Lines from Linda

When All Else Fails…

Read the directions!

I've spent far too much time this year re-designing a web site that I had exactly the way I wanted it.

Why?

I made it disappear.

The WordPress powers that be have warned about updating to new versions without first deactivating all plug-ins and returning one's site to the default theme. Frankly, I'd forgotten that little tidbit of info, but I bet I won't forget it on the next WP update.

The site I annihilated was my humor column, Overweight & Underorganized. I'm still struggling with a theme selection. I've found several I really like, including the current theme, Block Magazine by Adii.

I'm nearly done uploading content. Content, by the way, that I had to search for from three different computers because the word "Underorganized" isn't just a cute word in a column title; it's my life.

I may test drive a few more themes before settling upon the "right" one. And it may be Block Magazine. I really like the theme. I'm just not sure it "fits" what I hope to portray with the site. I want something a bit more whimsical, but yet I want the structure of a magazine theme.

Luckily, I don't have to make this decision tonight.

In a Web Working Mood

I know that today is the anniversary of the invention of basketball. And, yes, I'm a huge basketball fan. I've been doing a great job of achieving my basketball watching quota. In fact, I've been gone most of the evening watching our high school teams play. (Girls won; boys came within 3 points near the end of the 4th quarter, but fell by 9 by the final buzzer.) However, I've also spent quite a bit of time doing some web work.

Those of you who have hung around my blog for a while (thanks!) know that I love playing with web sites, even though I have a lot to learn. I'm getting fairly comfortable with WordPress and .php, although I still use themes & templates. I doubt I'll dip my toe into the developer's pool, but I've had a lot of fun learning about magazine-styled WordPress themes.

You may have noticed the redesign of my main site, LindaFulkerson.com. I've also completed a redesign on our church's site and am nearly finished with a new web for our church youth group. I'm very pleased with the looks of all these sites.

On my site, I'm using the Structure theme by Jason Tadlock. The church site was created with Michael Polluck's WordPress Magazine Theme 1.0, and I used Brian Gardner's Revolution Magazine theme for the youth group's web. Please note that some of these themes (all by "Structure") are "premium" WordPress themes, which means they are not free.

But, like L'Oreal, they're worth it!

The Great Blog Tour

The American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference is just a few months away--September 20-23, in Dallas, Texas. I'm looking forward to this conference for a number of reasons--seeing old (not age-wise, of course) friends, meeting new friends, learning from the great workshop faculty, worshiping together, and just more reasons than can be named in one spot.

That is excactly why the board has developed a BLOG TOUR to spread the word about the upcoming conference--to share as much information about it as possible to those who may be teetering on whether or not to make plans to go, and to include those who might not be able to go this year.

So tourists, get out your map & camera and listen to your guide--we're about to go on a blog tour!

1 DiAnn Mills
1 Chip MacGregor
2 Michelle Sutton
3 Ane Mulligan
4 Susan Downs
4 Pamela James
4 Girls Write Out
5 Tricia Goyer
6 Becky Germany
7 Novel Journey
8 JoAnne Simmons
9 Cara Putman
10 Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
11 Gail Gaymer Martin
11 Pamela James
12 Rachel Hauck
13 Brandilyn Collins
13 Mary Demuth
14 Carrie Turanksy
15 Susan Meissner
16 Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
17 Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
18 Pamela James
19 Katy McKenna
20 Pam Myers
21 Susan May Warren
22 Tiffany Amber Miller
23 Margaret Daley
24 Ron Estrada
25 Pamela James
26 Cheryl Wyatt
27 Dineen Miller
28 Tamera Alexander
28 Deeanne Gist
29 Tiffany Amber Miller
30 Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll
July 1 Robin Jones Gunn
July 3 Linda Fulkerson

Website Updates

Since combining my web site & blog into one location, I've been working to upload content and articles from my previous site that many found helpful. You can find the items I've uploaded so far by clicking on the Links & Pages link on the header of each page. A drop down box will list the pages of this site. Last night I uploaded a number of articles as well as the complete Bible lesson series for the book of Esther.

Please check back, as I'll be uploading other items as time permits.

Welcome Feedblitz!

If you look to the left, just under my picture, you'll notice something new--a Feedblitz subscriber box. Instead of wondering if I got sidetracked today or if I remembered to send my Wednesday guest interview questions in time to post (I did get sidetracked this week & forgot--sorry!), you'll know for certain when a new post is up on Lines from Linda because Feedblitz will drop a line in your e-mail box. It's VERY easy to sign up (takes about 2 minutes) and best of all--it's FREE!

If you have your own blog, check out Feedblitz's service. It might be just what you need to keep your readers informed of what's happening at your little corner of cyberspace.

Thanks, Readers!

It's nice to know that my babblings on this blog don't just float into cyberspace unread! I really appreciate those of you who have either posted comments to the blog or sent me e-mails during the past few days about how much you've been helped by the revision workshop. But, before you think I'm a genius (LOL), most of this information is stuff I've gleaned from others and just a little bit is from me. I've referenced books and web sites when I remembered exactly where I learned specific helps.

At the request of a reader, we'll venture to the nonfiction side of the room next week. Perhaps you're working on an article, column, or nonfiction book. This is the area where I have most experience in the writing world. I've only begun to learn the craft of fiction writing and feel inadequate to share too much on that topic! Fiction is challenging, but fun.

So...if you have any specific questions about nonfiction writing, please ask me. If I know, great. If not, I'll find someone who does. That's the best thing about our cyberworld--we can be connected in seconds to an endless pool of resources. I'm blessed with many online friends with more experience than me, so ask away, and I'm confident if I don't know the answer, one of them will!

I'll be gone to Nashville, Tennessee, until late Monday night. I doubt if I'll be around a computer, so post your questions between now & Tuesday, and then we'll get started in on writing nonfiction.

Take care!

Seeing Pink

I'm so excited! My daughter is graduating from high school soon. No, I'm NOT excited about her leaving home and moving to another state to attend college--but I'm excited about the special graduation party we're planning with the help of Mary Griffith. We're having a Technicolor Faith party, featuring Mary's book PINK. We met Marilyn (Mary) at the last ACFW conference in Nashville, Tenn. She is such a fun person, and her party-planning ideas are awesome. If you know of some deserving young lady who rates a special party, visit with Mary about it!

Some of my friends have seen my blogroll and asked, "Do you REALLY read all those blogs every day?" Yes. And then some. But the ones on the roll are my dailies--others I only check periodically.

It doesn't take as long as you might think. Some don't post every day, so it's just a couple of quick clicks to make sure. And most don't babble as much as me, so they're a fast read. I'm the first one up (well, me and the puppy--but she cheats and always goes back to bed after our "outside" time!), so I pour my coffee and sit down and take in some quiet time with my "friends." Some I've met, some I haven't. Some I probably never will--but I learn so much by reading what they've written.

• For instance--have you heard about the Veggie Tales Scandal? Hadn't heard that one? Then check out James Watkins' blog today. He's always full of humor and wisdom. I always learn something but I wasn't prepared for what I learned today!
• Robin Lee Hatcher (isn't she on everyone's favorite authors list?) has a new audiobook out. Plus, if you're an American Idol fan, you can learn all the latest AI scoop from her blog.
• Up in Camy's Loft (I go there every day even though I'm afraid of heights!) you can read a review about Mary Griffith's new book MADE OF HONOR. Once, twice, ten times a bridesmaid!
• Brandilyn Collins always has something interesting lurking on her blog--plus it's a great instructional tool for those learning the craft of writing. And it helps to know that a best-selling author sometimes struggles through plots and prose, too. Kind of makes us rookie novelists feel "normal." Or as normal as any writer can feel.
• Today Gail Gaymer Martin, one of the most humble-spirited people I know--a great writer who loves to share what she's learned with others--explains why you can't always find the book you're looking for on the shelves of your favorite bookstore.
• And if you're looking for a serene setting, visit Victoria Gains' Light for the Writer's Soul. Today she discusses squelching the inner editor and shared a great quote from Julia Cameron that begins: "Writing is about getting something down, not about thinking something up."

So, yes, I do read all those blogs. And when I'm finished, I feel revitalized and devotionalized and ready to face the keyboard and day and hopefully ready to share a few of my own thoughts with the world. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to peck out a few words of wisdom periodically. It's a ministry of encouragement in so many ways.