Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Memories Can Inspire Our Writing

From Edie: Eva Marie Everson shares how memories sparked by songs, photos, and everyday moments can inspire creativity and help Christian writers find God at the heart of their stories.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Memories Can Inspire Our Writing

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I was sixteen. I drove a 1965 white-with-red interior Mustang. Three in the floor. Air conditioning. 

And an 8-track tape player. 

A classmate had invited me to a party being held at his home out in the country. Please understand; I grew up in Small Town America. An honest-to-goodness one-traffic-light metropolis. Everyone pretty much knew everyone . . . and their business. So when I say the house was in the country, it means everyone knew where the house was. 

More importantly, my father knew. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: What Words We Leave Behind

From Edie: Eva Marie Everson share how simple invitation to church changed two lives forever. Discover how God can use your words of faith to leave an eternal legacy you may never see.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: What Words We Leave Behind

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I want to tell you a story.

I grew up in church. My parents did as well. So, hearing about Jesus from an early age is part of my story. Sunday school. Church. Wednesday nights and VBS. These were all a part of my childhood.

Back in the late 1950s/early 1960s, the wives and mothers in my little hometown joined “Circles.” These were faith-based social gatherings complete with finger sandwiches, sweet tea, coffee, cake, and devotions. My mother hosted many in our home and I, being such the precocious child, often regaled the ladies with recitations from the Bible. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Critique Groups Can Shape Writers as Christians

From Edie: Eva Marie Everson reminds us how a great critique group does more than improve your writing. Discover how Christian writers find community, encouragement, and lasting friendships.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Critique Groups Can Shape Writers as Christians

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Sometimes a critique group offers more than mere critiques.

As you may know, I’m the CEO of Word Weavers International, an world-wide organization dedicated to providing a forum for Christian writers to critique one another's work so as to improve craft. I am personally a member of both a traditional group (face-to-face) and an online group (using Zoom).

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Theme Gives Christian Fiction Its Power

From Edie: Eva Marie Everson shares how theme gives Christian fiction its emotional and spiritual power—and discover practical ways to weave truth, purpose, and faith naturally into your storytelling.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Theme Gives Christian Fiction Its Power

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

You’ve heard it time and again, that question prospective agents and/or editors ask. Namely, what is the theme of your work?

Perhaps you are unsure what theme, in literary terms, is. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: The Pain & The Glory of an Author's New Book

From Edie: Join Eva Marie Everson and discover why writing progress can feel painful—and why it’s worth it. From drafting to editing, learn how growth, perseverance, and faith shape better books and stronger writers. And don't miss her newest book, Miss Beth Bettencourt. I'm in love with it in some many ways!

Dipping the Quill Deeper: The Pain & The Glory of an Author's New Book

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I attended the Pinnacle Christian Writers Conference this past weekend as a faculty member. Part of that role was to take part of a Q&A panel. For a stretch of time, I sat on stage with Christian literary greats James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, DiAnn Mills, and Chris Fabry (how did I get there?).

One of the questions asked by the audience made me smile.

Is progress as a writer painful?

Dipping the Quill Deeper; Finding Writing Inspiration in Life & Scripture

From Edie: Discover how one writer’s story idea developed over 40 years and what it teaches about trusting God’s timing, creative process, and patience in writing and publishing.

Dipping the Quill Deeper; Finding Writing Inspiration in Life & Scripture

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

A single Dear Abby letter. One that told a story of a woman who woke up in the dead of night to the sound of a man snoring in the bed next to her.

Problem was, she wasn’t married and he was a stranger.

This was forty years ago, which was about 10 years before I began my career as a professional writer. But I distinctly remember reading this article and saying, “That would make a great novel premise.”

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Honoring Elders by Preserving Their Stories and Legacy

From Edie: Honor the “living libraries” in your life by listening well and preserving their stories. Discover how recording family history captures wisdom, faith, and legacy—before precious memories are lost.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Honoring Elders by Preserving Their Stories and Legacy

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders (1 Peter 5:5).

I received a call from my 95-year-old uncle, the oldest and only surviving brother of my mother. He had questions about my immediate family. Dates of marriages. Dates of births. Dates of deaths. “And how do you spell . . .”

“Uncle Jerry,” I shouted into the phone so my nearly deaf uncle could hear. “What in the world are you doing?”

“I’m working on the history of our family,” he told me.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Emmanuel

From Edie: A reflective Christmas meditation on Emmanuel—God with us—exploring presence, family, storytelling, and how writers can create with the assurance that we never write alone.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Emmanuel

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23 KJV). 

My daughter and her husband gave the name “Emmanuel” as the middle name to their second son.

Just today, I put Christmas music on in my car as I drove their oldest and myself to see a theater presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life (the first time I’ve ever seen it on the big screen!). As we traveled along the highway toward the venue, a stirring version of Veni, Veni Emmanuel began. Knowing that my grandson is currently studying Latin, I asked him if he knew what “Veni” means.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: One Mile / Six Hundred Words at a Time

From Edie: Discover how a simple walking routine led to a powerful writing lesson about consistency. In this inspiring reflection, Eva Marie Everson shows how small, steady steps—one mile or six hundred words at a time—can transform both your fitness and your writing life, leading to real progress and finished pages.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: One Mile / Six Hundred Words at a Time

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Several months ago, I met two of my out-of-state cousins who were in town for lunch. For reference, allow me to tell you a couple of things about us:

1. We, the three of us, are about the same age.
2. They are both stunning.

As it often happens during luncheons or dinners with those we love, someone (not me) said to the server, “Will you take a photo of us, please?” 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Refocusing on the Good and Choosing Peace and Perspective for the Writing Life

From Edie: Eva helps us discover how writers can refocus on what is good, find peace in chaos, and restore perspective through rest, faith, and intentional creativity.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Refocusing on the Good and Choosing Peace and Perspective for the Writing Life

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil 4:8 NIV).

Last Friday, a man was killed . . . and the whole world saw it.

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.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Draining to Dry

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Henri Nouwen was born in the Netherlands in 1932. His father was a lawyer, his mother a bookkeeper. In 1957, at the age of 25, the Catholic church ordained him as a priest. Throughout his ministry, he used psychology as a means of exploring the human side of faith, which he felt was overlooked. He struggled with his own humanity but stayed true to his vows to the Church and to God. 

During his lifetime and ministry, Nouwen wrote nearly 40 books and hundreds of articles. When we read his work today, one cannot help but feel the deep love of Nouwen toward Jesus and Jesus's deep love toward Nouwen.

Toward us. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Humble Beginnings (Part 5)

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Over the past few months, we’ve looked at stories of “humble beginnings,” specifically the stories behind the phenomenal success of Jerry B. Jenkins (The Left Behind series), the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, and the reading of a book titled When Choice Becomes God, which led a young, pregnant, unwed woman to choose life for her unborn child. 

This leads us to the final story, one that begins in 1858 Boston.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Humble Beginnings (Part 4)

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Years ago, an agent within our industry—who at one time was a senior editor within this same industry—told a story that stuck with me.

I’d like to share it with you now.

In the late 1980s, Harvest House Publishers bestselling author, F. LaGard Smith, proposed a book on the topic of abortion . . . as much of a touchy subject then as it is now. Both the senior editor and the senior marketing guy told the authorthat the book was doomed to fail, but . . . being that the author was LaGard . . . they decided to take a chance on it.

As suspected, the book “tanked.”

Meanwhile, Somewhere in New York City

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Humble Beginnings (Part 3)

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

In looking at stories of “humble beginnings,” such as those I have shared over the past two months, I came across this inspiring tale.

The year was 1939. November to be exact—and the Christmas season was joyously coming in. Inspired by all he saw, a writer named Philip Van Doren wrote a short story titled “The Greatest Gift,” which he then tried to sell to publishers.

Sadly, no one was interested. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Humbler Beginnings (Part 2)

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I sort of slipped into this industry. I suppose one could say I saw an open door and I walked through it. That much would be true. But really, I slipped in through the back door.

In the late 1990s I belonged to a megachurch in the Orlando area. Every weekend, seven services. Every weekend lots and lots of people. There were ministries and small groups for nearly everyone imaginable, including ballroom dancing and sign language. About this time, I joined the drama ministry. We met every Tuesday night and were directed by a New York actor named Tim (last name withheld). Tim was brilliant. And fun. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the group, which often performed sketches for the services. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Humble Beginnings (Part 1)

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

Thanks in part to The Chosen—a groundbreaking historical seven-season drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of those who knew Him—viewers have put faces on the names of Jesus’ disciples and followers. For example, I can hardly read the Book of Revelation without imagining George H. Xanthis as John, standing in the presence of so much mystery and wonder. When I read the Book of Matthew, I picture Paras Patel jotting notes in his “book.” When I read the story of Mary Magdeline, I imagine the lovely Elizabeth Tabish. And, naturally, I cannot ever hear the name “St. Peter” without thinking of Shahar Isaac. In many ways, The Chosen has reminded us that the men and women we read about in the Bible were real, flesh-and-blood people. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Returning to Your Olive Trees

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I met Miriam Feinberg Vamosh in 2002 when, as a journalist, I went to Israel for the first time. Miriam is a renowned author and tour guide, as well as an expert in archeology and heritage. Within my ten days there, she became my dear friend. 

In 2006, Miriam and I were contracted by Thomas Nelson to write a type of tour book/coffee table book on Israel—two women—one Jewish, one Christian—“walking” the land together. The book, Reflections of God’s Holy Land, which was a blessing to research and write, earned an ECPA silver medallion as well as several other awards. 

Dipping the Quill Deeper: A Special Reading

by Eva Marie Everson @Everson_Author

I can’t help it; this time of year, my mind slips back to my childhood, to Christmas tunes playing on Mother’s stereo—Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams—the tinsel on our tree dripping from branches like fine strands of lace, the chilly, inviting air outside, the counting down the days until Jolly Ole Saint Nick finally came. Seems to me that for so many years, my baby brother and I wore what we called “footy pajamas.” I can still hear the sound they made as our feet slapped against the hardwood floors of our home. Pitty-pat, pitty-pat, pitty-pat . . .

Dipping the Quill Deeper: Writers Finishing the Work God Has Given Us

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

I said I wasn’t going to do it. But then I did it. Then I stopped doing it. And I said I wasn’t going to do it again. But then I did it again. Once again, I stopped doing it. Lo and behold, when the opportunity came up, I decided to do it again.

What am I speaking about?

Getting my bachelor’s degree in biblical exposition.