Beware of Blog Overload

Writers have always faced obstacles. Lack of skill with grammar. Lack of inspiration. Lack of technique. Lack of knowledge concerning the publishing process. Lack of a literary agent. The list goes on, but so often the barriers seem to be a lack of one item or another. In an effort to solve these deficits, some would-be authors get bogged down in a massive, new quagmire: blog overload.

Yes, blogs can be great. By following the blogs of experienced agents, editors, and fellow writers, any aspiring author can tap into unlimited knowledge concerning the publishing biz. Without visiting the library or even subscribing to Writer's Digest, you can receive a wealth of advice and insider information for free! All you need is a computer, a mouse, and one finger for clicking.

There's the danger. Free insider tips can become intoxicating. You want to write better, right now, so why be stingy on yourself when the info comes gratis? Your finger goes to work clicking and subscribing to blog after blog. Some of these web logs are more helpful than others, but hey, since they're free, what's the harm in following them, right? Besides, your fellow writers appreciate it when you subscribe. They're delighted when you leave comments on what they've written.

Before you know it, you've clicked your way into a veritable Niagara of writing lore. Your craft gets swamped by endless cascades of tips, questions, answers, pet peeves, query letters, good proposals, lousy proposals, success stories, horror stories, examples to imitate and bad examples to shun. If finding time to write was hard before, now it becomes nearly impossible because the multitude of blogs consumes all your spare minutes. Worse, each blog that gushes about yet another writer's new contract for a 20-book series paralyzes you.

"Why don't I get offers like that?" you wonder. "What do they know that I don't?" So you plunge back into the endless current of blogs in search of the ever-elusive secrets to success.

Don't. Blog overload can smother your writing career. Whittle down that list of blogs you follow. Pick three, maybe four, that deliver the most precious nuggets of gold and stick to them. Don't worry about that new friend from the conference being offended if you stop commenting. Don't fret about not having your name and avatar plastered in daily comments all across the web.

Now, use those freed-up minutes to add new sentences and paragraphs to push your manuscript forward each day. This way, you'll still be learning, but you'll also be applying that new knowledge and creating manuscripts of your own.

Happy writing!

Rick Barry has been freelancing articles and short stories for over twenty years. His two novels to date are Gunner's Run and Kiriath's Quest.

Another Way to Market Your Books

Rick Barry at the 2012 IAHE convention

About a year ago, a mom at my church approached me with an excited smile on her face. "Hey, I was at the homeschool convention yesterday, and I saw one of the vendors selling your books. Just wanted you to know!"

"Wait, what kind of convention?" I asked.

"Every year there are special conventions just for homeschool families. You should check into them. You could sell your own books. Thousands of people come."

Check into them I did. Unfortunately, it was too late to get into the 2011 schedules. The closer ones were already history. However, I Googled until I found the right mailing list and subscribed. When the 2012 convention year rolled around, I discovered an unfortunate truth: Renting my own table to display my books would cost $175. Ouch. I wasn't sure I wanted to go the solo route. What other options might exist? Share a booth with other authors? Ask my publisher if they would be sending reps?

As it turned out, my publisher did have a sales rep planning to attend the Indy event. I posed the question, if I were to supply my own books, could I have about two feet at the end of a table to sell my own books? The sales rep was thrilled. She had already read my books and would love to have me. In return, I promised to show up early and lend some muscles to set up and take down her four tables of books and supplies. To stand out from the other vendors, I wore my World War II Army Air Corps captain's uniform. Since one of my novels is a WW II adventure, it's an appropriate attention-getter. (Funny moment, a sixth grader asked, "So, um, did you fight in World War II?" Thanks for adding 40 years to my age, son!)

Selling books this way led to conversations with a variety of interesting parents and their offspring. Many young adults had already read my books and enthusiastically urged their friends to buy them too. I autographed and sold 56 books, and I was even asked to pose with buyers for photos. Now I'm planning to do another guest author appearance at an even bigger conference next month in Cincinnati.

Obviously, I can't guarantee that all authors will sell as many books at such a convention. However, I can say that thousands of parents and youth were strolling the exhibit hall in search of wholesome reading. Even groups I hadn't expected (such as the Indiana Historical Society) were on hand to provide resources for this eager market. If your state has a homeschool association that holds such conventions, you authors owe it to yourselves to check into them.

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iPod as Teacher, Mentor, and Friend

In one of our past ACFW Indiana Chapter meetings, our guest speaker was Dr. Dennis Hensley. It was a GREAT meeting full of insights and lessons on how to create an awesome story. Reflecting back, however, I still can't believe Dr. Hensley didn't ask why UPS delivered a treadmill to the meeting room right before we ate dinner. In fact, he didn't even give me a second look as I got on the treadmill after the meal to work out why we listened to his awesome keynote address. No speaker has ever complained about me fast-walking around the room during one of their lectures either. Consequently, no one has ever noticed my exercise equipment at any of the past ACFW national meetings. Odd? Maybe, or maybe not...


Well, you might be thinking, "I don't remember seeing him do that" or, "He can't be serious." But, I was there, doing just what I said...only "attending" at a much later time than the original event. 


As you might have guessed by now, I was listening to these events on my iPod while performing other activities in the here an now. I purchased the last several years of ACFW conferences on CD or flash drive, imported them into iTunes (available for either Mac or PC), and then selectively transferred them to my iPod for listening, learning, and absorbing the information while walking on the treadmill, walking at the park, or just lounging around the house (yes I do lounge from time to time).


I also listen to podcasts of episodes from "In the Market with Janet Parshall," "Midday Connection," and many of the available ACFW conference courses that have been available to members.  Midday Connection does a podcast every year about the "Write to Publish" conference. Janet Parshall also interviews Christian authors on regular intervals.  Chris Fabry has some good podcasts as well. And, in case you didn't know, the ACFW classes are available in various media formats.


Just with the sources I mentioned above, I have plenty of material to listen to.  It's like travelling back in time to listen to everything while still being able to get something else done while attending that event.


It's really a great benefit of modern technology that you can make these types of events "portable" to learn (and listen) on the go.  If you find yourself short on time, or always busy, I encourage you to invest in an iPod (any version) and make use of this technology to improve your writing. Turn your jogging course at the park into a writing course.  iPods are available starting at $49.00. For those of you with iPhones, this feature is also available to you.

• Here is a link to Apple regarding iPods: http://www.apple.com/ipod/
• If you already own an iPod: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/
• Here is a great reference book for anyone wanting to learn more about how to use their iPod: iPod: The Missing Manual

Letting the Past Go: A Lesson in Writing & Life

Every writer knows excessive backstory slows down a plot.

Yet, sometimes I desire my readers to understand my characters' history. To relish in their yesterdays. So, I write out their pasts in great detail, slowing down the present scene.

And this urge to explain seeps into my personal life as well.

For, maybe if I told you about my profound fear of breaking a bone, you'd appreciate why I never learned to skate in Canada. And maybe if you knew I was bullied in kindergarten, you'd comprehend why I was unkind in middle school. Perhaps if I recounted my should-have-could-have-would-have's, or took you down my what-if's, you'd forgive my excuses for not doing this or that.

So, I cling to my past like a comfortable pair of pajamas, and in doing so, I miss my present part in God's epic story {and lull you to sleep}.

But, every writer knows a riveting story moves forward. A strong character learns and grows from her mistakes and develops over time.

Rene Browne and Dave King in their book, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers say, "...if you find your story too heavily burdened with the past, consider letting some of the past go."

Ah, great wisdom for writing and life, no?

I need to cut back-story in my life like I do my fiction. I don't need to define my limitations. I don't need to hide behind past failures or regrets. I can let the past rest at the foot of the cross, in the "sweet embrace of Christ." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest) And by God's grace, I can move forward.

My past may shape tomorrow, but when I choose to let it go, it won't impede tomorrow. Oswald Chambers writes, "God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future." (My Utmost for His Highest)

The truth is when I let God, the master writer, transform my past {cut my backstory}, when I see each new chapter, plot twist, and conflict as an opportunity to grow {not gripe or reminisce}, my story develops beyond my wildest imagination.

When I let my past go, God pens one exhilarating storyline.

Do you struggle with cutting back-story in your fiction and life?

Melanie N. Brasher is a full time mama of two boys and wife to an incredible husband who understands her bicultural background. She moonlights as a fiction and freelance writer, crafting stories and articles toward justice and change, and contemplates faith, family, and writing at her personal blog. Though she’s an aspiring author, she’ll never quit her day job.

4 Easy Writing Lessons I Learned From My Grandfather

by Suzanne Wesley

(Dedicated to my grandpa, Joe Kanizer, who died Oct. 9, 2010 at age 89.)

1. Re-energizing and finding joy on any given day can be as simple as overturning some earth to plant a seed or dropping your hook into the ocean to catch a meal. Whatever you do doesn’t have to take very long, and you can bring your notebook in your pocket in case an idea strikes you while you are relaxing.

2. Story telling isn’t just fun for the listener. Grandpa was known to invent ‘Old Indian Tales’ about various tools etc. in his shed for the entertainment of his older grandchildren. The story was always evolving.

3. You can expand your mind and your vocabulary by playing fun word games, such as crossword puzzles. There were usually stacks of crossword puzzles, dictionaries and other reference books next to his favorite chairs - particularly in the winter, when he couldn’t be outdoors in his garden.

4. Journals of everyday events can become priceless family treasures. He kept daily records of weather, visits from family etc. and anything he wanted to remember for many years. If you made it into the journal entry you were made to feel special.

May your day of writing be full of enjoyment and discovery. May you find time to re-energize and expand your mind. And most importantly, may you be present to God today - so that you make it into His journal - as His special child. Amen.