How Authors Should Create Online Courses with Thomas Umstattd Jr.

Today, we share ten tips to streamline your writing life. Some you may already do, and some you may not have considered. Just take a look at the list with an open mind and see if there’s anything on it that can make your life easier. 

 Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. 

Today's industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea) reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie’s industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. 

Simplify Your Writing Life 

1. Take a look at your goals. 

2. Evaluate how much time you’re spending on social media. 

3. Let go of your expectations. 

4. Determine when you are most creative in a 24-hour period. 

5. Come up with a way to schedule your time. 

6. Commit to quit talking negatively to and about yourself. 

7. Take care of yourself physically. 

8. Build in regular breaks. 

9. Surround yourself with encouraging writers. 

10. Engage a prayer team.

LINKS
https://ediemelson.com/ 

https://ediemelson.com/books/ 

Tips to Make Writing a Priority 

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Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in.

Our guest, PeggySue Wells, is the bestselling author of 36 books and collaborator for many more. Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery pact the pages of the novels penned by P.S. Wells, including Chasing Sunrise. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction, including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.

During this episode, you’ll learn how to shape sensational settings.

What is the setting?

What are the characteristics and personality of the setting?

Passive - Active - Behaves as a character.

The setting is the story.

How does a writer utilize the setting to enhance their story?

LINKS

 PeggySue Wells FB Author Page:

PeggySue Wells FB Personal Page

PeggySue Wells Linked In

PeggySue Wells

Single Mom Circle

Writing Sensational Settings Quick Guide free copy

All of PeggySue's Writing Quick Guides

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 15 Reasons to Fall in Love with Writing

My industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.

Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea) reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie’s industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. 

Edie and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It’s great to have you here, my friend.

LINKS

Edie Melson

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

15 Reasons to Fall in Love with Writing PDF 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Today's industry expert is Debra Butterfield. Debra is the author of ten books, which include Claiming Her Inheritance, Discovering Her Inheritance, Unshakable Faith, and Carried by Grace: a Guide for Mothers of Victims of Sexual Abuse. She is a freelance editor and editorial director for CrossRiver Media Group and a former copywriter for Focus on the Family.

Five Questions to Ask an Editor Before Signing a Contract

1. How does your faith influence your editing?
2. What genre do you specialize in?
3. What are your editing fees?
4. When can I expect a finished product?
5. How often will we communicate once I’m your client?

LINKS

 Editorial Freelancers Association

The Christian Pen

Free self-editing checklist for fiction or nonfiction via Debra's https://themotivationaleditor.com

Self-editing & Publishing Tips for the Indie Author

Website (for writers): https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/ 

Website (for readers): https://debralbutterfield.com/ 

Facebook (profile): https://www.facebook.com/debra.l.butterfield 

Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Welcome to Let’s Journey Together- a Moment with Father.

I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit Linda Goldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

Are you experiencing limited love from God?

Since God is love, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" 1 John 4:8

Is it possible that Father’s love is not reaching you?

Consider your openness to God.

Are you daily seeking His way and His will? Do you rest in His timing?

Or, are we so hung up on the happenings of our lives that we're not going to God as the Source of love in order to obtain it?

God is love; therefore, ALL things--all things, fall under His covering.

Apart from Father, we will not experience the possibilities of love. His agenda must be embraced daily.

Living with Father’s agenda in mind is true love!

Let's journey together

Oh Lord, fill me with your mercy, grace, and love this day. Praise You. You are the One who sits on high. your love is what I desire. Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Did you know that companion products can boost your book sales? Carol Tetzlaff shares tips you can’t afford to miss.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. 

I’m your host Linda Goldfarb. Each week I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … the Companion Products Every Writer Needs

My industry expert is…Carol Tetzlaff. Author, speaker, and co-owner of Redemption Press. Carol’s passion is discipleship of all ages. Living her best life in Arizona with Kelley and eleven fun and super cute grands. She loves super-sweet, iced coffee, spending time with friends, and the color yellow. Author of the 2022 Selah Award Bible Study winner, Ezra: Unleashing the Power of Praise. Please welcome Carol Tetzlaff to Your Best Writing Life!

1. What is a companion product and what purpose does it serve?

• Enhance message of your book

• Greatest example - the Bible - 

2. How does an author come up with content for a companion product?

• When writing - you have content you don’t use

• You base it on a theme or truth

• You allow the reader to take a deeper dive.

3. How do you envision the companion product enhancing the reader's experience with a book?

1. Brings greater application, knowledge, transformation

4. What are some examples of companion products that you can created for a book?

• Another book…

• Every genre can have a companion product - 

• Memoir - devotional, Novel – theme Bible Study - Devo, Teen study, children’s book, journals

• Downloadable resources /book club 

• Video resources

• Social media

• Even out of the box fun items like t-shirts, jewelry, stickers, mugs

5. How do you decide which type of companion product would be most effective in promoting your book?

• Personality, abilities and skills, where is your audience - BOOK - 

• Email list - downloads, building your SM presence. 

• Do you speak and need to fill your table. 

6. How does launching a companion product benefit the sales of the original book?

• It helps bring a reader to it - it gives you a relaunch - allowing the reader to see the subject matter is still relevant.

7. What advice would you give to authors who are considering creating companion products for their books?

• Pray! Ask our Father… what message do I still need to share with the world - 

• If you still believe that your message - your story matters - Than you need to promote it and get it into the hands of the reader who can be blessed, encouraged and even transformed.

LINKS

Carol Tetzlaff’s Ezra Bible Study

Companion Product and Relaunch PDF

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Are you interested in ghostwriting? Linda Goldfarb and her guest, Twila Belk, will share more information than you thought possible about it.

Also known as The Gotta Tell Somebody Gal, Twila Belk is an author, speaker, editor, and champion for writers. Since 2007, she has worked closely with veteran author Cecil Murphey as his personal assistant and associate, which has provided her with a wide range of industry knowledge and writing experience.

We cover a lot in today's encore episode.

What is ghostwriting, and who uses ghostwriters?

•  What makes a good ghostwriter?
•   What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of ghostwriting?
•   How do you break in?
•   Tell us a bit about the process 

LINKS
Twila Belk
Ghostwriting: The Murphey Method
Ghostwriting Resource PDF

If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life's content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcast

About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Besides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System, and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series. Linda also hosts the Staying REAL About Faith & Family podcast - Check it out!

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, there will also be difficult times. Today’s guest helps us prepare for these challenges by developing healthy writing practices.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 23 Best Writing Practices.  

Welcome Edie Melson.
Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.
Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea), reflect her passion for helping others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie’s industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers.
She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It’s great to have you here, my friend.

Download the episode 23 Things below.

Edie Melson
The Write Conversation Blog for Writers
Listener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self 
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship Info
Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Do you utilize the Writing Cube concept in Novel writing? Get ready to learn a few aspects of story you may not be familiar with.

Join our host, Linda Goldfarb, and her industry expert, the critically acclaimed, best-selling author Steven James. Steven has served as a contributing editor to Writer’s Digest Magazine and is the author of the groundbreaking nonfiction books Story Trumps Structure and Troubleshooting Your Novel. When he’s not working on his next book, Steven teaches Novel Writing Intensive retreats across the country with New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

In this encore episode, Linda and Steven discuss the writing cube, pivot, and payoff. Steven provides a clear insight into the aspects of believability, escalation, causality, twists, and surprises along the way.

LINKS
Steven James
Preview downloads for The Art of the Tale - free
Steven James Books
The Art of the Tale book

Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Are you prepared to make the most of your interview?  

Today’s episode provides strategies to make the most of every interview in ways that may surprise you– stick around!

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Edie Melson, Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I’m sitting in for Linda Goldfarb today, and I’m very happy to be here with you. Each week, we bring you tips and strategies from experts in the writing and publishing industry to help you excel in your craft. We’re so glad you’re listening in. During this encore episode, you’ll learn about Five Interview Tips to Help Writers Succeed.

Today’s industry expert is our very own Your Best Writing Life host, Linda Goldfarb. Linda is the award-winning co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personalities series, an international speaker, professional actress, and an audiobook narrator. She is a traditionally and independently published author who holds a board-certified advanced diploma in Christian life coaching.

Linda enjoys drinking frothed coffee with friends, hiking and playing golf with her hubby, and relaxing with family and friends as often as possible. She and Sam have four adult children and many, many grandbabies. They live in the Texas hill country with two country dogs.

Today's five strategies include the following:

1 - Preparation
2 - Engagement
3 -Takeaways
4 - Promotion
5 - Thankfulness

[bctt tweet="“As a guest, it’s good to be prepared for your host’s interview style and not surprised by it.” Linda Goldfarb" #writersrock #podcastsrock " username="@BRMCWC @LindaGoldfarb @EdieMelson"]

LINKS
Linda Goldfarb
Linda's 5 Gifts to Offer Your Interview Host PDF with Bonus Gift #6

Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life's content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcast

About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Besides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System, and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series. Linda also hosts the Staying

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast