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.

How Writers Can Restart Their Writing Routine After a Creative Lull

From Edie: Has life interrupted your writing routine? Discover practical, encouraging ways writers can overcome creative burnout, rebuild momentum, and rediscover joy in writing again.

How Writers Can Restart Their Writing Routine After a Creative Lull

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Life happens.

Even to writers.

There are seasons when writing flows naturally and we can’t wait to get back to the page. Ideas come easily and words cooperate. During those times creativity feels alive.

And then there are other seasons.

How Writers Can Rediscover Creative Joy with a Joy Journal

From Edie: Feeling creatively exhausted? Discover how a joy journal can help writers reduce burnout, reconnect with inspiration, and rediscover the creative joy that fuels meaningful writing.

How Writers Can Rediscover Creative Joy with a Joy Journal

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

The writing life can be exhausting.

Not just physically exhausting, but emotionally and creatively exhausting too.

A few years ago, many of us walked through the upheaval of Covid. Then came recovery from Covid. And after that? A lot of us made the same mistake: we assumed life had returned to normal, so we tried to make up for lost time.

How Writers and Creatives Can Handle Social Media Criticism with Wisdom

From Edie: Discover practical and faith-centered strategies for handling social media criticism with wisdom, grace, and confidence—without losing your peace, purpose, or voice online.

How Writers and Creatives Can Handle Social Media Criticism with Wisdom

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

If we spend any amount of time online, criticism is inevitable. It doesn’t matter whether we’re writers, speakers, ministry leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, or simply someone trying to encourage others online. Social media has made it easier than ever for people to misunderstand us, disagree with us publicly, or deliberately target us.

And in 2026, the pressure feels even heavier.