Why Your Story Feels Flat: The Difference Between Emotional and External Conflict

From Edie: Zena Dell Lowe shares insights into why your story may feel flat. Learn the difference between emotional and external conflict and discover how to write fiction that grips readers from beginning to end.

Why Your Story Feels Flat: The Difference Between Emotional and External Conflict

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

Writers know they need conflict. They understand instinctively that scenes require tension, pressure, obstacles, and stakes. But instead of allowing the conflict to emerge naturally from the emotional and relational dynamics already present in the story, they often manufacture external problems that are far less compelling than the conflict they’re avoiding. 

Why Writing in Faith Can Be Our Place of Greatest Victory

From Edie: Lori Hatcher helps writers discover how writing in faith helps Christian writers persevere through ordinary days, trust God's timing, and find lasting victory in faithful obedience.

Why Writing in Faith Can Be Our Place of Greatest Victory

by Lori Hatcher

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

My husband, David, and I were walking across a grassy baseball field one sunny afternoon when he pointed to a huge nest sitting atop one of the light poles that ringed the field. High above the nest soared two red-tailed hawks. 

As we watched, a third hawk climbed to the edge of the nest and leaped. It flapped its wings, caught an updraft, and gracefully rose to join the others. 

Is It Ever Too Late to Become a Writer? Why Your Best Writing May Still Be Ahead

From Edie: Henry McLaughlin reminds writers it's never too late to become a writer. Discover why age is an advantage, how to pursue your writing dreams, and trust God's timing for your story.

Is It Ever Too Late to Become a Writer? Why Your Best Writing May Still Be Ahead

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

My writing career began in my early forties when I had the brilliant idea I could write a novel. I’ve been a reader all my life. I think I was born reading a Batman comic book. I remember thinking, how hard could writing be? You just put one word after another, right?

So, I dabbled, as I call it, for about 10 years. I rewrote the first chapter probably 15 times. 

How to Find Courage as a Writer: Overcoming Fear and Moving Forward

From Edie: DiAnn Mills shares how to find courage as a writer by overcoming fear, rejection, self-doubt, and perfectionism while trusting God to move your writing forward.

How to Find Courage as a Writer: Overcoming Fear and Moving Forward

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

When we consider careers that require courage, we think of first responders, soldiers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and others. We forget writers need courage to step out alone in a highly critical and competitive world. 

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” Dorothy Bernard

Every word on the page is a risk with the potential of rejection and failure. Do we have the courage to face the obstacles threatening our way? Sometimes the biggest roadblock is us.

The courage factor is a prerequisite for all successful writers.

How Writers Can Reset Their Writing Life Before the Busy Fall Season

From Edie: Feeling overwhelmed as fall approaches? Discover practical and faith-filled ways writers can reset their writing life, refocus on God's calling, and prepare for a productive season ahead.

How Writers Can Reset Their Writing Life Before the Busy Fall Season

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

If you’re anything like me, July doesn’t feel like the middle of a relaxing summer anymore. When I was a kid, I felt like summer had stretched on forever and back to school was still weeks away. I don’t know if the rhythm of life was different back then or my memories have been fuzzy over the years. I suspect it’s a combination of both. 

Either way, July looks and feels very different now. Back-to-school aisles populate every store. Even more ridiculous is the amount of Halloween displays are already up. I feel like the summer I had to breathe and get ready for the busy fall season has evaporated. Now I’m stressed, rushed, and resentful. Not really a good combination. 

Instead of enjoying what's left of summer, I find myself feeling rushed, stressed, and even a little resentful that another busy season seems to be racing toward me.

How to Write Email Subject Lines That Get Opened: A Guide for Authors

From Edie: Kate Huff shares how to write email subject lines that authors can use to increase open rates. Discover proven formulas, real examples, and simple tips to create subject lines readers can't resist opening.

How to Write Email Subject Lines That Get Opened: A Guide for Authors

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

You have half a second to convince someone to open your email. That's it. The good news is that learning to write email subject lines that actually get opened isn't about being a marketing genius. It's about sounding like a friend, not a salesperson.

Think about your own inbox. Do you open every email that slides in? Is there one that causes you to open it quicker than the others?

How to Reset Your Writing Routine When You're Overwhelmed

From Edie: Tammy Karasek helps when a writer feels overwhelmed by deadlines and too many writing projects. She shares practical ways to reset your writing routine, regain focus, reduce stress, and write with renewed purpose and joy.

How to Reset Your Writing Routine When You're Overwhelmed

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

My summer writing schedule hasn’t gone as I planned back in early Spring. Maybe you can relate. What I thought would be a calm, laid back time of writing has turned into a cross one task off the list and add three new items—many projects and with near simultaneous due dates. 

What’s a writer to do?