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.

When Publishing Goes Wrong: 4 Ways Writers Can Recover and Move Forward

From Edie: Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes reminds us that when publishing goes wrong, setbacks don’t have to derail you. Discover four ways writers can recover, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward.

When Publishing Goes Wrong: 4 Ways Writers Can Recover and Move Forward

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

When the Fish Boiled: Lessons in Grace, Recovery, and the Unexpected Challenges of Publishing

Early in my teaching career, my classroom became the talk of the private school where I worked. I was a young teacher, full of enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to bring learning to life. My class was a place where students explored, discovered, and experienced the wonder of the world around them.

I had a spider aquarium, a turtle, and a thriving fish aquarium. My students grew corn, potatoes, and tomatoes. We didn’t just talk about science; we lived it. My classroom became a hands-on learning environment where curiosity was encouraged, and students were excited to walk through the door each morning.

How to Create a Welcome Email Automation for Your Author Newsletter

From Edie: Kate Huff shares how to create a welcome email automation for your author newsletter that engages new subscribers, builds trust, and turns readers into buyers.

How to Create a Welcome Email Automation for Your Author Newsletter

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

You did it. You got your email platform set up. Congrats, that's a big task to check off the list.

Now it's time to grow your subscribers. And that's where a welcome automation comes in.

When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

From Edie: Tammy Karasek knows how it feels to be discouraged by writing rejection and/or others’ success. She helps writers find encouragement to trust God’s timing, overcome comparison, and keep writing.

When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writing conferences are happening all over the country, and there have been many so far. With all of them, we’re hearing about the successes of our fellow writers. While we listen to the contest finalists announced, friends are being asked to send in proposals to various agents or acquisition editors, many of us may pause and wonder—when will it be my turn? We listen to their exciting announcements as we may receive rejections. Or worse, no response at all. 

YouTube for Writers, Part 12: Collaboration—Exploring this New Feature and What It Means for Writers & Influencers

From Edie: Samantha Tschritter gives us four practical ways writers can collaborate on YouTube, grow their reach, share audiences, and build a stronger Christian writing community.

YouTube for Writers, Part 12: Collaboration—Exploring this New Feature and What iI Means for Writers & Influencers

by Samantha Tschritter @SETschritter

Well, I guess collaboration is this week’s theme. In case you missed it, here’s the link for the Your Best Writing Life podcast in which Linda Goldfarb and S. E. Tschritter discuss different methods of collaboration across various social media platforms.

Throughout this last year, once a month, I’ve given tips, tricks, and insights on how to maximize your Youtube presence. This is the twelfth and final installment in this series, and I LOVE the idea of ending the series with the concept of collaboration. 

How to Write More Concisely: Why Fewer Words Make Your Writing Stronger

From Edie: Lilka Raphael shares how to write more concisely by cutting unnecessary words, strengthening scenes, building tension, and keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.

How to Write More Concisely: Why Fewer Words Make Your Writing Stronger

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out. ~Mark Twain

As authors, our mission is to convey a message or make a point that is clearly understood. In theory, the more words that we write should provide additional insight to the reader. However, in an era of shorter attention spans and micro messages, we are often most effective when we are prudent with our words. To catch and maintain our readers’ attention, more isn’t always better. The knack of maximizing influence through deliberate and concise word choices is a skill suited for writers of any genre.

When God Surprises Writers with Unexpected Opportunities

From Edie: Julie Lavender shares how God can surprise writers with unexpected opportunities, even while other doors remain closed, and why trusting His timing matters.

When God Surprises Writers with Unexpected Opportunities

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

“Whatcha writing about now,” my mom questioned after we completed her errands. Somehow, even with actively-progressing macular degeneration, my sweet, 86-year-old mom manages to read everything I write.

So much so that she scolded me the other day because I failed to tell her about a 250-word blurb I’d contributed to a much-longer piece in Guideposts Magazine. To her dismay (or should I say mine?), her Sunday School classmate’s friend’s brother who used to live in our hometown saw it first and dared to call the sister who called the friend who called my mom’s Sunday School classmate.