I admit, I’m not a great recycler. We don’t have recycle capability with our garbage pick up, so it’s not easy to make the best use of this worthwhile endeavor.
But garbage recycling isn’t the only thing I miss the mark on. I’m not good at recycling when it comes to my writing, either. But Edie Melson is! And she’ll be here for the next few weeks, teaching us how to make the best use of our time, research, and words! Welcome, Edie!
Sustainable Writing: Research, Redo and Reuse, Part One
Sustainable Writing is the way I describe writing for a living. Having a regular income as a freelance writer requires multiple streams of income. Managing those streams and keeping them afloat is where the sustainable part happens. Just like the environment, we have to be good stewards of our time and resources as writers and business owners.
As a matter of fact, there is a lot we, as writers, can learn from the environmental awareness movement. If you don’t believe me, just substitute the word TIME for the word ENVIRONMENT and you’ll be surprised what becomes applicable.
When we think about sustainable writing, we need to have a recycling mindset. We should never waste anything. Say you’re doing research for an article titled, Remodel Your Kitchen. If you pay attention, you’ll find material to write several dozen articles. How about one called New Trends in Lighting Your Kitchen or Using Kitchen Cabinets in the Bathroom. Once you know where to look, the possibilities are endless.
This works with more than just research, you can repurpose articles-change them by 50 percent-and sell them as a new article to another source. Or, don’t change them at all and sell the reprint rights.
Here are some ways to apply this attitude to your writing.
- Research – When you research a topic or person for an article or book, keep all your notes. I keep all mine in a single computer file. Within that file it’s important to have a document that lists all the websites you’ve visited to get your information. I’ve gotten in the habit of copying and pasting the web address into this document the first time I determine the importance of the webpage I visit. I also keep a transcript and/or notes from any interviews I conduct on the subject.
- Rough Drafts – Many times when I’m writing an article it will start off way over the word count I need. I keep a copy of that first draft in my file before I start cutting it and revising it. Often I’ve come back to it and pulled parts out for a new article.
- Related Subjects – I’ve also learned to make a list of possible related subjects while I’m working on an article. Frequently, when I’m writing an article, ideas for other articles will come to mind. When that happens I’ve learned to immediately make a note of my thought. If I wait, the idea disappears.
Over the years I’ve learned a lot about how to keep writing income alive, most of it from other writers. I’ll be sharing my tips and I hope you’ll share yours. We live in an exciting time for writers, with the advent of the Internet, we’ve never been more in demand.
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Bio: Edie is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation, and is a frequent contributor to many others. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in.
As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the Assistant Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for
Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, is one of Edie’s latest projects. This devotional book for those with family members in the military will debut in fall of 2011 with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
She’s a member of numerous professional writing organizations, including The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and ACFW. She’s also an assistant copy editor for the Voices E-zine, a publication of My Book Therapy and a part of the My Book Therapy Special Teams Blog.
Married 30 years to husband, Kirk, they have raised three sons.
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And the Winner…
…of Debbie Taylor Williams’ new book, The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World, is #7 Ashley! Ashley, be sure to contact me with your snail mail address and the book will be on its way!
And to those who didn’t win, you can get your own copy of The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World here. 
Thanks to all who left comments. It’s always a joy to hear from you!
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And Early Kudos Celebration!
Because I’ll be at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference next week and won’t have much time to work on the blog, we’re announcing kudos this week.
Please join me in celebrating the successes of these Christian Writer’s Den readers!
1. Phoebe Leggett (SC): Phoebe has had an amazing month! 1)Heartland Boating article-May 2011, 2)Pacific Press-Our Little Friend-story accepted for publication this year, 3)Upper Room-devotion in the July-August 2011 issue, 4)Two more devotions accepted at 5)DevoKids-Asst. Editor-has been helping Terri Kelly for several years, now Asst. Editor for Recipes section, and 6)Her book, It’s My Turn to Grieve, is scheduled for publication this year. Congratulations, Phoebe!
2. Lori Stanley Roeleveld (RI): Lori’s unpublished Christian suspense novel, Far From the Tree, reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Contest! There were 5000 entrants and she was one of the top 250! AND she got
an extremely positive ABNC Publisher’s Weekly Review–Wow!
3. Ginny Dent Brant (SC): Ginny spoke on “The Future of the Family in America” at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of First Foundations, Inc. in Greenville, SC.
4. Edie Melson (SC): Edie has several things to share, too! 1)She is the new Social Networking Columnist for the My Book Therapy Voices Ezine. Here’s a link to her first column, “Take Time to Get Your Feet Wet” in the April 2011 Issue. 2)She also had two devotions for the Easter season published through ChristianDevotions.us. “The Stink of Death” and “Beneath the Cross.”
5. Kenneth Briggs ( MS): Kenneth has had his first publication! Check out his short story, The Little Things, in Christian Fiction Online Magazine.
6. Patty Mason (TN): Patty will be teaming up with Sheryl Griffin for a booksigning at Coffee Beanery, 1010 Murfreesboro, Franklin, TN,Friday, May 6, 2011, 5pm to 7pm
Congratulations to all these Christian Writer’s Den readers and writers! You’re awesome!
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Time to Share Your MoGo7000 Results!
Can you believe we’ve made it through another month? Did you reach your 7000-word goal?
If you did (by the end of the day April 30), please leave a comment here on this blog post, along with your total word count and you’ll receive an entry into the drawing for $100 cash! (You must leave the comment by May 7 in order to be included.)
And if you didn’t reach your goal, don’t feel bad at all! Perhaps you’re like me and your word count went to projects other than book projects this month. After all, when an opportunity came along I wasn’t expecting, I had to go for it and simply say, “Thank you, Lord”–even if it meant I didn’t reach my April MoGo!
Feel free to post your word count, regardless of the total, but only those who reached a minimum of 7000 words will receive an entry. But remember–any written words are a step in the right direction, right?
Congratulations to everyone who made progress in any writing project this month. Regardless of your total, you’re doing the work of a writer…and that’s something to be proud of!
And if you’re new to The Christian Writer’s Den and don’t have a clue to what MoGo7000 is all about, check out the MoGo Guidelines here. You can join in any time!
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How NOT to Get Published!
I think I’ve posted this video from CLASSeminars before, but I just can’t resist showing it again. In this season of writers conferences and editorial appointments, I thought this would be a good reminder for all of us!
Have fun at your conference, but remember that common courtesy and manners go a long way!
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Parting Words from The Word…
If you’re struggling today with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if you’ll ever get this writing thing right, take heart. We’re right where He wants us.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
