What Writers Can Learn from the FIFA World Cup About Success and Perseverance

From Edie: What can writers learn from the FIFA World Cup? Discover why perseverance, faithfulness, and showing up matter more than guaranteed success.

What Writers Can Learn from the FIFA World Cup About Success and Perseverance

By Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’ve watched more soccer in the last month than I have in my entire life. 

Y’all. 

I know very little about soccer. 

I mean, I know the gist of it. I know you can’t touch the ball with your hands, unless you’re the goalie. I know there are two forty-five-minute halves. I know that for some bizarre reason, no one but the referees really know when the game ends because of the way they manage the stoppage time. And I know that offsides is bad, but I have no idea why. 

I also know that I don’t have to watch the whole game. If I have it on, when everyone starts yelling, I need to look up and I’ll get to see someone score. Or … not. Usually not. 

How Writers Can Stay Productive During Summer Without Burnout

From Edie: Lynn Blackburn shares practical summer writing strategies to help writers stay productive, avoid burnout, and make steady progress even during busy, distraction-filled summer schedules.

How Writers Can Stay Productive During Summer Without Burnout

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Summer lied to you. 

Don’t feel bad. It lied to me too. 

Every spring, as I hang on through the chaos of baseball season and deadlines, summer tells me that all the time in the world awaits. Summer seduces me with visions of long, lazy days where I rise before the kids, sip my coffee, and pound out 1000 words before the heat of the day reaches my back deck. Summer tells me I will be so productive that I’ll definitely be able to finish my book before the leaves fall.

Dear Reader, summer lies. 

Spring, Revisions, and the Writing Process: Why Editing Makes Your Book Stronger

From Edie: Spring brings fresh starts—even in writing. Discover why revisions are essential, how editing strengthens your story and characters, and how to embrace the process to create a better book.

Spring, Revisions, and the Writing Process: Why Editing Makes Your Book Stronger

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

It's Spring. 

I don’t know what that means where you are, but in the South? It means we could easily have all four seasons in one day. It means you can plant stuff before Tax Day, but only if you’re willing to watch them die a painful, frostbitten death. And it means that the pollen will, again, do its level best to end me. Y’all…the yellow dust is everywhere!

The weather can be gorgeous, but you don’t dare sit outside to enjoy it because if you do, you’ll basically be breathing in so much pollen that your lungs will go on strike! 

When You Realize You Have a Backlist: An Author’s Honest Confession

From Edie: What does it really mean to have a backlist? One author reflects on publishing 15 books, wrestling with imposter syndrome, and discovering that a growing backlist is less about arrival—and more about God’s faithfulness.

When You Realize You Have a Backlist: An Author’s Honest Confession

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I released a book this week. 

When you count my Love Inspired Suspense novels (2), my novellas (4), and my trade-length books (9), Last to Fall is Book #15. 

And I realize this may sound obvious, but it just occurred to me that I have a backlist! 

Start Small in the New Year: A Grace-Filled Way for Writers to Rebuild Momentum

From Edie: Feeling discouraged after a hard writing year? Learn why starting small is a grace-filled, faith-centered way for writers to rebuild momentum, joy, and confidence in the new year.

Start Small in the New Year: A Grace-Filled Way for Writers to Rebuild Momentum

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

This time of year, my social media feeds are full of big change energy, and I don’t hate it. It’s good to take time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to be different in the new year. 

For some people, the new year feels fresh and exciting and full of opportunities. 2025 was good to them and they’re riding the wave into 2026. 

But…if you're limping into January those posts can feel... heavy.

Writing on a Holiday Deadline: A Hilarious “Twelve Days of an Author’s Christmas” for Writers Everywhere

From Edie: Laugh your way through the chaos of holiday deadlines with this humorous “Twelve Days of an Author’s Christmas.” A relatable, festive take on the writing life, this post offers encouragement, camaraderie, and comic relief for every writer racing to finish a manuscript in December.

Writing on a Holiday Deadline: A Hilarious “Twelve Days of an Author’s Christmas” for Writers Everywhere

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

In a perfect world, my looming deadline wouldn't be looming it at all. It would be sitting out there on February 1st and not bothering me because I would be confident that my book will be complete by then.

Friends, this may come as a shock, but we don't live in a perfect world.

While all around me people are making things merry and bright, I'm over here in my pajama pants, trying to get through the season with unwashed hair and a coffee-induced hand tremor harmonizing with my twitching eyelids.

It is in this state of obvious mental, physical, and emotional disarray that I bring to you the Twelve Days of an Author’s Christmas—Deadline Edition.

Why Every Writer Needs a Creative Hobby (And How It Protects Your Writing Life)

From Edie: Discover why creative hobbies outside of writing help prevent burnout, spark fresh ideas, and sustain long-term creativity. Learn how play, rest, and non-writing pursuits can strengthen your writing life and keep your imagination thriving.

Why Every Writer Needs a Creative Hobby (And How It Protects Your Writing Life)

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Y’all…I’m in my sourdough era.

I know. I know. 

I do not have time to babysit a starter or schedule my life around dough. I don’t. 

But … I do love fresh bread. 

And … I have this little quirk that means I really love learning new things. 

And … did I mention fresh bread? 

And really, having a hobby that involves entire days where you do nothing but wait for the dough to ferment? I mean, come on. That’s a rather perfect hobby for an author. Right? 

Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing Truths: Part 2 Take it Slow and Don’t Grab the Reins

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

This month, we’re continuing my 5-part series on Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. Last week we were in Zion National Park. This month, we’re in Bryce Canyon. (Links to previous posts at the bottom)

Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the world’s largest collection of hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock carved by water, ice, and gravity. The hoodoos are everywhere, and they create a landscape unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

When we arrived at Bryce Canyon, we took the Queen’s Garden trail to the Navajo Loop. The Queen’s Garden Trail takes you to the canyon floor, and while it is the less steep route down, it still requires some careful walking in order to maintain control. 

There were several areas where we had to lean back as we walked, take short steps, and keep our eyes focused on the trail. When we reached the bottom, we walked around a bit before joining the Navajo Loop trail for the hike back to the top. And that’s when the fun really began. Because the Navajo Loop is mostly steep switchbacks that keep going … and going … and going…

Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing Truths: Part 1 The Brutal Beginning

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

A few weeks ago, I found myself at the base of the first real hike of our Mighty 5 adventure. The West Rim Trail leading to Scout Lookout.

Y’all…

I don’t know who the sadistic creature was who thought, “Oh, this hike is so horrible, we should make sure the trail is here so lots of people can suffer the same way we did,” but someone did. And it turns out that so many people want to suffer this way, they have had to create a durable trail. I was shocked by how much of it is paved! 

The trail starts off innocuously enough. A nice little path by the river that makes the unwary hiker think, “how hard can it be?” as you take the first few steps. But it’s not long before you encounter the first set of switchbacks and start to rethink all your life choices. This is not fun. This…is…gasp…not…gasp…cool at all. But, hey, I signed up for this. Right? 

Onward! 

My New Favorite Writing Book: Delve, Pivot, Propel by Steven James

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Delve, Pivot, Propel by Steven James is now in my Top 5 craft books that I recommend to writers. 

Fun fact: Story Trumps Structure by Steven James is my #1. So, clearly, I’m a fan of Steven James’s storytelling approach. 

I could probably begin and end this post by saying, “Buy it, read it, mark it up, highlight it, put sticky tabs on the things you most resonate with, refer back often.” And, this would be the shortest post in The Write Conversation history! 

But I’ll give you more to go on than that! 

Writing and Allergy Season: Unexpected Similarities and How to Survive

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Spring in the South is a special kind of blessing—and trial. One day you're admiring the azaleas in full bloom, and the next you're waging war against the yellow dust coating everything you own. You want to go outside, but if you do, all that pollen will be coating your lungs. 

It’s simultaneously beautiful and glorious and frustrating and annoying! 

Isn’t that also true of our writing lives? 

Breath Prayers for Writers

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

You’d think, as writers, that we would have all the words.

But, as writers, we know better than anyone that sometimes words are hard. 

We might struggle to find the words for any number of reasons. 

We don’t live life in a vacuum, so the impact of family dynamics, busy schedules, illness, fatigue, work challenges…even the weather can twist us into knots and make it difficult to settle our brain so we can create. 

And let’s not forget all the things that can stress us out about our writing. Deadlines, revisions, submissions, reviews…on any given day, our mind can run off the rails and into a spiral of anxiety and fear that can cripple our creative spirit. 

The Value of a Writing Retreat

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Ten years ago, in 2015, I went on my first-ever solo writing retreat. (You can read about it here, Is a Writing Retreat Right for You!) 

My first book hadn’t come out yet, my children were still very young, and taking time away to write was still a novel concept. 

Fast forward to 2025 and how things have changed! My children are significantly more self-sufficient, my writing career has grown in ways I never dared to dream, and taking time away to write has gone from being a rare treat to a crucial part of my process. 

A Happy New Year Task for Writers

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Today, I have a brief challenge for you. 

If you haven’t already done this, would you consider taking a few minutes to consecrate your 2025 writing life to God? 

According to the dictionary, consecrate means “to make or declare sacred.” Another word we might use in place of consecrate is dedicate, which means “to set apart for a definite use.” 

So why would we do this? 

10 Reasons for Writers to Be Grateful

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Writers are weird. We know this. We embrace this. 

So why should we be surprised that a writer’s take on gratitude would be anything…normal? 

Today, I present to you some of the things I’m jotting down this month as I focus on gratitude. I like to keep my gratitude journal entries short and sweet, but for you, I’ll elaborate…just a little! 

How We Use Weather in Our Writing

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

A personal note from Lynn: Please continue to pray for all those impacted by Hurricane Helene. My brain can’t process the devastation, and my heart is broken for all who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. 

***

For the past few days, the weather has been front and center in my life. Hurricane Helene and her aftermath have influenced every decision I’ve made, from what I’ve purchased at the store to how I’ve spent my time to how I’ve prayed. 

A few of my friends have mentioned how they fully expect some of the things that have happened to wind up in future books. And they’re probably right! 

As I’ve considered this, I started thinking about how we use weather in our writing.

Practical Tips to Help a Writer Move Forward with Confidence

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Ah, September, when summer is fading and school is in swing again. 

Do you remember the delight of a new school year? Or did the new school year fill you with dread? 

I loved learning. I was good at it and the prospect of learning new material made me happy. But I know it wasn’t like that for everyone. For some, school was a chore at best and a nightmare at worst. Some students couldn’t wait for the day to end so they could escape the constant pressure and sense of failure that they experienced on a regular basis. 

How Do You Write a Book?

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Sometimes this question is asked by someone who simply cannot get their mind around it. Sometimes it comes from someone who writes and is curious about my process. 

Sometimes, the person asking the question is me! *I forget every time!*

I’m always looking for the best way to answer this, for myself and for others. And this summer, I found a new way to describe the process in an unexpected place.

As a Writer, I Can Trust

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Hudson Taylor served as a missionary in China in the mid-late 1800s. There’s a quote attributed to him that I love.

When I cannot read,

When I cannot think,

When I cannot even pray

I can trust. 

Y’all…

Do you ever feel this way? Like there’s so much life coming at you that you don’t have time to do anything? That you can’t even think, much less read or pray? 

Time Management for the Christian Author

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’ve had the opportunity to teach a “time management for busy writers” class a few times over the past six weeks. 

Now, if you happen to know me personally, you might find the idea of me teaching this class to be laughable. My sister asked me to let her know anytime I would be presenting this material so she could stay far, far away…in order to avoid lightning strikes! 

And it’s true that if you’ve spent time around me while I’m on a deadline, you could conclude that time management isn’t my strongest characteristic. In fact, you might even say that I need to take a class on this subject rather than teaching it.