How Writers Can Find Unexpected Opportunities Along the Writing Journey

From Edie: Discover how writers can recognize unexpected opportunities, embrace creative detours, and find joy and growth along the writing journey.

How Writers Can Find Unexpected Opportunities Along the Writing Journey

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Snacks? Check.

Extra diaper and wipes? Check.

Juice cup? Check.

Small, easy-to-lose-but-favorite toys? Check.

Stroller? Check.

My twenty-month-old grandtreasure, Danae, and I were ready for a morning adventure. 

Writing Believable Dialogue: The Art of Character Interruptions

From Edie: Sarah Sally Hamer shares how character interruptions, unfinished thoughts, and competing goals can help writers create believable dialogue that sounds like real conversation

Writing Believable Dialogue: The Art of Character Interruptions

By Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

Dialogue Isn't Tennis. It's Jazz.

I have a theory that a lot of dialogue problems begin long before the writer ever types the first line of conversation. I think they begin with the picture we carry around in our heads of what conversation actually is, because if we're being honest, most of us don't spend much time listening to people talk. We think we do. We spend our lives surrounded by conversations. We listen to our spouses, our children, our neighbors, the woman in line behind us at the grocery store who's telling her friend about some catastrophe involving a dog and a birthday cake. Conversation is everywhere. And yet, when we sit down to write it, something curious happens. We create exchanges that feel far more orderly than anything we encounter in the wild.

Self-Editing for Writers: Fact-Checking, Consistency, and the Details That Matter

From Edie: PeggySue Wells shares how writers can self-edit for accuracy and consistency by fact-checking details, verifying Scripture, and following publisher guidelines.

Self-Editing for Writers: Fact-Checking, Consistency, and the Details That Matter

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Once your manuscript is complete, there are several rounds of self-editing an author can do before sending your polished baby to beta readers, an editor, or a writing coach, and certainly before moving toward publication.

How to Turn Your Readers’ Questions into Better Blog Post Titles

From Edie: Ginny Cruz shares how to turn your readers’ questions into better blog post titles that improve search visibility, attract the right audience, and get more clicks.

How to Turn Your Readers’ Questions into Better Blog Post Titles

by Ginny Cruz

Your readers, or potential readers, regularly go online to find the answer to a persistent question. 

How do I fix ____?

Why is ____ happening?

What should I do next?

Is ____ normal?

Can I make ____ easier?

When you think about it, isn’t that why you often go online? Of course, many of us also scroll to kill time (I sure do), but we tend to click on titles that interest us because we want an answer to a question that’s in our minds. It’s similar to searching library shelves and selecting the book title that piques your interest.

Frankenstein’s Manuscript: When Too Much Writing Advice Creates a Monster

From Edie: Learn how writers can avoid creating a Frankenstein manuscript by evaluating feedback, protecting their unique voice, and knowing which writing advice to use.

Frankenstein’s Manuscript: When Too Much Writing Advice Creates a Monster

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As writers, everywhere we turn we’re told we need to seek out feedback.

Feedback is vital to help us grow. We need critique partners who will tell us when a scene isn’t working. We need editors who catch the things we’re too close to see. We need beta readers, contest judges, mentors, agents, and trusted writing friends who can help us grow.

But there’s another side to feedback and advice—a danger no one talks about quite as often.

You Can’t Be Chosen If You Never Submit: Taking Chances as a Writer

From Edie: Tim Suddeth reminds us that writers can’t be chosen if they never submit. Discover why taking chances, risking rejection, and redefining success are essential to the writing life.

You Can’t Be Chosen If You Never Submit: Taking Chances as a Writer

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

“I never win anything.” (Cue the violinist.)

Don’t we hear, and say, that a lot. It’s often an automatic response when we win a raffle or a contest. Or really anything. It’s part false humility and part not wanting to hurt others.

And for writers, isn’t that what we think as we enter our works into contests? I never win but I’ll send it in anyway.

Or worse, we think, “I never win, so why bother?” And we don’t send it in.

How to Write a Protagonist Readers Will Care About

From Edie: A.C. Williams shares how to write a protagonist readers care about by creating relatable characters who connect emotionally and keep readers invested in the story.

How to Write a Protagonist Readers Will Care About

by A.C. Williams @ACW_Williams

What is your favorite novel?

It’s not a trick question, and there isn’t a wrong answer (unless your answer is that you don’t read!). It’s a challenging question, though. With so many novels to choose from, how can you possibly pick one that is your favorite? 

Finding Peace When the Writing Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: The Fruit of the Spirit in Publishing

From Edie: Lynn Blackburn shares how Christian writers can find peace when the writing life doesn’t go as planned by trusting God rather than publishing outcomes.

Finding Peace When the Writing Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: The Fruit of the Spirit in Publishing

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Fruit Under Pressure—Deadlines, reviews, comparison, the silence after you hit send. We’re on month three of a nine-month exploration of what it looks like to live out the fruit of the Spirit as we navigate the pressure system of publishing.

This month we’re talking about Peace.

The ABCs of Social Media for Writers: 26 Tips for Building an Authentic Online Presence

From Edie: Discover 26 practical social media tips for writers to build an authentic online presence, grow reader relationships, and navigate today’s changing platforms.

The ABCs of Social Media for Writers: 26 Tips for Building an Authentic Online Presence

By Edie Melson

Social media doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does keep changing.

Some of the strategies we relied on just a few years ago aren't nearly as effective today. Algorithms change, platforms add new features, and now paid options like Meta One are changing how some of us think about things like links and reach.

But here's the good news: the foundation of social media hasn't changed nearly as much as the technology. It's still about people.

So instead of chasing every new trick, trend, and algorithm change, let's go back to the alphabet and look at the ABCs of social media for writers today.

How Authors Can Build a Reader Community on Facebook Without Constant Self-Promotion

From Edie: Heidi McGill shares how authors can build a thriving Facebook reader community through genuine conversations, meaningful connections, and less self-promotion.

How Authors Can Build a Reader Community on Facebook Without Constant Self-Promotion

by Heidi Gray McGill @HeidiGrayMcGill

My husband left early this morning on our vacation for a boat dive, so I carried my laptop out to our balcony in Curaçao to write. The second-story balcony faces west over the ocean, where a warm breeze drifts in off the water and the waves roll in below me. Birds call from the tops of trees beside me, and a short distance offshore, a crew of local fishermen work on the day's catch.

I planned to write for an hour, but the scene on the water kept pulling my attention away from the screen.

Show, Don’t Tell: How What Your Character Notices Reveals Emotion

From Edie: Ane Mulligan shares how the details your POV character notices can reveal emotions, strengthen point of view, and help you show, not tell, in your fiction.

Show, Don’t Tell: How What Your Character Notices Reveals Emotion

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

You really can teach an old dog new tricks—or in this case, an old author. I’ve picked up a new tip recently that I think is one of the best I’ve learned in a while. 

It’s showing what my POV character notices, because that shows emotion or state of mind. Gleaned from Writers In the Storm blog, a frightened character notices the shadows in a room, its corners where danger could hide. A happy person would notice the sun streaming through the window, and the butterfly on a meadowsweet bush outside that window.

How Culture Shapes Character Point of View: 10 Things Fiction Writers Need to Know

From Edie: DiAnn Mills shares 10 ways culture shapes character point of view, influences decisions and emotions, and helps fiction writers create authentic characters and stronger stories.

How Culture Shapes Character Point of View: 10 Things Fiction Writers Need to Know

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Culture is one of the factors in choosing point of view, but the technique seldom receives the attention it deserves. Point of view can be confusing for the writer because the topic involves more than one concept.

Culture is defined as the accepted practices, arts, religion, social hierarchy, government, medicine, and pride of a people group that form attitudes and behavior. Imagine the differences in actions and opinions among people familiar to you. Consider tossing culture into the mix. 

How to Show, Not Tell: Using Character Actions to Bring Your Fiction to Life

From Edie: Zena Dell Lowe shares how to show, not tell by using character actions and visual imagery to reveal emotions, strengthen fiction, and engage readers.

How to Show, Not Tell: Using Character Actions to Bring Your Fiction to Life

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

How to Get the Story Out of the Character's Head and Onto the Page

If you're a novelist, you're accustomed to filtering everything through your character's thoughts. Every detail—the world, the events, the emotional beats—comes to the audience filtered through the character's mind. It's their perspective that shapes the narrative.

In screenwriting, however, there's no such luxury. A screenplay doesn't allow you to tell the audience what a character is thinking or feeling. Instead, everything must be shown through action, behavior, and visual imagery.

How Christian Writers Can Handle Criticism with Wisdom and Discernment

From Edie: Henry McLaughlin shares how Christian writers can handle criticism with wisdom, discern valuable feedback, and use it to strengthen their writing.

How Christian Writers Can Handle Criticism with Wisdom and Discernment
by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

Proverbs for Writers:

Proverbs 25:12 (NLT): To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

Sometimes, it’s interesting to read other translations to get a fuller flavor of the verse.

From the CEV: Listening to good advice is worth much more than jewelry made of gold.

From the CSB: A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.

From the MSG: The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, And a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

I think all of us have heard in our writing careers that we need to develop a thick skin to handle criticism and rejection. And this is true. To a certain extent. If we want to succeed as writers, we can’t let harsh criticism or bad reviews or rejection by an agent or publisher throw us off course.

Meta One and Facebook Link Restrictions: What Writers Need to Know

From Edie: Confused about Meta One and Facebook's new link restrictions? Learn what writers need to know, who may be affected, and smart ways to share links without paying for a subscription.

Meta One and Facebook Link Restrictions: What Writers Need to Know

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Here we go again.

If you've spent any time on Facebook recently, you may have seen posts warning about Meta One and the possibility that Facebook is becoming a "pay-to-play" platform.

Unfortunately, this one isn’t a hoax. There’s actually some truth behind this current change. But there is NO reason to panic!

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. 

When Should Writers Start a Newsletter? Why You Should Begin Before You’re Published

From Edie: Kate Huff shares why writers should start a newsletter before publication and how building reader relationships early can grow an engaged audience for future books.

When Should Writers Start a Newsletter? Why You Should Begin Before You’re Published

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

“I don’t have a book yet.” 

“What would I talk about?” 

“Why would anyone sign up for my newsletter?” 

These are all things I’ve heard on my journey to become a newsletter guru. I’ve heard every excuse in the book! (Pun intended!) And my answer remains the same. Yes, you do need a newsletter before you’re published. 100% yes. I say that as a pre-published author myself!

Why Book Reviews Matter: 10 Reasons Every Reader Should Leave a Review

From Edie: Tammy Karasek reminds us why book reviews matter and how leaving a simple review can support authors, guide other readers, and help great books reach a wider audience.

Why Book Reviews Matter: 10 Reasons Every Reader Should Leave a Review

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Writers often talk about book reviews and how to get them. Today, I’m taking a step back and offering up some of the reasons why we all need to leave those book reviews. There are many reasons, but below are a few to help you see why your review of a book for an author is necessary. They’re not in any particular order of importance—they’re all important!

Instagram for Authors: A Beginner’s Guide to Banners, Bios, Links, Stories, and Highlights

From Edie: Samantha Tschritter shares Instagram basics for authors with this beginner-friendly guide to creating banners, improving bios, adding links, and using Stories and Highlights.

Instagram for Authors: A Beginner’s Guide to Banners, Bios, Links, Stories, and Highlights

by Samantha Tschritter @SETschritter

For this tutorial, I am writing to someone who is unfamiliar with both Canva and Instagram. Some of these steps might seem silly to you, but there is zero point to writing a tutorial that does not tutor everyone. 

3 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Self-Publishing My First Book

From Edie: Miriah Taverna shares three important lessons one author wishes she’d known before self-publishing her first book, from editing and timelines to marketing after launch.

3 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Self-Publishing My First Book

by Miriah Taverna

This blog post could honestly be its own book! What I wish I knew? That’s a good question. The list is extensive because when I first decided to write a book, I didn’t really think about the “publishing” side of things. All I knew was that God had put it on my heart to write a book, and so I was going to write one.

I realize now that the writing part is step one of many.