New Year, New Directions by Angela Arndt

Standing at a Crossroads

Well, the first full week of the New Year is over. Did you make any resolutions this year? How many are bent? Any broken? Or are you still reeling from all the hits you took last year and can't even think about resolutions? (Honey, I know the feeling.)

Last Year's Problems
Last year, did you have to really lean into God’s love? We all know that sickness, financial losses, work problems are hard on your overall health, but did you know happy times like weddings and celebrations can cause exhaustion, too? Psychologists have developed an instrument to measure the amount of stress you feel. The Perceived Stress Scale (the link goes to a modified version) measures the ugly, the bad and yes, even the amount of good stress in your life (if there is such a thing as "good stress").

A New Direction for 2019
You probably don't need a tool to tell you that you're stressed.  If you look online, you’ll find about a million ways to reduce stress and we all know that all the knowledge in the world is on the Interest, right?

No. Nope. No way

Don't trust your problems with people you don't know. If you're looking for a way to make 2019 a better year, here are a few suggestions.

What the Bible Says
Here’s a great place to start:

1. Be consistent in living a godly life. Titus 2, Romans 12:2
2. Set godly priorities. Hebrews 13:5, Proverbs 16:3
3. Read your Bible. Joshua 1:8, Romans 10:17
4. Pray constantly. (Yes, all the time.) 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 12:12
5. Exercise. (I know it’s a dirty word, but you’ve got to do it.) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Proverbs 31:17
6. Laugh every day. Proverbs 17:22, Psalm 118:24, Proverbs 31:25
7. Spend time with your true friends. Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 13:20

Speaking of New Directions
Speaking of true friends, the hostesses and regular contributors of Seriously Write are genuine friends. I’ve been so blessed by them, their encouragement, and their prayers. That’s why it’s so hard to say goodbye to you all. This is my very last post for Seriously Write as a hostess. I’ve decided to take a little bit of my own advice and step back, cut back on a few things, focus more on others.

Whatever positive step you decide to make, I pray that this year will be a better year than last.

Hugs, y’all!

Angela (Angie) Arndt

Seriously, folks ...
If you're experiencing other symptoms like depression, anxiety or panic attacks, it may be time to talk to a professional. Ask your pastor, doctor, or even your friends for recommendations. There are also apps to connect you to therapists if you're overwhelmed. If you can't connect with one, try another. Don't live this year in pain. Make 2019 the year you do something positive to help you feel better about your life.

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance, telling stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations set in small Southern towns. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage her readers to overcome their own “back roads” and find joy in the Lord again.  Represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency, Angela has a Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina and continues learning the craft of writing fiction through the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Novel Academy. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, weekly on Joy on the Back Roads, and quarterly on Learn How To Write A Novel.
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I Don't Have Time to Write, Part 2 by Angela Arndt

Last week’s post was about time-stealers: the things people will do instead of writing. And I love that yesterday’s post was Nine Tips for Finding Balance from Kimberly Rose Johnson, who somehow published nine books in 2017. Can you imagine having that much time? 

Handwriting is a hard way to write a book.

I hope today's list of tools, apps and/or programs will help with that and finally put an end to the excuse, “I don’t have time to write.” 

Dictation

Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal secretary to dictate your novel just like all those authors in the movies? There are a few programs that can do that. However, in order to save time, you're going to have to invest it first. 

Did you know your computer may already be set up to take dictation? Most computers have accessibility settings to handle speech-to-text. I don't need to post it here, because someone's already written anything you want to know about speech-to-text here. 

Sometimes There Are Distractions

Distraction-Free Writing

Do you ever wish for a simple program for writing? TextEdit is always available, but it's hard to write with all the dings, rings and pings. Then there's Solitaire, Friends with Words, and Candy Crush calling to you when you're stuck.

Is there a program out there to help you focus? Yes, there are several. 

A minimalist writing program has a simple screen with little distractions. Some reward you with typewriters clicks for each letter, another lets you write to the sounds of a coffee shop. If this sounds like it would be helpful, check the links below or Coffitivity for writing in a coffee shop.

• 9 Apps for Distraction-Free Writing, or 
• 5 Best Distraction Free Writing Apps

Keep Your Notes in One Place

Have you ever had a notebook overstuffed with pieces of paper, envelopes, and sticky notes? Is your computer filled with chapters, scenes, research, and images related to your latest book? How can you keep them organized?

Too Much Information

Note-taking apps are great because you can take a photo of that article you see in the doctor's office and email it to an app. Take notes in a new document in the app or take a screenshot and import it. This post lists the app, price, and platform in an easy-t0-read chart.

The key to saving time is knowing what you need. You may not need to download a distraction-free app if you work from home in a quiet office. This afternoon, take a look at everything you accomplished today, identify your obstacles and figure out what you need to let you create more easily.

I hope these posts have helped. If you've used any of these programs and liked them, leave a comment and tell us how it helped. I'd love to hear from you.

Angela Arndt is a team member for Seriously Write. For more posts by Angie, click here.

About the Author

Angela Arndt

 Angela Arndt is Jesus-follower and God-lover. She loves to write women’s fiction with a thread of romance and tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their own “back roads” to find their joy in the Lord.


She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.


She's also team-member of Seriously Write. Click here for more posts by Angie. By the way, she'd love for you to join her on herwebsite, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. 

Finding a Writer Friend by Angela Arndt

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Writing is a solitary profession. Have you ever seen a writer on deadline who could go for days with minimal contact? It's funny how we spend most of the time in front of a computer, trying to create a fictional world while we shut out the real one.

What is a "Writer Friend" and Why Do We Need One?

My husband is a beekeeper. Every day he works with his honeybees, learning how to raise queens, split hives, treat for mites, etc. Now y'all, I do love my husband, but when he starts talking about any of the above, honestly, my eyes glaze over. And his eyes do the same when I talk about character creation and building story worlds. He and I have a great relationship but our interests differ.

Writers need writer friends. It takes another writer to understand why I'd pour a year of my life into a several hundred pages of story that will be consumed by my readers in a short period of time.

How to Find a Writer Friend

So where do we find an understanding writer friend? Here's an easy way to do it:

1. Find a group of writers. 
I know Facebook is falling out of favor with the younger crowd, but it’s a great place to start and it's FREE. 

In the Facebook search box, type “Christian Writers,” “Christian writers group,” “Christian Fiction Writers,” or whatever interests you. Hit enter, then click "Groups" near the top of the page.
   
   If you want to find a local group, use a search engine like Google or Safari to search for a writer's group in the town near you.
2. Join and participate. That's it. The online method is a little easier for introverts because all communication's done from the comfort of your home. Extroverts may enjoy a local group meeting even if it does take a little extra time, effort, and courage.  

It's all about the Relationship

Writers are observers and recorders: listening in on conversations for dialogue ideas, staring up into the sky to remember the name of the perfect color of a sweater, or reliving a painful event in our minds so that we can put characters through the same trauma. We do all this to connect with our readers.


Work just as hard to make new writer friends. Remember the old adage, "To find a friend, be a friend." Comment in groups, on blogs, and go to physical meetings. Offer to read a chapter or two. And keep writing. You'll soon find a friend.

The Ultimate Friend

Have you ever seen a rose missing a few petals? It’s lopsided. Sad-looking. And it reminds me of a writer trying to do it all alone. 

No one can do that. Not even a spouse or close friend can complete us. But God promised to strengthen us, help us and hold us. Whether you find a writer friend or not, God is always there for us, helping us when we’re missing a few petals. He's our ultimate friend.

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How to find a #Writer Friend by Angela Arndt @aearndt on #SeriouslyWrite https://bit.ly/2sdrTJS #writinglife 


"I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10b @aearndt on #SeriouslyWrite #writinglife https://bit.ly/2sdrTJS 

About the Author




Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt is Jesus-follower and God-lover. She loves to write women’s fiction with a thread of romance and tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their own “back roads” to find their joy in the Lord.


She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.


She'd love for you to join her on her website, blog, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

How is a Writers' Conference like a Pumpkin-Spice Latte? by Angela Arndt

Warning: the following topic of pumpkin-spice lattes may be divisive and controversial. Take care when mentioning this post in mixed company or among family members.

Time for Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Autumn is Here

The calendar says that autumn began Saturday, September 22nd, but the leaves won’t change until November in my neck-of-the-woods. Here we have two seasons, Unbearably-Hot-and-Muggy followed by Cold-and-Rainy. Our autumn separates the two for about week-and-a-half. But it’s my favorite season, I've already indulged in one of my favorite drinks: pumpkin spice latte or PSL. I love the color with its pumpkin orange and autumn leaf brown swirls in that creamy goodness. But I think the spicy clove-cinnamon-ginger-nutmeg blend tastes like autumn-in-a-cup.

But PSL is understandably a byword for overindulgence to some, especially with all the new and ridiculous pumpkin-spice products that come out each year. There are sweet things of course, like pumpkin-spice cookies and shakes, but can you imagine pumpkin spice kale chips, pumpkin spice pretzels, or even pumpkin spice salsa?

Too much of anything, even something wonderful, is sickening. As much as I love this recipe for PSL, I only buy one can of pumpkin. When the can is empty, there are no more seasonal coffees in this house.

Too Much is Too Much

Laundry, laundry, laundry

Conferences not only teach writers new things, but they all help refresh us. Remember that one conference you attended where you stayed at that gorgeous hotel? People from all over the world gathered and everyone talked the language of writing. And those amazing sessions! Afterward, you talked with friends until the wee hours.



It was as great as that first sip of PSL.

 

When you returned home, you were exhausted. Thoughts of how to update your website, create tweets and memes, ask engaging questions on your blog posts, plus all the ways you could fix your novel filled your head until it hurt. The list was as enormous as the stack of laundry that somehow doubled in size while you were gone.

Where do you begin? 

Some teachings are full of sweet PSL-ness and while others go down like pumpkin-spice kale. How do you decide which advice to take? Here are a few tips I use:

• Create a list of Action items from the handouts and your notes, then prioritize. 
• Is it more important to update your website or should you finish editing your book and in the proposal that agent requested? 
• If you’ve finished your final edits and you have 27 followers on Facebook, it’s probably time to start making memes. 

Beat the Doubts Before They Begin

I have the habit of attention to such excess, that my senses get no rest - but suffer from a constant strain. Henry David Thoreau**


What did Thoreau mean? His mind is under a constant strain from worry and you may be, too. There's always a “honeymoon” period when you get home. Ideas for your book come free and easy. You'll find time for social media. You may even start making those changes to your website or crafting that proposal.

But, around the time I put the last spoonful of pumpkin in my coffee, you’ve probably begun to fall back into your comfortable habits. Worse yet, doubts creep into your mind. “Who do I think I am? I can't do this.” 

Stop worry. Squash those doubts. Keep going. 

Nothing stifles creativity faster than guilt.

Here’re a few tricks that help me when I'm doubting:

• Create a schedule and try to stick to it. Are you a morning person? Try to find a time to write in the morning. Night owl? Stay up a little later to get a few words in.
• When you're fast-drafting, words are words, don't worry so much about quality until re-writes.
• Find a writing friend or two and encourage each other.
• When you get an encouraging note, email, or message, put it in a special folder so you can re-read it when "the doubts" come.
• If you see something online that encourages you, share it on your favorite social media. Then, take ten minutes a day to like or comment on your followers’ posts. If you try to encourage someone else every day, you'll be encouraged.
• When Christmas or a family emergency interrupt, take the time you need to be with your family. Nothing stifles creativity faster than guilt.
• Write down the reasons you fell in love with writing.

My pumpkin spice lattes are refreshing to me, a signal that change is coming. Writers conferences are meant to renew and refresh writers through teaching, fellowship and even pampering. It's my hope each time I attend one that my writing will change for the better and that I'll be one step closer to my dream. 

Click to Tweet: Writers, when you’re discouraged, try to remember why you fell in love with writing. @aearndt #amwriting

Click to Tweet: How is a writers conference like pumpkin spice latte? Angela Arndt shares the comparison on #SeriouslyWrite. @aearndt #amwriting

What’s the best tip you ever got from a writers conference? 

I've got to ask: how do you feel about pumpkin spice lattes? If you hate them, what's your favorite Autumn tradition? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you.

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt is Jesus-follower and God-lover. She loves to write women’s fiction with a thread of romance and tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their own “back roads” to find their joy in the Lord.


She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three dogs, Beau, Harley, Buddy the Wonder Dog, and their new kitten, Poppet.

She's also team-member of Seriously Write. Click here for more posts by Angie. By the way, she'd love for you to join her on her website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. 



*  TwainQuotes 
**BrainyQuotes

Confidence to Take That Step by Angela Arndt

It's time! Time to begin preparations for the writers' conferences you'll attend this year. What? You mean you're not planning to go to any this year?  Why not?

Isaiah 26:3

Have you ever read an award-winning book and wished the author could tell you his or her secrets? Well, that's exactly what writers conferences are all about: improving your craft. (I've even heard one author say that she was training her competition.) Most workshops and continuing courses feature best-selling authors and top-notch instruction. And it doesn't stop on the last day. Some even offer the lectures on CDs or thumb drives for purchase, so you hear the ones you missed or listen again to your favorites. If you're a serious writer, it's best to attend a conference every year.

Most conferences have editors from all the publishing houses along with literary agents who can help you navigate through the high seas of publication. Christian conferences usually have organizational committees that pray over every part, from choosing a top-notch hotel to making appointment assignments. And then there are God-appointments -- those "coincidental" meetings where you "just happen" to meet the agent or editor who is the perfect fit for you. Whatever happens, I'm always blessed when I come home, whether I've gotten a request for a full (writer-speak for an agent or editor who has requested that you send in your full manuscript -- the writing equivalent of striking gold) or a handful of business cards with the contact details of all my new friends. It's so more than just a conference.

But perhaps, money isn't the real issue. With me, there was another, bigger one in play: I didn't have the confidence to go.

How's a little ol' unpublished country girl who lives out in the sticks supposed to act in a teaming mass of 2,000+ published writers? Most attendees are multi-pubbed and my favorite authors are sure to be there too, well, you can see why I needed a cram course in confidence. (And the strength not to go all fan-girl on them.) 

Before my last conference, my marvelous mentor, Beth Vogt, suggested I should do a Bible study to see what God says about confidence, even learn how should I think and carry myself among all those authors. Want to hear a secret? I still need to re-read those posts as I prepare for other conferences and contests, too.

One of my favorite verses in that study was Isaiah 26:3. It's so great because it reminds me to keep my mind on Him, not on myself. No scurrying about, trying to get everything together, making lists in my head of everything I still have to do, snapping at my poor hubby because I'm so stressed. The turbulence that caused my hands to shake and my stomach to rumble finally went away when I focused (my One Word for 2017) on Him, instead of myself. Meditating on that verse filled me with His perfect peace.

Now that's confidence.

How do you calm yourself when you're preparing to stretch out of your comfort zone? How do you keep your mind on God? Share in the comments section, I need all the help I can get!

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance. She loves to tell stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations, set in small Southern towns. Her biggest hope is that she will encourage others to overcome their “back roads” and find their own joy in the Lord.

She and her husband, Charles, live on a bee farm in the middle of a big wood with their three furbabies: Beau, Harley, and Buddy the Wonder Dog.

Read more thoughts from Angie at her blog, Joy on the Back Roads. Connect with Angela at her website, on Twitter, and Facebook.

Focus on Joy by Angela Arndt

Carolina Jasmine Against a Stormy Sky

An uplifting Wednesday night Bible study collides with one brutal gunman consumed with hate. Nine lives lost. Countless forever changed. A world grieves.

I live in South Carolina, only two hours away from the Holy City — Charleston, South Carolina. I’ve passed that church so many times. I heard that pastor speak in our Senate last month. Tonight, network and cable news reveal every hateful detail of the villain’s murderous plot. Nine men and women who loved the Lord and died as martyrs.

Sometimes we have to look past the pain and grief to find our joy again. Look for that tiny bit of yellow against a vast expanse of gray. Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." The good is there, we just have to change our focus.

Writers are sensitive souls. We grieve deeply when tragedy knocks, whether it is at our door or someone else's. Our souls connect with others across the country, across the world. How can we build fictional worlds when real ones have been forever destroyed? But John 1:5 reminds us, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

You may be facing writer's block today because of the Charleston tragedy, inhaling the information, taking it to heart. Pray for those afflicted by tragedy, but stop watching the news reports. Check out of social networks for a day or two if you need to.

Try pouring your grief into another kind of work. Steven Curtis Chapman was inspired to write Charleston, a beautiful song that reminds us: love overcomes evil with good.

Here's a few other ideas to help you focus on joy:

• Allow God’s love to heal your heart. Wait until you hear your story again. 
• Each one of the Charleston families refused to inherit the hate from that killer. Instead, they offered forgiveness to the man who killed their mother, father, sister or brother. That’s God’s power at work. If hate is filling your heart, pray that you’ll be able to forgive.
• Focus on today, not tomorrow and what-ifs. Focus on the present, not the past or what-could-have-been.
• Seek God’s joy with all your heart. You can find several good online devotions through YouVersion.com (where you can download a mobile app) or BibleGateway.com. 
• If you can’t work through your grief, ask for help. Don’t stop until you find someone who will provide it. Don't let it fester within you.
• Recognize you may need to spend some time alone. It’s hard to do if you have a family, I know. Go to your bedroom. Go to your bathroom! (I remember what it’s like to have a six-year-old following you around.) Ask a friend or a family member to watch your child(ren) for an hour or so. Breathe.
• Take care of yourself. Remember that you’re more than a writer. Don't beat yourself up if you can't write, right now. Just do what you are able.

There comes a time, after the weeping, when we allow God’s power to heal our hearts. A time when we can focus on joy.

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt enjoys writing mysteries set in small Southern towns. Coincidentally, she, her husband, and their three very large dogs (a lab mix, Staffordshire terrier, and a 12 pound poodle) live in the middle of a big wood outside a small Southern town. She would love for you to visit her website, http://www.angelaarndt.com, or her team blog, http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com.

On My Way to Becoming a Writer by Angela Arndt

Once Upon a Time

Do you love fairy tales? I do. Those four little words to start the cinema in my mind every time. I love to journey along with the hero, whether it was up the bean stalk or over the raging sea. 

Once Upon a Time

As a child, I wrote a few poems and stories but I could draw better. 

I Had Plans

Ever hear what Robert Burns said about the best-laid plans of mice and men? Mine went haywire too. After I graduated, I took my shiny new art degree and sent out one hundred resumes. Only one person answered. After the interview, she said I should go back to college. Evidently, companies wanted people who knew computer programs and I'd only taken one computer course. 

Eventually I got my Masters in education and became a corporate trainer. Meeting new people was fun and I loved watching them "get it." Soon I was promoted to curriculum writer, writing the training manuals for customer service reps to use the company's computer programs. 



Until One Day

If you've visited my website, you know I have physical challenges. These began to show up around this time. Soon I knew I wouldn't be able to stand for long hours in the classroom or sit for long periods at a desk, so I prayed for guidance.

That's when I saw the Writers’ Digest magazine with an ad for the Christian Writers Guild. It said, “Write Your Story.” That phrase woke something up in my heart. I knew then that I wanted to write stories to stir my readers’ hearts.


I Took the First Step

I began going to conferences and wrote a never-see-the-light-of-day mystery. After spending too much time trying to make it work, my lovely mentor (just like a fairy godmother) convinced me to start over. 

It wasn't until I began a new story, a new genre, and a new writing routine that things began to click. 

With the help of my fantastic support group: my mentor, a wise critique partner, and two faithful craft and accountability partners, my story began to make sense.

With their encouragement, I entered my story in contests. Lots of contests. At first my results were awful and I was discouraged. But my team convinced me to consider the feedback. If it made sense, I made changes. If it didn't, I threw it away. If I wasn't sure, I tried the suggestions to see if it worked.

I made my heroine stronger and upped the stakes. My characters became more real, the story stronger. I started placing in the contests. It was finally ready to submit.

You Can Be a Writer, Too

Even though I've typed, "The End" on my first book for now, my journey has just begun. Every writer is different but each needs a support groups. Successful writers never stop learning. And they always keep writing, no matter what.


If you're writing, what started you on your journey? If not, what's stopping you? 

About the Author

Angela Arndt writes stories about strong, independent women in difficult situations, stories with a thread of romance set in small Southern towns. She hopes they encourage others to overcome their own “back roads.” 

Angela Arndt

Read from Angela at her blog, Joy on the Back Roads or connect with her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

7 Ways to Write Through Grief, Part 1 by Angela Arndt

She’d been a part of our worship for 14 years. She played like a concert pianist and somehow directed our tiny choir full of huge personalities. She put her whole being into her music and we never knew how sick she was.

She was my friend.

Although she valiantly survived the 11-hour surgery, she never regained consciousness. There’s a big gaping hole at church and another one in my heart.

I miss her. So much.

How can you possibly write when you’re mourning? Whether you’ve lost a friend, a job, a dog or Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, you can still journal your feelings. You never know who will be comforted by your progression through the stages of grief.

First, give yourself time to grieve privately. Even if you know the illness is terminal or the company is closing, you’ll still need time in your closet to process what has happened.

Take time to rest. Try to nap. Find someone who will “run interference” so that you can be quiet.

Jot down notes about how you feel. Try to remember the ache in your heart or the way your head actually does pound after crying all night. Keep an emotion journal, not only for your impossibly sad times but for happy ones, too.

Journal your feelings. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you. For now, you’re processing what you feel.

Write down your prayers. You don’t have to share. It’s just to help you move through the stages of grief and to help you write

Write about what could have been. Writing down the happily-ever-after in that situation gives you a respite from your grief. It could also become your next book.

Immerse yourself in something else. Watch an inspiring movie. Read a book. Go somewhere that doesn’t remind you of loss.

Each person grieves differently. Even if your loss is a French bulldog, there's still a death in the family. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Next week we’ll talk more about writing through loss by journaling the seven stages of grief.

What has helped you remember your loss and function at the same time?

About the Author

Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt was a corporate trainer before health issues sidelined her. These days she’s active in her local church, ACFW and a regular contributor to MBT's Weekly Spark. In addition to being a team member of Seriously Write and she'd love you to join her on her personal website.

Angie is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency. She’s currently working on a series of novels set in small Southern towns. She and her husband live in the middle of a big wood outside a small town in South Carolina.

What Do I Do Now? By Angela Arndt

Angela Arndt

It’s two weeks after the ACFW writers’ conference. Are you’re still wondering what you need to do?

Here are a few suggestions:

Thank You Notes
Shoot off a couple of quick “thank you for your time” emails to every editor or agent you met.

No. No. No.

Send a hand-written note instead to every editor, an agent or mentor. You can even send a note to the workshop or continuing education instructor. 

Be sure to include specific things from your conversation. List the follow-ups that they suggested and tell them how you going to do them. 

If you really want to stand out, James L Rubart suggested that your thank you note echo your book. My book is set on a bee farm, so I sent a small jar of honey with my handwritten note. Did you meet in the coffee shop where he/she ordered tea? Send them a small box of their fav. Details show that you care.

Business Cards
I know, you took 250 business cards to Conference and came back with 243. Did you get a card from each person you met? Congratulations! You've doubled your sphere of influence.



So what do you do with all those cards? The easiest way to process them is to find an app that will pull the information from business cards and put it directly into your Contacts program. (Both Evernote or CamCard offer this function.) Then, don't forget to Like or Friend them on Facebook.

Like or Follow? Should you “Like” their business profile or send a friend request to their personal profile? The answer to that question is this: how well do you know them?

• Business Page - if they are multi-published authors with followers in the thousands and the only interaction you had with them was to ask them to pass the pepper, you should probably "Like" their business page. 
• Friend Request - if the two of you had a long discussion and he or she said, “Here’s my card, be sure to friend me on Facebook,” feel free to send them a friend request. Most writers wouldn’t mind more friends!

Agent or Editor Follow-Up
If an editor or agent requested a proposal from you: Do. It. Now. Even if your manuscript isn't ready, send it. Just include a deadline in your proposal. Then, be sure to send your manuscript before that date.

These are just a few things I heard in the hallways at my last conference, but I'd love to hear more. What are you doing to help your dream agent remember you or help your manuscript stand out from the hundreds of others?

About the Author

Angela Arndt was a corporate trainer before health issues sidelined her. These days she’s active in her local church, ACFW and is a regular contributor to MBT's Weekly Spark, in addition to being a team member of Seriously Write. She'd love you to join her on her personal website, too.

Angie's current manuscript placed third in the Orange Rose contest and is a finalist in the Maggie Contest. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency and is currently working on a series of novels set in small Southern towns. She and her husband live in the middle of a big wood outside a small town in South Carolina.