How Writers and Communicators Can Discover Their Calling Through Life's Unexpected Seasons

From Edie: Wondering if your story matters? Discover how God uses ordinary experiences, unexpected seasons, and personal testimony to reveal your calling.

How Writers and Communicators Can Discover Their Calling Through Life's Unexpected Seasons

by Kennita (Kay) Williams

Twenty-eight years ago, I married my husband, Nick.

One month later, I packed my bags, said goodbye to family and everything familiar, and boarded a plane to England on Air Force orders.

I was young, newly married, and far from home.

At the time, I had no idea that experience would become part of the story God would later use to reveal my calling.

The Writer's Greatest Superpower: How to Build Resilience and Keep Writing

From Edie: Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes shares how faith, resilience, and perseverance can help writers overcome discouragement, rejection, and the desire to quit.

The Writer's Greatest Superpower: How to Build Resilience and Keep Writing

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767 

Many writers dream of the perfect writing retreat. For me, I often fantasize about writing at a quaint beach house by the cerulean-blue Caribbean Sea. I imagine days spent with gentle ocean breezes, bright fragrant flowers perfuming the air, my notebook filled with brilliant ideas, and uninterrupted hours to create. In my mind, writing is as peaceful as watching the sun set over the foamy rippling waves.

Reality, however, often looks a lot different from this idyllic scenario.

Author Newsletter Legal Requirements: What Every Writer Needs to Know About CAN-SPAM Compliance

From Edie: Kate Huff shares the CAN-SPAM requirements every author should know, including email list permissions, unsubscribe rules, and newsletter compliance best practices.

Author Newsletter Legal Requirements: What Every Writer Needs to Know About CAN-SPAM Compliance

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

Most authors don't start writing because they love marketing. In fact, if you're anything like me, the business side of being an author came as a bit of a surprise. There's always a new list of things to learn, tools to try, and rules to follow.

Here's what I've found to be true: you don't have to do it all, and you don't have to know it all. What matters is finding people you trust in the lanes that aren't yours—and listening to them.

How Writers Can Keep the Right Perspective During a Difficult Writing Journey

From Edie: Martin Wiles knows writers face setbacks, disappointments, and unexpected challenges. He shares how the right perspective can help you stay encouraged and trust God.

How Writers Can Keep the Right Perspective During a Difficult Writing Journey

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

The storm rolled through during the night, but my wife and I had slept like babies. When I got up the next morning, I found water on the living room floor. I followed the puddle around the corner and discovered the front two bedrooms were soaked as well. 

How Can Writers Handle Daily Distractions and Stay Focused on Writing?

From Edie: Beth Vogt knows distractions are inevitable, but she also knows they don't have to derail your writing. Discover five practical ways writers can stay focused and productive.

How Can Writers Handle Daily Distractions and Stay Focused on Writing?

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Every morning I share prayer requests via text with a close writing friend. It’s such an encouraging way to start our day, as simple as asking, “How can I pray for you today?”

Earlier this week, we had the same prayer request: We wanted no distractions as we focused on writing. 

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?