Why Writing in Faith Can Be Our Place of Greatest Victory

From Edie: Lori Hatcher helps writers discover how writing in faith helps Christian writers persevere through ordinary days, trust God's timing, and find lasting victory in faithful obedience.

Why Writing in Faith Can Be Our Place of Greatest Victory

by Lori Hatcher

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

My husband, David, and I were walking across a grassy baseball field one sunny afternoon when he pointed to a huge nest sitting atop one of the light poles that ringed the field. High above the nest soared two red-tailed hawks. 

As we watched, a third hawk climbed to the edge of the nest and leaped. It flapped its wings, caught an updraft, and gracefully rose to join the others. 

Outdated Writing Habits Every Author Should Stop Using—and What to Do Instead

From Edie: Lori Hatcher helps writers answer the question, "Are outdated writing habits holding you back?" Discover modern writing, publishing, and platform practices every author should embrace today.

Outdated Writing Habits Every Author Should Stop Using—and What to Do Instead

by Lori Hatcher

I threw away a pair of shoes recently that were at least fifteen years old. My high school daughter and I had gone shopping one day, and we both liked the strappy sandals, but not enough to pay full price for them. We liked them enough not to want to leave them behind, though, so we compromised. We each contributed half of the cost and shared them.

Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs: How Writers Can Tell the Difference

From Edie: Confused by homonyms, homophones, and homographs? Lori Hatcher shares the differences, why they matter for writers, and how to use these commonly misunderstood words correctly in your writing.

Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs: How Writers Can Tell the Difference

by Lori Hatcher

I learned about homonyms in sixth grade. According to my English teacher, homonyms are words that are spelled or sound the same, but have different meanings. One of my favorite writerly T-shirts displays three homonyms in large letters on the front: THEIR, THERE, and THEY’RE.

Easy peasy, right? 

Except, in the decades since my middle school education, homonyms have apparently become more sophisticated. Now linguists identify several types of homonyms. Today I’d like to talk about homophones and homographs.

Is Passive Voice Always Wrong? When and How to Use Passive vs Active Voice in Writing

From Edie: Is passive voice always wrong? Lori Hatcher shares when and how to use passive vs active voice to strengthen your writing with clear, practical examples and simple guidelines.

Is Passive Voice Always Wrong? When and How to Use Passive vs Active Voice in Writing

by Lori Hatcher

One of the first lessons I learned in professional writing was to purge passive voice from my writing. “Passive voice weakens your writing,” they said. “Instead of using To Be verbs, use strong action words instead.”

Do Christian Writers Need a Statement of Faith? 7 Reasons It Matters for Your Writing Ministry

From Edie: Do Christian writers need a statement of faith? Discover 7 powerful reasons it matters for your writing ministry, builds trust with readers, and opens doors with publishers, ministries, and speaking opportunities.

Do Christian Writers Need a Statement of Faith? 7 Reasons It Matters for Your Writing Ministry

by Lori Hatcher

“Do you have a Statement of Faith on your website?” I sometimes ask fellow writers.

Their responses vary.

“Ummmmm, no.”

“Yes! Here’s the link: _________.”

“I’ve never really thought about it. Do I need one?”

If you don’t have a Statement of Faith on your blog or website, here are seven good reasons to add one.

10 Best Writing Tips for Christian Writers: Habits That Strengthen Your Craft and Calling

From Edie: Discover 10 practical writing tips for Christian writers to strengthen your craft, grow in discipline, and stay faithful to your calling. Build habits that lead to writing excellence.

10 Best Writing Tips for Christian Writers: Habits That Strengthen Your Craft and Calling

by Lori Hatcher

If I asked you, “What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received,” what would you say?

Today, in the spirit of collective learning, I’d like to share ten of my favorite random best practices for writing excellence. 

How Writers Conferences Change Your Writing Life: Confidence, Community, and Calling for Writers

From Edie: Discover how writers conferences can transform your writing life—building confidence, sharpening skills, and connecting you with mentors, friends, and purpose.

How Writers Conferences Change Your Writing Life: Confidence, Community, and Calling for Writers

by Lori Hatcher

How many writers do you know? 

Not because you’ve read their names on book covers, but because you know them. Because you’ve sat across the table from them, heard their stories, and learned from their teaching?

Early in my writing journey, I didn’t know anyone who wrote for publication. I’d written since I was a teenager—journals, poems, and short stories. For ten years, I’d penned a column of encouragement for our homeschool newsletter. I’d even submitted a few pieces to a local magazine. But I certainly didn’t consider myself a writer. And I didn’t know anyone else who wrote. 

How Writers Should Respond to Their Royalty Statements: Encouragement, Wisdom, and Practical Next Steps

From Edie: Learn how to respond with wisdom, gratitude, and faith when your royalty statement arrives—whether the numbers make you sigh or celebrate. This practical and encouraging guide helps writers view their sales through God’s perspective and outlines meaningful next steps for your writing journey.

How Writers Should Respond to Their Royalty Statements: Encouragement, Wisdom, and Practical Next Steps

by Lori Hatcher

You’ve opened your latest royalty statement. Are you sighing or celebrating? 

Every writer I know holds their breath when the much awaited/much dreaded royalty statement appears in their mailbox. Will it show phenomenal book sales or pitiful ones? Will we find a check with lots of zeroes or a sales report with lots of zeroes? Will our book have (finally) earned out its advance or is it selling slowly, ten books at a time?

Are Hobby Writers Real Writers? Finding Purpose and God’s Calling in Every Word You Write

From Edie: Discover why hobby writers are real writers. Learn how to embrace your God-given gift, find joy in writing, and glorify Him through every word.

Are Hobby Writers Real Writers? Finding Purpose and God’s Calling in Every Word

by Lori Hatcher

If you’re a hobbyist—if you write for personal rather than professional reasons—do you sometimes feel like a second-class writer? When writers in your critique group share publication successes or new books, do you feel like maybe you don’t belong? Have you envied those who were “called” to write or hesitated to call yourself (or think of yourself) as a real writer? Have you ever said, “I don’t need to attend a conference because I’m not seeking to be published”?

5 Helpful Questions to Help You Write Killer Titles

From Edie: Want more readers for your blog? Learn 5 helpful questions to craft killer titles that grab attention, boost SEO, and keep your audience clicking.

5 Helpful Questions to Help You Write Killer Titles

by Lori Hatcher

You’ve poured your time, energy, and passion into an online article or blog post. Now you want people to read it. Sadly, many brilliantly written and helpful pieces go unread for one simple reason—their title falls flat. Writing a compelling title requires both creativity and craft.

10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use)

From Edie: Discover 10 quirky, fun English words writers love. From bumfuzzle to snollygoster, enrich your vocabulary and boost creativity with playful word choices.

10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use)

by Lori Hatcher

How many hours do writers invest in finding just the right word? We agonize over implied meaning, swap synonyms and antonyms, and study every nuance. Use just the right word and our sentence will soar. Use the wrong word, and it will bellyflop. 

Thankfully, the English language gives us a plethora of words to choose from. Approximately one million, if you include scientific names and chemical entities.

Just for fun, I went on a treasure hunt for quirky writerly words to keep on hand for the day our creativity crashes. I hope you enjoy my collection and will add your favorites in the comments.

Writer Beware! Don’t Make King David’s Fatal Mistake

by Lori Hatcher

I’ve learned many lessons from King David, the “man after God’s own heart,” but one in particular applies well to my writing life. 

Picture the scene: God has protected David from Saul, his maniacal predecessor; instated him as king over all twelve tribes of Israel; and blessed him with material and military success. His heart overflows with gratitude toward God for the way He has led him from his father’s sheepfolds to the king’s palace.

God’s been so good to me, I imagine David thinking. I want to do something to express my love for Him. Hey, what about the ark? It’s been sitting in Kiriath-jearim for decades. It should be here with me, in Jerusalem, not stuck aside in some guy’s house.

Three Questions Writers Can Ask When Feeling Overwhelmed or Confused

by Lori Hatcher

What should I write today? An article? A blog post? Or maybe a chapter in my WIP?

Maybe I should edit what I’ve already written and polish it for publication.

Should I attend a writers conference this year? If so, which one?

Or maybe I should spend my time and money on an online course or hire a coach.

This fascinating/frustrating/joyful/discouraging/exhilarating/maddening writing world has more arms than an octopus and more routes than Google maps. When we consider the myriad of possibilities, we can become paralyzed by indecision. These feelings cloud our judgment and steal our ability to work efficiently. Like a tornado victim after a storm, we scan the 360 of our writing lives and struggle to figure out where to begin.

How to Earn Money and Add to Your Writing Resume

by Lori Hatcher

Are you a new writer seeking to add credits to your writer’s resume? Would you like to earn extra cash to support all the paper, ink, and sticky notes you’ve been buying since you got serious about writing? Maybe you’d like to expand your reach and impact new audiences with your knowledge, insight, and passion?

Ten years ago, I was on a summer sabbatical from the Christian magazine I edited and wanted to use my time to find new places of publication for my devotions and Christian living articles.

4 Best Writerly Games for Fun and Enrichment

by Lori Hatcher

Do you ever take writing so seriously that you forget to have fun?

I see those hands. And one of them is attached to my arm.

Deadlines, edits, critiques, and marketing. Word count, AI, and brainstorming. Piled in heaps around my computer sit half-finished projects, idea lists, unanswered emails, and unwritten thank you notes. Sometimes the work of writing squeezes out all the fun.

This should not be!

How about, for a few minutes, we set aside our work and have some fun? Below is a list of writerly wordly games my fellow writers and I enjoy. My family likes them too. (I’m hoping at least one of them will become a writer.) I’ve included Amazon links for more information, but don’t forget to check Thrift stores for a bargain.

Sell More Books with These 5 Simple Book Table Elements

by Lori Hatcher

As speaker/writers, we have a fabulous opportunity to supplement our writing income by selling books at speaking engagements. With a few strategic elements, you can create a book table that’s both beautiful and lucrative.

5 Elements of an Effective (and lucrative) Book Table

To Capitalize or Not to Capitalize: Exploring the Deity Pronoun Question

by Lori Hatcher

Early in my publishing career, I noticed that some writers capitalized deity pronouns (pronouns referring to God) and some did not. Why? Which is correct? Should He and other pronouns be capitalized when referring to God? Let’s explore the question today.

How Editing in Layers Can Make Good Writing Great

by Lori Hatcher

In the 1970’s, inspired by a magazine spread she’d seen, my mother committed an atrocity. She painted my grandmother’s antique maple bedroom furniture white with gold trim. 

Let’s pause for a moment while I compose myself. The memory still hurts my heart.

Years later, I inherited the furniture and set about to restore it to its former beauty.

4 Tips for Going the Distance in Writing (and in Marriage)

by Lori Hatcher

Forty years ago today, I walked down the aisle with a bouquet of bridal shower bows practicing for my wedding. My soon-to-be husband, David, standing at the altar, grinned so big his eyes turned into tiny slits. With the naivete of youth and the faith of children, we were twenty-four hours away from committing our lives to each other forever.

In sickness and in health (yep). In poverty and in wealth (still waiting on the wealth part). Forsaking all others (yes and amen). ‘Til death do us part.

So far, so good.

Occasionally younger friends will ask us what’s the secret to staying married. It occurred to me today that some of the advice we share applies to the writing life, too. 

5 Random Writing Tips to Make Your Writing Life More Efficient

by Lori Hatcher

Wouldn’t you love to write more efficiently? 

I would. 

Frankly, I’d like to do all of life more efficiently. Have you ever clicked on a social media post promising “10 Kitchen Tips to Save Time”? Twenty minutes later, you’re mourning the fact that you wasted those twenty minutes reading that article. Other times, you actually learn something. (Who knew you could use toothpaste to clean your foggy headlights?)