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. 

How Christian Writers Can Identify Their Ideal Reader and Write with Purpose

From Edie: Miriah Taverna shares how Christian writers can identify their ideal reader, clarify their message, connect more deeply with their audience, and write with greater purpose.

How Christian Writers Can Identify Their Ideal Reader and Write with Purpose

by Miriah Taverna

In 2015, I knew I wanted to write a book “someday.” 

In 2018, I wrote these words on an index card and hung it on my desk. 

“Write the book so that other girls can know the redemptive love and power of Jesus Christ.” 

What to Do After a Writers Conference: 7 Essential Follow-Up Steps for Writers

From Edie: Susan U. Neal helps writers discover what to do after a writers conference with seven essential follow-up steps to build connections, pursue opportunities, and move your writing career forward.

What to Do After a Writers Conference: 7 Essential Follow-Up Steps for Writers

by Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga

The Conference Is Over...Now What?

Have you attended a Christian writers conference this year? If so, you've invested a significant amount of time, money, and effort into growing your writing career. But once the conference ends, the real work begins.

Did you follow up on the opportunities God placed in front of you? If not, you may be missing some of the greatest benefits of attending. It's been estimated that as many as 80 percent of writers who are asked by an editor, agent, or publisher to submit additional material after a writers conference never follow through. Don’t be part of that statistic. 

When God Stretches Your Pen: Trusting His Call Beyond Your Writing Comfort Zone

From Edie: Kennita Williams reminds us that when God calls you beyond your writing comfort zone, we must learn how to move past fear and insecurity, trust His purpose, and write with faithful obedience.

When God Stretches Your Pen: Trusting His Call Beyond Your Writing Comfort Zone

by Kennita (Kay) Williams

“Enlarge the place of your tent… do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” — Isaiah 54:2 (NIV)

Stretching is not comfortable.

If we are honest, most of us spend our lives trying to avoid it.

We like routines that feel familiar. We enjoy assignments we know we can accomplish. We gravitate toward the places where we feel competent and confident. But God has a way of interrupting our comfort with one simple invitation:

Stretch.

When Publishing Goes Wrong: 4 Ways Writers Can Recover and Move Forward

From Edie: Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes reminds us that when publishing goes wrong, setbacks don’t have to derail you. Discover four ways writers can recover, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward.

When Publishing Goes Wrong: 4 Ways Writers Can Recover and Move Forward

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

When the Fish Boiled: Lessons in Grace, Recovery, and the Unexpected Challenges of Publishing

Early in my teaching career, my classroom became the talk of the private school where I worked. I was a young teacher, full of enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to bring learning to life. My class was a place where students explored, discovered, and experienced the wonder of the world around them.

I had a spider aquarium, a turtle, and a thriving fish aquarium. My students grew corn, potatoes, and tomatoes. We didn’t just talk about science; we lived it. My classroom became a hands-on learning environment where curiosity was encouraged, and students were excited to walk through the door each morning.

How to Create a Welcome Email Automation for Your Author Newsletter

From Edie: Kate Huff shares how to create a welcome email automation for your author newsletter that engages new subscribers, builds trust, and turns readers into buyers.

How to Create a Welcome Email Automation for Your Author Newsletter

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

You did it. You got your email platform set up. Congrats, that's a big task to check off the list.

Now it's time to grow your subscribers. And that's where a welcome automation comes in.

When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

From Edie: Tammy Karasek knows how it feels to be discouraged by writing rejection and/or others’ success. She helps writers find encouragement to trust God’s timing, overcome comparison, and keep writing.

When Will It Be My Turn? Encouragement for Writers Waiting for a Yes

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writing conferences are happening all over the country, and there have been many so far. With all of them, we’re hearing about the successes of our fellow writers. While we listen to the contest finalists announced, friends are being asked to send in proposals to various agents or acquisition editors, many of us may pause and wonder—when will it be my turn? We listen to their exciting announcements as we may receive rejections. Or worse, no response at all. 

YouTube for Writers, Part 12: Collaboration—Exploring this New Feature and What It Means for Writers & Influencers

From Edie: Samantha Tschritter gives us four practical ways writers can collaborate on YouTube, grow their reach, share audiences, and build a stronger Christian writing community.

YouTube for Writers, Part 12: Collaboration—Exploring this New Feature and What iI Means for Writers & Influencers

by Samantha Tschritter @SETschritter

Well, I guess collaboration is this week’s theme. In case you missed it, here’s the link for the Your Best Writing Life podcast in which Linda Goldfarb and S. E. Tschritter discuss different methods of collaboration across various social media platforms.

Throughout this last year, once a month, I’ve given tips, tricks, and insights on how to maximize your Youtube presence. This is the twelfth and final installment in this series, and I LOVE the idea of ending the series with the concept of collaboration. 

How to Write More Concisely: Why Fewer Words Make Your Writing Stronger

From Edie: Lilka Raphael shares how to write more concisely by cutting unnecessary words, strengthening scenes, building tension, and keeping readers engaged from beginning to end.

How to Write More Concisely: Why Fewer Words Make Your Writing Stronger

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out. ~Mark Twain

As authors, our mission is to convey a message or make a point that is clearly understood. In theory, the more words that we write should provide additional insight to the reader. However, in an era of shorter attention spans and micro messages, we are often most effective when we are prudent with our words. To catch and maintain our readers’ attention, more isn’t always better. The knack of maximizing influence through deliberate and concise word choices is a skill suited for writers of any genre.

When God Surprises Writers with Unexpected Opportunities

From Edie: Julie Lavender shares how God can surprise writers with unexpected opportunities, even while other doors remain closed, and why trusting His timing matters.

When God Surprises Writers with Unexpected Opportunities

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

“Whatcha writing about now,” my mom questioned after we completed her errands. Somehow, even with actively-progressing macular degeneration, my sweet, 86-year-old mom manages to read everything I write.

So much so that she scolded me the other day because I failed to tell her about a 250-word blurb I’d contributed to a much-longer piece in Guideposts Magazine. To her dismay (or should I say mine?), her Sunday School classmate’s friend’s brother who used to live in our hometown saw it first and dared to call the sister who called the friend who called my mom’s Sunday School classmate.

When Writers Feel Overlooked: Why Faithfulness Matters More Than Recognition

From Edie: Heidi McGill helps writers discover why faithfulness matters more than recognition, rankings, followers, or success—and what God truly values.

When Writers Feel Overlooked: Why Faithfulness Matters More Than Recognition

by Heidi Gray McGill @HeidiGrayMcGill

Your metrics do not impress God. He is looking at something else entirely.

I am a connector. It is not on the spiritual gifts list, but it is mine as surely as any gift I can name. In the business world, I delegated, spotting where people shone and matched them to work that fit. In the author world, I am both the boss and the employee, so delegation is mostly off the table. But connecting? That I can still do.

Finished Your First Draft? What Writers Should Do After “The End”

From Edie: Cindy Sproles shares what writers should do after “The End,” from editing and polishing your manuscript to embracing what comes next.

Finished Your First Draft? What Writers Should Do After “The End”

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

I just typed those wonderful last words—THE END. It’s been months of work. Writing, rewriting. Character development, names, and name changes. I’ve even been known to scream upon occasion when I can’t get a scene to work, or even when a scene works perfectly. Either way, once a writer hits those last six letters that turn into two huge words, folks seem to think the work is done.

When Writers Want to Quit: Don’t Punt on First Down

From Edie: From Larry Leech: When writers want to quit, perseverance matters. Discover how to push through discouragement, find clarity, and keep writing until you reach “The End.”

When Writers Want to Quit: Don’t Punt on First Down

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

Steve Martin, that wild and crazy guy, back in the 1970s uttered some famous words on an album (yeah, those things made out of vinyl) that I have never forgotten: “Punt on first down.”

Those who understand football know that is just plain old crazy talk. No team in its right mind would punt on first down. That’s just giving up without trying. Quitting without any effort.

Yeah.

Kinda like we feel sometimes while working on a project. Grab a towel and throw it in. Curl into a ball and cry until eternity. Whatever works for you.

How Writers Can Adapt to Change in the Publishing Industry

From Edie: Martin Wiles shares how writers can adapt to changes in publishing, editing, style guidelines, and AI while staying flexible, informed, and focused on their writing goals.

How Writers Can Adapt to Change in the Publishing Industry

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

Paper was my world. Plastic? Not so much. 

At fourteen, I began bagging groceries at a local grocery store. At the time, plastic bags were only someone’s dream. We used paper bags. I could pack many items in a bag if they weren’t too heavy. The bags stood up nicely when we bagboys packed them tightly. They also stacked nicely in the trunk of the customer’s car. 

How to Rediscover the Joy of Writing When You Feel Discouraged

From Edie: Beth Vogt shares encouragement for writers feeling discouraged. Discover practical ways to rediscover the joy of writing, reconnect with your why, and find the motivation to keep going.

How to Rediscover the Joy of Writing When You Feel Discouraged

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Earlier this month, I chatted with another writer, who shared a disappointment with me. A frustration. A concern.

I can hear you thinking, “Pick a word already, Beth.” 

Each of these words apply to what my writer-friend shared. What was she so disappointed, frustrated, and concerned about? 

How to Write While Traveling: 3 Strategies to Keep Your Manuscript Moving

From Edie: A.C. Williams shows us how to write while traveling with three practical strategies to protect your writing time, stay focused, and keep your manuscript moving forward.

How to Write While Traveling: 3 Strategies to Keep Your Manuscript Moving

by A.C. Williams @ACW_Author

How are your writing projects progressing this year? 

I don’t mind telling you that I’m not happy with my own. I have many friends and colleagues who tell me I expect too much from myself, and maybe that’s true. But I made a goal at the start of the year, and at the moment I’m so far behind, there isn’t much I can do to catch up. And that’s okay, obviously. We can make our plans, but the Lord directs our steps. A lot of life decided to happen for me this year, and I had to prioritize other things.