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?

April 2017 Around the Web

Tags

Around the Web, Blogging, Inspirational Blog Posts, Reading, Sandra Ardoin, Writing Blogs, Writing Tips

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I had a hard time settling on just a few posts this month, especially writing posts. There were so many informative and inspiring words shared in the month of April. I hope some of these speak to you in some way.

INSPIRATION:

• Every day is a gift. Do you trust Him with it? Are you grateful for it? Not Only Surviving, But Thriving
• “…each individual is gifted, crafted, and designed to perform a different task.” Are you working cheerfully for Him, even if it’s in the background? The Silent Servant
• This post on sleep was written specifically for writers, but it’s applicable for anyone who thinks they can function without sleep and still be productive.

READING:

• What are Your Favorite Film Adaptations of Books? from Adrienne Morris – What are yours?
• Have you ever wondered why many Christian writers do what they do? Author Kristy Cambron relates a wonderful illustration.
• Book review of Love’s Winter Hope by Naomi Rawlings.

WRITING:

• Eva Marie Everson explains on Southern Writers Magazine’s Suite T ways in which “living libraries” can be a great source for novel material.
• Seekerville’s Grammar Queen shares her grammar pet peeves.
• “Before you can take readers to new places, you must first travel roads you’ve never been on.” On Novel Rocket, Allen Arnold talks about stretching yourself as a person and a writer to bring your reader fresh material.
• Are you battling with writing procrastination? Janalyn Voight gives some tips to help you defeat it on the Live, Write, Thrive blog.

 

Do you have a favorite blog for inspirational posts—posts that make your day just about every time you read them?

March 2017: Around the Web

Tags

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

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Inspiration and Encouragement

• God is omniscient and sees things we don’t see in the here and now. Sometimes, that leads to Him saying no to something we think we want. Check out this devotion from Norma Gail.
• We’re living in a world that is amazingly complex with regard to relationships. It’s nothing new, however, I think sin is being exposed to the light. The hard part is knowing how to respond. I enjoyed this thoughtful post from Joe Butler.
• How should we act and react on social media sites and still retain our “saltiness” in the world? Tamela Hancock Murray provides some thoughts on the Steve Laube Agency blog.
• Great thoughts about acting out of passion versus acting out of love from Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife.

In the Stack

• This post by Melinda Inman isn’t about what to read, but something you can do once you’ve enjoyed a book. How can you, as a reader, help the author produce more material for you to enjoy?
• Checking out favorite fictional couples on Bookworlder.
• Christian fiction readers read books at a higher rate than those who read in the general market. This post from Christian Retailing reveals survey results that show the buying habits of Christian fiction readers.

Writing

• On Writers in the Storm: A horse trainer and writer tells why competing in rodeos is good training for writing. 
• From Writers Digest: Here are ten ways to use social media to expand your discoverability as a writer.
• Are your stories full of “weeds?” When is the best time to use those words that pop up in our manuscripts on a regular basis? Author and agent Cyle Young provides his thoughts on the Hartline blog.

Your thoughts? Favorites? Feel inspired to tackle the world (or that next book)?