TikTok As a Powerful Ministry Tool Part 2: How God is Using Writers on TikTok to Spread His Word

From Edie: See how one TikTok post about faith and redemption reached nearly 1M people. Discover why TikTok is a powerful mission field for Christian writers.

TikTok As a Powerful Ministry Tool Part 2: How God is Using Writers on TikTok to Spread His Word 

by Samantha Evans Tschritter @LoveSamEvans

Run, God, Run! 

Remember the football scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest’s teammates tell him to run with the football? He runs beyond the endzone, beyond the stadium, and just keeps going. That is what God is doing with my creative non-fiction story The Prodigal’s Son. And He’s forwarding His message through TikTok. 

TikTok As a Powerful Ministry Tool Part 1: Overcoming the Four Most Common Objections from Writers to TikTok

From Edie: Think TikTok can’t be used for ministry? @LoveSamEvans is close to convincing me! In part one of this series, discover how to overcome the 4 biggest objections writers have and see why this platform is ripe for the gospel.

TikTok As a Powerful Ministry Tool Part 1: Overcoming the Four Most Common Objections from Writers to TikTok

by Samantha Evans Tschritter @LoveSamEvans

Poor TikTok.

Did she just say, “Poor TikTok?” 

Yes, you heard me. Friends, when did TikTok become the Samaria of social media? The Ninevah of networking, as it were. “Lord, send me anywhere but there!” (And no, TikTok is not paying me for this article.)

Here are the four most common objections from writers [cough] excuses [cough] —sorry I have something in my throat—the four most common objections I’ve heard regarding posting on TikTok.

Why Real Writers Never Stop Learning: 8 Ways to Sharpen Your Craft

Edie here: Real writers never stop improving. Discover 8 practical ways to sharpen your craft, grow as an author, and stay inspired in your writing journey from Henry McLaughlin.

Why Real Writers Never Stop Learning: 8 Ways to Sharpen Your Craft

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

A while back, James Scott Bell posted a blog called Don't Ever Mail It In where he wrote about the attitude that we’ve reached a certain point in our writing where we don’t have to improve.

What struck me most is his definition of a real writer. He’s someone who honors the craft and never settles. 

In this blog, I’m going to expand on a couple of his points.

Beyond Average: Proven Strategies to Elevate Your Writing Career

From Edie: Ready to move beyond ‘average’ as a writer? This post from DiAnn Mills will help you discover 4 practical steps to elevate your career, boost book sales, and aim for bestseller status.

Beyond Average: Proven Strategies to Elevate Your Writing Career

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

While working my first job, a supervisor made a comment that has haunted me over the years. He said, “Average is the best of the worst, and the worst of the best.”

Ouch. Not where I want to be. But friends, we must start somewhere and learn how to work our way up.

Publishers have a few top-selling writers; however, they have far more who sell consistently fewer books. Average writers pay the bills, and bestsellers are the perk. Although it’s nice to be needed, many writers don’t want to be shoved into a category as . . . the best of the worst and the worst of the best.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Who Do You Trust Most with Your Writing Plans

From Edie: When plans fall apart—like a birthday dinner gone wrong—God’s better plan shines through. Writers, will you trust Him to order your publishing steps?

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Who Do You Trust Most with Your Writing Plans

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

My husband’s 75th birthday approached. After realizing—duh—that this was a monumental date on his lifeline, I decided to take him to a restaurant he had long wanted to check out. I also called the two of our children who live nearby and asked them to join us. 

The Friday before the big day I called the restaurant and asked if they accepted reservations. They told me they accepted “call aheads” for parties of 10 or more. I told them we would have 10 in our party. They asked date and time, and I told them. They said I’d have to call back on Monday.

What I Learned from My Editor: Surprising Fixes to Strengthen Any Manuscript

From Edie: Discover surprising editing tips that transformed Ane's 14th book—practical lessons to tighten prose, avoid common pitfalls, and elevate your writing.

What I Learned from My Editor: Surprising Fixes to Strengthen Any Manuscript

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

A letter from my new editor was an eye-opener. This was my 14th book being published, but I was with a new publisher. Items surprising me the most were small things, but they made my writing and my story flow better. 

Now, I find I avoid some of those problems as I write instead of afterwards, and they're becoming habit—always a good thing. 

Help Us Spread the Word: Join the Mountainside Novelist Retreat Influencer Team!

by Kate Huff & Edie Melson

Calling all authors, aspiring authors, writers—and even those who simply love the written word.

That’s all of us, right?

We’re excited to announce the Mountainside Novelist Retreat—and we’d love for YOU to be part of the team helping us spread the word! Think of it like a book launch, but instead of promoting a single story, you’ll be sharing about an event designed to change the trajectory of countless writers’ journeys.