Writing in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trends

From Edie: Discover 17 practical guidelines to help writers thrive in 2025—embracing AI tools, overcoming fear, and navigating today’s shifting publishing trends.

Writing in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trends

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Being a writer isn’t easy. And in 2025, the writing life seems to move faster than ever—with AI tools, shifting publishing platforms, and constant new marketing trends competing for our attention. Add all of that to the normal chaos and angst of writing, and it can feel overwhelming.

Truthfully, while there’s a lot of information out there about what writers should remember and do, not all of it is good. We can find everything from hard-and-fast rules like “A real writer writes every day” or “Write what you know.” Beyond that, we’re often inundated with esoteric quotes and lofty ideas about writing and the writer’s life.

To help sort through some of that, I’ve pulled together the guidelines I’ve found most useful on my own journey. These won’t all be yours, but maybe they’ll be a jumping-off place. Hopefully you can use them to develop your own writer guidelines.

17 Helpful Guidelines for Writers

1. Your writing isn’t as good or as bad as you think it is.

I’ve learned that I’m not always the best judge of my own work. Sometimes I can tell, but often my emotions get tangled up in what I’ve written and I lose perspective. If I remind myself of this truth, I stay grounded.

2. Never stop learning.

At a recent conference, a new writer told me they knew they were “just beginning” because they were still learning. I quickly assured them that every good writer—new or seasoned—is always learning. And today, that includes learning how to use new tools responsibly (like AI), keeping up with industry shifts, and stretching ourselves in marketing.

3. Don’t lord it over others.

Most people don’t do this on purpose, but it’s easy to slip into an “I know this and you don’t” mindset. I work hard to avoid that trap because it builds walls instead of community.

4. Give back to the community.

It saddens me when writers tell me they’ve “outgrown” a group. Feedback from others keeps us balanced. And giving back honors those who helped us along the way. That said, we should choose wisely where to give back so we’re also continuing to grow.

5. Quit marketing to other writers.

This one’s hard, but true. Writers read, but we don’t usually buy a lot of books. We’re given them, we write them. Instead, find your readers. Today, that might mean hanging out where they already gather—on TikTok’s #BookTok, in genre-specific Facebook groups, through email newsletters, or at live events.

6. Don’t force others to follow your process.

One of my least favorite statements is: “Real writers write every day.” That mindset crushed me early on. Your process is yours. The goal is consistency, not uniformity.

7. Write regularly.

This doesn’t mean daily. It means making writing a priority. For some, that looks like daily words. For others, it’s weekend writing marathons or scheduled writing sprints. Find what works and honor it.

8. Embrace critiques.

Critique is how we grow. Learning to accept it without defensiveness is one of the best investments we can make in our writing journey.

9. Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Writing is a process where we never truly “arrive.” If you only celebrate milestones, you’ll miss the joy of the daily journey—drafting, revising, and connecting with others.

10. Write for fun.

Publishing pressures can steal your joy. Regularly write something fun—whether it’s a silly short story, poetry, or journaling. It doesn’t have to be publishable to be valuable.

11. Don’t forget your why.

I write because it’s how I process life. My why isn’t about contracts or contests—it’s about being who God created me to be. When I keep that in focus, everything else falls into place.

12. Try something you’re sure you can’t do.

Stretch yourself. Last year, I experimented with podcasting—something that felt intimidating at first but turned into one of my favorite new ventures. You don’t have to do the same, but try something new. You might be surprised by the joy it brings.

13. Remain grateful.

In today’s comparison-driven, social-media-heavy world, entitlement sneaks in quickly. Gratitude is the best antidote. It keeps our hearts soft and our perspective steady.

14. Don’t expect to be the exception.

New writers often think their project will be different. But remember—it’s called an exception because it’s rare. Yes, God can (and sometimes does) make a way when we least expect it. But the outcome is always richer when we’ve done the work and learned the craft.

15. Embrace today’s tools (wisely).

We live in an era overflowing with tools designed to help writers—AI apps, grammar checkers, project planners, scheduling software, even dictation programs. Don’t ignore them out of fear, but don’t hand them the keys to your creativity either. Learn what works for you. A tool should serve your voice, not replace it. Use them to make your process smoother, but always keep your unique perspective at the center.

16. Refuse to be fearful.

Fear shows up in many disguises: fear of rejection, fear of new technology, fear of not measuring up. But fear steals creativity and joy. God hasn’t called us to write from fear—He’s called us to write from faith. When I catch myself hesitating because of fear, I remind myself of 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” Lean into courage and obedience, not fear.

17. Pray first.

I’m a believer who writes. For me, prayer is what centers me—before I scroll, before I market, and especially before I write. It realigns my heart with God’s priorities, which is where I want every word I write to come from.

Final Thoughts

These 17 guidelines continue to serve me well, even as the writing and publishing world changes around us. I’d love to hear from you—what truths have carried you through the ups and downs of your writing life lately? Share in the comments so we can keep learning together.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings, 

Edie

TWEETABLE

Writing in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trends from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God. 

She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.