Meet the Blogger with Lynda R. Young

As you might have guessed, I had the privilege of meeting Lynda R. Young through blogging. W.I.P. It, her blog, is a great source of writing and social media tips and other writer-ly topics. This smart and talented Australian author has a new devotional book out entitled Cling to God. I'm excited to have Lynda here this week to share her wisdom and experience with us.

Welcome Lynda! Congratulations on your new book! Why did you start blogging? What is your blog about? 

Thank you, Karen! I had written a collection of devotionals and wanted to get them published but was told I needed a platform. So I started my 'Fearfully and Wonderfully' blog which covered lots of devotional, inspiration thoughts. I loved blogging so much that I started a second blog about writing, called 'WIP It'. I failed to build a big enough platform to traditionally publish my devotional and I started to write fiction so I moved to my writing blog full time. The funny thing is, I never gave up on my devotional. It seemed a tragedy for it to be sitting in a drawer doing nothing so I sent it out again and to my absolute shock it was accepted with open arms. I guess it's all about God's perfect timing. 

You're right, God's timing is never wrong. :) What benefits have you gained through blogging? 

There are so many benefits to blogging. It's a joy to write and share articles for my blog, to help others in their pursuit to get published, to help others promote their books. But I've also met life-long friends. I've met some truly amazing, inspiring people. Sure, I've built up a semi-decent platform which helps to promote my work, but I don't do it for that anymore. That's just a side bonus. 

The people, I agree - what a blessing! And a great bonus. What prompted you to write your new book, Cling to God? 

Cling to God didn't start as a book idea. It started as a quick jotting of some random thoughts I came up with after reading some verses in the Bible. Writing my thoughts out helped me clarify my understanding of the Bible. I started to gather so many that an inkling of an idea formed. I had enough for about seven months of daily devotionals. All I had to do was to keep writing them and I'd have a whole year's worth of devotionals. They needed to be shared. 

I'm glad you kept at it, for you're right, good thoughts should be shared. What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

I like chocolate. No, wait, everyone knows I like chocolate. I'm a massive geek. I love sci-fi and fantasy and games. I do more than just write. If it's a creative pursuit, then I more than likely have a hand in it. I paint, draw, do digital art, animations, photography, compose music, design and develop games, edit, and so forth. I'm somewhat busy. 

Wow, then I guess you're rarely bored! :) What advice would you share with a newbie blogger? 

Blog because you love sharing your thoughts and passions, not because someone told you you should. Don't blog in isolation. Get out there and visit other bloggers. Be a part of the community, and the rewards will be huge. 

Great advice, Lynda. So glad you stopped by to see us. Wishing you much success!
 

Cling to God: A Daily Devotional

by Lynda R. Young

Published by Freedom Fox Press

Cling to God in the chaos of life…

Cling to God is a book of devotionals for every day of the year. The aim is to encourage Christians in their faith, to help them think about their beliefs and learn more about God. The devotions are short and inspirational so that people with busy lifestyles will still be able to spend time with the Lord each day. It will appeal to a wide Christian audience, to those new in their faith as well as those matured beyond milk and honey.

More About Lynda

Lynda R Young writes devotionals, articles, and speculative short stories. In her spare time she is also an editor, game developer, artist, and dabbles in photography and all things creative. She lives in Australia with her sweetheart of a husband. You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Visit Lynda

Blog
Twitter

Facebook
Goodreads

Find Her Books

Kindle
Amazon
Nook
B&N 

Kobo
ITunes
Goodreads

Do you have any questions for Lynda? What do you read for inspiration? What are you reading this week?

Happy writing,

Karen

3 Ways a Shy Writer Can Boost Social Media Presence

Do you enjoy using social media? 

Those close to me know I'm a reluctant social media participant. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy meeting new people and interacting with family and friends. There are great benefits, from blogging and Facebook to Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and more, I've connected and shared with  people all over the globe.

Social media is an excellent marketing tool, one that's necessary for freelancing, writing books, business, and all things related. There are dozens of potential benefits, many of which I've tapped into.

So despite these great benefits, why am I still not a big fan? The two main issues I have are:

The constant perceived demand on one's time. We've become a society, as a whole, that thinks everyone should be available 24/7. This translates into pressure for many people. And while it's our choice to partake, the draw and demand are still there. It takes personal discipline and sometimes a steel will to avoid getting drawn in, buckling under the pressure, and spending too much time meeting the demands, whether real or perceived. 

The "TMI - ATT" syndrome. Too Much Information - All. The. Time. While not everyone is prone to sharing too much personal info, social media offers the perfect forum to do so. Call me old fashioned, but I think that there are details of one's life that aren't meant to be spread about everywhere. Some conversations are best left one to one, with family or a close friend. In many ways, I think this hinders a quality social media experience.

If you are a big proponent of social media, please don't be offended by my thoughts here. That's not my intent. I value and understand the benefits. I realize that some people are more wired for social media than I am. They're outgoing; they enjoy and often need that interaction with others. I get that, and mean no disrespect to those who feel that way.

So this is where I'm coming from - I'm a shy writer who's never been a social butterfly, ever. One who's happier with her nose in a book than at a party of a thousand of her closest friends. My conscientious self wants to help everyone I can, but social media can set me on overload.

That said, what can one such as I do to better engage on social media? Where does the balance lie? I suspect it's different for everyone, depending on whether promoting books, freelance writing services, or simply to engage in a little socialization.

Here are three tips that have helped me. And no matter what kind of social media fan (or not) you are, maybe they'll help you too.

1) Spread the love by sharing. If I enjoy the content of a blog or website, I usually share it with others by sending a tweet on Twitter, posting on Facebook or Google+, or pinning a link on Pinterest. Most sites have share buttons somewhere on the screen, and it only takes a few seconds to do. It boosts your visibility on social media while sharing good info with others.

2) Schedule posts in advance. Social media management sites provide free tools to schedule and manage tweets and posts on your most used outlets. My favorite is Hootsuite. I take a little time each month there, scheduling tweets and posts in advance. It's a big time saver, and provides exposure for whatever I wish to promote, whether it's friends' or my own work/services or other links and items worth sharing.

3) Make it do double duty. Many social media outlets allow you to post through them onto other sites. For instance, I set up my Facebook author page's posts to automatically appear on Twitter too. Others, such as Pinterest and Instagram provide the same options. Check the settings to see what options are available. One word of caution - if you are, for example, a frequent pinner on Pinterest, and it's linked to Facebook, your feed can be flooded with posts. So check the settings and see how much you want to share, or not.

Whether you're a shy or outgoing writer or other creative, there are dozens of handy tools available to strike your right social media balance.

Do you enjoy social media? Why or why not? What helps you balance social media time with other parts of life?

Happy writing,

Karen 



Image credit: Free Images

The Publishing Journey: Reflections & Lessons

Most of you know that I left my publisher this summer. It's not a journey I regret, for I learned much through the process, from signing the contract and publication to the hard decision to part ways.

Reflecting on the experience - it's had its benefits. These three things stand out:

• New friends - I had the privilege of meeting talented writers from around the globe. (You've met a few through interviews here.) These lovely people are kind and smart, and a great testimony to the wonderful writing community. Best of all, we're still friends.

• The importance of a good contract - While I thought the one I had was good, it did have items that I'd be more mindful of next time. It'll be worth the investment to have my lawyer's input before signing on the dotted line. 

• Better social media skills - I'm no social media pro now, but I gained insight and helpful tips through the necessary promotional activities. These skills continue to be an asset. 

In the big picture, this event was but a blip on the screen. I'm grateful for what I've gained and learned. Looking forward to the next chapter of the adventure. That said, I have a few suggestions for anyone seeking a book publisher. These tips can also apply to freelancers who write for websites, magazines, and other publications.

1) Heed the legal and other details. Review guidelines and other paperwork thoroughly. Get a lawyer familiar with publishing to review the contract. When in doubt, ask - the publisher and staff, the lawyer, etc. There are no stupid questions here.

2) Do your homework. Talk to authors published (past and present) through the company. Ask about their experience with royalties, payment terms, promotional requirements, response time and ease of communication with staff, etc.

3) Read books published by the company. Is it quality material? What do the covers and formatting look like - are they polished and professional? Would you be proud to be associated with this firm?

4) Check their reputation. From the Better Business Bureau to sites for writers like Writers Weekly and Preditors and Editors, research the company's history, status, and integrity. Google not only the company, but its key staff members. Have they had complaints or lawsuits against them? Heed the red flags.

While these tips aren't a guarantee for success, they can help prevent a difficult situation later.


Do you have any related tips or advice to offer? What have you learned through challenging situations?  How do you keep a good perspective?

Happy writing,

Karen

Miscellaneous Monday

What have you been up to lately? Writing? Enjoying fall weather? (Or spring, depending on where you live.)
Been doing freelancing work here, teaching teen writing classes, and working on a plan to bottle this lovely October weather. I've also found a few interesting links, so thought I'd share them this week.

Does Twitter make your heart flutter with confusion? Last week's guest, author Laurel Garver shares great tips on her blog in Building a Twitter Following as an Author: Lessons From the Trenches. You don't have to be an author to use and appreciate her insight and experience.

How does the relationship between agent and writer work? Pen and Prosper's "Ask the Agent" interview with Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media offers an inside look at the process. Jennifer Brown Banks and her guest discuss marketing, myths, platforms, and more.

Complement versus compliment - do you know the correct use for each? If you're not sure, check out this post at the Grammarly blog. While there, try the Compliment vs. Complement Quiz.

Do you use automatic editing tools? The Write Life's post, A Review of 6 Automatic Editing Tools  lists the features and costs of the most popular ones available. A few are free. Good to know!

What projects are you working on this week? Soaking up the October sunshine? Read any good books this fall?

Happy writing,
Karen



Photo credit: Free Images
 

 

A Visit with Laurel Garver

Please join me in welcoming author Laurel Garver! This lovely and talented writer is here to share about her latest book, Almost There. Her blog, entitled Laurel's Leaves, offers a great assortment of info and wisdom for writers. If you haven't ever visited, I encourage you to do so. You'll be glad you did.

Welcome to Write Now, Laurel! Congratulations on your latest book, Almost There! Where did the idea for Almost There originate?

This story picks up roughly 18 months after my first novel, Never Gone. Among other things, I wanted to explore how the protagonist Danielle and her mother would manage long term without her dad there as a buffer and support. I realized their very different ways of grieving would make the mother/daughter relationship become topsy-turvy, with Dani wanting to be an agent of healing for Mum — to essentially parent her parent. So this story looks at what it’s like to have tremendous love but limited wisdom, and how God meets us in those places where positive change seems impossible.

I also wanted to continue exploring how the difficult people in our families — like Dani’s cranky grandfather — often have a story behind how they’ve become that way. Learn the story, and you can begin to move toward that person with more understanding and love. Hearing my parents’ stories when I was a teen was definitely the inspiration for that particular theme.

 

Challenges and difficult people - it sounds like a good book that readers of all ages might relate to. What sparked your interest in writing for the YA audience?

Young adult books were what got me hooked on reading. Madeleine L’Engle’s books in particular most attracted me to the genre, especially how her characters clearly came from a churched background, but the stories didn’t feel like plodding morality tales. Her brainy misfit teens struggled to do the right thing when it’s hard, clearly making choices informed by their faith. Those stories were very life-giving to me.  So I wanted to create books like those I enjoyed reading at that critical time in my life, and further, to encourage kids of faith dealing with deeply dysfunctional families.  

I think many readers are hooked during the young adult years. What a great way to introduce them to quality books - write one! :) Do any of your main character Dani's traits mirror your own? 

Dani resembles me in internalizing a lot, having a runaway imagination and sarcastic streak, and being intensely emotional.

Those traits might mirror many of us writers. (Or maybe that's just me? Lol) What advice do you have for writers who wish to self-publish a book? Is there anything you know now that you wish you'd known before you began this process?

Networking with other authors is essential. As much as self-publishing seems suited to a lone wolf mentality, you can’t get far without others ahead of you in the journey who can educate you, encourage you, and champion your efforts. Finding your niche in the indie community can be very creatively empowering, helping you discover new strengths as well.

I wish I known from the beginning of my publishing journey what a powerful networking and book marketing tool Twitter would become for me, and that I hadn’t been so intimidated by it. I still feel like I’m playing catch up in trying to build audience through social media because of my reluctance to be active there initially.

Good advice! And much appreciated. What's on the horizon writing wise for you? Will Dani's story continue in a Book 3?

I’m working on a Christmas novella that takes place between Almost There and my first novel Never Gone, told in alternating points of view from both Dani’s and Theo’s perspective. It’s their first Christmas as a couple — and the first anniversary of Dani’s father’s death — so the pressure is on for Theo to find the perfect gift.

I have several nonfiction projects in the works as well, including a fun collection of writing prompts that is nearly complete.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see us. Wishing you well on your journey! :)

Thanks so much for having me, Karen!

About Laurel  

Laurel Garver is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, professor’s wife and mom to an arty teenager. An indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile, she enjoys playing word games, singing in church choir, and taking long walks in Philly's Fairmount Park. You can follow her on her blog, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

About Almost There  

Genre: Young Adult Inspirational

Paris, the City of Lights. To seventeen-year-old Dani Deane, it’s the Promised Land. There, her widowed mother’s depression will vanish and she will no longer fear losing her only parent, her arty New York life, or her devoted boyfriend.

But shortly before their Paris getaway, Dani’s tyrannical grandfather falls ill, pulling them to rural Pennsylvania to deal with his hoarder horror of a house. Among the piles, Dani finds disturbing truths that could make Mum completely unravel. Desperate to protect her from pain and escape to Paris, Dani hatches a plan with the flirtatious neighbor boy that only threatens the relationships she most wants to save.

Why would God block all paths to Paris? Could real hope for healing be as close as a box tucked in the rafters?

Available here: Amazon  /  Barnes and Noble  /  Smashwords  / Apple iTunes  

Did you begin reading books during your young adult years? What were your favorite YA books? Do you have any questions for Laurel?

Happy writing,
Karen