September 2017 Around the Web

Tags

Around the Web, Blog Posts, Blogging, Inspiration, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I read. A lot. At the end of each month you’ll find links on the Around the Web posts to blog articles I’ve found of interest during the month. I hope they will prove to be of interest to you too.

Inspiration

Though Novel Rocket is a writer’s site, I found this post on “editing life” by one of my favorite authors, Tamera Alexander, to be spiritually inspiring.

This post by Andy Lee on The Write Conversation really spoke to me, but it’s not just for writers. It’s for anyone in any work situation who seeks to know, “Am I in love with Jesus or my devotion to Jesus?”

“Condemnation is the hard ground we fall upon when we are wrong. If we stay there, we hurt and grovel in the self-inflicted pain.” Such true words from Barbara Latta in her post “What Happens When a Christian Fails?“

Reading

Are you in one of those reading slumps where your whole attitude about reading is “meh?” I get this way sometimes, then feel guilty for not wanting to read. The Sassy Book Geek gives you thirteen tips for getting back in the reading groove.

Are you reading The Tox Files series by Ronie Kendig? Then, you’ll enjoy this First Line Friday post from Beth Erin at Faithfully Bookish. It’s from the second book in the series, Crown of Souls. #MustRead

“Novel reading is a great way to practice being human.” Do you think reading makes you smarter and more empathetic? An interesting post by Derek Beres on the Big Think blog.

Writing

Noticing your work is being pirated…read without reimbursement, STOLEN? Rachelle Gardner addressed the problem on the Books and Such blog with this post.

Need help with dialog? Casey Heringshaw gives writers six ways to create “great dialog” in this post from The Writer’s Alley.

Are you considering branching out with a pseudonym? Even if you aren’t, you’ll want to read this advice on Seekerville by author Dora Hier/Tori Kayson…for future reference.

 

What posts by others have you read this month that spoke to you? (No links, please, just give the title of the post and the blog name.)

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August 2017 Around the Web

Tags

Around the Web, Book Reviews, Inspiration, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

INSPIRATION:

This devotion from Norma Gail fits perfectly with the theme (and climax) of the book I’m working on now. More important is its message about fear.

Are you trying to help others without first making sure you’re okay? This post by Russell Smith, “Put Your Own Mask On First,” shares the wisdom of taking care of yourself before attempting to help others.

In “Evidence of Things Seen” by Nancy Ruegg, we see how God has laid the foundation, through our life’s experiences, that speaks of His love and our ability to trust Him.

READING:

A five-star review from D. L. Kamstra of my critique partner’s debut novel, Freedom’s Ring.

In this post by Amy Lillard, she asks readers to be respectful of authors who break genre rules.

So how many of these books from Fiction Aficionado’s list would make your top ten of books you enjoyed while growing up? I’d have to add Rebecca, the Little House books, and anything by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

WRITING:

Are you really ready for writing success? Check out this article by Janet Kobobel Grant of Books and Such Literary.

I’ve been working hard to learn more about structure in a novel and adhere to it, but honestly, it’s tended to make me crazy. The “All You Need to Know About Story Structure (in 5 Minutes)” post on the Write to Done blog is helping me breathe again. 🙂

Speaking of critique partners (see “Reading” above), here’s an informative article from the ACFW blog about “Creating a Crazy-Good Critique Group.”

What did you read this month that you would add to my list?

 

July 2017 All Around the Web

Tags

Christian Fiction, Faith, Inspiration, Philip Yancey, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Southern Writers Suite T, Thankfulness, Writers in the Storm, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

This month’s post contains links I hope you can use in your life’s journey, whether it involves faith, reading, or writing. 

INSPIRATION:

• “Relationship is the genesis of life. Power. Empathy. Compassion.” A blog post called The Downside to Knowledge by Robin Gilbert Luftig.
• “Are you feeling invisible today? Unnoticed and unseen, desperate for someone to meet you exactly where you are?” ~ Devotion on the Proverbs 31 blog
• Who are you thankful TO? When someone asks you what you’re thankful for, what do you tell them?

READING:

• This is one I haven’t read yet, but this review by Embassie of Roseanna White’s A Name Unknown made it sound intriguing. 
• This post from author Philip Yancey about his inability to read and its connection to technology is long, but interesting. Are you feeling more scattered through technology? 

WRITING:

• Here’s something a little different this month. Instead a of blogpost link, I’m including this video from Robin Hatcher sharing her advice for writing when we just can’t seem to get the words out. It’s something I’ve experienced and something I think every writer does at one time or another. 
• Life/work balance has been a big part of this year’s theme for me, and this post from Writers in the Storm goes right along with it. Loved the quote from the Coca-Cola exec.
• Some of my best ideas come when I’m away from the computer. It was nice to read this Southern Writers “Suite T” article by Joy Ross Davis and know I’m not the only one who finds inspiration in an odd place. 🙂

 

Which of these stood out to you or provided a word of help today?

June 2017 Around the Web

Tags

All Around the Web, Blog Posts, Blogging, Book Reviews, Christianity, Inspiration, Prayer, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing, Writing Tips

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I’ve been traveling over the web this month, answering probing questions and giving my experience with life after the kids are gone. Here’s where you’ll find my posts:

• Interview on the Jubilee Writer blog with Cindy Ervin Huff
• Have those graduation/empty nest blues? My take posted on Elaine Stock’s blog.
• Great questions on Robin E. Mason’s Blogwords Interview

INSPIRATION:

• How would you respond if someone asked about your faith in a job interview? This was a thought-provoking post from Lori Roeleveld.
• “Many of us have replaced the Word of God and our responsibility to study it with those other things.” By “those other things,” the author of “The Trouble with ‘Bible Study” means our tendency to rely on videos, devotionals, and other study materials as a replacement for reading the Bible. She’s not proclaiming they are bad and shouldn’t be used, just suggesting that we’re growing Biblically illiterate, because we substitute reading it first-hand with second-hand information. What do you think?
• “Our prayers are a constant conversation with God, ones in which we have access to our sovereign Lord and Creator of the universe.” DiAnn Mills talks about why we should dedicate ourselves to unceasing prayer.  

READING:

• I read Conspiracy of Silence, the first book in Ronie Kendig’s new series The Tox Files, but haven’t reviewed it, so I thought I’d share Robbye Faye’s take on the Captive Dreams Window blog.  The one thing I would add to her review is to read the prequel novella, Warrior’s Seal, first. It will ground you and make the story more clear. I didn’t read it and found myself a little confused at times, like someone who came into the middle of a conversation. The novella is next in the TBR stack. Better late than never, I guess. 🙂
• I’m thrilled to see my critique partner’s debut novel, Freedom’s Ring (by Heidi Chiavaroli), on this list of top favorites. Which ones would you include?

WRITING:

• Whether you’re an indie or traditionally-published author, if you sell your books at in-person events (speaking opportunities, festivals, holiday events), you’ll want to read Linda Yezak’s post “What Readers Want.” I particularly found the possibility of an e-book card interesting.
• Have you sent an author newsletter? Nandine Brandes offers some great tips for why you should have one and how to get started.
• Are your characters ready for their first date? Lisa Jordan shares five tips for creating those first dates.

I’ve included lots of links this month. I hope you’ll find some of these posts of value to you. Any in particular that you enjoyed?

May 2017 Around the Web

Tags

Blog Posts, Blogging, Inspiration, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

It’s been a crazy month and not one I’m eager to repeat in June. Still, there were a number of interesting and encouraging posts that came out in May. Hopefully, you’ll find some to enlighten and encourage you too.

INSPIRATION:

It’s important to let the seed of joy grow through the darkness of adversity. Edie Melson offers encouragement for those times of fear.

Do you have a few regrets in life? Things you don’t regret? I can relate to a few of these, especially the dressing up. I’m not much of clothes horse, but I do still like to dress up on Sunday mornings.

I lost a friend this month. A writing buddy. A woman who loved the Lord and made sure everyone else knew it. A woman who related to and encouraged others in their grief. This was her last post and reading it again gave me goosebumps. Enjoy the beach, Phyllis!

READING:

What do you think about ebooks vs. print? What are your preferences in methods of reading? Steve Laube discusses this issue on the agency blog.

Are you going through The Five Stages of Dealing With Your TBR Pile? Bethany House outlines them. Which stage are you in?

Does reading show on a woman? Ladies, you might want to check this one out before picking up that next book. 🙂

WRITING:

Are you trying to fashion your writing after someone else? Julie Glover on Writers in the Storm encourages writers to discover and embrace their own writing voices.

Interesting article from the Author’s Guild about “Amazon’s Taking Another Bite of the Publishing Pie.” Tell me what you think after reading it.

If you’re a slow writer like me, this post on Seekerville will make your head spin, but I so want to try it!

Was there a blog post or article that encouraged you in some way during the month of May?