7/26/11

Info Snackers and Nine Other Writing Tips

I learned a bit over the weekend, and since I love sharing ideas with you, I thought I'd pass along a few favorites.

1. People are info snackers. This means people enjoy a little info here and there, but they struggle to commit to the long, complicated, and overwritten. In other words, get to the point.

2. Michael Hyatt is a big deal, and we need to read his words.

3. Ever wonder why things aren't falling into place for you? “Man’s rejection is often God’s protection.” —Renee Swope

4. The Writing Spa rules. If you need an extra set of eyes, an honest opinion, a writing question answered, or a prayer before your fifteen minute publisher meeting, Leslie Wilson is your girl.

5. When writing, stay away from saying the following: "God told me" and "my journey through". Yep, don't say those things, ever.

6. Many of us already follow Rachelle Gardner, but if you don't, you must.

7. Find a reporter you like, follow her, and comment on her work.

8. A couple posts ago, some of you said you struggled finding your place and passion in the blogging world. One of the authors at the conference discussed the following technique:
-List your top three movies.
-What common thread do the movies have?
-Any chance that common theme is something you are passionate about?

9. Twitter is not going away, sigh, and you need to join Google+. I can't force myself to tweet, but I did join Google+, which reminds me, apparently none of you are on Google+, so it is a smidge lonely.

10. You should start social media a year or more before you put together your book proposal. This means even if you just scratch out ideas on paper, blogging is not a waste of time.

Any thoughts on #8 or #9?

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40 comments:

lori said...

Twitter and I are waiting on you... and thanks for the tips. I have some more work to do :)

Amy Sullivan said...

Lor,
Uh, where's the new pic?

Gaby said...

Great tips. Number one is precisely why I've been MIA. If I don't have anything good to say, I just won't say anything...for weeks :) Thank you for checking on me, though. You made my day because often you wonder if anyone even knows you are gone for a while. Thanks, girl!

Kim Turnage said...

Info snackers...love that! I'm a total grazer. I'm resisting Twitter. Google+??

Top 3 movies: Schindler's List, What Dreams May Come, Life is Beautiful -- Life overcoming death -- hmmm....

"Ima" said...

These are great tips. And now I'm thinking when I have said "God told me" or "my journey through"-oops! But I have to ask-what the reason behind not saying it?

Also, I can't pick my top 3 movies-never have been good at picking. I'm sure there is some deep rooted psychological reason :) Funny-my blog is pretty eclectic I think.

And I don't tweet, but also don't know what Google+ is? I'm not very social media savy.

From Tracie said...

I love snacks of info...and I am SO on Google+, so look me up!

Now I'm going to start clicking those links you left and file away this good info. =)

My daily walk in His grace! said...

Hi Amy - I love point 3. That is so true. Often when we don't get something we want we think God is being unfair or something - but in reality, He sees the bigger picture and like you say, He is protecting us, or He has something better for us. Love all the writing tips. Will certainly come back to refresh my memory on them.
God bless
Tracy

HopeUnbroken said...

contemplating. . . can't seem to figure out Google+. . . #8--if the only common theme is seemingly living in a non-reality based world??? yes, i'm passionate about it, every chance i get :-) but where does that leave me in the blogging world, lol? sigh. maybe i should take #4 minus the "writing" and just enjoy some relaxation :-)
seriously, good thoughts. i've just not slept enough right now to give them proper consideration. but i will!
steph

Sadee Schilling said...

Another "Amen" on #3! This is something I have been working on being sensitive to: the Lord's leading. I find that I can work and work and work only to get nowhere. Then when I finally sit quietly, listen, and rest, THAT is the time when something actually HAPPENS.

I can't thank you enough for sharing these tips and for posting such quality links. I can't wait to dig a little deeper into this info!

--Sadee

Heidi said...

Love the quote from Renee and I need to check out Michael Hyatt and Rachelle Gardner! Oh... and I guess I'll finally go check out Google+... we can't let you stay lonely :)

Deidra said...

Thanks for the tips...I've got a long way to go (sigh). As far as twitter and google+ go, I am trying to submerge myself more deeply in those waters, but it is hard to adjust to. Just keep swimming!

Debbie said...

Going to study this post, very helpful. You learned a lot, thanks for being willing to share.

Amy Sullivan said...

Kim,
Maybe it isn't overcoming death...maybe just overcoming? ??

Amy Sullivan said...

Ima,
I am SO not social media savy!

Here's the reasoning given (and I paid close attention because I say, "our journey" a lot, a lot, a lot!). They said that "our journey" is too overused, and it makes it sound as if you are just telling about yourself or writing something autobiographical (which maybe you are!).

As for the "God told me..." it was said God may have told you, but you need to be careful because you can come off as rigid in your thinking. For example, God may have told you to work on a certain area in your life, but we shouldn't say God told me to write this book because usually God wants us to grow and change and he isn't so concerned with book sales.

I'm probably not doing a good job explaining it!

Amy Sullivan said...

Sadee,
My pleasure. I love little lists. Less time online equals happy people. Hope they are useful!

Nancy said...

Oh, please join Twitter! We could have so much fun there! Have looked into Google+ but it appears to be in a testing phase? Signed up but was told would receive an email when they were accepting more customers or something? Maybe I'll have to check again.

Oh, and I answered your question about memoir over at my place. Because God told me to ;)

Leslie Wilson said...

Amy, thanks for the very kind words about our meeting and The Writing Spa. I so enjoyed meeting you and learning about your passion for service--and your desire to instill that in your children. It's abundantly clear that God is blessing your circle of influence, my dear! 1 Peter 4:10

Amy Sullivan said...

Nancy,
So, my first issue with Twitter is that my phone is not connected to the internet. I realize this an excuse. My second issue with Twitter is although I have a lot to say, as in I never stop talking...what the heck would I tweet about?

Living LSM said...

What great information!
Thank you!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

So, you're not on Twitter either, Amy? I need to do that, even though I've been resisting! Maybe we can take the plunge together.

Love that movie idea! The other tips are great ones, too. Thanks for sharing.

Beck Gambill said...

Good tips, love Michael Hyatt and Rachelle Gardner. So not a fan of twitter but I joined any way, dutifully. I do like Google+ fine. I joined up because I didn't want to get left out. I don't feel like I need another branch of social media to keep up with, but I do think things will shift and I want to be in already.

Theresa Miller said...

Oh, thank you so much for your tips that you picked up from this conference. It sounds awesome!

I've been reluctant to tweet, but thinking I ought to...I guess...what is Google+?

Thank you again. Keep the tidbits coming -if you would!

Jean Wise said...

Good list and love the term info snackers. I used to write a monthly column on health and one of the most popular ones were formatted like this one: lists with tidbits of info.

Wondered about #7 though. What type of reporter were they referring to? newspaper?

Sara said...

Love #3!! It's so true and I so forget that God is protecting me and not just being mean!! :-)

#8-not going to happen. And, while I know social media is important, I really want to do things my way! :-)

Courtney said...

Your list is perfect info snacking! As for #9, I feel the same way. I'm still resisting Twitter and Google+. You are pushing me closer, though!

Katie said...

Loved your sweet message on my blog today! Rough week, and needed that! Yes, school starting soon, and I'm also officially working toward my Masters degree (YiKES!), and moving to a new (fantastic) place, so it's been a bit busy 'round here. :) Good to hear from you, and once I get the hang of multi-tasking teaching school and GOING to school, I'll be posting again! In fact, I may just post a poem tonight! You've inspired ME, just by stopping by to say hello! :)

Kathleen @ Kath Ink said...

Thanks for sharing your tips -- and look I already follow Michael Hyatt and Rachelle Gardner! Not even sure how I found them. I, too, sigh with the Twitter and have thought about Google Plus...thanks for the encouragement, too, about just scratching something out and writing in a blog -- so what I'm doing has value!! Good news. Some good news and some news to work on.

Cindy Bultema said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cindy Bultema said...

I love that your list from She Speaks is new stuff for me (and I was there too!). Just goes to show I need to go back next year too ~ lots to learn!
You have me thinking about my Top 3movies. Curious about yours too! And when/if you start tweeting, let me know. I'm trying to navigate myself on Twitter these days!
Enjoy your weekend!
Sweet blessings
Cindy :)

amandatdodson said...

This is good stuff! I could have stayed in my pajamas last weekend and just read this. My favorites are it seems Michael Hyatt is a big deal (uh huh, I've been drowning in his posts for a few days) and people are snackers, gotta get to the point in a couple hundred words. I'm favoriting this post! (is favoriting a word?) :)

Nancy said...

Amy, my phone isn't connected to Twitter either, and I probably use it all wrong. But. I'm figuring it out. And, some mornings, I find really great stuff to read, recommended by friends on Twitter. It's a great way to give a boost to a fellow writer by saying--hey! My friend wrote this! It's great! You can do it! If I can, you can. Courage, friend!

Oh, and if you install Tweetdeck, you can tweet something and have it post to FB automatically.

Amy Sullivan said...

Ah, so now is a good time to tell you that I'm not on FB either.

Michelle DeRusha@Graceful said...

What the heck is Google+? Jeepers...ANOTHER social media avenue? I can't take it.

Loved your list though...except for the Google+ baloney (not that it's your baloney...I'm just a little over it about social media).

"Ima" said...

Thanks Amy for answering my question-and you did quite well doing so.
The comments with this post have been great-many have brought a smile to my face. I am so glad that I am not the only one that isn't on twitter. And I laughed out loud when you replied that now is the time to mention that you are not on FB either. I thought I was the only one. Too funny.
Anyways, thanks for the answers.
p.s. still don't know what google+ is, but I guess that's what google search is for. Ha!

maddy said...

Nice blog! Thanks for sharing amazing tips here..

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essay write said...

When writing, stay away from saying the following: "God told me" and "my journey through". Yep, don't say those things, ever.

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