Discover How to Infuse Power and Purpose into Your Writing When You Write for the One

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

Let’s be honest. Who wants to write a book, short story, article, devotion, or blog post for just one person to read? And, yes, I’ve heard the reminder repeated in various forms on more than one occasion: “What you write may only be for the person sitting beside you.” 

Pride makes that a challenging pill to swallow. I love it when thousands visit my website, but chafe when it dwindles to only a few. 

Writer, Don’t Look Now, But You’re Being Followed

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Last weekend, my husband Rob and I attended the memorial service for our Aunt Jean, who died in June at 96. To be honest, she was Rob’s Aunt Jean, his mom’s younger sister, but years ago I claimed her as my aunt too. Both Rob and I treasured her as our mom-in-the-Lord. 

Shortly after we arrived in Montana, Aunt Jean’s eldest daughter, Pat, shared something with me: a typed page titled “Thoughts—Obituary” dated May 15, 2009—yes, Aunt Jean had written this 16 years ago. She wrote a brief reflection of her faith journey, what she called “a pathway of discovery,” that transformed her life when she was 45 years old after she knew God in a true, personal way. 

At the bottom of the page she’d written, “Beth Vogt said to me one day, ‘Leave a trail, Aunt Jean, so I can follow later.’”

Professional Development for Writers

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”

— Chinese Proverb

Conference season is underway, yet many of us aren’t able to attend. However, there are multiple ways to expand our skills that don’t require the investment of a writers conference. Consider these alternatives that also enhance our knowledge.

Common Word Choice Mistakes Every Writer Should Avoid

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

I want to share some common writers’ mistakes that drive my biologist-hubby nuts and my own almost-faux-pas

Do poisonous snakes live in your state?

The answer is “no.” No matter who you are or where you live, you have no poisonous snakes in your neighborhood, city, or state. 

Want me to explain? 

Want to Always Be Productive? Heed My Top 10 List of What NOT To Do for Writers and Writing

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Everywhere a writer turns we're hit with things we should do, things we have to do, and things we must do. The lists seems endless and can lead to frustration, discouragement, and burnout. 

To combat this, I spend some time taking an honest look at all the things on my plate. When I've done this, I inevitably find that just like piling on too much at a family potluck, my plate is overloaded.

It’s funny, but the worst offenders always turn out to be the things I really shouldn’t have added in the first place—things others have said I should do. So today I’m sharing what I discovered. And by the way, discovering these was painful for me too!

Writing a Meaningful Book Review

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Book reviews. They’re the lifeblood of the reader—and the author. Authors need them to push them up into the Amazon eye, while readers want to know about the book. Is it worth their time, money, and effort to purchase and read? Both are valid needs and equally important. But how do we pen a useful book review? You may ask, “Is it useful?” And the response is yes. There’s a difference between an author-written book review and a useful book review. 

The Writing Conference is Over, Where Do I Begin?

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

You are back home after an exhilarating writers' conference. Colorful business cards from new friends litter your desk. A ton of class notes await your review. And if you are like me, your head spins with all the to-dos. Where do I begin?

Having attended many writers' conferences, most recently the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, where I met many first-time conference attendees, God whispered that I should share some encouragement this month on how to move forward after a conference. Because, let's face it, all those ideas sounded doable while you sipped coffee and chatted with fellow writers. But when you are alone at your desk, it can be hard to know where to start.