Monday's Musings: While my Soldier Serves, Prayers for Military Families and Their Soldier

Today, I have the honor of sharing with you about my close friend Edie Melson and her new book, While My Soldier Serves,  that is to be released in May. I watched her walk through her son's two deployments to Iraq and can tell you that she lived what she writes about now. If you know anyone in the military, consider sharing this with their families. 

Edie Melson by Mary Denman Photography

Sowing Faith in the Hard Times Brings a Harvest of Joy

There are times when life is lived in the dark. The days are long and hard, and the rewards nonexistent. Everywhere we turn—inside and out—the landscape is bleak and barren. It’s times like these that only faith will get us through. There’s no proof we’re on the right path, no confirmation that God is at work. Often, even God Himself seems distant and unreachable.

I’ve been through those times—and come out on the other side. My time of darkness came when our oldest son was deployed to Iraq as a frontline infantry Marine. We don’t come from a military family, so everything about his choice to enlist was an opportunity for growth. Every step in his journey was a time of stretching for our family. Oh, don’t make the mistake of thinking we were disappointed in his choice. We were button-busting proud of our son’s willingness to serve.

But as his mother, I didn’t want to face the prospect of my son going off to war.

Monday's Musings - What Does Love See?

I had an argument with my best friend. 

But not an argument you'd expect.

This is the picture. Edie wanted me to use it.

It was about her weight. 

Again, it wasn't what you'd expect. 

You see, several years ago, Edie Melson was celebrating that she'd lost 100 pounds. I was thrilled for her! She pulled up a computer picture at her heaviest, back in 2006. 

When she turned the screen to me, I promptly said, "Oh, I didn't know you then."

That's when the argument started. 

Her response? "Yes, you did."

Me? "No, I didn't. I never knew you at that weight."

"Yes, you did." She pulled up the date of the picture. 

My mouth dropped. 

She was right! 

I was stunned. 

Her response, though, was precious. "You didn't see it because you loved me."

She was right once again. 

I never saw her as her weight. 

I saw her as my friend. 
As a great writer, a great critique partner.

That's when I realized how powerful love can be. 
How it can change how I see others. 

It's not about what someone looks like. 
It's about seeing their heart. 
Their character. 

It's about the relationships we have with each other.

This idea of what love sees didn't originate with me.

It starts with God.
How God looks at us with love. 
How he sees straight to our hearts. 

I'm thankful to have caught a glimpse of his love through an argument. 
An argument I was happy to lose!

Look at Edie now! Beautiful as ever.....

Monday's Musings

I'll let you in on a secret. I'm trying to grow my blog.

Why should this interest you? Because I want your blog to grow, too!

I admit that I've had some help in learning what to do. I have a friend. And her advice is really working. So I would like to introduce you to my friend and Social Media Coach, Edie Melson.

Edie Melson

Edie has a great blog entitled The Write Conversation. She makes sure her info is up to date and useful. She has tips on growing your blog, using social media, tips for writing (which applies whether or not you have a blog), and weekend worship.

I'd love it if you go to her site to check it out. You may learn a thing or two.

I can attest to the fact that I'm following her advise and my blog is growing. But I want to share this wonderful information with you!

Here are a couple of head shots of Edie. She's one of my favorite people to do photo shoots with!

Edie Melson

Go check out her site and let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by! See you on Wordless Wednesday.

5 Reasons for a Quality Headshot at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

5 Reasons for a Quality Headshot

Edie Melson

As an author, you may be contemplating whether or not you need a good headshot.  Well, if you are serious about your craft, you need to consider investing in a professional headshot.  Why?  There are at least 5 reasons you should consider.

1.    Your headshot may be the first time an editor, reader, or someone who is booking you sees you.  You can't possibly go and meet every editor, reader or casting director in person.  So what precedes you? Your headshot. That first impression can either work for you or against you. Just as your first line is important as a writer, so is your first impression to the audience who awaits you.

2.    Headshots help people make a good decision about who you are. As an author, do you write suspense, romance, mysteries or thrillers? Make sure your headshot reflects who you are and doesn't send a mixed message.  

      

Lynn Blackburn

     3.    Headshots reflect your level of professionalism. What does a casual, cluttered, improperly centered photo say about you?  That you're casual about your craft. It may not seem fair, but that's the impression you give. If a so-so shot is good enough to tell people about you, then how much time will you spend on your craft?  A so-so amount? You need leave your comfort zone and get the best shot you can to show you're committed to excellence in your craft. And yes authors, that means you!

Alycia Morales

4.    Good headshots have a variety of uses.  For authors, headshots can be used for social networking sites as your profile picture, on your business card, on your website, as your accompanying photo in print articles and for the holy grail of writing, on the back of your novel. Don't think you have to hit the "big time" first in order to need a good head shot. Once you are serious about the craft of writing, reflect that with a quality headshot.

5.    It's fun! I realize I may have just lost you here, but stay with me.  When you were a kid, did you enjoy playing dress-up or dreaming about being a superhero? This is your chance to have a little fun and recapture a little of your childhood. Writers, you create entire worlds for your readers to enter and then invite them in with your first line. Invite them to read your article or book with an inviting photo. Let go of your fears of how you look. Express who you are and have fun with it!

Dan Case

Looking forward to seeing you through the lens of my camera at Blue Ridge!

Wordless Wednesday

Edie Melson on air with Jack & Kimberly on Your Carolina

Social Media Marketing, an Interview with Edie Melson

Edie is on a blog tour for her bestselling eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, How to Blog, Tweet, and Peep Your Way onto Amazon's Best Seller's List. And today she'll be hanging out here!
You can get her book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for only 99 cents.
Remember, you don't have to own an eReader to read it. You can download either the Kindle or Nook software free to your computer, tablet or phone. I know it's hard to read fiction on the computer, but it's great to have a short reference book like this at your fingertips!

How long have you been writing/how did you get started?

I actually wrote my first book—long-hand—in 8^th grade. It’s funny, I was looking back  through some of my old year books and several kids commented about me becoming a bestselling writer.

I began my writing career as a technical writer in the 80’s, then had kids and began writing again seriously as they grew up.

How did you get interested in social media?

It was a sink or swim situation. I got a job as managing editor at a Centered Mag, an online Christian Magazine for College age guys. Everyone I worked with was young enough to be my son—and social media is the only way to reach that audience. I had to become an expert or quit my job.

With my success came a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s become one of my passions to show others that social networking is NOTHING to be afraid of. Believe me, if I can do it, ANYONE can!

Why did you write Social Media Marketing for Writers?

This book wasn’t originally my idea. My publisher, Eddie Jones with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas came up with this idea. They are also publishing my devotional book, Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, later this year. Eddie knew I taug

ht Social Media Marketing to writers at conferences all over the country and he asked me to send him my notes so he could evaluate the possibility of doing a book. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why is social networking important for writers?

Writing is all about building relationships—with readers, editors, agents, other writers—and what better vehicle than social media? It’s tailor made for writers. After all, we communicate best through the written word. And it gives us an unprecedented opportunity to connect with our readers.

I know your has lots of tips for writers using social media to build their platform and connect with their audience, but how do we find the time? How do you find the time?

I developed my schedule because I was totally overwhelmed. I felt like I was spending all this time on social media and not getting any writing done—which was the reason for starting the social marketing. I found the minimum I could do and still get results.

I’m very ADD and without a schedule I don’t get anything done!

Here’s an overview of my schedule on days when I’m home:

Most important, I only check email/phone messages 3 times a day. That makes a huge difference in my ability to concentrate.

I’ve found my best creative time, mid-morning, so I reserve that for writing. But here's how my day breaks down:

• First hour of my day is spent on email and social networking.
• Then I write until lunch.
• After lunch, I check email, return calls and do about 20 min of social networking.
• Then I work on editing assignments, rewriting, marketing, whatever is next on my list.
• Then the last 30 minutes of the day is spent on email, phone calls and social networking.

That’s a rough estimation of my days—some work better than others. But this is the schedule that made it possible for me to publish over 700 articles in 2010.

Can you share some of your favorite writing quotes?

"Easy reading is damn hard writing" -Nathaniel Hawthorne

"I write for the same reason I breath - if I didn't I'd die." -Isaac Asimov

And my life verse -

Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther 4:14

For those of you who don't know Edie, be sure to visit her blog. And don't forget to LIKE her book on FaceBook!

Life in the Rear View Mirror

Secrets to Help You Connect with Your Readers

Every writer wants to connect with her reader through the words on the paper or screen. And we’ve all felt the thrill that comes from a perfectly crafted sentence. You know the type—it’s made up with something that makes the reader feel something, think about your point and apply what you’ve just said.

When I started writing I referred to those rare instances as magic or inspiration. Now, with some experience behind me, I’m a bit more deliberate in crafting them. I want to share some of the tricks that will help you make your writing shine. These suggestions are specifically for non-fiction freelance writing, articles, devotions, etc. But they also translate well when writing fiction.

First, you want to find a specific point of connection with your reader. As I’ve said before, writing is all about relationships. There are several ways to connect with your reader.

• Tell a story—you can use this to show common ground with the reader.
• Ask a question—this can show that you understand what the reader is concerned about.
• Tap into an emotion—it helps to engage the reader’s heart when you begin.

Second, you need to establish credibility with your reader. What you want to do is invite the reader to walk down this path with you. You may be writing an article about weight loss and want them to consider your method. There are several ways of doing this as well.

• Quote an expert—if you’re not a fitness expert and you’re writing that weight loss article, borrow the expertise of someone who is.
• Use personal experience—maybe you’ve lost weight. This would be relevant to the reader.
• Find an understandable statistic—statistics are good to use IF they are quantifiable. In other words, 3 out of 4 people is easy to visualize, but 15.5 percent of the population under age 30 leaves us clueless.

Word of Warning—don’t lecture, preach or point your finger at anyone. No one appreciates a superior tone.

Now it’s your turn. What tips can you share that help you connect with the reader?

Blessings,

Edie Melson

Photo courtesy of Mary Denman

Edie is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog and is a frequent contributor to many others. As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the assistant director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us.

In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her first eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, has just been released. It’s currently available on Nook or Kindle for only 99 cents.