Preparing For The ACFW Conference

By on August 27, 2014 in 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, Editing Basics, Encourage Me!

I follow another My Book Therapy member, Melissa Tagg and she wrote something on her blog that really impacted me. So much so, I printed it and posted it on the shelf above my computer.

Here’s what it says,

“What if we took the time to write on Post-it Notes words to reflect how we want to make people feel?”

“What if we were bouncing off our seats with excitement for the stories we’re living out each day? And what if acting on these what if’s meant the difference between a so-so existence and a focused, productive and a passionate life story?”

“How about you? What wonderful word(s) would you put on a Post-It Note for your novel…or your life?”

It reminded me of the reason I started this journey. I wanted to write stories that led people to a deeper relationship and knowledge of God. Somehow I got my wires crossed and started feeling like I was about to sink with the seemingly impossibility of it all. Instead I needed a reminder to recognize what a great opportunity I have while living this journey of life and writing.

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Social Media Minute—T.H.I.N.K. Before You Share On Social Media

By on August 26, 2014 in Edie Melson, Learn the art of Social Networking, Social Media Primer

I didn’t always enjoy social media. Before I spent time on the various networks I assumed that interactions there were at best, shallow, with little or no real-world value. I’d formed my opinions by listening to the comments and complaints of others.

It wasn’t until I actually took time to interact online that I discovered there were lots of things of value being shared. The people I’ve met and the skills I’ve learned through online connections have added so much to my life—professionally and personally.

Unfortunately, I’ve also run across my fair share of time-wasting interactions. These have run the gamut of spam sales notices to misleading articles. But even these experiences have been, in a strange way, valuable. They’ve helped me develop my own set of guidelines to keep me from adding to the worthless noise that clutters up our digital universe.

I think of these things as a series of filters that help me keep out any junk that might otherwise slip through. I call it my T. H. I. N. K. before you share online system.

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Two Key Things I’ve Learned About Writing Novellas vs. Novels

By on August 21, 2014 in Beth Vogt, General Topics, Novellas, Writing

In the beginning there was the novel … well, at least in the beginning of my fiction writing career, there was the novel, and nothing but the novel.

And then my editor asked, “What do you think about writing a novella?”

And I said, “Why not?”

My first novellawas You Made Me Love You. And I liked the process, even as I learned that writing a novel and writing a novella are two very different things.

And then I read a Facebook post where some people were discussing novel versus novella – you know, the whole choose one or the other. And I wondered why. Why does it have to be novel or the novella? Why not enjoy both? Choose a novel when you’re up for a longer read, a more detailed story. And choose a novella when you’re looking for something shorter, something simpler, but just as enjoyable as a full-length novel.

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Are you ready to Pitch your novel? A 7 question LITMUS test!

By on August 18, 2014 in 3. Publish your Story, 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, Encourage Me!, How do I Pitch my Book?, How do I Promote my book?, How do I write a Synopsis?, Writing Conferences

Are you ready to pitch your story? With the ACFW Conference just a month away, many authors are polishing their pitches, proposals and pitch sheets. But…are they truly ready to pitch?  The fact is, you only get one shot to pitch your story to a particular editor/agent. Here’s a quick litmus test to see if you’re ready to pitch your novel: 1. Is your novel finished?  First time novelists should have their novel completed before they pitch for two reasons. It tells the editor/agent that YES, you can finish a novel.  And then, when you pitch an entire series of 3 novels, they have the confidence you can fnished #2 and #3. It helps you understand the true external pitch of your story (and the internal storyquestion). Sometimes it takes […]

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