Horses. Heroes. Hope

Posts tagged ‘wholesome fiction’

How To Annouce Your Shop Opening

    Selling Your Craft Online

Week #8

If only selling your craft online was as simple as securing an email address, we’d all be billionaires. Okay, may not billionaires or even millionaires, but it would be a whole lot simpler if the customers came to us. It’s not like cutting the ribbon will instantly draw people to your site. First, they have to know that it’s there, and second they need to know why they should bother clicking on your shop’s domain.
So, you’ve got the banner up. Your product or service is in place, and you’re ready to open shop. How do you announce to your customers you’re ready for business?

1. Networking 2. Promotion 3. Outside the box

1. Networking Don’t let yourself be fooled by the misconception that by opening an online shop to sell your craft that customers will automatically find you, click on you, and buy from you simply because it’s the Internet and there are numberless people surfing their pages at any given time of the day.

Like having a shop or both on the street, you need to let your customers know you’re there and what you’re offering. You can do this by giving the shout out through social networking sites. It’s like the “word of mouth” on the virtual lines of communication.

Twitter, Facebook, Linkin are all great places to start. Just send out a post that your shop is now open for business. Then visit some blogs and sites that complement or create the same things you do. Leave comments, but remember you’re not there to spam. You’re there to show your face and have people recognize you and become interested in you.

Thirdly, when networking you need to send out press releases, even to your local newspaper. A lot of local papers are always looking for stories about real people over coming obstacles and you’re story of your craft could just be what they’ll looking for.

2. Promotion Not to be confused with networking. Promotion is the things you do in order to create a stir about your product or service. Things like business cards, blog ads, ads in general, sales, interviews, and giveaways all help promote new customers and entice the old.

3. Out side the Box Ever heard of the saying “thinking outside the box”, well if you’re selling your craft online it’s okay to go outside the virtual world in order to announce your shop’s opening. You can leave business cards or sample products at the table of a restaurant, freebie tables at conferences or swaps, donations to local organizations or even you’re child’s school. Look inside your interest groups such as if you’re a member of a book club, mom’s group, golf club, crafters swap, or sorority. When giving gifts to friends, family, and co-workers, make sure they are of your creation. If they love it, they’re sure to tell someone else. Just make sure you’re brand (signature) is on the product.

Try them all, or try a few. Either way you decide to announce your shop opening, you’re online open house is sure to draw some attention

Category:

Talk Tuesday

Tagged with:

12 Pearls of Christmas Day #3

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!

 

Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from some of today’s most beloved writer’s (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND just for fun … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out this simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 – 12/25 and the winner will on 1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per day.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Where is Comfort and Joy Found?

By Sandy Ralya

The year 2006 ushered unwelcome emotions into my life. My husband was unhappy in his job, two of my grown children were making poor choices, my mother-in-law was showing signs of Alzheimer’s, extended-family issues were surfacing, and I was writing a book. Things only got worse. Much worse.

Early in 2007, I was asked to represent the mentoring ministry for wives I founded, Beautiful Womanhood, and lead a women’s conference in Uganda, Africa. My husband wasn’t sure if traveling to Africa was a good idea, so we committed it to prayer. While we were listening for an answer, I sensed God asking me to fast from spending, except for groceries, for thirty days. Sometimes you know that you’ve heard God’s voice because you’d never have come up with those words on your own. This was one of those times. I’d never heard of a fast from spending.

Tom needed no convincing that a fast from spending came directly from the mouth of God. He still gets excited just thinking about it!

During the fast, it became clear I had used spending as a way to gain a comfort fix. When I was spending money, I felt carefree and lighthearted. Instead of dwelling on the unpleasantness in my life, I was thinking of my purchases and how they would bring me pleasure. Not until I stopped spending did I realize how short-lived the fix really was. During the fast, when I felt the urge to spend—to anesthetize my pain—I pictured myself running into the arms of Jesus, the Great Comforter. Oh, what comfort I received!

One night, I told good friends my experience of gaining comfort through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than money. I exclaimed that I had never felt so comforted. One friend then told us about a dream he’d had shortly after hearing about the invitation from Uganda. After the dream, he had awoken and recorded the following thoughts:

“. . . this is for Sandy. Christ’s redemption of women is beautiful. Beautiful Womanhood is a result of redemptive wholeness. The visuals the ministry uses on the books, etc., are like a piece of beautifully veneered furniture. There is something going on with the ministry to the brokenness of abused women. In Uganda, there are hurting, abused women, and something is connecting their need and Beautiful Womanhood. Though there is nothing wrong with veneer, it is only the topping—the covering, and without good structure it is shallow and will not hold up. It is time to add a new depth to the ministry.”

Then these verses came to my friend’s mind:

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NL

When my friend was finished sharing, everyone in the room broke down in tears, praising God for His work in my life. I’d learned to listen and God had spoken. I’d obeyed, and He’d acted. When He acted, I was changed.

Needless to say, I packed my bags and experienced some of the best days of my life in Uganda—offering God’s comfort to His troubled women.

***

Sandy and her husband Tom have been married since 1980 and live near Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have three adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. When not writing and speaking, Sandy enjoys shopping at yard sales for vintage clothing, cooking, travelling, and drinking really good coffee (black is best) with her husband. For more information, contact Sandy at sandy@beautifulwomanhood.com. Subscribe to Sandy’s blog at www.beautifulwomanhood.com/blog. Find Sandy on Facebook at Beautiful Womanhood. Follow Sandy on Twitter @MentoringWives.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Character Look Alike #2

Today I want to introduce you to the hero in my WIP called UNBRIDLED.

He’s rough around the edges, but suffering from a big blow to his heart, a lot harder than any bucking horse has ever been able to throw him. Jenny’s quick wit and sassy personality has him dodging away, that is until she lands one on him and puts him flat on his back in love. Talked about being horse kicked in the heart.

So I’ve searched high and low through Google Images in order to find just the perfect model to introduce you to Cade. And here he is:

Cade Sheridan (like last week’s character look-alike, just imagine this Clay Walker – pictured below - playing the part of Cade Sheridan in my story.)

Clay Walker

(Clay Walker photo courtesy of Curb Records.)

He’s just got the greatest smile, don’t you think?

I’m having so much fun working on this WIP. It reminds me a lot of the old days of jumping in the saddle and racing around barrels and “standing on deck” for my turn to race.

Cade Sheridan’s days of bucking bronc’s might be over, but there are plenty of other horses who need his help on the Silver Wind Equine Rescue where this book takes place. Now  if only he and Jenny can stop taking blind kicks at each other and learn to stand in the same pasture.

What do you think, will Jenny and Cade join forces and learn to get along? All I can say is that it’s sure interesting finding out. I’m thinking it just might take a wild stallion in peril to bring them together.

Category:

Susan's Muse

Tagged with:

Character Look Alikes

Sometimes it’s easier to put a face with a name. We remember the face of that awesome actress who played in the award-winning film, but even though we don’t remember the actress’s name, we remember her character.

Today I want to introduce you to Jenny, heroine in my latest WIP – UNBRIDLED.

 

I know she looks a lot like Alyson Hannigan, but just image if a book was a movie, Alyson Hannigan could very easily play the part of Jenny. That’s what reading books are all about, using our imaginations and the little help for a crafty writer to picture the scenes and the characters in our minds, right?

Next Thursday I’ll introduce you to Cade, the hero in this story. And no he doesn’t look anything like John Wayne.

Have a safe and happy weekend, I’ll see you all back on Monday. Don’t forget our link party blog hop on Tuesday — Yeah, I had to get it in one more time. :)

 

 

Category:

Susan's Muse

Tagged with:

Book Review: Are You There Blog?

It has taken me some time to read, re-read, and digest all the helpful insights that Kristen Lamb’s book ARE YOU THERE BLOG? ITS ME WRITER has to offer.

I admit, I hated having to give this book back to our local library where I came across it, and have since put it on my Christmas list this year for future reference. I don’t think you can read this book too many times. It’s just that packed with great advice for bloggers.

But Kristen Lamb doesn’t stop there you can check out her site for more helpful information and once I finished ARE YOU THERE BLOG, ITS ME WRITER, I dove straight into reading her other book, WE ARE NOT ALONE: THE WRITERS GUIDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

Remember my days of camp recovery? Yep, that was me reading one book after another. Many of the changes here on my site are thanks to the suggestions of reading Kristen’s book. Whether you are just entering the blogosphere have been floating around for a while, you’ll still want to read this book.

Even though I wrote myself a ton of notes and made a to-do list of suggestions based on Kristen’s advice, I’m looking forward to reading the book again. If you attend one of my blogging classes this spring, you’ll find ARE YOU THERE BLOG? ITS ME WRITER. as part of recommended resources.

Tomorrow I’ll be locked away in the studio, just me and the next chapter of my WIP – UNBRIDLED. I just might give you a sneak peek introduction to my characters Jenny and Cade, so be sure to stop by.

And Tuesday we’re blog hopping, send in your RSVP now and join the link party. You and your blog will both be glad you did. :)

Category:

Book Reviews

Tagged with:

Is Writing Handmade?

There are a 101 reasons I could encourage you to buy handmade this holiday season. But instead , I want to drop a seed of thought for you to ponder this week.

A book may be printed and bound and sold on a shelf, but inside each page contains something handmade. Thousands and thousands of words fill a book. None of these words were manufactured, tailored, crafted, or pressed in a factory. They’re each handmade from the author.

Many of us have different talents. My father is farmer, he crafts the soil and tends at times over a hundred animals. You can process a cow into meat. You can process milk and make it into cheese and yogurt. What you can’t process is the hard work and dedication to overcoming the trails and tribulations of being a farmer. There comes a sense of pride and great respect when opening a new gallon of milk or slice of cheese.

When you stand and look at a painting or even a hand embroidered napkin, it can become a rare treasure. A gift of talent that is long admired.

A good book, you know the kind that you can’t put down, it the handmade craftmanship of a great author. The hook that pulled you in, and the words that remember even after you’ve reached the end — they’re hand-made.

You can make a pillow a dozen different ways, but a book is a work of art. It can only be written one way, the way the author picture it. Each and every book on the shelf is a different author’s dream. Their vision and passion just like the ones of a picture on the wall. Only an author uses words to create times, places, and people.

Remember how we talked about how every word counts? To an author it really does. To you the reader, it should too. My mother always taught me it’s not the quantity that counts so much as the quality.

So to wrap it all up, all I’m saying is this year, don’t cross books off your gift giving list, they’re hand-made productions too. Instead of art galleries and craft fairs, try visiting your local book store. Or at least until the day a book gallery opens for just the occasion.

Just something to think about.

Remember next tuesday is the blog hop, and yes I’ll keep top reminding you as the days grow closer, least I forget. ;p There’s still time to join in, so contact me. The more the merrier. :)

Category:

Talk Tuesday

Tagged with:

Nanowrimo Wrap Up

oops! So I realized today, that yesterday’s post never made an appearance. I have to admit that I’ve been staying up late working on the novel and Christmas presents while the kids are sleeping. And I goofed, I wrote the post, a really great book I just read, and scheduled it to post on November 30th, except I hit the wrong button and scheduled it for 11/30/2012. Yeah, silly me!

Please forgive me, I’m only human. Now it’s time to move on to.. today’s post. But please note I’ve rescheduled the post for next Wednesday. Sorry to keep you waiting. Since today is December 1st I wanted to update you on the Nanowrimo results.

Drum roll….

This number is the closet I could find, but actually yesterday I ended the month with 30,704 words. :( I didn’t make 50,000 but I gave it my all. I’m very surprised I made it this far as prior  years I don’t think I came over 20,000, so this is an achievement for me.

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t meet the 50,000 goal, but I did my best and I’m not finished with the novel just because National Writing Month is over. Today, I wrote. I’m writing now. I’ve added about 2,000 words since yesterday. It doesn’t sound like a lot of words, but trust me once I breakdown the month for you, you can see that being a writer doesn’t mean you always are glued to your keyboard. I’m also glued to my family, friends, and helping out in the community.

First of all, I think I’ve said this before, writing a novel is an art. It takes time. In all honesty, you can’t write a completed novel in a month. Your english teacher in High School handed back that essay two or three times before he/she accepted your final draft. That’s writing a book, except it’s a lot more words and a lot more pages.

I’m almost halfway through and I’m still writing, plotting, and amazed where the characters of this WIP is taking me. It’s like I’m the one along for the ride and I love that about storytelling. Next week, I’ll introduce you to my characters and some the cool background of the Kentucky setting this book takes place in. Lots of history in the area and never a dull moment, just like the Lower household.

This month, along with trying to type out 50,000 words, we had a holiday. But before that, I had a child with no school for a week, a family emergency, a leaky roof, article and story deadlines, friends in need, and the inability to just say “no”. If you’ve ever seen Bug’s puppy dog eye look, you wouldn’t be able to say no either to her cute little face. And three sets of puppy dog eyes… yeah.. I don’t stand a chance!!

Tomorrow is First Friday, and Saturday we’re saying hello to Santa for Bug’s school fundraiser. I’ll be back on Monday to share a simple holiday project with the kids.

If you haven’t signed up for next Tuesday’s (December 13th) blog hop, send me a line. I’d love to have you join the fun.

In the mean time, have an awesome weekend!

Category:

Susan's Muse

Tagged with:

Doin’ the Blog Hop

Last week we talk about lending out our blogs, so I thought we would continue that discussion by moving on to blog hopping. Let me assure you, it’s as hip as it sounds. A blog hop is a big party. It’s like being invited to three different parties on the same night. You start out at Aunt Edna’s 100th birthday party, then move on to the local hangout in town, and finally end up at cousin Jim’s where you crash for the night.

Only, when blogging, the party starts with a link. And everybody knows the more the merry when you’re having a party, right?

Like most parties, most blog hops have a common theme and a frequent occurence – like once a week. Blog hopping is fun! You will discover new cool sites and open your social network further by sharing your own link. You never go to a party and not meet someone new. It’s like playing those introduction games where everyone says their name and you have to guess something about them – just without the guessing part.

But just like a party, you want people to know you were there. You can stop in and give Aunt Edna a hug and she might remember you if your lucky. If you sign a guest book, she’ll have proof you showed up, that or somebody else signed your name. So be sure when you drop in a visit another blog during a blog hop that you leave a comment. It’s like signing the guest book.

And like your mother always used to say, if you  have nothing nice to say, find something positive anyway. :p

So how do you get the party started?

First – Seek out and join in with blog hops that interest you. There are tons of blog hops for crafters, parents, and writers.

Second – Play nice, make friends, and join in on the fun.

Third – Return the favor. Host your own blog hop and invite your new blogger friends to join in on the fun.

When you host a blog hop, it’s a lot like planning a party. You must prepare the invites. Once you receive R.S.V.P’s from those attending then you must decide what to serve your guests. In this case, you’ll take the links from your confirmation participation and exchange links with them. For example, I would attach a link to my blog that would take you to Blog B. At Blog B’s post you would find a link to Blog C’s post and Blog C would link to Blog D and so forth for the last blog thanking your guest for joining in on the fun.

You can create cute little blog hop images for inside your post, like this one from Joy’s Life.

Two weeks from now, we’ll turn this talk into a hop. You’ve now been officially invited to my holiday blog hop. I can’t wait to link up with you all for a festive Tuesday. :) If you would like to participate please contact me with your link. I’ll try to create a cute little button just for the occasion.

See you tomorrow, I’ve a great book review to share.

I’m so excited! I can’t wait to be doin’ the blog hop, how about you?

Category:

Get Your Blog On

Tagged with:

Fall Book Stash Give Away

 

Recently the kiddos and I headed out to their school for the book fair. I couldn’t resist all the wonderful titles. I usually only let my kids pick out one book. Needless to say we came home with a stack! I even got one for myself! Soon as I’m done reading it I promise to share.

And talk about sharing, we got so many books, I thought we’d share some with you! Although, these are all kids books, parents I’m working on a special give away just for you coming in December. After the holidays, I’m sure you can appreciate a special little treat.

So today, until the end of the month, tell me what book you’ve been reading to your child the most. You know the one that every night before bed they want you to read it again until you and they both have it memorized? Yep, that’s the one!

You have three ways to enter (i.e. three chances to win)

1. post your comment below with the title of that favorite children’s book

2. Share the news about this give away on your favorite social network and be sure to tag me so I can count your entry.

3. Follow this blog. :)

This is going to be so much fun! I’m so excited! Just think of all these new books to read this coming month all about things in the fall. :)

Bug is totally smitten with Happy Halloween Mittens. Boy can’t figure out how pumpkins can grow square with Spooky The Square Pumpkin. Bell’s got her nose stuck in a new graphic Zelda novel these days. I think, she thinks, she’s too old now for me to read to her. (But  hey, you’re never too old to share a great book with someone.)

Category:

Susan's Muse

Tagged with:

Gearing up for 2012 St Davids Writers’ Conference

This past weekend I hit the road and headed to the SDCWC fall board meeting. This is the third year that I’ve had the privilage of sitting on the board as treasurer. I love being apart of a group that works to inspire and encourage writers, especially beginners and intermediate writers in the Christian market.

This past weekend, through rain and slush we gathered to begin the preliminary plannings of our June 2012 conference. Our directory Lora Zill has been hard at work scheduling faculty and lining up our keynote speaker.

Faculty to include:

Austin Camacho

Jim Watkins

MaryAnn Diorio

Melanie Rigney

You can stay tuned over on our website at www.stdavidswriters.com for more upcoming news on the June 2012 conference including scholarships, registration, and workshop schedules.

In the meantime, I’ve got paperwork of my own clear off my desk in preparation of this year’s conference and the beginnings of a new novel.

happy Monday folks.

Category:

Susan's Muse

Tagged with:

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,255 other followers