The Write Network: Building Fruitful Relationships

Hello #JustWrite!! If I can be transparent for a moment, this past month was a whirlwind of emotions and changes. On September 19, 2016, after careful consideration and a month and a few weeks at my new job, I decided to resign for my health and sanity's sake. Yes, I left a salary and health benefits behind. Although nice to have, those two things are not worth the daily, mental and physical exhaustion I was putting myself through. But guess what I do have? My passion and excitement for writing again and a desire to venture into new territory. What's that new territory you ask? Well, the very same week I resigned, I shared with my former coworker about my writing and how I wanted to be more focused and she connected me to a young lady at the same job who is launching her very first online magazine. Her name is Erica Relaford and her magazine is called,

Thank God for Just Write because after I shared the information within the Facebook group, interest in the magazine began to buzz which led to our first official meeting with Erica which included myself, Kim, Ursula, and Tanya. From the moment we conversed about Erica's vision for the magazine ("Our goal is to win souls that have fallen away from Christ, inform individuals who have never heard of the Gospel and just as the Lord declared in Jeremiah 31:25, "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." "We seek to empower people with words of wisdom and enlighten those who are unaware of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Bible, testimonials and entertainment"), I knew that I was exactly where God wanted me to be, in a position to help this young lady to do what God has called her to do. Prior to the meeting, it was interesting that as we introduced ourselves, we started to connect the dots, as Kim would say about how we all met each other and what we could do to further assist Erica. It's amazing to be a part of a group where others truly and genuinely want to help. With that being said, I've noticed that this month's focus has been on relationships throughout social media and daily experiences, whether it was personal (new friendships), professional (beginning and ending a work relationship), and spiritual (deepening relationship with God). I remember around this time last year, I had just finished reading Kim's book about seasonal relationships (review is posted here) so it is very interesting and befitting to discuss relationships for this month's blog. One of the subjects that I touched on previously is the importance of community (check out The Write Community blog). As a group, we cannot stress enough the importance and value of community. That community comes in the form of building and maintaining fruitful relationships. As Kingdom-minded literary agents, it is very important to build genuine relationships with other like-minded individuals who will add value to your business/vision and vice versa. If you need help, don't be ashamed to reach out and express it. You may never know who you can bless with your gifts and the same goes for the other person. Always remember, quality is better than quantity. That statement applies to business and personal relationships. The greatest thing you can have for business are referrals. When you are referred, it speaks volumes about your brand and services which builds more relationships.

 As I stated last month, don't be hesitant in sharing your businesses on social media. If you are not experienced in that area, form a partnership and hire someone to do that service for you. Proverbs 4:7 states, 

The best thing about business and relationships is that both parties are always growing and learning from each other. Your "network is your net worth" is not just another cliche quote, it is the truth.
As I close, if you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering as a contributing writer or editor for Refresh magazine and welcome the opportunity to be a voice for young adults, please connect with Erica via social media and email:

Facebook: Erica Relaford
Twitter: @NetWithErica
LinkedIn: Erica Relaford
Blog: www.christiansincollegeblog.wordpress.com
Email: info@refreshthemagazine.com

In His service,

~Lequvia Ousley~

The Write Marketing: Promoting Your Books With Social Media

Hey Just Write!! At our last writer's support session, we discussed the season we were in with our books. Some of us are in the beginning phase with brainstorming and outlining, some are in the drafting stage, some are in the editing/formatting stage, and some are in the production/promotion stage. The last stage is the exciting stage because one, you have your final product and two, you are ready to promote. The constant topic that tends to come up in our support meetings is the need for authors to understand how to market their books via social media. I have been on social media since 2005 and have seen how the many platforms that were initially for fostering relationships has become the main platform to promote business. It was about 3 years ago that I realized the power of social media for inspiration and business. I've met so many authors and business owners and have been inspired in so many ways. In meeting these authors, I learned that many do not understand how to utilize social media as a tool to promote their books and grow their audience. When I met this one particular author in 2014, I decided to create a step by step process for her on how to post content via social media. The following is the information that I shared with her  and would like to share with my fellow scribes:

How to post and share content via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

I.                    Facebook

a.      How to post content

                                                              i.      Click in the status update box to the right.

                                                            ii.      Create a post by typing a particular statement, phrase, etc.

                                                          iii.      Click Update status and your post will appear on timeline

b.      How to share content

                                                              i.      Go to post on timeline

                                                            ii.      Look for the word Share underneath the post next to the word Comment

                                                          iii.      Click on Share which will take you to a page that has several options (share on your timeline, share on a friend’s page, share in a private message, or share on a page you manage)

                                                           iv.      Choose appropriate option and click Share

II.                  Twitter

a.      How to post content

                                                              i.      Click on the blue icon located in the top right hand corner of your home page. It will take you to a box that says “Compose new tweet”.

                                                            ii.      Type in a tweet that is no more than 140 characters.

                                                          iii.      When done, click on the blue icon that says “Tweet” and your post will appear on your timeline and as an update on the Twitter timeline.

                                                           iv.      To share or “Retweet” a post, click below the post and click on the second icon that looks like spinning arrows. Please note that you cannot retweet your own posts but you can retweet posts from other  followers.

III.                Instagram

a.      How to post content

                                                              i.      Please note that you can only post content from your phone.

1.      Click on the Instagram or IG app on phone

2.      Go to the bottom and click the blue camera icon.

a.      Proceed to upload a photo from your phone’s gallery or by taking a photo from your phone camera.

b.      After choosing the specific photo for your post, you can choose to crop picture for a better angle or keep the photo’s original size.

c.       Click the blue arrows to the right until you see a box that says “Add Description”

d.      In the box, type the information that you want to post.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Please keep in mind that IG is mainly a picture social media account so keep your content precise and brief. Feel free to use hashtags (words with # icon) so followers can find your posts easily.

e.      Once you are ready to post, you have the option to tag followers, share to Facebook and Twitter by clicking on the accounts. (Make sure they are both highlighted in blue before proceeding.)

f.        To add post, click on the blue check mark in the right-hand corner and your post will appear on your timeline.

Also authors, you can create Facebook business pages for your books and use those pages to share your book excerpts, book signings, websites, etc. as well as fellow authors that you support. Don't forget that Just Write's Facebook page is a great place to start marketing book information if you're not ready to share on a business page. Once content is shared, it reaches so many people in the world and helps to build a recognizable brand. 

Remember, you have many resources available to you now that can assist you with all of your book needs, whether via the blog, social media, or via other authors. Please take advantage and have a heart of expectancy to learn something new that will help you grow. I pray that this information is helpful.

In His service,

~Lequvia Ousley~

The Write Motive: Why Do We Write?

Hey #JustWrite fam, it is August, a month of new beginnings, new mercies, and new assignments. We are at the end of another season. Can you all believe that we have 4 more months until the end of the year? Amazing....Speaking of amazing, I read a wonderful blog, entitled, "Don't Write Just to Get Published"  last week that was shared by my sis in Christ, Carmen Miller who is the founder of Whole Magazine, one of my favorite devotionals. The author of the blog, Ann Swindell touched on the questions of do you want to be published or do you want to write? She expressed that many writers think that getting published will fulfill and validate them. This is a dangerous thought to have because seeking to receive validation through other means outside of Jesus can leave one frustrated, unsatisfied and can cause one to compromise the integrity of who they are as Christians for the sake of being published. I admit, when I read the article initially, I felt convicted because the thought and excitement of being published has crossed my mind a few times, but it's never been my primary motive. I've always written to be healed and as a release from life's trials. After reading that article, my initial unction was to share it on social media but a part of me didn't want to share in fear that others would think I was being controversial and stirring up a debate. Thankfully, I went against those feelings and I shared on all of my social media accounts as well as the Just Write group. Reading that blog sparked an interesting conversation between me and Kim and reminded me of some of the conversations I've had with others during the Just Write meetings. At our last meeting, we talked about the social injustice in the nation, the many TV shows and movies that have been written that only entertain and not educate for the sake of money, and how we as Christian writers have a responsibility to write with integrity and not compromise who we are and what we write about for the sake of authorship. We as Christian writers have to step up the standard and bring forth content that is authentic, uncompromising, and relevant to what we are seeing in society and as Christians. Check out the following gems that were expressed throughout the article:

1. Getting published does not make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
2. The purpose of writing is worship. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Another scripture to reference that wasn't mentioned is, Colossians 3:23-24 which says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
3. We write from a place of security in Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
4. Ask the Lord to search us and help us discern why we crave publication. Psalm 139: 23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
5. Our worth isn’t in how others react to us, but in how they react to Jesus. Amen!

I'm so glad my eyes came across this blog, because it put a lot into perspective and it reminded me of my purpose with everything I do: to glorify God. To read more check out the link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-write-just-to-get-published Continue to keep God first in all that you do.



In His service,


~Lequvia Ousley~

Don't Put Off What You Can Do Write Now: How To Handle Procrastination

Hey #JustWrite!! We have made it to July the 7th month (divine completion) where we usually celebrate independence with many fireworks. We are 6 months into 2016 and prayerfully all of us are solely focused on finishing strong. With that being said, this month's topic focuses on procrastination. Due to an important personal matter, I was not able to attend last month's writer support meeting. However, I did learn that the topic was about procrastination and there was an interesting round-table discussion with the attendees and their struggles. Although I wasn't there physically, I could relate from a mental and spiritual standpoint. I admit that these last few months have been filled with procrastination with everything. In all transparency, I shared with Kim in an email the following: "I had to pull away from everything and everyone and truly enjoy this rest and relaxation before the fall begins." "I cried for the first time in a long time the other night and it felt good. I didn't realize I was forcing myself to be strong (I was in that place before). With everything going on in the world, I'm taking each day as it comes and I'm not beating myself up over what I didn't accomplish." In that moment of sharing my struggle, I was reminded of what a dear sister told me the day before as she prayed with me: we can't do everything in our strength (Phil. 4:13) Very true statement and a great reality check. That's why I sympathize with my fellow scribes when it comes to procrastination. Whenever I'm faced with a condition or situation, I always look at the cause. In my research, I came across an article at http://motivationgrid.com/4-main-causes-procrastination-revealed/. According to the article, the four main causes of procrastination are:

1. A Fear of Failure

2. Excessive Perfectionism

3. Low Energy Levels

4. A Lack Of Focus

As I read about each cause, the Holy Spirit reminded me of who God is and how He helps us to overcome procrastination. When you start to have a fear of failure, remind yourself of 2 Timothy: 17, that says,  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." In order to succeed in life, we have to make mistakes and have failures. If not, how will we learn how to trust God and allow Him to work through our shortcomings? As writers, we have to learn how to celebrate our strengths and work on our weaknesses. Having fear cripples you and stunts your growth. Remember it is a process to write your book. Don't abort it by fearing failure. Next, this is a cause that many of us struggle with: excessive perfectionism. The editor in me needs to meditate on this scripture constantly, Psalm 18:30:  "As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." God is the only one who is perfect. He is not flawed and there's nothing too big for Him. I love that this scripture says that when we trust in Him, He shields and protects. Yes, we operate in excellence in all that we do, but we must trust that God will perfect those things in us.
Third, low energy levels cause procrastination.  Low energy levels impact whether or not we feel like doing anything at all. In order to be productive and active, we need a balance of sleep, diet, and exercise that will increase our capacity to not procrastinate. Remember, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." 


The last cause cannot be stressed enough: a lack of focus. In June's blog (The Write Foundation), I discussed the importance of having focus. A lack of focus can come from the fact that many of us are operating in busyness instead of business. There is a difference between the two. We are doing many things, but not really getting anything done.  It is very important that we set attainable goals and know that we have direction in what we are striving to complete. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Don't get caught in feeling like you have no where to start. Begin with a simple prayer: "Lord show me what I need to do"


Now that we understand some causes of procrastination, it is time to be proactive and put a plan into action that will help us to overcome and be productive. Let us not put off what we can do write now.
JUST WRITE!!



In His service,


~Lequvia Ousley~

The Write Foundation: Provision For Our Books

Greetings and welcome to the month of June!! It's that time again to celebrate fathers near and far and in all forms.  When I think of fathers, leadership comes to mind. Fathers are the head of the family, the ones who set the tone and foundation. They form the structure of the family dynamic. They provide the strength and assurance that our needs will be met. They also provide examples of financial wisdom, stewardship, and focus. Of course our Abba Father, God operates in this capacity as well, always making sure we are taken care of and prepared. So how do these traits and terms apply to writing a book?

Well, as we accept our calling as scribes and began to think about ideas and concepts for our books, it's very important to first create and plan the structure of our books. That structure can be in the form of an outline or a vision board. Your outline is your written puzzle that will help you to piece together all of the components of your manuscript. Your vision board takes the process further by showcasing a visual of ideas, dreams, goals, and expectations. Looking at your vision board daily gives you an extra boost and encouragement to work on your manuscript. Next, we have strength.

When embarking on a new creation, it takes a lot of strength and determination to see your project(s) to completion. That much needed strength comes from praying and reading God's Word, and most importantly, believing God's Word. If God has called you to write a book, then you have to be mentally and spiritually prepared. Then comes the dreaded, "F" word, finances.

First we have the idea for a book.  Next, we begin the outline for it, and continuously pray and tarry for our books, but now we ask the question, "How am I going to finance this book?" Well, don't fret. It is very important that when we structure the plans for our books, that we count the cost and budget every aspect of publishing a book: Editing, Formatting, Self-Publishing, Traditional Publishing, Marketing, Inventory, among other components. The best advice I ever heard from an author is to invest in yourself and let your work speak for itself. She was a former teacher and she would tell me how she would clock out of her 9-5 and clock in to her own business. Every dollar that she earned as a teacher was saved and invested into her dreams and goals. Lakia Brandenburg also a former teacher, turned wife coach, self-publisher and author said it best, "Go to work with the mindset of you're funding your dream." (also mentioned in The Write Experience blog) Do your research and compare prices for services needed to complete your book. Create your budget and be sure to tweak it as you make changes. Create a special fund for your book investments and be intentional in sowing into it.  Pray for provision and believe that God will provide. Don't be afraid to share what you are working on too. God will place it on people's hearts to assist you with your book. I've heard numerous testimonies of how others have sown into authors' projects. I even met an author a few months ago who did an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for her first book.  She raised more than her goal to launch her book. Remember, you have to put forth the effort to be serious and diligent about your goals. My last point is focus. It is very important to have focus in any goal/vision that you set out to achieve and fulfill. When others see your focus, they are encouraged.

So, fellow scribes, take note and as we celebrate our dear earthly fathers on Sunday, trust your Heavenly Father to provide that right foundation of structure, strength, finances, and focus.


In His service,


~Lequvia Ousley~

The Write Discipline: Nurturing the Words In Us

Greetings!! May is here and we are close to celebrating our 2 year anniversary as a group!! Time flies when you're having fun and writing. Last Sunday was Mother's Day so I pray that all the mothers had a wonderful day of being celebrated for who you are and what you do. When I think of mothers, the one characteristic that stands out to me is the nurturing spirit of mothers. To nurture means to "care for and encourage the growth and development of others." Mothers are the first teachers of their children with the natural ability to pour into them, making sure they have everything they need so they can be the best in life. I can remember my love for books and writing began at a young age when I was given my first set of bible stories, novels, and journal. It was that encouragement at an early age that brought forth a desire to be disciplined in my reading and writing. The same goes for us as writers. To be disciplined means to have a "controlled form of behavior or way of working." Most of us have busy schedules and several obligations that occupy our time. Sometimes we make a choice to exercise discipline in those things we feel like doing as oppose to what needs to be done. The same way we nurture our friendships, jobs, network, and other relationships is the same way we have to nurture the words that God has given us.

One of our most important relationships is a relationship with God and what His Word says. As Christians, we cultivate our relationship with God by disciplining ourselves to spend time in His Word, praying, listening for His instructions, and adhering to those instructions. Those instructions most likely include those books that are stored in us that are ready to be released. I am a visual person so when I pondered on this topic, I was reminded of Kim's book, "Seasons of Intentional Relationships" and she used the garden metaphor to describe relationships. That's how I look at the writing process. Nurturing those words and stories in us is like tending to a garden. Our words (seeds) in us need to be written down (planted in fertile ground) with constant diligence and discipline (watered, with sunlight) so that they can be books and shared with the world (blossomed into beautiful flowers). For the month of May I have been completing Whole Magazine's Scripture Writing Plan and during my quiet time on Friday, I came across Colossians 4:17, which says, "And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Most of us in Just Write have identified that we are literary agents with the gift of the scribe. Because we have recognized and received what God has given us, we need to be careful to not neglect the discipline it takes to be fruitful writers. If you're reading this and striving to be more disciplined, check out this: http://www.writersdigest.com/qp7-migration-all-articles/qp7-migration-fiction/10_disciplines_for_fiction_writers. The article targets fiction writers but I think the following 10 disciplines applies to all writers regardless of the genre:


1. Motivation- Find something that stimulates your writing vision, whether it's a favorite scripture, quote, favorite author, or a vision board.

2. Momentum-Begin with a daily goal and stick with it. Write a certain amount of words a day and make it a habit.

3. The nifty 350- Starting a writing goal with 350 words a day will motivate you to write more.

4. The furious 500-Extend your writing goal from 350 to a furious 500 words a day.

5. Super Tuesday-Designate Tuesday, or any day of the week you choose, as your day to work on your writing projects. Schedule that day as an appointment.

6. Celebrate-When you meet your goals, celebrate them! Treat yourself to dinner, movie, or light a candle in a cupcake. Whatever you do, rejoice and be happy!

7. A kick in the rear- Find ways to pep yourself up to write. Get back on track.

8. Keep a log- Track how many times you write per week based on your daily goals.

9. Get Healthy- When you care for your body, it increases your productivity and creativity in writing.

10. Retreat and advance- Go on a yearly writing retreat and create a master plan for completing your writing goals. Use that as inspiration to become better with each goal.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful as you complete your projects. As I close, I want to encourage you to not allow the task of writing to kill your desire and discipline. Stay focused and JUST WRITE!!


In His service,


~Lequvia Ousley~

The Write Community: The Importance of Fellowship

Hey, Just Write family!! Spring is officially here and I'm sure most of you retreated for a week or two at your favorite getaways for some much needed R&R. This past week was my Spring Break and I was invited by a dear friend/sis (an accomplished author, entrepreneur, educator, evangelist) to Chattanooga, TN. It was my first time there, so I made sure to take in the scenery and the attractions. What I enjoyed most about my trip was the ministry that took place between us. In our conversations with each other, we found that our stories and upbringing were similar. Not only are we from the same city, but we also overcame similar trials. It was like reuniting with a long lost sister. Her testimonies and encouragement inspired me and gave me a new perspective. Those moments reminded me the importance of community.  Even before I started writing this post, I recalled memories of my childhood and the neighborhood where I lived. There was a point in time where people were more neighborly and people were trusted to do what they said they would do. Now, there's a fear and distrust of others. It's like we have the look of a community, but our actions don't show community. The word "community" means, 1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common; 2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals; 3. a group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat.  With community and fellowship, people can see that what they are doing together serves a higher purpose. That purpose is bigger than attaining a goal or status. It fulfills a collective mandate, to use our voices and stories to serve in the capacity that we have been assigned.

The best part of my trip was the two of us sharing in the notion that it is important that we as women are honest about our internal and external struggles and that we are surrounded by other women who can genuinely help, pray, and walk with us. Since 2013, I have been praying to be a part of a community that values fellowships and genuine relationships and in 2014, God answered my prayers in a major way. Just Write was one of those prayers answered. I'm finally a part of a community that encourages my growth in one of my passions and it serves a greater purpose than just writing. We are on a quest to facilitate dialogue and bring like-minded individuals together so we can assist, guide, and fulfill our purposes. So, if you are a writer in need of a community that will help you on your journey as an author, publisher, editor, etc., then come join us at our next meeting on April 28, 2016. Bring a friend or two, your ideas, an open mind, and heart to receive.

Below are 7 bible verses about community:


Psalm 133:1-"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"


Romans 12:4-5, "For as in one body we have many members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."


Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."


Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near."


Galatians 6:2,"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."


1 Thessalonians 4:18, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."


1 Thessalonians 5:14, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."



Remember in COMMUNITY, there is UNITY!


Blessings!


~Lequvia Ousley~