Author, Camy Tang, known for her romance novels with a “kick of wasabe,” is hosting an incredible giveaway for writers! If you still don’t have an iPod (like me), this is not a contest to forget! For every referral, you get three more entries in the giveaway, so DO mention my name and “nursewriter02″ when you sign up and help a gal out.

According to Camy:

1st place winner will receive a copy of my book when it comes out (September 2007), a basket of books by other Christian authors, and one of the brand new 8 GB iPod Nanos. (The winner can also elect to receive a 4 GB colored Nano instead of the 8 GB Nano, which is only available in black.)

2nd place winner will receive a copy of my book when it comes out, books by other Christian authors, and one of the new, extra-small 1 GB iPod Shuffles

3rd place winner will receive a copy of my book when it comes out and one of the new, extra-small 1GB iPod Shuffles

20 Honorable Mentions will receive a copy of my book when it comes out.

You read that right! 23 winners in all!

Now, go here for contest rules and form.

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.” ~ Jonathan Edwards

Hope you have a warm, safe, and blessed New Year. There’s some beautiful flute music in the sidebar for you. If you’d like to read about this writer’s view on resolutions, then skip over to Windows to My Soul.

“Integrity is the cornerstone of credibility. Bloggers who adopt this code of principles and these standards of practice not only practice ethical publishing, but convey to their readers that they can be trusted.” ~ CyberJournalist.net

This Code of Ethics is taken from CyberJournalist.net. Most it goes without saying, but it’s always good to review, and might help someone new to blogging in general.

A BLOGGERS’ CODE OF ETHICS

Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Bloggers should:

• Never plagiarize.

• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.

• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.

• Never publish information they know is inaccurate — and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it’s in doubt.

• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.

• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Bloggers should:

• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.

• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.

• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.

• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

Be Accountable
Bloggers should:

• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

• Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers’ conduct.

• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.

• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.

• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.

• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.

• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

Resources:
Society of Professional Journalists
CyberJournalist.net

* Randy Ingermanson says there’s only three things every aspiring writer needs to get published: content, craft, and contacts.

* Tricia Goyer shares 10 Things I Wish I Had Known by Linda Ford.

* Michael S. Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers tells us why most bestsellers’ lists are inaccurate.

* Need to create a quick bibliography? Check out Ottobib.com.

* Author Camy Tang is giving away an 8 GB iPod Nano and a huge basket of books!

* At Charis Connection, 16 authors reveal their most frequently used vehicles for research.

* J. Mark Bertrand makes a case for listening to critics, even when you don’t like what they’re saying.

* Jeanne Damoff beautifully defines the Master’s Artist.

* Mary DeMuth, at RelevantBlog shares why fame is one of her biggest fears.

* In Genre Redux, Mike Duran at Decompose suggests three reasons why the term Christian Fiction does a disservice to the Christian artist.

* The Dabbling Mum discusses how writers can dramatically increase their yearly income by specializing in niche markets.

Chazown: (pronounced khaw-ZONE) from the Hebrew, meaning a dream, revelation, or vision.

Have you given serious forethought to 2007? I don’t mean resolutions. I’m convinced that none of us can really change ourselves. After all, real change comes from the inside out - a heart change. And that involves turning myself over to the Holy Spirit day by day to allow for these quiet grace-workings. Ah, but let’s save that post for another time. Today, we’re looking at vision for our lives - individual, God-given purpose for 2007. None of us want to drift through another year.

Mary Yerkes shares in Defining Your Purpose, Establishing Your Goals for 2007 , critical questions from Craig Groeschel’s book, Chazown:

“If money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life? How would you invest your core values and passions, your key gifts and abilities, and your significant life experiences to make a lasting difference in this world?”

That ought to get our wheels turning for now. Let’s seriously pray for direction for our lives as writers and artists. His plan for each of us is unique.

What will God accomplish through YOU in 2007?

“Everyone wants to end up somewhere – few people end up somewhere on purpose.”

Resources:
Life Development Plan
Chazown: A Different Way to See Your Life

“This is the great mystery of Christmas that continues to give us comfort and consolation: we are not alone on our journey. The God of love who gave us life sent us His only Son to be with us at all times and in all places.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

“It is to God to whom and with whom we travel, and while he is the End of our journey, he is also at every stopping place.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot

“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.”
~ Christina Rossetti

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6