How Writers Should Take Advice: Knowing When to Play It Safe and When to Take Risks

From Edie: Writers receive advice from every direction. Learn how to evaluate writing advice, know when to play it safe, and when taking a creative risk matters.

How Writers Should Take Advice: Knowing When to Play It Safe and When to Take Risks

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

Can you believe the snow we just got? For my area, it was the snow of the year, the decade, the century, a long time. This is the problem with trying to share a cool local story on media that goes all over the world. This is the coldest snow I can remember. Our snow usually starts with flakes, shifts to frozen rain, and ends with slush. Not only was this type of freezing snow not normal here, I haven’t seen it in my now 65 years. (Yes, today is that day. My sweet wife says that she now has a senior.)

We messaged a friend that it was 24 degrees and an expected two to three inches of snow was on its way. He responded that where he lives in Ohio, it was negative 33 and they had ten inches of snow already on the ground.

Negative 33? Me no understand.

My friends in Florida. You will always have your falling iguanas. 

Here in South Carolina, five flakes will close our schools. Two days before a winter storm even arrives, our stores are out of milk and bread. And since COVID, toilet paper.

Here, one or two inches will shut down our roads. My niece lives in Montana, where they measure their snow in feet, and it hangs around for months. When we start talking about our snow adventures, she just shakes her head.

Being an Author Isn’t Easy—But It’s Worth It

From Edie: Being an author is harder than most people expect. Discover why the writing journey is challenging, why it still matters, and how to keep going.

Being an Author Isn’t Easy—But It’s Worth It

by A.C. Williams @ACW_Author

I dreamed of being a writer from the time I realized it was actually a potential career. I think I was in third or fourth grade. Being a writer sounded so sophisticated, so important, like it was the kind of job that mattered. But it also sounded like a great time, easy, fun.

Imagine. Writing words for a living. Creating stories as your day job. Talking about books for a paycheck. Is there any other job that sounds like more fun than that? Is there anything easier you could do with your life?

But maybe that’s just me. I started scribbling stories when I was in kindergarten. I was the kid who wrote little short stories for my teachers even when they weren’t assigned to me. I remember sitting in my second grade class room during my “free time” and writing a little adventure story about a girl trying to solve mysteries. 

Why Time to Write Feels Like a Snow Day for Writers

From Edie: Uninterrupted time to write is rare for most writers. Discover why a day to write feels like a snow day—and how to make the most of it.

Why Time to Write Feels Like a Snow Day for Writers

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Snow days are on my mind right now.

I live in the deep South, and we haven’t had a good snow in several years. This year, though, winter decided to make up for lost time. One weekend we had an ice storm—with everything shut down. The very next weekend we had seven inches of snow—with everything shut down again.

Around here, that’s practically unheard of.

When it comes to snow days, I’m just a kid at heart. All I want to do is get outside, play in the snow, and—because I’m a photographer—take tons of pictures. I love the quiet that comes with snow, the way it transforms everything familiar into something new.

Finding Inspiration to Write: How Body, Mind, and Soul Work Together

From Edie: Discover how writers find inspiration by engaging body, mind, and soul. Learn practical ways to notice ideas, spark creativity, and write with depth.

Finding Inspiration to Write: How Body, Mind, and Soul Work Together

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Willie Nelson once said, “The air’s full of melodies, you just reach out.” That line captures the essence of creativity—not just for musicians, but for writers too. Ideas are everywhere, floating around us like invisible notes waiting to be caught. The challenge isn’t whether inspiration exists; it’s how we tune ourselves—body, mind, and soul—to receive it.

Publishing Paths for Writers: Understanding Vanity Presses Before You Sign

From Edie: Vanity presses can be confusing and costly. Learn what vanity presses are, how they work, and what authors should know before signing a publishing contract.

Publishing Paths for Writers: Understanding Vanity Presses Before You Sign

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Today, authors have a variety of options when it comes to getting their book published, including traditional publishing, hybrid presses, independent publishing, vanity presses, self-publishing support services, and boutique publishing.

Hybrid publishing and vanity presses are frequently confused, yet there are significant differences between the two. All vanity presses are author-funded, but not all author-funded models are vanity presses.

Why Writers Should Take a Daily Walk to Boost Creativity and Writing Output

From Edie: Scientific studies show walking boosts creativity and productivity. Learn why writers should take a daily walk to improve focus, creativity, and writing output.

Why Writers Should Take a Daily Walk to Boost Creativity and Writing Output

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

Your writing creativity and output would benefit from a daily walk. Maybe you’re dreaming of completing a book that’s been on your heart for a while. Perhaps you need to finish that book proposal instead of procrastinating. Whatever you hope 2026 holds for your writing, don’t forget to schedule a daily walk.

Jesus the Word of God: How the Creator Shapes Our Words as Christian Writers

From Edie: Jesus is the Word and the Creator. Discover how going to Him for our words shapes Christian writers to bring light, clarity, and hope into the world.

Jesus the Word of God: How the Creator Shapes Our Words as Christian Writers

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created (John 1:1-3).

This year, we are taking the first Sunday of each month to focus on one Spiritual Practice for Christian Writers: going to the Word for our words. To read last month’s edition, click here.

Jesus is the Word. He is also the Creator. He was there in the beginning, and all creative craft comes from Him. Words were His chosen medium, and with them He created the heavens and the earth. He made them with words.

This deserves a holy pause.