Dipping the Quill Deeper: The Pain & The Glory of an Author's New Book

From Edie: Join Eva Marie Everson and discover why writing progress can feel painful—and why it’s worth it. From drafting to editing, learn how growth, perseverance, and faith shape better books and stronger writers. And don't miss her newest book, Miss Beth Bettencourt. I'm in love with it in some many ways!

Dipping the Quill Deeper: The Pain & The Glory of an Author's New Book

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I attended the Pinnacle Christian Writers Conference this past weekend as a faculty member. Part of that role was to take part of a Q&A panel. For a stretch of time, I sat on stage with Christian literary greats James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, DiAnn Mills, and Chris Fabry (how did I get there?).

One of the questions asked by the audience made me smile.

Is progress as a writer painful?

Pleasing God vs. Pleasing People: How Christian Writers Can Share Truth in a Changing Culture

From Edie: Heidi Gray McGill helps us wrestle with the question of whether we're writing to please God or people? Discover how Christian writers can share biblical truth with clarity and conviction while reaching readers in a changing culture without compromise.

Pleasing God vs. Pleasing People: How Christian Writers Can Share Truth in a Changing Culture

by Heidi Gray McGill 

I remember sitting in our American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Charlotte meeting via Zoom, notebook open, expecting to walk away with a few helpful writing tips. Cindy Sproles always brings something thoughtful and practical, so I was ready to learn. What I heard that day stayed with me in a way I did not expect.

She shared research from the Barna Group about church attendance. In the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, the overwhelming majority of school-aged children attended church or Sunday school. Today, that reality has nearly reversed, with many children growing up having never stepped inside a church. For some, the only context they have for God’s name is hearing it used carelessly.

Before You Speak or Write: How to Hear God Clearly and Communicate from Overflow

From Edie: Great insight from Kennita Williams about our attitude Before we speak or write, learn how to hear God clearly and communicate from a place of overflow. Discover simple, faith-based steps to bring clarity, purpose, and impact to our words.

Before You Speak or Write: How to Hear God Clearly and Communicate from Overflow

by Kennita (Kay) Williams

“April showers bring May flowers.”

It’s a phrase we’ve heard for years, a reminder that what feels like inconvenience or discomfort can be preparation for something beautiful.

But what if we looked at it a little differently as communicators?

Stop Writing “Christian Stories:” How to Write Fiction with a True Christian Worldview

From Edie: Zena Dell Lowe offers insight as to why so much Christian fiction feel shallow. With her help, learn how to write stories rooted in a true Christian worldview—honest, compelling, and aligned with biblical truth without being preachy.

Stop Writing “Christian Stories:” How to Write Fiction with a True Christian Worldview

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

Why are so many Christian stories so bad? Not all of them. But enough of them that even Christians hesitate to recommend them. It’s not because the talent isn’t there or the stories don’t matter. It’s because we’ve misunderstood what we’re trying to make.

Somewhere along the way, people started using the term Christian as a genre label. But a Christian worldview is not a genre. It’s a lens through which reality is interpreted. Confusing the two is exactly why so much faith-based content feels preachy, shallow, emotionally dishonest… and, if we’re being honest, bad.

Is Passive Voice Always Wrong? When and How to Use Passive vs Active Voice in Writing

From Edie: Is passive voice always wrong? Lori Hatcher shares when and how to use passive vs active voice to strengthen your writing with clear, practical examples and simple guidelines.

Is Passive Voice Always Wrong? When and How to Use Passive vs Active Voice in Writing

by Lori Hatcher

One of the first lessons I learned in professional writing was to purge passive voice from my writing. “Passive voice weakens your writing,” they said. “Instead of using To Be verbs, use strong action words instead.”

Am I Writing for God or for People? Finding the Right Motivation as a Christian Writer

From Edie: Are you writing for God or for people? Discover how to realign your motivation, overcome creative struggle, and write with purpose as a Christian writer.

Am I Writing for God or for People? Finding the Right Motivation as a Christian Writer

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT.

Not too long ago, I had a tough time with a story. When I finally went to God about it—I stress finally because I would have avoided a whole lot of pain if I’d gone to him before I even started. I ended up tossing that completed manuscript.

My problems happened because I didn’t follow Colossians 3:23. I wasn’t writing for the Lord; I was writing for people. In reality, I was writing to make myself noticed. See how clever I am. See how creative I am. Aren’t these characters outstanding? Don’t these plot twists blow your mind?

How to Use Setting as an Antagonist in Your Novel: A Powerful Technique to Strengthen Plot and Character

From Edie: Learn how to use setting as an antagonist in your novel to create conflict, deepen character growth, and strengthen your plot through place, time, and culture.

How to Use Setting as an Antagonist in Your Novel: A Powerful Technique to Strengthen Plot and Character

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Is setting an important element of a novel?

Writing a novel involves weaving literary techniques together to create a powerful story. Novelists use characterization, plot, emotion, dialogue, symbolism, sensory detail, and setting to bring characters to life as they journey through the story.

Always choose an antagonistic setting. A behind-the-scenes antagonist—often the setting itself—forces the character to grow, change, and embrace strength not previously experienced. Setting influences plot by creating barriers and struggles for the characters, while also shaping mood and emotional response.