Category: Friday Favorites

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

• Why Santa Claus Gets on My Nerveslby Jill Kemerer

  I’m not anti-Santa. I even think the dude can point to Jesus. But Jill so eloquently explains why this jolly red man makes me want to cringe at times. “Christmas, to me, is about saying ‘thank you, Jesus,’ not, ‘I want….'”

• For Those Who Need an Attitude Adjustment (Like I Do)lby Courtney Walsh

  Lovely post about shifting our focus.

Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

• Why is Your Second Novel so Important?lby Chip MacGregor

  Chip answers several questions about the 2nd novel. The advice is solid but also slightly terrifying, as my 2nd novel releases this March. I was definitely NOT this nervous for my debut.

• Possibly the Best Blogging Tip Everlby Rachelle Gardner

  Make your blog about your reader. A great reminder to anybody who blogs.

• Pour on the Conflictlby K.M. Weiland

  Six ways to create conflict in a story.

• 21 Ways to Promote your Book Without Being a Scuzzballlby Chad R. Allen

  The title says it all. Excellent tips for anyone with a book to promote.

• Why Settle for your Readers’ Wallets when You can Get in Her Pantslby Kristen Lamb

  I’m sorry, but this one cracked me up. Sometimes it feels like we’re not so very far from this. No joke.

Would you like to win an advanced copy of my 2nd book, Wishing on Willows? Then read on…

My fabulous publisher is helping me with a sharing contest. Here’s how it works:

Share these chapters of Wildflowers from Winter online or via email with a friend, then sign up here and you’ll not only receive an exclusive sneak peek of Wishing on Willows, you’ll also be entered to win an advanced copy of the book…to give or to keep.

If you haven’t already, I’d love to send you a welcome packet! Sign up button is at the top and bottom of this page!

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

• Confessions Behind the Mask, a new blog by Betsy St. Amant

  In this day and age of social media, it’s all too easy to hide our real selves behind a facade. By picking and choosing what to share, we can basically be whoever we want to be. Which is fine and dandy, until we start looking around at all our Facebook and Twitter friends, wondering how they have it all together while we’re still a raging mess. If you’re tired of feeling alone in your inadequacy and hurt, this is the place to go for encouragement.

•  The Difficulty of Being a Work-at-Home Momcby Jody Hedlund

  I found this post particularly timely, as I’ve had many epiphanies about this reality as of late. In fact, I’m posting about it on Monday. Working from home definitely has its tricky bits.

• Infertility: The Road More Traveled than You May Thinkiby Olivia Ryan

  For any woman who’s ever struggled with infertility or empty arms, this post drips with hope, honesty, and truth. My favorite of the faves this week.

Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

• What Should I do for my Book Signing?iby literary agent, Chip MacGregor

  Concrete, applicable tips for authors wanting to have more successful book signings.

• 13 Ways to Scare Readers Away from Your Book’s Websiteiby Thomas Umstattd

  13 very helpful tips that had me checking my own website. I particularly agree with the music one. It’s hard not to find that jarring.

• Five Ways to Build a Thriving Communityiby Jeff Goins

  Are you trying to build a growing, active community on your blog or Facebook page? (Who isn’t?) Here are some must-read tips from Jeff. 

Tell me something fun! What’s been happening in your world this week?

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

• When the God of Heaven Sends You to Hell  by Kelli Standish (@KelliStandish)

  Talk about powerful, spirit-soaked, truth-filled words–this is an honest-to-goodness must read. I guarantee you will never look at Jonah the same.

• What Women Want: Purpose  by Wendy Paine Miller (@wendypmiller)

  I just love the way this woman writes.

• Four Ways to Make the Most of your Season  by Sarah Markley (@sarahmarkley) on (in)Courage

  “Comparison will steal your passion, chase away your joy and kill your soul.” Such a refreshing read for any person who calls themselves human. Seriously.

• The Power of Touch  by Jamy Whitaker (@JamyWhitaker) on Encouragement Café

  I just found this site. The devotionals are short and sweet with some applicable take-aways.

 Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

• Do Agents and Editors Expect Novelists to Blog  by Jody Hedlund (@JodyHedlund)

  Jody goes straight to an agent and an editor for the answer. Just remember, this is only the view of one agent and one editor, albeit well-respected ones in the industry. I think the comments are worth reading, especially the first one from Jody.

• The Seven Stages of Publishing Grief  by Robin LeFevers (@RLLAFEVERS) on Writer Unboxed

  I think every writer experiences these stages differently (I didn’t experience all of these or in the way indicated), but even so, the stuff she writes before she gets into the stages resonates. Especially the bit about Amazon’s new author rank. I am steering clear!

• 5 Facts about Publishing that could Change your Writing Career by Jeff Goins  (@JeffGoins)

• Big Dreams vs Realistic Expectations  by Rachelle Gardner (@RachelleGardner)

  Great thoughts on how to pursue big dreams, but guard our hearts against the emotions that come when reality is a little smaller.

 Let’s Talk: Any blog posts you’d like to share? Cares, concerns, celebrations? I love reading them!

If I haven’t already, I’d love to send you a welcome packet! To sign up, just click on the welcome packet button at the top and bottom of this page!