Why Handwritten Cards Still Matter—and Why Writers Should Send Them

From Edie: Discover why handwritten cards still matter and how writers can use their words to comfort, encourage, celebrate, and make a lasting difference.

Why Handwritten Cards Still Matter—and Why Writers Should Send Them

by Lori Hatcher

Just this week, a dear friend shared that she’d lost a life-long friend to cancer. Another said goodbye to her beloved pet. 

My heart ached for them. I texted when I first heard of their loss. Later I called to express my condolences, but the weight of their sorrow lingered in my heart. I picked up a pen, rifled through my writing closet to find an almost-buried stack of greeting cards, and chose two.

“Lord,” I prayed, “help me write something that will comfort them and remind them that they don’t have to bear their sorrow alone.”

When Writing Hurts: How to Keep Writing Through Pain and Struggle

From Edie: Henry McLaughlin shares how to keep writing when painful memories and emotional struggles surface, with practical, faith-filled ways to move forward and find healing.

When Writing Hurts: How to Keep Writing Through Pain and Struggle

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

There are times when writing is hard or at least seems harder than it should be. Ideas don’t come. Or the ideas do come, but the words to flesh them into coherency flutter away like a butterfly in a swift breeze. You reach for the words, and they’re gone.

Then an idea comes, and the words start to flow. And we freeze because the words trigger memories and the memories trigger pain. Pain we thought was healed or resolved or forgotten.

Is It Too Late to Become a Writer? Why Now Is the Time to Begin Writing

From Edie: DiAnn Mills has an answer for writers who are wondering if it’s too late to become a writer. Discover why age, fear, and self-doubt don’t have to stop you—and why now is the time to begin writing.

Is It Too Late to Become a Writer? Why Now Is the Time to Begin Writing

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you.” Beatrix Potter

Many of us feel the nudging to write, but excuses hold us back. I fell into that category until someone challenged me to begin.

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.