Writing Conference Checklist Part 3: How to Maximize Your Return from a Writers Conference

From Edie: Lilka Raphael shares a plan for returning home from your writers conference. Learn how to evaluate feedback, follow up with industry professionals, and turn conference insights into writing success.

Writing Conference Checklist Part 3: How to Maximize Your Return from a Writers Conference

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

With conference season well underway, appointments have been made, chapters submitted, and classes scrutinized like stocks on the Nasdaq. Yet many authors fail to do the things after a conference that significantly increase their return on time and money invested. Here are three tips to make the most of your experience when you return home.

What Writers Should Do After a Writing Conference: 6 Steps for Long-Term Writing Success

From Edie: Julie Lavender shares what writers should do after a writing conference, from following up with editors and agents to organizing notes, building connections, and creating a plan for long-term writing success.

What Writers Should Do After a Writing Conference: 6 Steps for Long-Term Writing Success

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

The 50th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference certainly lived up to the year-long, celebrated anticipation shared on social media and in newsletters and emails. If you took part in the Blue Ridge gathering or another recent writing conference, either virtually or in person, ponder this question with me: 

Now that you’re back home from the big event, what’s your next step in the writing journey? 

The Difference Between Hustle and Abiding: What Writers Need Most

From Edie: Heidi McGill helps writers discover the difference between hustle and abiding, and learn why writers need God's presence more than productivity to overcome burnout, find peace, and write with purpose.

The Difference Between Hustle and Abiding: What Writers Need Most

by Heidi McGill @HeidiGrayMcGill

What a Diagnosis, a Rage, and a Surprising Peace Taught Me About Showing Up for God

I was furious with God.

The retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis came with a timeline I did not ask for and a future I could not control. I had young daughters. A full life ahead of me. And now the slow certainty that I would lose my sight, degree by degree, until it was gone.

Anger did not keep me from habit, though. Every day I opened my Bible, spent a cursory amount of time in the Word, thanked God for my blessings, petitioned Him on behalf of others, and closed with the request I knew He would not grant. I wanted my sight back.

Why Writers Should Enter Contests: 6 Lessons That Build Writing Success

From Edie: Cindy Sproles shares why writers should enter contests and how feedback, deadlines, critiques, and competition can strengthen your craft, build confidence, and support long-term writing success.

Why Writers Should Enter Contests: 6 Lessons That Build Writing Success

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Many of us have just returned from the 2026 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where we met new friends, reunited with the old, and . . . we entered contests.

I’m a firm believer in entering contests for a number of reasons, but most importantly, contests teach us to step out of our comfort zones. It’s one thing to pour into a work, but then to have it judged. Suddenly, the bravest of the brave shrink a bit. Still, contests are vital to the writer. In fact, I’d say if you are in any profession where contests are available, you should enter—they’re that important.

Why Writers Must Trust God with Their Writing Journey

From Edie: Larry Leech helps writers discover why they must trust God with their writing journey and discover how choosing trust over worry can bring peace, confidence, and direction in every season of the writing life.

Why Writers Must Trust God with Their Writing Journey

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

More than six years ago, my wife and I moved from Central Florida to Upstate South Carolina. Early on, people often asked, “How’s it going?” Now they ask, “Do you miss Florida?”

Those who know me know that’s an easy, “Yes.”

While I miss ‘home,’ I know God called us to this place for a reason. Even to this day, I will walk through our house and say out loud, “Why are we here, Lord?”

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.