I always said I started My Book Therapy (MBT) because I was stuck in the woods and needed friends. All true. I never dreamed that it might grow to nearly 1000 Voices in three years. Or that so many relationships would branch off of it. Friends, craft partners, groups … and MBT continues to grow. We are looking toward our involvement at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) annual convention in September, and can’t wait to show you some of the new things we’re unveiling!
Coming alongside to encourage each other on the journey — building relationships — is at the heart of MBT. And it’s at the heart of this issue.
From our Member Care Coach Dr. Reba J. Hoffman’s article on the importance of lending your unique voice to the “soup” of writers (a delicious article that made me hungry!) to Carrie Fancett Pagels’ interview with Voices who have built friendships at MBT, it’s an issue that will make you realize how important building relationships is to the writing progress.
Try our Special Teams social marketing expert Edie Melson’s excellent (and do-able!) tips on building relationships in social marketing. And Melissa Tagg brings on the funny with her character therapy article – are our imaginary friends driving us crazy? Frasier finalist Andrea Nell mixes up a solid recipe for romance — an excellent article to help you make sure you have all the ingredients. Our MBT Hostess Alena Tauriainen helps us maximize our time, while serving up one of my favorite, easy recipes – great for a crowd. Invite your craft buddies over for lunch!
Thank you to Love Inspired editor Melissa Endlich for her fascinating and informative interview sharing about their Love Inspired lines. I believe she’s Voices Editor Lisa Jordan’s new editor!
And don’t miss the beautiful, thoughtful essay from new contributor Amanda Stevens. She penned this line: Maybe honesty is the ultimate hook that draws a reader, not merely to finish a book, but also to seek out the author’s next one, to continue this mysterious relationship between strangers. Read it – and think about it.
Our Mentoring Coach, Beth Vogt lays a solid foundation for what it means to be a mentor and how to find one. I loved our resident MBT Therapist Rachel Hauck’s thoughts about our relationship with our routine. There is power in a focused life. Words to live by. Finally, Genesis finalist Delores Topliff reminds us just how powerful our words might be, if we are willing to go outside our comfort zone to build relationships.
What relationships are you building as you pursue this writing life? I just finished The Paris Wife, a story about the first wife of Earnest Hemmingway. Riveting, yet sad, especially near the end as he looked back upon his legacy of broken lives. Pursue right relationships – it will make your journey richer.
Thank you for reading the e-zine! You’ll be blessed by this issue.
Susie May
