What is our responsibility? by Linda S. Glaz

So what is our responsibility on social media?

Being opinionated, as I am, and a former debater, which I loved, I have the inclination to want to argue and tackle all the topics that arise on my facebook page. And having a few good friends who are like-minded, it happens quite often. And I have no doubt it happens on other medias as well, Twitter, etc.

What is my responsibility as an agent/author when confronted with the opportunity to argue into the wee hours?

I keep a private friends and family page. I announce once every month or so (in the event new ‘friends’ have found my page) that it is a personal page, not a professional one. And that my opinions are there strictly for friends and family. AND that I am a very opinionated person. If this doesn’t frighten them off, then they’re welcome, if they see problems, hopefully they pass.

But even for our friends and family, we have some responsibilities, don’t we? I know a couple times I’ve crossed the line of opinionated to obnoxious, caught myself doing it, and apologized. That’s right. Apologies do still exist in the human actions/reactions. Just because we have the right to speak out, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the correct thing to do. When confronted with a topic that really puts a tack in my heel, I try to logically spell out my reason for taking an opposite stand which is tough because I lead with my emotions. I know…I know…debaters argue with logic. I try, I do. But my emotions tend to get in the way from time to time. So shoot me.

I’ve read some responses to articles online, to other folks’ comments, etc. and I have to admit, I’m never ready for the poison that comes so easily from a person’s mouth when they don’t have to face the individual they are taunting. The hatred is overwhelming at times. From Christians and non-Christians alike. Words we would never use when face to face fly off the keyboard faster than phony money at a mafia convention, and I’m left to wonder, would people really say this when confronted with the other person?

What is our responsibility on social media? We can certainly have our own opinions, but shouldn’t we still remember to treat others the way we want to be treated? Old motto, but corny? I don’t think so.

Children's books by Terry Burns

I don't handle children's books, nothing younger than middle readers. I've thought about taking on some younger offerings, I even went to a conference that deals with this age fare to help me make up my mind. What did I come up with? I think they are all really cute and I've found I am no judge of why one is better than another one.

If I can't judge them then I can't select the ones that are best and that I should be representing. So I don't.

I'd read any of them to my grandkids and maybe that is the problem, I'm a grandpa. Not just a grandpa but in fact have ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They call me 'Po.' Decided on that name themselves. Others refer to me as 'grandpa Terry' and that's ok too.

So when it comes to children's books, I'm not an agent, I'm a fan. I'm a grandpa and I love to be that. It's more important to me than being an author or agent, much more important.

Speaking of grandchildren, the young lady sitting beside me in the above picture is a little older now. In fact Iwill be attending her graduation from Abilene Christian University in Abilene Texas this Saturday. We are very proud of her. We will be there cheering her on of course, that goes without saying.

The picture on the right  is the same girl, Mandy Lambright with my mother as she graduated from Carlsbad (NM) High School. I wish mom could be going with us to see this graduation too.

Children's books? I'm content to just be a reader, someone else can do a better job of handling them.

Image Posting Help by Diana Flegal

#486964355 / gettyimages.com

Colorful, creative  images of people, scenery or objects help draw people to your blog, website or social media pages.


Have you ever attempted to post a picture and been informed your image is not the right size?


This Ultimate Image Posting Cheat Sheet from Financial Brand's website will help you.


I think it is best to take your own photos when you can. This eliminates the risk of infringing on anyone's rights or cheating anyone out of their royalties. NOTE: Just because a picture can be found online does not mean it can be used without permission.


Another option of course is to purchase photos from sites like StockPhoto.com. Always be sure to read over the agreement page before committing your credit card numbers to them.


Getty Images is a site that allows you to embed many free images into your blog. The image at the top of this blog is from Getty Images. (be sure to use the HTML tab in your blogs tool bar).


A easy to use free basic photo editing site that I use to crop my photos as well as lighten or enhance them is Pic Monkey. You can upgrade if you want to utilize their other features.


Experiment and have fun.


The biggest thing is: Do not be afraid to try.

Turning Away Customers by Andy Scheer

Do you feel obliged, once you start reading a novel, to finish the story?

I blame my childhood. At meals I was taught always to clean my plate. Somehow that sense of obligation extended to my reading.

So I'm choosy about what novels I begin. Does the back cover promise a story that's worth several evenings? And does the craft of the opening page suggest the author knows how to assemble a story?

But sometimes I take shortcuts. Especially with authors whose books I've read. I expect that another installment in a series means similar quality.

Perhaps I view a book series like any other franchise. Today I visited two recently opened outlets of a favorite store that's just come to Colorado.

The closer store had almost no parking. And of the four items on my list, they were out of stock on three. So I tried the other store. Inside, music blared to the point of distraction. And they also had just one of the items I wanted.

Now I'm on my guard. I'll likely return, but I won't be as eager – or optimistic about my chances of success. And if I speak to others, any recommendation will carry cautions.

Much like my assessment of the author whose book I just abandoned.

I've always liked the genre (back when her books were sold as mysteries; the latest was labeled a “novel of suspense”). The stories are set in a town I know. And the author often describes delicious meals. I was ready to love this book.

But the characters felt flat. And the stakes never seemed personal. The characters went through the motions, as though they were strapped into a theme park ride.

Theme park rides are okay, but I expected something more. Next time, if there is one, I'll have lower hopes. Or look for a novel from an author who's still hungry.

Are Edits Difficult? By Linda S. Glaz

I often have to nudge the stronger writing from a client, or when I make suggestions to a potential client. And when I do, I get ready for the responses (I’ve heard them all before):

“But it needs to have the character do that. I’m pretty sure that’s how it happens in real life.”

“I use adverbs because that’s the way my writing professor told me to do it.”

“That scene IS important. It IS necessary to move the story along.”

“Backstory has to be there. How else with the reader understand? I just HAVE to set it all up for them.” Very often ten or more pages of set up.

“…”

“…”

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

And I find myself literally wanting to pull out what’s left on the old gray head. But then recently, I had to have help with edits on a novel I’d been working on for seven years. I’d read it so many times, rewritten it, passed it to crit partners, and then rewritten it again that I could no longer be a good judge of whether or not it was working.

Many very helpful things were pointed out to me that would no doubt strengthen my novel, and what did I do? I found myself making many of the same lame excuses, justifying why I needed that particular scene or phrase.

Do I think we should take every suggestion, every change made to us by our crit partners, editors, etc.? No. We can’t lose our own voices in the chaos, but we have to consider each idea carefully. Does it make sense? Does it improve the pacing? Does it help the story open with a punch?

If you go to all the effort to find an agent/editor to work with, why not take as much time to listen. Don’t be so anxious to justify what you did in the past. The individuals might have a few suggestions that will help you toward your dream.

North East Texas Writers Organization Spring Writer's Roundup by Jim Hart

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the North East Texas Writer’s Organization (NETWO) Spring Writer’s Roundup conference in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. It was my first time at that conference, and also my first time outside of an airport in Texas!

In talking with a number of conferees I found just how much the members of NETWO value their critique partners, and how their writing continues to improve because of being involved in a critique group. Several noted that they are also part of an on-line critique group, in addition to their local group.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that in a crowd of around 100 writers there were several young people in attendance. Young writers just starting out with lots of energy and even more questions. I encouraged the ones that I had a chance to meet with to take advantage of every resource that NETWO has to offer. And they were encouraged to also contribute to the organization and be an active participant in their writing community.

It’s energizing to be around a community of writers, all of whom are at varying stages in their journey. It’s also a great pleasure to somehow be a part of that journey.

Thanks to Paul Parris, NETWO President who had the task of picking me up at the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport a couple of hours away. And special thanks also to conference directors Caryl and Ron McAdoo who put together a really impressive conference.

If you live in that area of the country, check out this fine writer's organization at http://www.netwo.org/

I met some great people, some talented writers, talked about books and the publishing business all weekend, and had TexMex food – what could be better?

Client Dee Yoder by Terry Burns

 

Client Dee Yoder's book, The Miting, has released from Kregel Publications, the first in a three book series. She is currently editing her second Novel, The Powerful Odor of Mendacity and is working on the second of her Amish fiction novels, The Way Out. She writes short story fiction for the Faithwriters Writing Challenge and her work has been published in The Evangel, Good Tidings, and The Quill magazines. She is a voluntary writer for Dee's News: The Former Amish Newsletter with Mission to Amish People (MAP Ministry). She is happily married to Arlen, and they have a son, Joseph, who is in college. She is active on the Amish Forum and Discussion board which she helped to create with the founder of Mission to Amish People, Joe Keim.  She has a personal connection to the Amish through her husband’s family, who are from the Holmes County Ohio Amish community and has connections through many ex-Amish who are involved with Mission to Amish People in her hometown area.

Leah is seventeen and Amish. Like many her age, she has lots of questions, but the temporary flight of freedom known as rumspringen is not the answer for her. She does not desire Englisher fashion, all-night parties, movies, or lots of boyfriends. Leah is seeking to understand her relationship with God, to deepen and broaden her faith by joining a Bible study hosted by an ex-Amish couple. She wants to know why Amish life is the only lifestyle her family accepts, why the church has so many rules, and . . . most disturbing, how godly men can allow her best friend to be abused in her own home. In the pressure-cooker environment of church and family, Leah is not allowed to ask these questions. When finally she reaches the breaking point, she walks away from the Old Order Amish life that is all she has known. Though adapting amiably to the Englisher world, Leah is tormented with homesickness. Returning to the community, however, entails a journey of pain and sorrow Leah could never have imagined. The miting—shunning—that will now be Leah’s unendurable oppression every day is beyond her most devoted attempts to believe or understand. All the bishop and her family ask is that she abandon her practice of reading the Bible. Is that a price she is willing to pay?

 

 This is a powerful book, written out of first-hand work with the Mission to Amish People organization. The order link for the book is here.