to all the Voices.

A huge thank you to the incredible Voices ezine staff for their dedication to the ezine. As always, this ezine is not a solo effort, but the work of an amazing team and guest writers. So allow me to close by thanking those involved in putting this e-zine together:

• Book Therapists, Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck.
• Voices Staff:
  • Roxanne Gray, Copy Editor.
  • Edie Melson, assistant copy editor, Social Media columnist.
  • Vicki McCollumn, assistant copy editor.
  • Amy Lindberg, assistant copy editor.
  • Reba J. Hoffman, A Word of Encouragement columnist.
  • Beth K. Vogt, Mentor’s Moment columnist.
  • Jennie Atkins, The Write Technology columnist.
  • Carrie Fancett Pagels, Making Your Characters Behave columnist.
  • Patricia Woodside, Diversity in Writing columnist.
  • Melissa Tagg, Finding the Funny columnist.
  • Matthew Sheehy, The Manly Mindset columnist.
  • Connie Almony, What’s Your Story? columnist.
  • Amanda G. Stevens, Consulting With the Specialists coordinator.
  • Michelle Lim, Genre Java coordinator.
  • Alena Taurianen, Writing & Wellness columnist.
  • Preslaysa Williams, Featured Fiction coordinator.
• Contributing Authors:
  • Amy Leigh Simpson, “A Matter of Trust”
  • W. Terry Whalin, “Do Novels Need a Book Proposal?“

Whether you’re a new writer learning the basics or an established, published author, get involved and meet others who are finding their way in the writing world too. At MBT, you are not alone in your journey. Be part of the writing community where Every Voice Counts!

Your Voices Editor-in-Chief,

Lisa Jordan

He should have stepped away from the field at that moment and retired. Gone out in a blaze of glory.

The next season was painful to say the least. I still feel badly for Favre and the way he ended.

It’s hard, when you’re doing well, to set the ball down. To wave goodbye. To go home and sit on the sidelines. But I’d rather retire at the top than to crash and burn. To fade away.

This issue of the MBT Voices Ezine is our best ever. The writers are at the top of their game, the articles exactly what a writer needs to hear right now.

It’s also our last issue. We’re closing up shop to focus our creativity and energy on the MBT Voices Community site. We’ll still have stellar articles – located on our community page – and opportunities for writers to get published, but with all the blogging we’re doing over at www.mybooktherapy.com, we don’t want to dilute our impact.

However, although I know it’s the right decision, reading this issue of the ezine, it makes me a little sad.

You don’t want to miss this issue. It’s about knowing who you are as a writer and staying true to the course of what you’re called to. What your passion is, despite rejection or what others might tell you.

Start with Dr. Reba J. Hoffman’s Word of encouragement about being who you are and earning the trust of your readers, and then follow up with the Mentor Moment: Momentary or Eternal Credibility by Beth Vogt, who digs right into the source of where we get our credibility as writers.

Melissa Tagg has a hilarious article about  How to Lose All Credibility as a Writer in 10 Easy Steps, and Edie Melson offers some great encouragement about growing a credible blog. Matthew Sheehy offers great insight about staying the course through rejection, and Carrie Fancett Pagels reminds us to keep our characters true to who they are.

As usual, we have some fabulous articles by our guest specialists. Don’t miss the branding and events interview with SuzyQ, by Amanda Stevens, and a good article on proposals by agent Terry Whalin. Patricia Woodside offers us a super reminder about how to present characters of different ethnicities.

Don’t forget the extras! Our Retreats Coordinator, Alena, has written a super article on how to stay fit at your computer (Try the exercises! They’re fun!) and a suggestion as to what to have for dinner! Michele Lim offers a bit of writing craft in Genre Java: Action/Suspense. And Technology Master Jennie Atkins gives an excellent overview of Scrivener Writing Studio.

This issue also features articles by and about Voices Amy Leigh Simpson and June Foster. I can just picture Amy running through her house in her pajamas … oh, you’ll just have to read it.

The good news is that we’ll be keeping the ezine site up until January so you can read all the fabulous articles in the archives. And make sure to read Editor Lisa Jordan’s information on how to submit to the new Community News page for MBT.

Thank you to Lisa Jordan and her amazing team for giving us this excellent resource for the past three years. Thank you for reading the MBT Voices for Voices ezine. I hope it’s blessed you on your writing journey.

Susan May Warren

Founder, MBT

Here are just a few:

You have peace. When you have done everything you can to be credible, it eliminates the inner dissonance that comes when you try to pull one over on others.

You can withstand criticism. Facing scathing critique on Amazon never feels good, but is easier to cope with when you’re armed with the knowledge you and your work are credible. Then all those stars (or lacke of them) becomes nothing more than someone’s opinion, rather than an accusation.

It improves your confidence. When you know you have credibility, it means others believe in you. That multiplies your self-assurance, which in turn, improves your writing exponentially.

You are authentic. There is nothing that will attract readers to you more quickly than authenticity. They want to know you are real. When you have credibility, you’re not putting on airs, trying to convince others how great you are by embellishing your voice. You’re just being yourself and people feel safe.

Don’t you just hate it when you see one side of a person — or at least who you think they are — only to discover they’re completely different? Well, your readers feel the same way. They may pick up your book once and read it, but if you don’t earn their trust, they won’t take that gamble a second time.

Losing credibility with readers is the single most damaging thing writers can face in their career. Losing that credibility within yourself can ruin your emotions. It’s never worth it.

Here are a few things you can do to increase your inner credibility:

Be honest with yourself. No matter how you’re feeling, admit it. Don’t try to ignore it, deny it or cover it up. You should also be honest about who you are and spend your time being the best “you,” rather than trying to be the best someone else.

Always determine to do the right thing. You’re human; you won’t always do the right thing. But develop a personal standard of trying to do the right thing in every situation.

Face criticism with a spirit of humility. Take the disapproval of others and use it to improve your life and your writing. Even when it’s bad, it’s all good.

Credibility, like trust, must be earned. It’s hard work, but well worth the effort. You’ll love life, yourself and what you do. You can sink into it like a nice, soft blanket and find more comfort than you’ve ever felt before. Once you feel it, you’ll do everything to keep that feeling. Be credible. Be comfortable. Simple as that.

~*~

Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder ofMagellan Life Coaching. She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, True North. Contact Reba atreba@magellanlifecoaching.com.

Was it when you finished your first manuscript and wrote the words “The End”?

Was it when you received your first rejection letter? Yes, many writers say rejection is the first rung on the ladder of success.

Was it when you landed an agent … or a contract … or earned out your advance?

Maybe you’re still chasing that oh-so-elusive label of “real” to add to the title “writer” – wondering when you’ll earn it.

There are so many ways to help us establish credibility as writers:

• Stars – the ones you rack up via online book reviews.
• Followers – the members of your “tribe,” a la Seth Godin.
• Subscribers – the recipients of your e-newsletter, other than family members, of course.
• Friends – for some, virtual friends equal credibility.
• Likes – think stars, only in the form of a virtual “thumbs up.”
• Klout – a trendy measurement of your influence – notice the fun misspelling of the word “clout”

Take a look at all those tools again. Notice what they had in common?

They’re all man-made.

Today Klout garners a lot of attention. Next month or next year? It could have no influence at all. Ironic, I know.

So where does your lasting credibility come from? Consider these truths:

• You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• God has engraved your name on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
• God considers you the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:8)
• God has set His seal of ownership upon you. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
• God has called you according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God believes in you and has a purpose for you that includes writing. Followers, subscribers, even online friends may come and go. But your relationship with God? That’s eternal – and the reality that He says you are worth dying for is the only true way to determine your worth.

~*~

Beth K. Vogt’s debut novel, Wish You Were Here, was released by Howard Books in May 2012. Her writing buddies, who lured her from nonfiction to the “Dark Side,” affectionately call Beth “The Evil Editor” or TEE. To learn more about Beth, visit her at bethvogt.com.

For those who aren’t sure exactly how you do what you do, can you give our readers a picture of your role at an author event, the things you do behind the scenes?

My role at an author event is to facilitate interactions with readers and those who influence readers. Many authors say they feel awkward promoting themselves. Of course, they do. I feel awkward promoting myself too. So, that’s my role for them. I’m the point person. As customers walk through the store, I approach them. “Hi, how are you? We have a new author here today.” I read body language. Are they annoyed I’m talking to them? If they’re receptive, I put a bookmark in their hand. As they’re looking at it, I’m talking about the book and the author, and then I lead them to the author. My role is to make that transition, that connection with readers, comfortable and natural and authentic.

Picture a two-lane highway. One lane is PR, and the other lane is publicity. I drive up the middle in a lane I’ve created, and that lane is promotion. For me, promotion is about building up my author’s platform, helping to extend their reach and sphere of influence. I do this through coaching, social media, book tours and events.

What inspired you to create SuzyQ? How did you make it happen?

To answer this one, I have to go back about 15 – 18 years. I was at a Joyce Meyer conference, talking to the young lady running the book table. I said, “You must love living in St. Louis.” She told me she didn’t live there, and I asked how she worked with Joyce if she lived in another state. She said, “I just fly to wherever her events are.”

God planted this seed in my heart that one day, I would be doing what that girl was doing. Back then, I was involved with my husband’s small chain of bookstores, and I was a mom with young kids. This seed wasn’t something I dwelled on. I just accepted it and moved on until about two years ago. Through a series of doors God opened, I was given the opportunity to join Karen Kingsbury’s team as she was traveling and speaking to women. I loved what I was doing, and I added value to Karen’s team. I still never thought about the Joyce Meyer moment. Then, a few years ago, Karen told me she was going to scale back her traveling, and I was disappointed. I’d been bitten by the bug, and I could see how pairing my gifts with those of an author were beneficial to the author.

I told Karen, “I’m thinking of starting my own business and doing for others what I do for you. What do you think?” Not only did Karen think it was a great idea, she also wanted to write me an endorsement. Then, I got invited to ACFW 2010 as a retailer. My husband Shawn said, “There’s never going to be a better time for going to a writers conference and launching a company. Jump off the deep end.” So, I went with my business cards, and that was the creation.

I would have assumed, based on your knowledge and reputation, that SuzyQ had been around longer than two years.

Other people have said this too. But I’ve been involved in book-specific retail for 25 years. I have many years of knowledge and experiences in all aspects of the retail side of the book industry.

What would you say to the pre-published fiction author who thinks “platform” is the most terrifying word in the world?

Platform can be intimidating, but it’s important. A publisher needs to know you have an audience. When you create that audience for yourself, the publisher can see not only do you have something to say, but people are already listening.

Approach platform in a way that breaks it down. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If platform feels like an elephant, then what’s the first bite? Know who you are. Define who you are.

I encourage all my clients that platform isn’t one-dimensional. Sometimes we discuss platform only in terms of what the book or series is about, what the genre is. Of course, it’s important to establish that. You have to know your target market. For example, my platform target market is authors/retailers. But I’m not just SuzyQ. I’m a lover of Jesus. I love my husband, family, friends, Disney, coffee, authors, events, retail — I’m multi-dimensional.

For newly published authors, those with a shiny new book in their hands or with ink still drying on the publishing contract, how do you advise them to reach out to potential readers?

In a nutshell, reaching out to readers requires two things: social media and in-person interaction. I’ve heard a lot of people say, “Social media is time-consuming and doesn’t work.” It can be time-consuming, but it can also work, if it’s done right.

I’m careful with social media. I don’t do it the way a lot of people do it. I believe in using it to connect in a dialogue fashion. Through social media, my clients are selling more books. But they’re not using it to say, “Buy my book, buy my book, buy my book.” They’re joining conversation. Hard sells don’t work. You don’t want to be the person who is tuned out or un-followed. You want to be the person who is joining and participating and adding value. Whatever you’re doing in real life, however you engage/interact with your friends, if it’s successful, that’s what you translate to social media. Links you find intriguing, recipes — these things make people want to find out about you. And what happens next? You relationally and organically promote yourself as an author.

The best way to reach potential readers is to connect with those who influence potential readers. So connect with retailers, librarians and other readers. All three of those groups love to read, which means they also know people who love to read.

What are your thoughts on author branding? How necessary is it, and how does a new author go about deciding on and establishing a brand?

Branding is highly important. I’ll use myself as an example. When we started our conversation, you mentioned you thought I had been established for longer than just a couple years. I really attribute that to branding and my platform. I am very careful about it even when I do workshop handouts. My logo was inspired by a pair of glasses I wear. Even though I also wear contacts, whenever I’m at a conference speaking, I wear my red glasses. They’re my trademark. My colors are red, black and white. I speak wearing a combination of those colors. Now, does every author need to do that? Of course not. I’m my brand. I have to make sure that even in person, I represent my brand.

For every author, depending on what their branding is, it’s important they distinguish themselves as unique. In my conference fifteen-minute appointments with authors, they’ll talk to me about what they’re doing with their brand/platform. I brainstorm. I ask all kinds of questions about them, their writing, their passion, so I can gain insight into them, pull those pieces together and help them establish the branding.

Kim Vogel Sawyer always wears some shade of purple and signs with a purple sharpie. It’s something unique. It’s not by any means the full dimension of her branding, but it’s a simple, subtle thing she does that distinguishes her. But brand isn’t necessarily color or clothes or glasses. I still remember the cherry tea Cynthia Ruchti used as the giveaway for her novella in A Door County Christmas. (By the way, if you’re going to use something edible as a brand, it needs to taste good.) Giveaways are important, and you don’t have to make something. I use SuzyQ’s, the Hostess snack cakes. Branding doesn’t have to be expensive.

Clearly, you like books. Are there common elements you see in best-of-the-best stories? What sort of book makes you unable to stop turning pages?

I think the most important element in those really great books is a relatable element for the reader. Every time I go to read a Rachel Hauck book, I read the title and the cover and wonder, “How am I going to relate to this character?” (Rachel knows this, by the way.) When “Dining with Joy” came out, I had no idea how I could relate to Joy. I start reading and the next thing I know, I can’t put the book down because I’m relating to the character. She’s trying to do the right thing, didn’t want to let her family down, and so she’s perpetuating a lie, someone who isn’t necessarily a liar, has moral constitution. That’s the best of the best. Readers are identifying with the characters and the scenarios. The book is speaking to them and challenging them in their own lives.

For me personally, I really like suspense books. I can’t wait to find out who did it, what will happen next. I also really love the books that have a strong, behind-the-scenes spiritual message. But with any book, it’s really about being believable, having good character development and a strong, relatable plot — those are the books that keep me reading.

Many warm thanks to Suzanne for participating in our column! For more information about her and about SuzyQ, check out her web site: SuzyQ.

~*~

At five years old, Amanda G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now, she writes speculative fiction. A music addict, film lover, and ice cream enthusiast, Amanda lives in Michigan and was a finalist in ACFW’s 2012 Genesis contest.

June, please tell us about yourself?

Connie, I’m so excited about this interview. Yes, I am a mother, grandmother and a retired school teacher with a BA in Education and an MA in Counseling. I have two published novels and three more under contract. What makes my story a bit unusual is I live and travel fulltime in my RV with my husband.

Thus, the nomad.

If you’ve ever been inside an RV, you know there’s usually a couch on one wall. Well, my dear spouse took it out to create a writing desk and two file cabinets on either side.

What a great guy. The kind of one you might write about in a romance novel ).

What did you do when you first found out your debut novel, “Give Us This Day,” would be published?

This story is a bit embarrassing, but I’ll tell you anyway because you’re my friend, Connie.

Okay, June. And I promise I won’t open my mouth about it to anyone ;o)!

It was early on a Sunday morning, and I still had time before I needed to get ready for church so I decided to check my email. When I saw the message from Gail Delaney of Desert Breeze Publishing—that she wanted to publish not only my first book Give Us This Day, but all three books in my Bellewood Series — I couldn’t stop screaming. My bleary-eyed husband rushed from the bedroom and asked me what was wrong. All I could do was yell and point at the computer screen. Later, he said he thought I was doing battle with a bug and losing the fight.

Wow, you must get some mean-lookin’ bugs in that RV of yours.

Now that your debut novel, Give Us This Day, is published, give us a teaser so we’ll want to run out and buy it.

Holly Harrison would do anything to reverse the outcome of that summer afternoon years ago during her college days. Now Jess Colton can’t control his addiction. Against all odds, they fall in love, but will their romance survive?

Hmmm. I’m intrigued.

What inspired you to write about these particular characters?

Holly Harrison lives with the results of her past and nothing she does can change it. Now, as a Christian, she’s fully dependent on the Lord to give her a second chance at a meaningful life. Jess Colton grew up in a dysfunctional home and lived with his addictive personality using alcohol to numb his pain. When he became a Christian, he traded alcohol for a food addiction. I wanted to convey some important truths I’ve learned during my Christian life. My heroine came to a place where she acknowledged her sole reliance on the Lord — that she couldn’t find self-worth on her own. Then, when she fell in love with the handsome but obese hero, she learned what a person looks like on the outside is not the measure of a person’s value in God’s eyes — and ours, as followers of Christ.

It’s what I love about your characters, June. They’re not cookie-cutter.

How has My Book Therapy contributed to your success?

In several ways. I have attended the Friday night pizza parties each time I went to the ACFW conference. Besides the entertainment and yummy pizza, the camaraderie with other authors was uplifting. As you know, writing can become a lonely process sometimes. It was wonderful to chat with other authors in a smaller group setting. I have quite a few pictures that remind me of those occasions.

Oh yes! The pizza party was the best surprise of the conference last year.

In addition, I profited from Susan May Warren‘s workshop “All Glammed Up: How do You Know You’re Ready for Submission?” The class was chocked full of hints, advice and information on story crafting. The concise checklist for writing the query letter was informative.

One of the most helpful ways MBT has helped me is the weekly prayers I receive on Monday morning. Each week, they lift me and give me the desire to move on despite the obstacles and rejections from the week before. I had the privilege of meeting the lady who wrote those prayers at the MBT desk at the last conference.

Tell us how life on the road has inspired your work.

When we first hit the road, we stopped at Chico, California, for a week. Chico is the setting for my first novel, “The Way Home,” the only novel I’ve written that is not either published or under contract. I was able to take notes about the area, acquire literature and even took pictures of the locations where I envisioned the scenes and my characters. Traveling in the RV allowed me to go to the location for research. Since it was on our way, I didn’t have to make a special trip.

All of my other novels are set in Washington State. Since we lived there and now return frequently, it’s been so easy to take pictures and promote my novels every time we go back for a visit with our daughter and family.

I see you have a number of projects on the horizon, including another just released. Can you tell us a little more about these?

Yes, I’d love to. The second in my Bellewood Series, “As We Forgive,” comes out September 1 with Desert Breeze. The third in the series, “Deliver Us,” will be published April 1, 2013.

Recently, I signed a contract with WhiteFire Publishing for my novel “Ryan’s Father.” For a couple of years now, I’ve submitted the novel to a variety of publishers and an agent. The answer was always the same: We like your writing but the CBA market isn’t ready for the subject matter.

Ryan Reed is a Christian who survived a disastrous childhood never knowing his father. His less-than-moral mother abandoned him when he was in high school. Now, he can’t tell anyone about the emotional same-sex attraction he’s ignored since he became a Christian. He knows God’s word and doesn’t want to submit to the lifestyle. But when he finds the attraction is manifested toward a friend and church counselor, his resolve weakens. Though he makes friends with a lovely young nurse, he can’t find the same feelings for her that she has for him.

One of WhiteFire’s goals is to publish fiction that tackles the tough issues Christians struggle with. After a year and a half of prayer by the editors and authors of WhiteFire, this publishing company decided Ryan’s story should be told. I’m thrilled WhiteFire was willing to take the risk. Roseanna White, the senior editor and cover artist, has already created the cover.

Now that we’ve gotten to know you a little, where can we go on the web to find out more?

Check out the following websites:

http://junefoster.blogspot.com

http://infinitecharacters.com

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/authorjunefoster

~*~

Connie is a trained counselor, who likes to lace a little fun into the serious stuff of life. Visit her at: LivingtheBodyofChrist, InfiniteCharacters.com and Writer’s Rest

Some people think it’s as easy as chasing an agent into a bathroom or telling an editor God commands him to publish your book.

But frankly, those tactics are so last year. If you’re truly serious about losing your credibility as a writer — and quite possibly as a human being — follow these ten simple steps:

1. Don’t use up precious energy on revisions and for heaven’s sake, don’t invest in craft books and courses. Instead, go ahead and pitch your first draft because, of course, it’s brilliant.
2. Tweet all … day … long about your WIP. In all-caps. With six hashtags — three of which are variations of your name.
3. Don’t waste time reviewing agent and editor submission guidelines on their websites and blogs. Obviously the rules don’t apply to you and only infringe upon your genius.
4. Avoid networking and stick up your nose at the idea of marketing. Networking and marketing are twin insults to your artiste persona.
5. Constantly complain about the perils of social media sites … on social media sites.
6. In pitching appointments with agents and editors, badmouth other agents and editors … and especially other authors and their books too. Your superiority will shine through.
7. While we’re on the topic of pitching appointments, go ultra-professional and bring references … from your mom, best friend and first-grade teacher.
8. Assume “business casual” in reference to writing conference attire actually means “casual casual.” After all, shouldn’t people see you as you are when you write? Totally opt for the sweat pants.
9. Two words: Mass Email. Best if combined with these five words: “To Whom It May Concern.” Yes, this is one of the absolute best things you can do query-wise in order to lose your credibility.
10. Don’t write. I’m totally serious. Go to writing conferences, sure. Lurk on writing blogs. Talk about how you’re a writer. Bemoan the fact that no one has responded to your proposals. But don’t sit down and write all that often. And for goodness sake, don’t actually finish a WIP before pitching it!

There you have it, ten easy steps to totally blowing your credibility. I’m sure this was helpful or … er … something.

~*~

In addition to her homeless ministry work, Melissa Tagg writes humor-laced contemporary romance…and she doesn’t actually recommend any of the above tips. A former reporter and winner of the 2010 Frasier Award, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy. Melissa is represented by Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor Literary, Inc. She hangs out at www.melissatagg.com.

Stage One

In today’s climate, most startup blogs begin with 20 – 40 followers. These followers are your first foundation, but not all of them will be a permanent part of your readership. These are friends and associates who want to help a fellow writer get started. They do help by spreading the word to their friends and family.

This means your first six months to a year will see little forward momentum. You’ll gain new followers and lose some of the original ones. It can feel like you’re not getting anywhere. But this is a critical time because you’re cementing the core of your audience.

Stage Two

Now comes six to nine months of small but consistent growth. Your blog has enough history at this point to have a proven track record of consistent, valuable posts.

This stage is a good time to search out valuable guest posts. Find people you respect and invite them to write a post or ask permission to repost one of their old posts.

Stage Three

Here your blog really starts to take off. The audience begins to grow a lot faster and you’ll begin to spend less time promoting yourself on social media because others will be doing it for you. They’ll be talking about your blog because it’s valuable to their followers and friends, not just because they like you personally.

Now the fun begins as you find other bloggers seeking you out, asking you to guest on their blogs.

Interim Stage

During this downhill stage you’ll still hit roadblocks and times when you have to give your snowball a push. The key is to stay flexible, continue to listen to your audience and don’t let up on the interactions.

If you’re neglecting one or more of the following things in your blog plan, you’ll probably see slower growth.

• Predictability of blog posts — A blog posted regularly will grow much faster than one that’s not.
• Frequency of blog posts — A blog with regular, fresh content several times a week will usually grow faster than one that only offers new content once a week.
• Consistent use of social media — If you regularly Tweet and post on Facebook about your blog more people will hear about it.
• Interaction with your audience — It’s critical to answer comments and take time to comment on the blogs of your readers.

As I said at the beginning, this is an organic process and these stages are just loose guidelines of how the growth of a normal blog should be measured. But with a little work and a lot of patience you can see your blog blossom and grow.

~*~

Edie Melson is the bestselling author of Social Media Marketing for Writersand a devotional for military families, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle. She is a prolific freelance writer, editor, and co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as the social media coach at My Book Therapy. You can visit her popular writing blog, The Write Conversation atwww.thewriteconversation.blogspot.com.

Since we writers spend so many hours a day sitting, I wanted to give you exercises that wouldn’t pull you away from your desks.

Here are some stretches you can incorporate without moving away from your desk. (Although you really should take a break!) You can do all of these each a few times or as many times as you want.

• Stand up and sit down. Seriously! Try it. I’ll wait. See, it doesn’t feel like you’re doing squats.
• Shrug. Yes, those shrugs my teenagers use to drive me insane? Well, while you’re working, they make a great stretching exercise. Just take a deep breath and lift your shoulders as close to your ears as you can! Release your breath slowly as you let your shoulders go back to their normal position.
• Yes and No. Slowly shake your head yes and no. Wait to do this when your kids bypass the “Do Not Disturb! Very Important Writing Session In Progress” sign.
• Point. This is the only pointing we probably should do. Simply stretch one hand out in front of you, point your fingers down.
• Another Hand Stretch. Stretch one hand out in front of you, point fingers toward the floor. Use your other hand to gently increase the stretch, pushing the fingers down and toward the body. Repeat with the other hand.
• Abs and Legs. Yes, it is possible to do this without getting up from your chair! These are very commonly called leg extensions. Grab hold of the seat of your chair and stretch your legs so they are straight in front of you and parallel to the floor. Flex and point your toes. Be careful if your chair is on rollers!

These are some very basic desk stretches, but they will help you keep writing without writer’s cramp (of the physical kind).

I don’t know about you, but I’m trying to limit my carb intake. This is very difficult for me, especially since my husband nicknamed me “The Carb Queen.”

I’ve been looking for good, easy and tasty recipes with limited carbs or even (gasp) without carbs.

My friend, Robin Whatley passed on one of her favorite recipes: Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Florentine

Ingredients:

2-4 small to medium sized tilapia filets

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Olive oil

1 bag fresh spinach leaves

Topping:

1 tomato (diced)

1 avocado (diced)

1-2 tbsp. lime juice

1 tsp. chili powder

Salt to taste

Directions:

Dip tilapia filets in parmesan cheese. Brown filets in olive oil on both sides (about 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness of your filet). While that is cooking, place fresh spinach on plate. Place cooked fish on top of the fresh spinach leaves.

Topping Preparation:

Take the diced tomatoes, avocados, lime juice (to taste), chili powder and mix together. Spoon 2 tbsp. over each cooked filet. Don’t forget to tell me what you think!

~*~

My Book Therapy Retreat Hostess and a romance novel addict, Alena Tauriainen juggles life in the family business while mothering four zany kids. She ponders the beginning aspects of a writer’s life while enjoying real life with her family. Email Alena at lovinlife815@gmail.com and let her know what you think about her writing and wellness column.

Did I tell you about my first high school love? An elaborate lie I concocted fooled my parents and the board of education, allowing me to switch schools. My sixteen-year-old mind rationalized that this girl would notice me if we were in the same halls and classes. We dated for three months and then I broke up with her.

How about the beautiful girl in my college biology class with whom I had never spoken? I wrote a poem about how pretty she was and how I felt like I was a piece of glass she would just look through and never notice. One day after class I started a conversation and gave her the poem. Nothing much ever came of that.

My wife? She was engaged when I met her … but, hey, we’re married now!

I’m unpublished but I view pursing publication with the same philosophy as dating. I might ask a lot of agents and publishers on a date (so to speak). Many will say no, but I just need that one to say “yes.” Today, I don’t care about the girls that rejected me and the relationships that didn’t work out because I’m married. God used failed and rejected relationships to prepare me for my wife.

Some of my unpublished friends say they don’t enter contests because they won’t win. Dating was never about winning or losing but about progressing towards the relationship I sought, noticing my flaws, and figuring out what traits I wanted in a wife.

As a writer you need feedback and you need rejection to help you progress. Both sharpen your writing. The largest leaps in my writing came from personal critiques given by Chip MacGregor, Susan May Warren, Steve Laube, Lisa Jordan and Gayle Roper. Each instance was a time where they essentially said, “Here’s why this isn’t good enough … ”

My goal isn’t to be published. My goal is to be a great writer. Just as my goal in dating wasn’t only to achieve married status but to have a great long-term relationship with a wife.

As an unpublished author, I’m dating all over again. I might get rejected after I ride my bike a long distance to meet an agent or publisher, but I know there’s another one at another conference, at another meeting, that’s the one for me.

~*~

Matthew Sheehy is the 2012 Genesis Winner in the Mystery, Suspense and Thriller category.