8 Writing Lessons Every Writer Can Learn from The Wizard of Oz

From Edie: Discover 8 writing lessons from The Wizard of Oz that can help writers overcome fear, grow their craft, find community, and navigate the writing journey.

8 Writing Lessons Every Writer Can Learn from The Wizard of Oz

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I’ve grew up watching The Wizard of Oz on TV. It was always a huge event and we'd make an evening of watching it. So I have a lot of memories tied up in that movie. There’s just something about that yellow brick road, a pair of sparkly shoes, and a group of unlikely friends headed toward a destination they’re convinced will solve all their problems.

And if you think about it, that scenario sounds a lot like the writing life.

How Writers Can Embrace Life Changes and Turn Them Into Stories

From Edie: Ane Mulligan shares how writers can embrace life changes, find inspiration in new beginnings, and turn unexpected experiences into meaningful stories and creative opportunities.

How Writers Can Embrace Life Changes and Turn Them Into Stories

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

In 2020, the world faced a dramatic life change—forced distancing resulting in many closed businesses. We had to stop socializing; a hard thing for humans who were created for fellowship. Don't even get me started on extroverts—forced isolation found many standing at windows, starved for the sight of another human. Some were found huddled in a corner, whimpering through 2020 and into 2021. 

Why Writers Need Community: How Finding Your People Strengthens Your Writing Journey

From Edie: Rachel Britton shares why writers need community and how finding your people can overcome isolation, build lasting connections, spark creativity, and strengthen your writing journey. On a special note, I'm super excited to have Rachel here as a guest poster. She's the director of the reNew Writing Retreat. This is a wonderful event and I'm excited that I'll be there this year. Whether I go or not, this is one of the events I always recommend to writers, so be sure to take a look at the reNew Writing Retreat website!

Why Writers Need Community: How Finding Your People Strengthens Your Writing Journey

by Rachel Britton @RachelJBritton

Writing is inherently a solitary endeavor. We sit alone in our creative spaces, staring at a flashing cursor, wrestling with words, and trying to capture the stories and messages burning in our hearts. We try to convince ourselves that because the craft happens in solitude, the writer must thrive there, too.

But that is a beautiful misconception.

How to Improve Your Novel’s Pacing and Keep Readers Turning Pages

From Edie: Zena Dell Lowe helps writers learn how to improve your novel’s pacing, create stronger story momentum, avoid slow scenes, and keep readers engaged and turning pages until the end.

How to Improve Your Novel’s Pacing and Keep Readers Turning Pages

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

Writing a novel is like running a marathon. It’s not just about starting strong. You have to maintain momentum all the way to the finish line. That can be difficult when you’re trying to sustain a 70,000–85,000 word story. It’s easy to get bogged down in the middle. Characters start drifting. The story seems to lose the energy it had at the beginning. 

How Christian Writers Can Identify Their Ideal Reader and Write with Purpose

From Edie: Miriah Taverna shares how Christian writers can identify their ideal reader, clarify their message, connect more deeply with their audience, and write with greater purpose.

How Christian Writers Can Identify Their Ideal Reader and Write with Purpose

by Miriah Taverna

In 2015, I knew I wanted to write a book “someday.” 

In 2018, I wrote these words on an index card and hung it on my desk. 

“Write the book so that other girls can know the redemptive love and power of Jesus Christ.” 

What to Do After a Writers Conference: 7 Essential Follow-Up Steps for Writers

From Edie: Susan U. Neal helps writers discover what to do after a writers conference with seven essential follow-up steps to build connections, pursue opportunities, and move your writing career forward.

What to Do After a Writers Conference: 7 Essential Follow-Up Steps for Writers

by Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga

The Conference Is Over...Now What?

Have you attended a Christian writers conference this year? If so, you've invested a significant amount of time, money, and effort into growing your writing career. But once the conference ends, the real work begins.

Did you follow up on the opportunities God placed in front of you? If not, you may be missing some of the greatest benefits of attending. It's been estimated that as many as 80 percent of writers who are asked by an editor, agent, or publisher to submit additional material after a writers conference never follow through. Don’t be part of that statistic. 

When God Stretches Your Pen: Trusting His Call Beyond Your Writing Comfort Zone

From Edie: Kennita Williams reminds us that when God calls you beyond your writing comfort zone, we must learn how to move past fear and insecurity, trust His purpose, and write with faithful obedience.

When God Stretches Your Pen: Trusting His Call Beyond Your Writing Comfort Zone

by Kennita (Kay) Williams

“Enlarge the place of your tent… do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” — Isaiah 54:2 (NIV)

Stretching is not comfortable.

If we are honest, most of us spend our lives trying to avoid it.

We like routines that feel familiar. We enjoy assignments we know we can accomplish. We gravitate toward the places where we feel competent and confident. But God has a way of interrupting our comfort with one simple invitation:

Stretch.