As you read this, I’m back at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, having a ball seeing old friends and making new ones. But don’t worry, I’ve still got a great class here at The Christian Writer’s Den–just for you! Please join me in welcoming back Edie Melson as she shares Part Two of her series, Sustainable Writing.
Sustainable Writing – Part Two
Go Green
You can also become a sustainable writer by utilizing topics that are always relevant to the reader, there are called evergreen or GREEN articles. Open any magazine and you’ll usually see all of these categories somewhere within the table of contents. Of course there are exceptions, but take a trip to your local bookstore and browse through the magazines, you’ll be surprised what you find. Even niche publications will often include articles about their niche, slanted to include all four categories.
Green Articles fall into 4 major categories
- Business/Finance
- Health/Fitness
- Relationships/Fulfillment
- Passionate Pastimes
Here are some possible titles within these broad catagories
- Managing Your Finances in Tough Economic Times (Business/Finance)
- How to Eat Healthy When Time is at a Premium (Health/Fitness)
- Re-Learn the Art of Dating by Going Out With Your Mate (Relationships/Fulfillment)
- Learn to Tithe Your Time (Passionate Pastimes)
The thing that makes these articles so popular is the fact that they answer a felt need for the reader. If you haven’t heard this term before, in writing terms, a felt need is a topic that resonates with the reader. They feel a need to know this information. If you want your writing to connect to the reader you utilize this concept.
Have you utilized green articles when pitching to an editor? Do you think you will in the future? What are some article ideas you can come up with within these categories? I’d love to know your thoughts.
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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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Check Out Next Week’s Writing Opportunities!
Ready to put Edie’s instruction to work? Be sure to come back next week for a whole new batch of our monthly Writing Opportunities! It could be your chance to expand your outreach–and pad your wallet at the same time!
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April MoGo7000 Results
Congratulations to these writers who made some real headway on their books in the month of April-AND they have another entry in the drawing for $100 in cold, hard cash!
24. Cindy Patterson–8,816 words
25. Robin Bryce–7,084 words
Didn’t get to add your name to the list this month? Not to worry! We all started with a clean slate and a fresh start on May 1, so now’s the time to get to work!
For those who are just finding out about MoGo7000, here’s the short version:
1. The goal is to write 7000 NEW words on a book project each month.
2. They must be new words. Rewriting does not count in the monthly totals.
3. Word counts for each month begin on the first day and end on the last day of the month, even though they aren’t reported until after the end of the month.
4. For each month that you reach 7000 new words, you receive and entry in the drawing for $100 right after the first of the year. Meet the goal 2 months and you receive 2 entries. Meet the goal every month and you receive 12 entries!
5. You can begin at any time.
Still have questions? Check out all the MoGo7000 Challenge details here.
So what are you waiting for? Get your B-I-C and get to work! And I say that with all love and respect. 
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Upstate SC: Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Meet and Learn From Cecil Murphey!
Cec Murphey Writers’ Workshop! Saturday, May 21, 2011 2:00 PM – 5:00 Anderson County Library, , Registration Fee at Door: $15 Every one welcome! Sponsored by Upstate SC American Christian Writers.
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Parting Words from The Word…
If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you know that it is a learning process. A LONG learning process. And for us as Christians, the focus has to be so much more than simply seeing our names in print or receiving another check. But yet it’s easy to get our eyes off the true goal: To bring glory to our Father in Heaven. Let’s remember to commit and trust…and leave the rest to Him.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
