Jesus the Word of God: When Walls Stand Between Writers and Faith

From Edie: Audrey Frank shares how Jesus the Word of God meets writers beyond fear, doubt, and rejection, bringing peace, faith, and courage through every wall that stands in the way.

Jesus the Word of God: When Walls Stand Between Writers and Faith

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

This year, we are focusing on one Spiritual Practice for Writers: Going to the Word for our words. (Links to all previous posts in the series are below.)

Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)

Tending Your Story: How Writers Build a Lasting Writing Habit

From Edie: Tim Suddeth helps writers how they can build a lasting writing habit through consistency, continual learning, and patience while cultivating a sustainable and rewarding creative life.

Tending Your Story: How Writers Build a Lasting Writing Habit

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

For my last two posts, (links below) I’ve been looking at the similarities between writing and gardening. We first looked at preparing the garden plot by getting rid of the weeds of distraction and clearing out the time and space for writing. Then we looked at choosing the best seeds and plants to, er, plant. Which kernels of ideas are worthy and viable enough to be made into a lush story.

Today, I want to look at what it takes for us to successfully cultivate our garden/stories.

How Writers Can Handle Criticism Without Losing Confidence

From Edie: A.C. Williams shares how writers can handle criticism without losing confidence, process tough feedback wisely, and use critiques as opportunities for growth, improvement, and long-term success.

How Writers Can Handle Criticism Without Losing Confidence

by A.C. Williams @ACW_Author

Conference season is in full swing, and if you are like many other conference attendees, you have braved the terror of an editor or an agent and presented your manuscript for review. Maybe you even took advantage of an editorial critique. If that’s you, I’ve got a question: How’d it go?

How Writers Can Stay Productive During Summer Without Burnout

From Edie: Lynn Blackburn shares practical summer writing strategies to help writers stay productive, avoid burnout, and make steady progress even during busy, distraction-filled summer schedules.

How Writers Can Stay Productive During Summer Without Burnout

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Summer lied to you. 

Don’t feel bad. It lied to me too. 

Every spring, as I hang on through the chaos of baseball season and deadlines, summer tells me that all the time in the world awaits. Summer seduces me with visions of long, lazy days where I rise before the kids, sip my coffee, and pound out 1000 words before the heat of the day reaches my back deck. Summer tells me I will be so productive that I’ll definitely be able to finish my book before the leaves fall.

Dear Reader, summer lies. 

Why Writers Procrastinate at the Blank Page—and How to Quiet the Mental Chaos

From Edie: Sarah Sally Hamer helps us understand Why writers procrastinate at the blank page. With her help, discover the mental games, creative resistance, and practical ways writers can calm distraction and return to joyful, focused writing.

Why Writers Procrastinate at the Blank Page—and How to Quiet the Mental Chaos

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Oh the games our minds play when writers sit in from of a blank screen. 

Are you one of those lucky writers who turn on the computer and focus on the brilliant words that pour from your fingertips? Or are you more like me and the moment you sit down to write, your mind transforms into a hyperactive game show host who has just chugged three espressos and discovered the joy of chaos? You’ve set your time for writing, you have a project in mind and, all of a sudden, your fingers hover over the keyboard and your mind leaps onto an imaginary stage, confetti cannons firing, shouting, “WELCOME TO TONIGHT’S EPISODE OF ANYTHING BUT WRITING!”

The First Steps to Self-Editing Your Manuscript

From Edie: Learn how to self-edit your manuscript before sending it to an editor with practical tips for improving structure, flow, pacing, and readability in fiction or nonfiction writing.

The First Steps to Self-Editing Your Manuscript

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Hooray! You completed your manuscript. 

Congratulations, it’s time to celebrate. And then begin the next step, the self-edit before sending your polished baby to beta readers, an editor, a writing coach, and certainly before moving toward the publishing process. 

Shifting from writing to editing has been compared to changing hats. The author takes off the writer’s hat and puts on the editing hat. These are two excellent, yet different skills. Each writer has their unique style, and the best way to write and edit is what works best for the author and for the project in process. Many authors find they work most effectively and efficiently when they write first and edit second.

Why Writers Should Explore Multiple Writing Paths Before Choosing a Niche

From Edie: Discover why writers should explore multiple writing paths before choosing a niche and how experimenting with different projects can reveal strengths, skills, and creative direction.

Why Writers Should Explore Multiple Writing Paths Before Choosing a Niche

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

One of the most common questions I hear from writers is this: “What should I focus on first?”

The question usually comes after a writing conference, a mentoring appointment, or a season where several opportunities suddenly seem possible at once. Maybe an editor asked to see a devotion. Or an agent requested a nonfiction proposal. It could be that someone encouraged them to try articles. Or perhaps they’re simply overflowing with ideas and unsure which one deserves their time and energy.