June 2017 Around the Web

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

I’ve been traveling over the web this month, answering probing questions and giving my experience with life after the kids are gone. Here’s where you’ll find my posts:

• Interview on the Jubilee Writer blog with Cindy Ervin Huff
• Have those graduation/empty nest blues? My take posted on Elaine Stock’s blog.
• Great questions on Robin E. Mason’s Blogwords Interview

INSPIRATION:

• How would you respond if someone asked about your faith in a job interview? This was a thought-provoking post from Lori Roeleveld.
• “Many of us have replaced the Word of God and our responsibility to study it with those other things.” By “those other things,” the author of “The Trouble with ‘Bible Study” means our tendency to rely on videos, devotionals, and other study materials as a replacement for reading the Bible. She’s not proclaiming they are bad and shouldn’t be used, just suggesting that we’re growing Biblically illiterate, because we substitute reading it first-hand with second-hand information. What do you think?
• “Our prayers are a constant conversation with God, ones in which we have access to our sovereign Lord and Creator of the universe.” DiAnn Mills talks about why we should dedicate ourselves to unceasing prayer.  

READING:

• I read Conspiracy of Silence, the first book in Ronie Kendig’s new series The Tox Files, but haven’t reviewed it, so I thought I’d share Robbye Faye’s take on the Captive Dreams Window blog.  The one thing I would add to her review is to read the prequel novella, Warrior’s Seal, first. It will ground you and make the story more clear. I didn’t read it and found myself a little confused at times, like someone who came into the middle of a conversation. The novella is next in the TBR stack. Better late than never, I guess. 🙂
• I’m thrilled to see my critique partner’s debut novel, Freedom’s Ring (by Heidi Chiavaroli), on this list of top favorites. Which ones would you include?

WRITING:

• Whether you’re an indie or traditionally-published author, if you sell your books at in-person events (speaking opportunities, festivals, holiday events), you’ll want to read Linda Yezak’s post “What Readers Want.” I particularly found the possibility of an e-book card interesting.
• Have you sent an author newsletter? Nandine Brandes offers some great tips for why you should have one and how to get started.
• Are your characters ready for their first date? Lisa Jordan shares five tips for creating those first dates.

I’ve included lots of links this month. I hope you’ll find some of these posts of value to you. Any in particular that you enjoyed?