My Tips for Writers Using Pinterest

I mentioned in another post that I had a new obsession. The social network Pinterest is growing quickly as users post images and links to a virtual pinboard.

The official definition from Pinterest:

"Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

Here are my top ten tips for writers in particular, although many will apply to anyone learning to use Pinterest.

1. Post your favorite books on your personal Pinterest page by adding images
of all the books you love in your life.

You will probably want to have one board devoted to your books. That's fine, but be sure to have other boards devoted to books and authors you like and different topics that interest you. Avoid giving the impression that your Pinterest profile is being used solely to promote yourself. Be sure to follow the site's rule: "Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you're proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion."

2. Find other writers on Pinterest and follow their examples. Use a board for characters, clothing, research, and scenes.

3. Someone said a Pinterest board is like your high school locker (remember those?) as it is a way to show your readers what interests and inspires you as well as what you're working on right now. 

4. Look for book recommendations or comment on other boards in the Film, Music & Books section.

5. Share writing tools, stationery, journals, books and writing-related items in the "Gifts" section.

6. Use #hashtags and keywords. Much like on Twitter, tagging your pins with trending hashtags or keywords will help you find new followers. Searching for other pins and boards using hashtags will also help you find similar brands on Pinterest to follow.

7. Add the Pinterest bookmarklet to your browser's bookmarks bar. This is a time-saver, because it allows you to easily pin things you find while browsing without going to the Pinterest website first. To get it, visit the Pinterest "Goodies" page and drag the "Pin It" button to your browser toolbar. Now, when you see something you want to pin, click the bookmarklet and you'll be prompted to create a new pin. Be sure to scroll to the correct board for each pin.

Another vital tip from Pinterest - "If you notice that a pin is not sourced correctly, leave a comment so the original pinner can update the source. Finding the original source is always preferable to a secondary source such as Google Image Search or a blog entry."

8. This tip has saved me a lot of time. If you're pinning an image from a website using the Pinterest bookmarklet, you can highlight some of the text on that page before you hit "Pin It" and the text will automatically show up in the description box. Still edit and add hashtags.

9. You can also tag other Pinterest users by using the @ symbol with their Pinterest user name. You have to be following at least one of their boards. That user will see the pin, and it will link to their Pinterest profile. Use this tip to help promote each other on Pinterest.

10. And finally, follow me! I'm at http://pinterest.com/donnashepherd. My boards are a hodgepodge of recipes, crafts, interesting and funny pictures (Bonus tip - funny pins gets re-pinned more often!), and of course, a couple are dedicated to my books. I hope you'll check them out.

Be Your Best

My quote for you today: 

"Never accept acceptable. Strive for superb!" - Donna J. Shepherd

Colossians 3:23-24 -Today's New International Version (TNIV) -^"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Even at MY Age!

In the grocery the other day, I commented on the high price of blueberries to a woman about my age or slightly older. She looked at me like I might mug her, turned her cart and practically ran.

Later on, when I looked like I couldn't find something in another aisle (and couldn't! Where DO they hide coconut flour?) a young couple helped me find the item and asked if they could get anything else for me.

So what does this mean? Am I the old lady that youngsters (yes - I said youngsters, so that proves my point!) help now? Or did I simply run across some exceptionally sweet people who happened to be younger than me? Sometimes older people will lament how rude this 'younger generation' is, but I have not found that to be the case. 

The other day on Facebook, I posted a picture that said, "Live your life and forget your age." Most of the time, I don't think about age or aging. I'm the absolute worst at guessing someone's age, usually guessing far younger. But when the young couple jumped to help me, I did momentarily ponder whether they thought of me as a dotty old women wondering the aisles of the grocery store looking for odd things. Like coconut flour!

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Selah

 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. - Proverbs 22:4

I'm tired. Dog-tired. Drained. Every now and then I go through this. Who knew that marketing was such a big part of writing? It's exhausting!

I think I need a break. Perhaps God is working on getting my attention.  I'm going to work on some of my devotions for a while. I need to get back to the reason I started writing to begin with, and let God take care of the promotion. And you know what's funny? It's doubtful anyone will even notice I'm gone. For all my promotion, I'm like a raft in the ocean. A minnow in the sea. A grain of sand on the beach. And that's okay. I know God knows me, where I am, and even my thoughts and the desires of my heart. And that means everything.

Selah.


Image: Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Scree-e-e-e-ch!

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

   but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21 niv

Good Monday! Got up bright and early this morning ready to start my day and my Internet wouldn't work. Scree-e-e-ch! That will put a crimp in your plans, won't it? I'm not on the web much on Sundays, so I look forward to catching up with everyone first thing Monday Morning.

I decided a big cup of coffee was in order before I called the cable company, and while I poured that first cup, it was like the Holy Spirit whispered to me and said, "God doesn't need the Internet to talk with you for a while."

That's right! I know that, of course, but sometimes in my haste to 'get things done,' I forget. I had a nice time with Jesus. An even BETTER way to start my day. No, the BEST!

And obviously, I figured out what was wrong. Well, I guess I should say - I did the first thing any computer-savvy person does - unplugged everything and restarted it, and voila! I'm back online. Maybe God had plans for me this morning, too!   

Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What Is Pinterest?

My new obsession - that's what it is! I joined Facebook a while back and what I enjoy most are the pictures everyone posts between all the updates and conversations. Then I found Pinterest and it is ALL pictures ALL the time!

According to the website:

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Here's a screenshot of my boards.

I have boards for things like my books, coloring pages and activity sheets for the kids, humor, recipes, decorating ideas, gadgets. You get the idea. The possibilities are endless. I've seen all kinds of boards and it's fun to see the personality of the persons 'pinning' reflected in their boards. You can 'follow' people if you find their boards interesting and when you open the home page, you'll see all the new pins of your favorite people. If you see a pin you especially like, then you can 'repin' it to one of your own boards.

Now, I've got to back to pinning!

For more info, visit:
http://pinterest.com/about/help/
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/6977
http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/852875/pinterest-what-it-is-how-to-use-it-and-why-youll-be-addicted
http://www.themomcreative.com/2012/03/10-tips-for-using-pinterest-well.html

Oh, DEER!

The other night, my husband and I visited one of the precious members of our church in the hospital. Afterwards, we stopped at the grocery. Instead of both of us going in, I hopped out, intending to only grab a few things in a few minutes. Well, you know how that goes. A half hour later I wheeled out my half full cart.

Of course, my husband couldn't help himself and had to carry on about how long he'd been waiting. I responded by reminding him how often I sit and wait for him, which didn't make him feel one bit better. I wonder why?

We pulled out of the parking lot onto the main road and picking up speed, when BOOM! Something big hit the car. I screamed and ducked right after I saw that my entire view of the road had been blocked out with body of deer as it slid across the windshield. It slid off the other side and we continued on down the road. My husband hadn't even had time to hit the brakes.

I'm am so thankful we weren't going any faster. I'm sure if we had been, the windshield would have shattered. I told my son I was glad I didn't have a deer in my lap. He replied, "Mom, you could have had a deer head hit your head. You'd be dead."

Just that quickly we could have been hurt very badly or even killed. God protected us, and for that, I'm thankful. We don't know what happened to the deer. My husband felt terrible. He has deer pictures, figurines, and all kinds of deer-related items in his office at the church. Immediately, he said, "But I love deer." I drove past the same spot the next day and didn't see any evidence of our close call. My husband said that it might have just stunned the animal, and it's already off scaring other drivers half to death.

We thought our car had escaped any damage until we got home. It looks like it hit the side then used our side mirror to catapault across the car landing on the windshield before sliding across. We ended up with a good dent on the side and no other damage. Thank God!

Maybe I should have taken longer to get my groceries.

Image: Ohmega1982 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Out of Control Social Networking

If you don't see me as much on sites like Facebook and Pinterest as often as you're used to, it's because I'm putting limits on my time. I check in, set the timer for one hour, and then I allow myself to check in again.

I was getting to where I'd check Facebook, Pinterest, and Amazon way too often. I talked to someone who just finished a Facebook Fast. I'm not going that far, but this is a start. I'm not sure how long this discipline will last, but I do like that I'm getting more work done. Lord knows I need to!

How about you? How do you limit your social networking time?

Baby Video

This is precious! So many cute videos all in one compilation. Enjoy.

Love Under the Bubble Wrap Review

Wow! I'm so honored when someone takes time to write a review and post it on Amazon. And when it says such nice things, my day is made! Here's a snippet of what Mary Busha said about Love Under the Bubble Wrap - a novelette:

I love the way Donna wove humor, disappointment, deep love, and even sarcasm into her story. Her characters are so real they seem to step right out of her story and intersect with the lives of her readers.

Thank you, Mary. I'm tickled pink you liked it.

James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma

Two of my favorites together in one lovely performance. Enjoy.

Laugh of the Day

Church Bulletin Blooper: "Don't let worry kill you - let the church help."

My First Novelette - Love Under the Bubble Wrap

I'm excited - and more than a little nervous - to announce the release of "Love Under the Bubble Wrap" - my novelette for readers who love romance. I hope you'll check it out! Jack Foster is the cover artist.

Simple Way to Win a Copy of Poodle and Doodle

Just go here: http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/book-reviewgiveaway-poodle-doodle-ends-feb-11th/#comments and leave a comment and you're in the running to win. Can't get much easier than that!

New Website?

Bummer. I received notice yesterday that I will need to find another home on the web. With limited funds, but lots of imagination, I've found it challenging to design my blogs and website, but at my pace. This means I'm under a - dare I say it? - deadline. Yikes! Doesn't every writer love that word?

Don't Become Weary

Today the Bible verse on my calendar is Galatians 6:9-10: 

Galatians 6:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I'm confident that God will help and strengthen us as we do His will, and He promises a harvest - a good crop, if we do not give up! I needed that verse today. How about you? 


Image: prozac1 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Why Jesus?

Over a century ago, there was one man who began to speak of the “virtues” of Hinduism in the United States. As the decades rolled by, more gurus came and developed huge followings. Today, interest in eastern ideas in western culture seems to be at an all time high. Is Jesus still the answer even in this climate? Find out this week on Let My People Think as Ravi Zacharias discusses his new book, Why Jesus.
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/let-my-people-think/player/why-jesus-251352.html

Blogging with Julie and Julia

Tonight I'm watching the movie, Julie and Julia. I love the scene where Julia and her sister are getting ready for a party. They stand in front of a full-length mirror and Julia proclaims that they look 'pretty good.' She pauses and then says, "But not great." I laugh every time.

Meryl Streep makes me forget she's Meryl. She's amazing. Amy Adams is cute as the modern-day Julie striving to be like Julia. It's also a dream come true that someone who wrote a blog ended up with a book contract and a movie made about it. Wouldn't that be something!

Although - when I think about it, my first job writing devotions came as a result of my Devotionals by Donna blog - such a blessing.

Julia Child's obsession with cooking and her persistence to write a cookbook is inspiring. She had a singular focus. That's one thing I have to say I'm lacking. I take multi-tasking seriously.