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.

When We Write Willingly and Watch the Flow of Creativity Follow

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT.

Recently, I wrote about a tough time I had with a story. When I finally went to God about it—I stress finally because I would have avoided a whole lot of pain if I’d gone to him before I even started. I ended up tossing that completed manuscript.

What Does Passionate about Your Writing Mean?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The writing community is filled with people who are passionate about creating manuscripts that brighten and satisfy a reader’s life. Writers, whose hearts and minds are focused on their calling, have passion for every step in the literary process. These writers are determined to have their work read and appreciated and are unhindered by laboring hours over their craft.

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.

20 Things I've Never Done as a Writer … Or Have I?

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

There are lots of posts in cyberworld, of things you've done or never done. I decided to play with that. 

1. Killed a character: I've never killed one. I don't write suspense. Don't get me wrong, I've put a couple in jail, but no real bloodshed.

2. Gotten a 1-star review: I've had a few, not too many. I know fiction is 100% subjective, and there's no counting for taste. I'll stop there without any snarky remarks (although I have plenty in my arsenal). 

The Importance of Taking Time to Refocus My life as a Writer and a Christ-follower

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. (Psalm 51:16 HCSB)

I don’t know about you, but I’m a doer. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to help myself. And while I have made some improvement over the years, unless I’m really focused, I’m going to judge my day, my progress, even my worth, on the things I’ve accomplished.

I know in my head that a check mark by everything on my to do list isn’t synonymous for how good I’m doing. Unfortunately, I just can’t seem to get my feelings to switch over to this way of thinking. This unhealthy outlook permeates every part of my life, especially spiritually. I keep acting like I can win God’s favor by doing more. 

There was a time in my writing life when I was working seven days a week. I was writing blogs, publishing articles, writing and submitting manuscripts to be turned into books, etc. I was a busy bee for God's kingdom. But my busyness had changed my focus of being with God to doing things for God. Inevitably that kind of pace and focus ended with me in a pile of exhaustion and chaos. 

Using God’s Blueprint to Face the Jericho Battles in Our Writing Lives

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As I mentioned many of us are newly home from recent conferences like the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, the Well, and Write to Publish. Today I’d like to amplify my post Coming off a Writing High is a Great Time for Soul Care with something God showed me after I published that post.

The other morning I was reminded of a truth from a friend (thank you Beth Vogt). We all encounter what she calls Jericho seasons—in life and in writing.