Never Doubt The Impact of a Story on Our Readers

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Do our stories have impact on our readers? Can we change a life? How do we change a life?

All of those questions are hard ones to answer. As an avid reader for my entire life, I have been impacted by more stories than I can describe. In fact, sometimes I learned a lot of amazing wisdom from a fictional story, something I applied and was the better for. It also inspired me to try to write things that might help other people with their own situations. 

8 Tips to Help Writers Break the Cycle of Procrastination

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I love writing. And I love talking about writing.

Sitting around with other writers, discussing all things literary is one of my favorite things. It’s one of the reasons I love attending writing conferences.

But there are people we know who like talking about writing so much that’s all they do. They join writers groups, critique groups, even take classes. 

The one thing they don’t do is write.

Unfortunately, this problem of avoidance can happen to any of us.

A Rich Valentine's Day for Writers

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Valentine’s Day for writers can be wonderful regardless of our marital status. Perhaps no earthly person cares about our audience and us. God cares. Jesus cares, and so does the Holy Spirit. God’s call on my life as a speaker, writer, and coach demands I care about the Trinity.

I want to be a role model not only for clients but also for loved ones at home and those with whom I come in contact.

2 Reasons Voice is Important to Writers

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:4-5 (NIV)

Throughout my years of teaching—whether at a Christian Writers Conference or a Bible study—probably the question I’ve been asked the most has been, “How do I know it’s really God speaking to me?” The answer is at once very simple and very hard. You can tell it’s God’s voice, because you recognize it. 

Five Myths & Five Facts About Screenwriting that Every Writer Should Know

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

I’m regularly approached by novelists who want to learn how to write screenplays because they’re interested in seeing their own projects made into films. There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, Hollywood loves pre-published material. However, adapting a novel into this medium may not be as easy as you think. 

The number one reason why scripts get rejected in Hollywood is because of formatting errors. Mistakes in formatting automatically signal to the powers-that-be that you’re an amateur. It tells them that you don’t know what you’re doing. Hollywood is a high-stakes, high-risk industry. If you haven’t mastered the craft, your script just got a pass.

5 Ways to Use Your Calendar to Organize Your Writing Life

by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2

We’re almost a month into 2023. Do you have a plan to stay on track, submit your work on time, and organize your writing life? If not, here are five tips that have helped me. 

Encouragement When You Don’t Think You Have What It Takes as a Writer

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

In Mark 7:30-44, Jesus feeds 5,000 with five small loaves and two fish. In Mark 8:1-10, Jesus feeds 4,000 with seven loaves.

Prior to each miracle, Jesus asked his disciples, “How much food do you have?”

Interestingly, the twelve had no food in either miracle, but they found small amounts in the crowd. Jesus took what they found and miraculously multiplied it.