Inspire:

Great Quotes on Juggling Home and a Writing Career

Here are some more great quotes from Mount Hermon. These were also shared by Barbara Curtis. She is the mother of twelve (12!) and has written nine books, thousands of articles and posts daily to her blog, MommyLife.net. She understands the struggles that face writers who are committed to managing their homes and training their children.

“I have to continually balance ‘being a writer’ with being a wife and mother. It’s a matter of putting two different things first, simultaneously.”   Madeleine L’Engle

“I shall live badly if I do not write, and I shall write badly if I do not live.”   Francois Sagan

“How can you sit down to write until you have stood up to live?”              Thoreau

 

“I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos. I think that art has something to do with an arrest of attention in the midst of distraction.”       Saul Bellow

 

“The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes." St. Augustine

 

It’s great to know that others have carved the path I tread, one that requires dual purpose and singular focus.

Gratefully,

Beth

Great Quotes on the Discipline of Writing

Barbara Curtis, one of my favorite bloggers, shared these during a workshop she taught at Mount Hemon Christian Writers Conference last week. As a recovering procrastinator, I need semi-constant nudging. Maybe you do to.

“I know writers who write only when the inspiration comes. How would Isaac Stern play if he played the violin only when he felt like it! He would be lousy.”            Madeleine L’Engle

“If you wait for inspiration, you’re not a writer, but a waiter.”                  Anonymous

“Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write. If it all feels helpless, if that famous ‘inspiration’ will not come, write. If you are a genius, you’ll make your own rules, but if not—and the odds are against it—go to your desk, no matter what your mood, face the icy challenge of the paper—write.                    

J.B. Priestly

 

“The more a man writes, the more he can write.”

William Hazzlitt

 

“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; but he has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”           

St. Augustine

 

So now I’m off to face the icy challenge of the paper—and write.

Gratefully,

Beth

Easy Ways to Build Blog-Traffic By Guest Blogger Joanne Kraft

Building your blog traffic, one reader at a time.

So, you want to start your own blog? Did you know that there are more than 150,000 blogs created every day? But don't be intimidated by the competition. If you have something to say and can say it well, your blog will do just fine. I have written my own blog since August 2007, that's about ten-years-old in blog-years. So, my friend, I have a few tips for you. Let's begin at the beginning...

1. What is the purpose of your blog?
This defines your blog, sets it apart from millions of others. Are you a mom wanting to vent- or, maybe a writer hoping for publishers to take notice of your quick wit and redemptive prose? You can make this little spot on the world wide web anything you want it to be. The more defined and specific the message, the easier it is to retain traffic.

2. Comments
Commenting is HUGE. People want to hear from you and you want to hear from others. The more you make nice and play along by encouraging others or just making witty small talk, the more blog-friends you will make - and faithful they will be! Plus, there are others out there that we bloggers like to call lurkers, they may never comment, but are reading blogs and comments as well. Often times, the comment you have left on another blog is what will bring readers and lurkers over to your site.

3. Participate in blog carnivals.
This is a pretty big deal. Very often, blogs will offer a giveaway, or will have a weekly link of participation, like Thankful Thursday (www.eph2810.com)or Wordless Wednesday (www.wordlesswednesday.com). Take advantage of these. And when you do, make sure to post on your blog about it with a link back to the host blog.

4. Have blog carnivals of your own.
There are readers out there that live for these giveaways. I don't use this to my advantage like I should. But each year I do offer a blog-design giveaway. You don't have to spend lots on a blog carnival. You can give away something small like a Starbucks gift card...everyone loves them, and they are easy to send through the mail.

5. LINK-LINK-LINK
The more you blog, the more you will discover others with gifts you want to share. From recipes, to household tips, there are lots of things your readers will love to experience right along side you.

And don't underestimate those opportunities for praying for one another. It won't be long before you find other bloggers who are hurting or crying out for prayer. Take the time to leave them a prayer in their comments and a link back to your site. This tip may not grow your traffic, but it will surely grow your prayer life. Praise the Lord!


6. Write Well!
There is no substitute for good writing. Just don't be long-winded about it. If your message is a long one, break it up into two parts and publish it over two days. Keep your posts short, a minimum of 250-500 words. It doesn't matter how much you desire to get your message out, if you don't write it well your readership will suffer.

Whether your message is short or long, I am praying your blog will change lives for His glory, one reader at a time.

Blogging to Inspire and Greg Cochran’s Book Signing

Mark Your Calendars!

 

March 14^th is going to be an exciting day.

 

First:

Inspire will host our Blogging to Inspire workshop. Come and learn everything you need to know about blogging.

 

Topics will include:

Blogging Basics

Nuts and Bolts of Constructing a Blog

Building Community

The Blogosphere as a Mission Field

Creating a Platform

Generating Revenue

And More!

 

Blogging to Inspire:

Saturday, March 14

10:00am-1:00pm

At Sue Tornai's House

$5 fee for lunch and supplies

Bring a guest!

Please RSVP by March 10 via email to: inspiregroup (at) Comcast (dot) net

Or leave a comment with your RSVP.

 

Next:

Inspire's Greg Cochran will be signing his novel, Saving Grace at The Bible House in Elk Grove:

Saturday March 14^th at 2:00pm

The Bible House, 7601 Laguna Blvd #160

Elk Grove, Ca, 95758

 

To learn more about Greg and his novel, stop by his website: http://www.gregcochran.net/

Be sure to read the first chapter of Saving Grace while you are there.

 

Two fantastic events in one day: join us on March 14^th for a great day!

Gratefully,

Beth

Peeking Over the Fences of Christian Publishing

We walked along the levee of the American River last week and Mike said, "I don't know what it is but I like looking over the fences into people's backyards."

"You're just nosey." I said.

Aren't we all? I know I am. I love to peek into backyards, eavesdrop on conversations at nearby tables and generally be "in the know" about whatever is happening around me.

If that is true of you, here are a few blogs that will keep you "in the know" about the Christian publishing industry:

 

From Where I Sit, by CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers Mike Hyatt

Rants and Ramblings, by Christian Agent Rachelle Gardner

The Writing Life, by Christian Agent Terry Whalin

Chip MacGregor.com, by Christian Agent Chip MacGregor

Between the Lines, by Books & Such Literary Agency

 

If you read these blogs regularly, your industry knowledge will grow and you will discover how down-to-earth and approachable the gatekeepers really are.

 

Keep writing and growing,

Beth

 

PS: Are there any great blogs you want to recommend to me and our group?

 

Inspire Writers Online

Looking for our Inspire writers online? Here are the blogs and websites where you can find them:

Blessed….

Dee Aspin's Website

Faith and Grief

Lord of the Ringless

Reflections of God's Glory

Winsome Word

Writing from Home

I hope you will stop by and say Hi to all our writers who blog!

Six Point Blog Check-up

Is it time for a routine check-up of your blog? Here are some tools that will help:

1. Find out your blog's score on http://website.grader.com/ as a starting point.
2. Learn how to avoid the Most Common Blog Mistakes at Randy Elrod's post.
3. Check out 5 Ways to Imitate the Top 10 Blogs on Blog Herald.
4. Subscribe to He Blogs, She Blogs for great insights and ideas on blogging.
5. Analyze one of your favorite blogs. What makes it great? Emulate what works.
6. Plan to attend the upcoming Inspire Writer's Blogging Workshop in March. More information will be coming soon.

Have a great weekend and keep writing (and blogging!)

Beth

Karen Ball: Publishing Will Survive

Hello Inspire Writers,

Karen Ball gave us all a wonderful gift yesterday in her post at Novel Journey. I hope you will take a moment and read it. Soak in the encouragement and keep doing what God has called you to do.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Gratefully,

Beth

Thomas Nelson Launches Book Review Bloggers

Thomas Nelson Publishers is looking for 10,000 bloggers to review some of their latest titles. If you love reading and enjoy sharing your opinion about what you read—here is a great opportunity. Sign up to select your first book and it will be sent to you without charge. After you post a 200-word review on Amazon and your blog, you can choose a second book.

To get started, click here.

Author Lee Roddy’s Blog

I have just discovered that Lee Roddy (the novelist who taught a fiction workshop for us last spring) has started a blog. You can visit him here.

Beth