Beyond Average: Proven Strategies to Elevate Your Writing Career

From Edie: Ready to move beyond ‘average’ as a writer? This post from DiAnn Mills will help you discover 4 practical steps to elevate your career, boost book sales, and aim for bestseller status.

Beyond Average: Proven Strategies to Elevate Your Writing Career

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

While working my first job, a supervisor made a comment that has haunted me over the years. He said, “Average is the best of the worst, and the worst of the best.”

Ouch. Not where I want to be. But friends, we must start somewhere and learn how to work our way up.

Publishers have a few top-selling writers; however, they have far more who sell consistently fewer books. Average writers pay the bills, and bestsellers are the perk. Although it’s nice to be needed, many writers don’t want to be shoved into a category as . . . the best of the worst and the worst of the best.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Who Do You Trust Most with Your Writing Plans

From Edie: When plans fall apart—like a birthday dinner gone wrong—God’s better plan shines through. Writers, will you trust Him to order your publishing steps?

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Who Do You Trust Most with Your Writing Plans

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

My husband’s 75th birthday approached. After realizing—duh—that this was a monumental date on his lifeline, I decided to take him to a restaurant he had long wanted to check out. I also called the two of our children who live nearby and asked them to join us. 

The Friday before the big day I called the restaurant and asked if they accepted reservations. They told me they accepted “call aheads” for parties of 10 or more. I told them we would have 10 in our party. They asked date and time, and I told them. They said I’d have to call back on Monday.

What I Learned from My Editor: Surprising Fixes to Strengthen Any Manuscript

From Edie: Discover surprising editing tips that transformed Ane's 14th book—practical lessons to tighten prose, avoid common pitfalls, and elevate your writing.

What I Learned from My Editor: Surprising Fixes to Strengthen Any Manuscript

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

A letter from my new editor was an eye-opener. This was my 14th book being published, but I was with a new publisher. Items surprising me the most were small things, but they made my writing and my story flow better. 

Now, I find I avoid some of those problems as I write instead of afterwards, and they're becoming habit—always a good thing. 

Help Us Spread the Word: Join the Mountainside Novelist Retreat Influencer Team!

by Kate Huff & Edie Melson

Calling all authors, aspiring authors, writers—and even those who simply love the written word.

That’s all of us, right?

We’re excited to announce the Mountainside Novelist Retreat—and we’d love for YOU to be part of the team helping us spread the word! Think of it like a book launch, but instead of promoting a single story, you’ll be sharing about an event designed to change the trajectory of countless writers’ journeys.

The #1 Mistake Writers Make in Plotting—and the Simple Fix

From Edie: If you're struggling with story structure, this blog post can help you discover why character-driven plots create stronger, more engaging stories—and how one simple shift can transform your writing.

The #1 Mistake Writers Make in Plotting—and the Simple Fix
by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

I was sitting across from a writer at a recent conference, and she looked at me with that familiar, frustrated expression. “I know what happens in my story,” she said, “but I don’t know how to get there.” 

Suddenly, I was reminded of something I’ve seen over and over again: How so many writers try to build a plot before they’ve built a character. They treat plot like it’s separate from the person experiencing it. And that’s why they continue to struggle. Here's a simple truth about story structure to help you stay on track. 

10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use)

From Edie: Discover 10 quirky, fun English words writers love. From bumfuzzle to snollygoster, enrich your vocabulary and boost creativity with playful word choices.

10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use)

by Lori Hatcher

How many hours do writers invest in finding just the right word? We agonize over implied meaning, swap synonyms and antonyms, and study every nuance. Use just the right word and our sentence will soar. Use the wrong word, and it will bellyflop. 

Thankfully, the English language gives us a plethora of words to choose from. Approximately one million, if you include scientific names and chemical entities.

Just for fun, I went on a treasure hunt for quirky writerly words to keep on hand for the day our creativity crashes. I hope you enjoy my collection and will add your favorites in the comments.

Building Industry Relationships: How Christian Writers Find Success Through Community

Edie Here: This blog post will help writing Discover how Christian authors can build lasting industry relationships through conferences, associations, and God-led connections for writing success.

Building Industry Relationships: How Christian Writers Find Success Through Community

by Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga

Developing relationships with industry professionals is key to success as a Christian author. I know it has been for me. You never know how someone will inspire, encourage, or positively affect your career.