Celebrate Your Writing Progress Even When Life Isn’t Perfect

From Edie: Feeling stuck or behind in your writing journey? Discover why celebrating your progress—even when life and writing aren’t perfect—can renew motivation, strengthen your faith, and keep you moving forward.

Celebrate Your Writing Progress Even When Life Isn’t Perfect

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

“Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.” -Annette Funicello (1942-2013), actress & singer

Cue the Confetti!

I like Dove chocolates, specifically milk chocolates. (My apologies to any dark chocolate lovers out there.) I enjoy removing the foil wrappers from the chocolates and reading the short encouraging messages written on the inside as I savor my sweet indulgence.

How to Keep Writing When Life Gets Busy: 3 Practical Tips for Writers

From Edie: Struggling to find time to write when life gets busy? Discover three practical tips to help writers stay focused, write consistently, and keep moving forward despite distractions and daily demands.

How to Keep Writing When Life Gets Busy: 3 Practical Tips for Writers

By Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

“A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” E. B. White

To birth anything of substance requires work. And birthing anything extraordinary requires even more. The hours spent writing and rewriting are countless. Then there are edits that never end. Pursuing agents and publishers can take on a life of its own. However, one of the biggest hurdles writers face is finding time to write. In my own life, it seems that just when I’m making great headway, obstacles arise and pull me off course.

Where to Find Public Domain Hymn Lyrics for Devotions, Blogs, and Articles

From Edie: Looking for public domain hymn lyrics to include in your devotions, blog posts, or articles? Discover three helpful websites where Christian writers can find classic hymn lyrics, music, and background details.

Where to Find Public Domain Hymn Lyrics for Devotions, Blogs, and Articles

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

I recently worked on a devotional writing assignment that requested hymn lyrics as a final point in the devotion. At first, I struggled to find some of the lines I needed to fit my devotion topic and theme. Once I found an example I thought was perfect, I had to dive deeper in my research to determine if the hymn’s words were listed as public domain. 

I found a couple of helpful websites that you might enjoy adding to your resource list. Check them out—you might find exactly what you need to add some pizazz to your next blog post, article, or devotion. 

How to Become a Mentally Strong Writer: 7 Practices That Build Resilience

From Edie: Writing can be rewarding—but criticism, rejection, and self-doubt are part of the journey. Discover seven practical and faith-centered practices that help writers build resilience and stay mentally strong.

How to Become a Mentally Strong Writer: 7 Practices That Build Resilience

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Pursuing the craft of writing as a calling—or even as a career—can be an incredibly rewarding path through life. Few things compare to the joy of shaping ideas into words and watching those words touch someone else’s heart.

But writing can also be incredibly difficult.

When Writing Advice Conflicts: How Writers Can Discern What to Change

From Edie: Receiving different advice from agents, editors, and mentors can be confusing. Learn how writers can discern which feedback to apply, protect their voice, and strengthen their manuscript without losing the heart of the story.

When Writing Advice Conflicts: How Writers Can Discern What to Change

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

A real advantage of attending a writing conference is that you are able to put yourself in front of professionals from well-seasoned published authors to agents, editors, and publishers. A conference will allow you to take advantage of paid critiques, mentoring, and coaching, even contests. These are all things that help the aspiring writer…but.

I always hated the “but” when my momma complimented my efforts. “But” can prove a bit daunting if you don’t understand how to discern the writing advice you receive.

3 Simple Self-Care Habits Every Writer Needs

From Edie: Writers spend hours sitting and staring at screens, which can take a toll on the body. Discover three simple self-care habits—hydration, movement, and protecting your eyes—that help writers stay healthy and productive.

3 Simple Self-Care Habits Every Writer Needs

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

I absolutely love this time of year. Love it. Love it. Love it.

Conference season is underway. My mom has a birthday this month. So does a niece. I do as well. And spring finally … finally … arrives.

On the flip side, I am painfully reminded that I’m not as young as I used to be. Grrr. Aching joints. Diminishing eyesight. Inability to consume 4,000 calories a day. Sure, laugh. It’s true. And sad. At least for me.

I can’t eat six heaping plates of food at a buffet-style restaurant. Or order two meals off a menu. Yup. Did that in my twenties. Server scoffed and said they didn’t believe I would eat both meals. Yup. I did. 

If God Called You to Write, Stop Waiting and Start Writing

From Edie: If God has called you to write, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Discover why taking action—rather than sitting still—is the first step to faithfully sharing the words God has given you.

If God Called You to Write, Stop Waiting and Start Writing

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

I once held the position of head grader (supervisor, for all practical purposes) on third shift at a local textile mill. I had fallen into the position simply because I knew the superintendent of the entire department. To say I felt inadequate to hold the position is an understatement, but my friend assured me I could handle it. 

The person I replaced was being promoted to supervisor on second shift. So, I hung around with him at night as he taught me the ins and outs of the job. All the employees in that one department had been there longer than I had, even though I had worked in other departments of the mill. Still, they knew more than I did, which intimidated me even more.