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)?

February 2017: Around the Web

Tags

Blogging, Book Reviews, Carrie Schmidt, Courtney Jarus, D. L Kamstra, David Corbett, Henry McLaughlin, Jody Hedlund, Not Without My Morning Coffee Blog, Sandra Ardoin, Seekerville, The Write Conversation, The Write Life, Tina Radcliffe

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

Whether you’re a reader, writer, or need a little inspiration in your day, here are a few of the posts I’ve found interesting this month. Maybe you will too, so…

Inspiration and Encouragement

• An inspiring post: Fitness & Worship with Courtney Jarus on the Not Without My Morning Coffee blog.
• Are you having trouble getting through the rough patches? Here’s Henry McLaughlin’s take on The Write Conversation.

In the Stack

• Carrie Schmidt from Reading is My Superpower wrote an excellent post aimed at authors, publishers/agents, and readers. Check out Top Ten Tuesdays: Things I Wish Christian Fiction (and its readers) Did More Often.
• D. L. Kamstra’s review of Moving Target, Lynette Eason’s third book in the Elite Guardians series. I’ve reviewed the first two: Always Watching and Without Warning.

Writing

• On The Write Life, a debut novelist reviews what did and didn’t work during her first year marketing her novel.
• Are you frittering away your writing time? Well, if not, you should be, and Tina Radcliffe gives you ten humorous ways to do it on the Seekerville blog.
• Do you hide your identity as a romance writer and/or reader because you feel you’ll be looked down on? In this post, historical romance author Jody Hedlund gives you four reasons to be proud of your writing.
• I love a story filled with emotion. In this article from Writers Digest, David Corbett provides insight into ways we strike that emotional chord with readers.

Which category/post most struck your fancy?

January 2017: Around the Web

Tags

Bethany House Publishing, Blogging, Brittnay McEuen, Center of His Wheel, Chip MacGregor, Gail Johnson, James L. Rubart, Katy Kaufman, Maryann Holloway, Novel Rocket, Phyllis Keels, Sandra Ardoin, Seriously Write Blog, The Write Conversation, Zoe M. McCarthy

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I read numerous blog posts during the month. Most are writing-related, because that’s my business. 🙂 Others are inspiring. Some have to do with fiction. All are by people who have something to say that interests me. Hopefully, you’ll find the following of interest too. So…

Inspiration and Encouragement

• From the Beginning on the Center of His Wheel blog by Gail Johnson
• Zoe M. McCarthy asks “Are We Only Looking for a Healing Miracle?” on the Seriously Write blog.
• “There is a reason that Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).” What I Really Want on the Gifted Writer blog by Phyllis Keels

In the Stack

• Fun flash fiction from Maryann Holloway of the If I Only Had A Time Machine blog
• Brittnay McEuen’s review of the audio book Cowboy Charming by Lacey Williams
• Here’s a great alternative to those January goals of getting more exercise. Skate on into this post from Bethany House. It will have you seeking a medal.
• Reading challenges for 2017 from A. M. Heath. Which one will you follow or you do you have one of your own?

Writing

• Literary Agent Chip MacGregor made some predictions for 2017 that got people’s attention and a bit of their dander up. Be sure to read the comments, then let me know what you think.
• James Rubart posts on Novel Rocket about staying with your story vision, even if “they” don’t get it.
• Having trouble with your blogging calendar? Katy Kaufman’s ten steps posted on The Write Conversation could jump start your thoughts and organizational skills.
• A list of 17 Changes Indie Authors Can Expect in 2017 from Author Marketing Experts. I think much of it can apply to any book author.

Which category/post most struck your fancy?