Edie Melson's Blog

Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight Into Important Writing Truths Part 5: Embrace *Your* Writing Trail

From Edie: Explore how Utah’s Arches National Park and the Fiery Furnace hike reveal a vital writing truth: embrace your unique path and trust God’s timing for your journey.

Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight Into Important Writing Truths Part 5: Embrace *Your* Writing Trailby Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn
We’ve made it to our final national park in our Mighty 5 adventure in Utah - Arches National Park! This park is home to over 2000 arches and is one of the most visited parks in the US. The introvert in me was concerned that I might not like this park, but despite the large number of visitors and the fact that it was our last stop, and we were all reaching the point of “not another hike, please,” it wound up being tied for second in my personal favorites. :) 
I could go in so many different directions about what I learned about writing while in this park, but I’m going to focus on just one: 
Let’s talk about the Fiery Furnace and how it relates to our writing life. 
The Fiery Furnace is described as a natural escape room. Unlike every other place in the parks where you’re told, repeatedly, to please, for the love, stay on the trail, the Fiery Furnace is a protected area of the park where you are encouraged to explore. There are trail markers, but they’re inconspicuous. Before you’re allowed in, you must have a permit so the park rangers know you’re there, in case you get lost. Oh, and the park rangers have a chat with you about where to step because even when you’re wandering around, you don’t want to crush anything precious. And then they tell you to explore, and that when you think you’ve found a dead end, you should 100% go for it, because the dead ends are where the most fun happens. 
It sounds amazing, right?
Now, at this point, I need to be 100% transparent and tell you that I didn’t do the Fiery Furnace hike. I’m all for scrambling and hiking, and tiny spaces don’t scare me. But I have a shoulder injury that limits my ability to do any kind of massive upper-body work.
My husband and boys loved this hike! It was a highlight of the trip for them! And there is a part of me that wishes I could have done it with them.
But if I’d tried to go, it would have been a disaster. 
And this is an important concept for writers to grasp: 
There is no shame in choosing writing paths that match your current capabilities! 
While my husband and boys explored the Fiery Furnace, I visited another part of the park and hiked to a few iconic arches on my own. I had a fabulous day! I saw arches that my husband and kids didn’t see. 
Your writing life is YOUR writing life. I understand how tempting it can be to look at others and think, “I wish I could do that.” Or to think, “I’m not a real writer because I simply don’t have the capacity to do what they do.” 
But it may be that what God has in store for you is completely different from what He has in store for someone else. It doesn’t mean that what he has planned is worse or less. It is simply different! 
I distinctly remember sitting at home several years ago, watching a rewards show where a friend received a Carol award from ACFW, while I was in my pajamas, exhausted from putting my young children to bed, and wondering if it would ever be my turn. I was so happy for her! But deep down, I wondered why I wasn’t *there* yet. 
Can I whisper something to you? I’m *there* now, and *there* is exhausting! If God had given me that any earlier than He did, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. I can barely handle it now! 
And while I’m published, I’ve won awards, and I’ve had many lovely successes, there are still things that I wish I could do. A bunch of my romantic suspense friends just had a wonderful time away at a writing retreat. I looked at those pictures and was so jealous! They clearly had a blast. 
But right now, that isn’t what God has called me to. Because while I’m an author, I’m also a homeschooling mom, and my boys are in high school. The workload is intense, and I simply don’t have the flexibility in my schedule to escape for a week! 
The “I wish I could…” or “that looks like so much fun…” moments used to bother me more, but I’ve settled into the peace that comes from knowing I’m on the right trail for this time and place and for my own abilities and capacity. Maybe someday I’ll have the capacity to do more, go more, teach more, and write more. 
But right now? I’m good with doing what I can, because the trail I’m on is my own, and it is beautiful! The same will be true for you! Embrace YOUR trail and enjoy the journey!
Grace and peace,Lynn
TWEETABLEAdventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight Into Important Writing Truths Part 5: Embrace *Your* Writing Trail @LynnHBlackburn on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
I hope you’ve enjoyed our Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks writing series. :) I can’t say that I won’t pull from these parks again, and soon, because there were so many more ways I could have written these posts! :) If you missed any of them, be sure to check them out below!
Adventuring in Utah Gave Me Insight into Important Writing TruthsPART 1: THE BRUTAL BEGINNINGPART 2: TAKE IT SLOW AND DON'T GRAB THE REINSPART 3: 6 THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT WRITING AT CAPITOL REEFPART 4: CHOOSE YOUR TRAIL COMPANIONS WISELYPART 5: EMBRACE *YOUR* WRITING TRAIL
Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat, Malicious Intent, and Under Fire, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She loves writing swoon-worthy southern suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she's a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters by putting them into terrifying situations while she's sitting at home in her pajamas! She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.lynnhblackburn.com.

How to Know the Ending of Your Story from the Beginning: Using Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

From Edie: Discover how to predict your story’s ending from the first page by mastering Goal, Motivation, and Conflict—your key to stronger plots and characters.

How to Know the Ending of Your Story from the Beginning: Using Goal, Motivation, and Conflictby Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer
One of my favorite things to do when I teach a writing class is to brag a little. I love telling the eager, bright-faced, writers (newbies or oldies) that I can tell them the end of their story if they tell me the beginning. Of course, they don’t believe me but, truly, if you know the system, it’s not hard at all.
So. Tell me the beginning of your story. Tell me who your main protagonist is, the one the book is really about. Give me a couple of character traits. Then, tell me what that character wants. 
In a nutshell, that one piece of information is gold. It gives us as the instructor (me), the author (them), and the reader (you), enough information to get started. Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz) wants to save Toto – yes, for those of you who haven’t heard me and dozens of other instructors who taught me, it’s NOT that she wants to go home. She is home at the beginning. It’s not until she gets lost in Oz that she wants to go home. She wants to save Toto. Once we know that, the whole story starts to roll.
Next, I want to know WHY she wants to save Toto. The movie doesn’t really give us a lot of background, purely because it’s simple, at least for my inventive mind. She’s living with an older set of relatives, with no immediate family in sight. Surely she had a mom and dad but something bad must have happened. I believe that Toto reminds her of them. Besides, he’s the only character (and dogs are characters, as far as I’m concerned), she really connects to, at least in Kansas. So, she loves her dog and will do anything for him, including running away from the only home she really has.
Then comes the conflict. WHY NOT? Why can’t she save Toto? She tries. She begs for his life. She tells him she wants to go somewhere they can both be safe. And, as the story unfolds, she is willing to put her own life in danger to save him. 
By the way, if this sounds like Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, that’s exactly what it is. I know some folks don’t really like GMC – they think it restrains their creativity too much. That may be true. But I really think that knowing just those three items about your characters can carry you through an entire story, even if there are flying monkeys involved. 
So. These three things set up the story.1. She’s running from danger. She has to leave her “ordinary world” to save Toto’s life, since she has no control over what is happening. She’s in a reactive state of doing as she’s told and can’t change anything in her current state of “knowing.”2. She’s not able to attain her goal because she doesn’t have the knowledge and ability to get there. Learning control and to be pro-active, where she makes her own decisions is the entire middle of the book. She has to have “a brain,” which she gains with the Scarecrow, “a heart,” which is what the Tin Man teaches her, and “courage,” which she learns from the Cowardly Lion. She has to learn lessons and come to realizations of exactly what is most important in her life.3. Then, she has to make a very hard decision about what she really wants for her to triumph. 
I know how the movie ends (and I imagine you do too), so I know she’s going to follow those three “rules” to find the correct path to achieve her goal. She has conflicts, including those flying monkeys, a narcissistic Wizard and a green Witch, and even having to make the final decision as to whether home is more important than Toto, when Toto chases the cat at the end. See, she ends up with conflicting goals – Toto or home – and that choice is probably one of the hardest she ever made. It’s the right one, of course, because she ends up with both the dog and home, but she couldn’t have made that decision at the beginning.
Figuring out the ending of a story is entirely based on how it’s set up. It’s a matter of recognizing what must happen.
I found that some students didn’t agree with me on how this works. They wanted to have a different ending of their book than I suggested. And, it’s a show of strength on their part to have that kind of a discussion in a classroom full of people. Yes, I’m wrong – often more than right – but the great part of this is to simply change something in the beginning. Usually it’s something very, very small in retrospect. For instance, if Dorothy’s goal at the beginning was ONLY to go home, she really doesn’t have a story. She is home, as far as she probably has one. If what she considers home is really with her real parents, it’s an entirely different story. So, if you don’t like the ending, based on how this system works, we can tweak the beginning and still have an entire story, wrapped up in its own red ribbon.
I think that consideration of this type of planning (and, yes, I can hear the folks who don’t want to plan their books but only write them hollering!) is important to simply keep us on track. You do notice, I didn’t suggest any scenes or how chapters should end or make any great soap-box-speeches about how the book needs to go. It’s simply a compass, showing which way is North. You don’t even have to look at it again, if it makes you nervous to think that you’ve stifled your creativity. It just lays a path before you, and lets you follow all the bunny trails you want.
Want me to tell you how your book ends? Post it in the comments and I’ll be glad to give you some tips.
TWEETABLEHow to Know the Ending of Your Story from the Beginning: Using Goal, Motivation, and Conflict from @SarahSallyHamer on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Sarah (Sally) Hamer, B.S., MLA, is a lover of books, a teacher of writers, and a believer in a good story. Most of all, she is eternally fascinated by people and how they 'tick'. She’s passionate about helping people tell their own stories, whether through fiction or through memoir. Writing in many genres—mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, medieval history, non-fiction—she has won awards at both local and national levels, including two Golden Heart finals.
A teacher of memoir, beginning and advanced creative fiction writing, and screenwriting at Louisiana State University in Shreveport for over twenty years, she also teaches online for Margie Lawson at WWW.MARGIELAWSON.COM and atHTTPS://NOSTRESSWRITING.COM/. Sally is a free-lance editor and book coach, with many of her students and clients becoming successful, award-winning authors. You can find her at SALLY@MINDPOTENTIAL.ORG

YouTube for Writers, Part 1: How to Create Thumbnails That Get Clicks

From Edie: Discover how writers can design eye-catching YouTube thumbnails that boost clicks, attract viewers, and grow your channel from the very first glance.

YouTube for Writers, Part 1: How to Create Thumbnails That Get Clicksby Samantha Evans Tschritter @LoveSamEvans
I was killing myself to gain YouTube views and failing to see the outcomes influencers promised. After months of striving, my seven-year-old YouTube account only boasted twenty-five subscribers, and half of those were pity “subscribes” from friends and family. 
In response to my frustration, I spent two years studying YouTube best practices in order to capitalize on my effort. Here is the bottom line of what I learned: 
The lines between influencer and author are blurring. Successful influencers learned the value of creating Ebooks to create passive income, while many authors scramble to find their place on social media platforms. Not all Ebooks are created equal, and not all authors will succeed in producing quality, online content. 
That said, the formula for successful crossover will be: 
Well-written, well-crafted book + charismatic influencer + consistency = Success
In May, I launched a brand-new YouTube channel called @Miscarriage_Unedited. I used the channel as a private experiment to implement strategies I learned. I’ve compiled my findings into a 12-part YouTube video series and I am excited to share my takeaways with you. 
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:16-17, NIV
By the end of this 12-part Youtube tutorial, you will:Own a functioning Youtube accountGain viewers and subscribersLearn simple strategies to boost views Have a plan for the path to monetization 
For this series, you will need: The Youtube app on your phone Microsoft PowerPoint, iMovie, OR CapCut.One video clip, audio clip, OR PowerPoint presentation saved to your phone OR laptopFortitudeA sense of humor Bonus: a TubeBuddy subscription. The cost is $3.60/ month if you have less than 1,000 subscribers. (They charge more for 1,000 + subscribers because at that point Youtube pays you to have a Youtube account)A #2 pencil (But not really)
Thumbnail Content Strategies:Take photos of yourself with different expressions. Have fun!Use those photos to create thumbnail hooks.Place the photo on the right, looking left, and the text on the left to avoid text covered by the You Tube timestamp.Write a hook using nine words or less. Create a hook with 0-3 words for bonus points. 
3 Encouragements for Writers Fighting Platform Discouragement:
World-Building Takes TimeMy YouTube numbers are still low. Platforms, like Rome, are not built in a day. However, the numbers are trending upward and growing organically, meaning—I’m not begging my mom and siblings to follow me from three different emails each. When we build our platforms with the right mindset, the audience will come.
God’s Plans Take Detours While I was striving toward monetization on YouTube, my TikTok content went viral, so I’ve shifted my focus. With this most recent faith adventure, switching my focus from YouTube to TikTok and publishing The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak, I feel like I’m following God through uncharted woods. The second God and I laid out a plan and a path I could follow, God shouted, “squirrel!” and darted off through the trees. Now I glimpse the tail of His glory as I struggle to keep pace. 
One night, in the height of my discouragement, I compared myself to authors who’d published dozens of books. I sensed God saying, “But you couldn’t have published any books back then. You were still living the story I needed you to write.” 
We write for an Audience of OneYour writing/ marketing to-do list is as long as mine. Record a reel. Update my bio. Reply to that email. Tweek the proposal. Research fill-in-the-blank. Write an article for … The list goes on. I could fill every hour every day with the work in front of me and I still wouldn’t finish. My solution to the stress is this: I begin each day with, “Good morning, God. What do You want to do today?” Then I listen, and I do. At the end of the day, whether I completed tasks is irrelevant, because my only to-do list item for the day was, “obey.” 
God doesn’t care how many followers I have. In my relationship with God, He is only concerned about one follower—me. 
There’s a balance—I’m not perfect at it—between working to build a God-honoring presence in this world and remembering the social media numbers are only a byproduct of obedience. 
Ultimately, I need to remind myself that the words I will hear when I see Jesus face to face will be, ‘well done, good and faithful servant,” not, “well done, high-achieving author.” Also, the less I’ve concerned myself with platform numbers, the faster my platform numbers have grown. It’s God math.
I’m honored to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned so you can streamline your own efforts. 
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Here are the 12 video topics I’ll cover in this series:Thumbnail HintsZoom in on audienceBest video practicesVideo editingIdeas for ReelsIncorporating brandCaptionsPurpose of title and thumbnailMaximize SEO DataUpload defaultsYou Tube FactsVideo SchedulingNow it's your turn, what questions about thumbnails do you still have? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
TWEETABLEYouTube for Writers, Part 1: How to Create Thumbnails That Get Clicks from @LoveSamEvans on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Multi-award-winning author S. E. Tschritter (pronounced Shredder) specializes in articulating grief and loss, leading grievers toward hope and healing. Whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, Tschritter writes content that will stick with readers long after they close the cover. Her 20-plus years of ministry leadership experience and contributions to over 30 books enable her to serve others, speaking truth with transparency, humor, and love. 
Tschritter currently resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband, their three teen and preteen daughters, cats named Pitter and Patter, and their Siberian husky whom she lost the vote to name Onomatopoeia. Nothing refreshes Tschritter’s soul like gardening. She gardens to work through plot holes, writer’s block, character development, and book ideas. Tschritter spends a great deal of time gardening. You can find her on social media at Linktr.ee/LoveSamEvans.

Writing in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trends

From Edie: Discover 17 practical guidelines to help writers thrive in 2025—embracing AI tools, overcoming fear, and navigating today’s shifting publishing trends.

Writing in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trendsby Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Being a writer isn’t easy. And in 2025, the writing life seems to move faster than ever—with AI tools, shifting publishing platforms, and constant new marketing trends competing for our attention. Add all of that to the normal chaos and angst of writing, and it can feel overwhelming.
Truthfully, while there’s a lot of information out there about what writers should remember and do, not all of it is good. We can find everything from hard-and-fast rules like “A real writer writes every day” or “Write what you know.” Beyond that, we’re often inundated with esoteric quotes and lofty ideas about writing and the writer’s life.
To help sort through some of that, I’ve pulled together the guidelines I’ve found most useful on my own journey. These won’t all be yours, but maybe they’ll be a jumping-off place. Hopefully you can use them to develop your own writer guidelines.
17 Helpful Guidelines for Writers
1. Your writing isn’t as good or as bad as you think it is.I’ve learned that I’m not always the best judge of my own work. Sometimes I can tell, but often my emotions get tangled up in what I’ve written and I lose perspective. If I remind myself of this truth, I stay grounded.
2. Never stop learning.At a recent conference, a new writer told me they knew they were “just beginning” because they were still learning. I quickly assured them that every good writer—new or seasoned—is always learning. And today, that includes learning how to use new tools responsibly (like AI), keeping up with industry shifts, and stretching ourselves in marketing.
3. Don’t lord it over others.Most people don’t do this on purpose, but it’s easy to slip into an “I know this and you don’t” mindset. I work hard to avoid that trap because it builds walls instead of community.
4. Give back to the community.It saddens me when writers tell me they’ve “outgrown” a group. Feedback from others keeps us balanced. And giving back honors those who helped us along the way. That said, we should choose wisely where to give back so we’re also continuing to grow.
5. Quit marketing to other writers.This one’s hard, but true. Writers read, but we don’t usually buy a lot of books. We’re given them, we write them. Instead, find your readers. Today, that might mean hanging out where they already gather—on TikTok’s #BookTok, in genre-specific Facebook groups, through email newsletters, or at live events.
6. Don’t force others to follow your process.One of my least favorite statements is: “Real writers write every day.” That mindset crushed me early on. Your process is yours. The goal is consistency, not uniformity.
7. Write regularly.This doesn’t mean daily. It means making writing a priority. For some, that looks like daily words. For others, it’s weekend writing marathons or scheduled writing sprints. Find what works and honor it.
8. Embrace critiques.Critique is how we grow. Learning to accept it without defensiveness is one of the best investments we can make in our writing journey.
9. Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.Writing is a process where we never truly “arrive.” If you only celebrate milestones, you’ll miss the joy of the daily journey—drafting, revising, and connecting with others.
10. Write for fun.Publishing pressures can steal your joy. Regularly write something fun—whether it’s a silly short story, poetry, or journaling. It doesn’t have to be publishable to be valuable.
11. Don’t forget your why.I write because it’s how I process life. My why isn’t about contracts or contests—it’s about being who God created me to be. When I keep that in focus, everything else falls into place.
12. Try something you’re sure you can’t do.Stretch yourself. Last year, I experimented with podcasting—something that felt intimidating at first but turned into one of my favorite new ventures. You don’t have to do the same, but try something new. You might be surprised by the joy it brings.
13. Remain grateful.In today’s comparison-driven, social-media-heavy world, entitlement sneaks in quickly. Gratitude is the best antidote. It keeps our hearts soft and our perspective steady.
14. Don’t expect to be the exception.New writers often think their project will be different. But remember—it’s called an exception because it’s rare. Yes, God can (and sometimes does) make a way when we least expect it. But the outcome is always richer when we’ve done the work and learned the craft.
15. Embrace today’s tools (wisely).We live in an era overflowing with tools designed to help writers—AI apps, grammar checkers, project planners, scheduling software, even dictation programs. Don’t ignore them out of fear, but don’t hand them the keys to your creativity either. Learn what works for you. A tool should serve your voice, not replace it. Use them to make your process smoother, but always keep your unique perspective at the center.
16. Refuse to be fearful.Fear shows up in many disguises: fear of rejection, fear of new technology, fear of not measuring up. But fear steals creativity and joy. God hasn’t called us to write from fear—He’s called us to write from faith. When I catch myself hesitating because of fear, I remind myself of 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” Lean into courage and obedience, not fear.
17. Pray first.I’m a believer who writes. For me, prayer is what centers me—before I scroll, before I market, and especially before I write. It realigns my heart with God’s priorities, which is where I want every word I write to come from.
Final Thoughts
These 17 guidelines continue to serve me well, even as the writing and publishing world changes around us. I’d love to hear from you—what truths have carried you through the ups and downs of your writing life lately? Share in the comments so we can keep learning together.
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings, Edie
TWEETABLEWriting in 2025: 17 Guidelines for Writers Navigating AI and Publishing Trends from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God. 
She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.

October 2025 Social Media & Blog Post Ideas: Fun and Unique Holidays to Inspire Writers

From Edie: From Pumpkin Spice Day to Squirrel Month, October is packed with quirky holidays. Find fun writing ideas and creative sparks to fuel your next post.

October 2025 Social Media & Blog Post Ideas: Fun and Unique Holidays to Inspire Writersby Edie Melson @EdieMelson
October will be here tomorrow, so let's get started on writing ideas. The calendar is a great place to start when we’re looking for writing ideas. Crazy (and even legit) holidays are great conversation starters for social media sites, articles, and blogging. This month is especially fun for writers because of all the writing/reading related holidays. How many can you find? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section at the end of the post. 
The Month of October Is:National Women in AI MonthNational Chili MonthWorld Menopause MonthNational Sensory Processing Awareness MonthBreast Cancer Awareness MonthNational Physical Therapy MonthNational Non-GMO MonthNational Cryptocurrency MonthNational Economic Education MonthNational Women’s Small Business MonthNational Fire Prevention MonthWorld Blindness Awareness MonthNational ADD/ADHD Awareness MonthNational Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness MonthNational Dropout Prevention MonthNational Principals MonthWorkplace Politics Awareness MonthNational learning and Development MonthVegetarian MonthTalk About Prescriptions MonthSquirrel MonthTackling Hunger MonthSpinach Lovers MonthNational Sausage MonthSelf-Promotion MonthRhubarb MonthRight Brainers Rule! MonthRhizomes and Persimmons MonthRaptor MonthPhotographer Appreciation MonthPositive Attitude MonthNational SIDS Awareness MonthPear and Pineapple MonthOrganize Your Medical Information MonthNational Window Covering Safety MonthNational Toilet Tank Repair MonthNational Work and Family MonthNational Seafood MonthNational Spina Bifida Awareness MonthNational Stamp Collecting MonthNational RSV Awareness MonthNational Sarcastic Awareness Month
October Special WeeksActive Aging Week (Begins October 1)World Space Week (October 4 – 10)National Newspaper Week (First Sunday in October)Mystery Series Week (First Full Week in October)International Postcard Week (First Full Week in October)Spinning and Weaving Week (First Week in October)National Chili Week (First Week in October)National Mental Illness Awareness Week (First Week in October)National Physician Assistant Week (October 6 – 12)National Carry a Tune Week (Week of October 7)National Fire Prevention Week (Week of October 9)National Metric Week (Week of October 10)Healthcare Security and Safety Week (Second Full Week in October)National School Lunch Week (Second Full Week in October)National Work from Home Week (Second Week in October)Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week (Second Week in October)National Snow Blower Maintenance Week (October 15 – 21)National Food Bank Week (Week of October 16)National Forest Products Week (Begins Third Sunday in October)National Healthcare Quality Week (Third Full Week in October)National Pharmacy Week (Third Full Week in October)National Teen Driver Safety Week (Third Full Week in October)National School Bus Safety Week (Third Full Week in October)National Retirement Security Week (Third Full Week in October)National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (Third Full Week in October)Free Speech Week (Third Full Week in October)National Friends of Libraries Week (Third Full Week in October)National Kraut Sandwich Week (Third Full Week in October)National Business Women’s Week (Third Full Week in October)Nuclear Science Week (Third Week in October)International Infection Protection Week (Third Week in October)National Veterinary Technician Week (Third Week in October)National Wolf Awareness Week (Third Week in October)National Chemistry Week (Week of October 23)Disarmament Week (Week of October 24)Medical Assistants Recognition Week (Third Business Week in October)National Red Ribbon Week (Last Week in October)National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Last Week in October)Pastoral Care Week (Last Week in October)Respiratory Care Week (Last Week in October)
Special Days in October
October 1National “Jiffy” Mix DayInternational Coffee DayBalloons Around the World DayNational Pumpkin Spice DayNational Green City DayNational Hair DayNational Homemade Cookies DayNational Fire Pup DayNational Black Dog DayNational Walk to School Day (First Wednesday in October)National Pumpkin Seed Day (First Wednesday in October)National Coffee with a Cop Day (First Wednesday in October)Random Acts of Poetry Day (First Wednesday in October)
October 2National Smarties DayNational Produce misting DayNational Fried Scallops DayNational Name Your Car DayNational Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day
October 3National Body Language Day (First Friday in October)National Manufacturing Day (First Friday in October)National Techies DayNational Boyfriend DayWorld Smile Day
October 4National Play Outside Day (First Saturday of Each Month)National Golf Lover’s Day]National Cinnamon Bun DayCard Making Day
October 5National Do Something Nice DayNational Get Funky DayNational Apple Betty DayNational Rhode Island DayChic Spy Day
October 6National Plus Size Appreciation DayNational Coaches DayNational German-American DayNational Noodle DayNational Mad Hatter DayNational Child Health Day (First Monday in October)National Consignment Day (First Monday in October)
October 7National Propane DayNational Chocolate Covered Pretzel DayNational Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness DayNational LED Light DayNational Inner Beauty DayFrappe DayNational Frappe DayNational Taco Day (First Tuesday in October)National Fruit at Work Day (First Tuesday in October)
October 8National Fluffernutter DayAmerican Touch Tag DayNational Pierogi DayNational Hero DayNational Take Your Parents to Lunch Day (Second Wednesday in October)National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day (Second Wednesday in October)National Stop Bullying Day (Second Wednesday in October)National Emergency Nurse’s Day (Second Wednesday in October)
October 9National Pro-Life Cupcake DayNational Moldy Cheese DayCurious Evens DayPans/Pandas Awareness Day
October 10National Angel Food Cake DayNational Handbag DayNational Walk to a Park DayNational Metric DayNational Decorating Day
October 11National Sausage Pizza DayGeneral Pulaski Memorial DayIt’s My Party DayI Love Yarn Day (Second Saturday in October)National Chess Day (Second Saturday in October)National Motorcycle Ride Day (Second Saturday in October)National Costume Swap Day(Second Saturday in October)
October 12National Gumbo DayNational Savings DayNational Vermont DayNational Farmer’s DayNational Freethought DayClergy Appreciation Day (Second Sunday in October)
October 13Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness DayNational Yorkshire Pudding DayNational Train Your Brain DayInternational Skeptics DayNavy BirthdayNational Online Bank Day (Second Monday in October)National Kick Butt Day (Second Monday in October)Native American Day (Second Monday in October)Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
October 14National Real Sugar DayNational Dessert DayBe Bald and Be Free Day
October 15National Grouch DayNational Shawarma DayNational Aesthetician DayNational Cheese Curd DayNational Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance DayWhite Cane Safety DayNational I Love Lucy DayHagfish Day (Third Wednesday in October)Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce (Third Wednesday in October)National Fossil Day (Wednesday of Second Full Week in October)
October 16National Sports DayNational Dictionary DayNational Boss’s Day (unless it’s a weekend day)Department Store DayGet to Know Your Customers Day (Third Thursday of Each Quarter)National Get Smart About Cred Day (Third Thursday in October)
October 17Black Poetry DayNational Edge DayNational Mulligan DayNational Mammography DayNational Pasta Day
October 18International Legging DayNational Exascale DayNational No Beard DayNational Chocolate Cupcake DayNational Sweetest Day (Third Saturday in October)National Whole Hog Barbecue Day (Third Saturday in October)
October 19National Kentucky DayNational Seafood Bisque Day
October 20National Chicken and Waffles DayNational Youth Confidence DayNational Brandied Fruit DayInternational Sloth DayNational Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day (Third Monday in October)
October 21National Apple DayCount Your Buttons DayNational Pumpkin Cheesecake DayNational Back to the Future DayNational Reptile Awareness DayNational Witch Hazel DayNational Pharmacy Technician Day (Third Tuesday in October)Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity (Third Tuesday in October)
October 22National Tavern-Style Pizza DayNational make a Dog’s DayCaps Lock DayNational Color DayNational Nut Day
October 23National Horror Movie DayiPod DayNational Mole DayNational TV Talk Show Host DayNational Boston Cream Pie DaySwallows Depart From San Juan Capistrano Day
October 24National Bologna DayNational Food DayNational Pharmacy Buyer Day (Friday of Last Full Week in October)
October 25National Merri Music DaySourest DayChucky, The Notorious Killer Doll DayNational Greasy Foods DayNational Make a Difference Day (Fourth Saturday in October)National Mother-In-Law Day (Fourth Saturday in October)National Trick or Treat Day (Last Saturday in October)
October 26National Pumpkin DayNational Day of the DeployedNational Chicken Fried Steak DayNational Financial Crime Fighter DayNational Tennessee DayNational Mule DayNational Mincemeat Day
October 27National Black Cat DayNavy DayNational Civics Day
October 28National First Responders DayInternational Animation DayNational Internal Medicine DayNational Chocolate Day
October 29National Cat DayInternet DayNational Hermit Day
October 30National Publicist DayNational Wicked DayNational Candy Corn DaySpeak Up for Service Day
October 31HalloweenNational Doorbell DayGirl Scout Founder’s DayNational Magic DayNational Knock Knock Joke DayNational Caramel Apple DayNational Frankenstein Friday (Last Friday in October)National Breadstick Day (Last Friday in October)
Now it's your turn. What holidays inspire you? Do any of them strike a nerve for marketing or a fun post? Share how you'll use them in the comments section below and inspire us!
Don't forget to join the conversation!Blessings, Edie
If you're interested in doing your own research into holidays, here are several websites to get you started!Brownie Lock: HTTPS://WWW.BROWNIELOCKS.COM/MONTH2.HTMLHoliday Insights: HTTPS://WWW.HOLIDAYINSIGHTS.COM/MOREHOLIDAYS/APRIL.HTMNational Day Calendar: HTTPS://WWW.NATIONALDAYCALENDAR.COM/YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE
TWEETABLEOctober 2025 Social Media & Blog Post Ideas: Fun and Unique Holidays to Inspire Writers from @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God. 
She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.

Writers Beware: How to Spot Fake Producers and Protect Your Work From Free Labor Scams

From Edie: Learn how writers can spot fake producers, avoid free labor scams, and set professional boundaries to protect scripts, stories, and creative work.

Writers Beware: How to Spot Fake Producers and Protect Your Work From Free Labor Scamsby Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe
If you’re a screenwriter or novelist, you’ve probably had someone express interest in your work. Maybe they claimed to be a producer or industry “insider” who could take your story to the next level. But sometimes, these conversations are less about collaboration and more about free labor.
I recently had an encounter that illustrates this perfectly. An independent producer reached out to me, saying he was looking for collaborators. He asked me to read and critique one of his development scripts—without pay—and then requested that I send him one of my own scripts, which happened to be an adaptation of a novel. Believing this might be the start of a legitimate professional relationship, I agreed. I gave him thoughtful notes, sent my script, and invested hours of unpaid effort.
A week later, he came back asking for even more. This time, he wanted to set up a meeting with the author of the novel and me, and he asked that I prepare a full character breakdown for the project—even though he hadn’t finished reading my script. He claimed he was interested in developing it into a TV series based on my pitch, but I had no contract in place; no assurance that this would lead to anywhere but wasted time. That’s when alarm bells went off.
Set Clear Boundaries
When someone starts asking for unpaid work—especially development materials like character breakdowns, pitch decks, or a series Bible—it’s time to draw a line.
Here’s what I wrote back:“I’m happy to have a conversation once you’ve finished reading the script. At that point, if you’d like me to create additional materials (like a character breakdown or series Bible), we should first discuss terms for development compensation or a formal agreement.”
This polite but firm response made it clear: I’m a professional, not a volunteer.
Ask the Right Questions
When you’re approached by someone who claims to be a producer, it’s vital to ask clarifying questions before giving away your ideas. Are they simply exploring, or do they have a concrete plan? Do they have a network, streamer, or studio in mind? What is their actual role—producer, showrunner, financier? If they avoid answering, that’s a sign you should be cautious. And if your story involves rights—like mine did, since it was adapted from a novel—you need to protect not only your work but also the rights of the original author. No one should be pitching to networks or investors without an option agreement or, at the very least, a shopping agreement that spells out the terms.
When I pressed him on these points, here’s how he responded: “Exploratory conversation. I am not going to discuss business strategy over a text. The choice is yours. Line up a video call with you both. Let me know when. If this is going to be hard to do in the beginning, it just means it’s going to be harder later. If this way you want to handle business, then let’s just move on. It is your call. Let me know.”
Why His Response was Manipulative
The subtext of this reply was crystal clear. Instead of giving me clarity, he deflected. Instead of engaging with my questions, he painted me as “difficult.” His words—“If this is going to be hard now… it’ll be harder later”—were nothing more than guilt-tripping, a way of reframing my professional boundaries as a problem. And his final line—“It is your call. Let me know”—was a classic fear tactic, designed to pressure me into compliance.
Here’s the truth: real producers respect boundaries. They don’t punish you for asking fair questions. They don’t use manipulation, subtle bullying, or shame to get their way. What this man revealed was that he wasn’t a legitimate producer at all—he was an opportunist hoping to score free development work without accountability.
Walking away from someone like this isn’t about being “hard to work with.” It’s about protecting your time, your sanity, and your art. If a person shows you upfront that they won’t respect your boundaries, they aren’t going to magically start respecting them later. Legitimate professionals will always honor your rights and your process. Manipulators, on the other hand, will shame you for daring to have boundaries in the first place.
So don’t be afraid to walk away. It’s not rejection—it’s protection.
The entertainment industry is full of passionate, talented people, but it also attracts opportunists who see free labor as their ticket in. As a creative, you have to know how to spot the scams, ask the tough questions, and insist on professionalism. 
Your work deserves respect. And so do you.
Want more tips on navigating Hollywood and telling stories that matter? Check out The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe on your favorite podcast app or YouTube.
TWEETABLEWriters Beware: How to Spot Fake Producers and Protect Your Work From Free Labor Scams from @ZenaDellLowe on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Zena has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultant. Zena also teaches advanced classes on writing all over the country. As a writer, Zena has won numerous awards for her work. She also has several feature film projects in development through her independent production company, Mission Ranch Films. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, a podcast designed to serve the whole artist, not just focus on craft. In 2021, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission Online Platform, where she offers advanced classes and other key services to writers. Zena loves story and loves to support storytellers. Her passion is to equip artists of all levels to achieve excellence at their craft, so that they will truly have everything they need to change the world for the better through story.
To find out more about Zena or her current courses and projects, check out her websites at WWW.MISSIONRANCHFILMS.COM and WWW.THESTORYTELLERSMISSION.COM

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 Titlesby 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.
In this post, I’ll share five crucial questions to ask yourself as you write compelling titles to hook your readers and draw them in.
Question #1: What is my goal for this title?
Do I want to inspire? If so, work on creating a title that is both uplifting and hopeful.
Do I want to teach? If so, aim for practical and clear how-to-titles.
Do I want to grab someone’s attention? If so, seek a title that is bold or surprising.
Question #2: Which title structure might work best with my goal?
Create your title using several of these structures and choose the one that best fits your goal:
Curiosity + Clarity
Example: Learn the Secret to Writing Great Titles
Benefit-Driven
Example: 5 Helpful Questions to Help You Write Killer Titles (sound familiar?)
Emotional/Story-Based
Example: How Learning to Write Great Titles Saved My Writing Career
Time-Based/Urgent
Example: Learn These Titling Tips Before It’s Too Late
Question #3: Which power words can I add to strengthen my title?
Words that communicate emotion, urgency, and passion help your reader connect with your title and add a little umph to your headline.
Example: Instead of “How to Improve the Appearance of Your Home,” (72) try, “Don’t Just Like Your Home, Love It” (85). 
The first title is functional, but the second adds powerful emotional words like “like” and “love”.
Question #4: Is my title clear? 
Will the reader know immediately what the article is about? Don’t sacrifice clarity for cleverness. When in doubt, use a clear title, then add a subtitle with a clever twist.
Example: “Meet My Friend Psalms” vs. “Like a Good Friend, the Psalms Can Bring Comfort and Joy.”
The first attempt was clever but unclear. Is Psalms a person or a book of the Bible? The second explains the friendship connection while clearly presenting the Psalms as a part of the Bible and making an enticing promise: comfort and joy.
Question #5: Have I tested variations?
Usually, you shouldn’t use your first few title attempts. Brainstorm ten potential titles, then run them through a title checker to see how they perform. 
If you blog on WordPress, you have a built-in headline analyzer that scores your title (0-100) based on emotional appeal, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and other factors. I aim for a title score of at least 60, preferably higher by changing the wording until I hit on something that resonates with the analyzer. 
I tested the title for this post by changing, adding, and subtracting words until I reached a score of 90. Apparently my new and improved title worked, because here you are, reading my post J. 
If you’re curious, here’s the progression of this title and its scores:
5 Questions for Writing Great Titles (61)
5 Helpful Questions for Writing Great Titles (64)
Questions for Writing Great Titles (70)
5 Helpful Questions to Help You Write Killer Titles (90)
(Note: I seldom repeat words or variations of words in a title, but every time I used a synonym for “helpful” in this title, the score dropped. Go figure!)
If you don’t blog on WordPress, you can search the web for title analyzing sites or try out a few of my favorites (capitalizemytitle.com or aioseo.com ). Remember that each one will grade your title by a slightly different rubric, so you’ll get slightly different scores in each. 
Why Are Titles Important?
A killer title will grab your reader’s attention, create a desire for your topic, and set the tone for your content. A weak title will invite your potential reader to scroll on by. With a little time and effort, you can craft irresistible titles that serve as a welcome mat to your content and invite the reader to come on in. 
It’s Your Turn
Think about your work in progress and brainstorm ten titles. Run them through one of the headline analyzing tools. Tweak them until you get a title score above 70. 
Congratulations! Share your killer title in the comments below so we can learn from your attempts.
TWEETABLE5 Helpful Questions to Help You Write Killer Titles from Lori Hatcher on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Since she was old enough to read a Little Golden Book, Lori Hatcher has been fascinated by words. She’s woven them into seven devotionals with Our Daily Bread Publishing, including her latest, Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart. She shares them in writers workshops around the country, (including Florida Christian Writers Conference in October—see you there!) and has used them to encourage women’s ministry groups in the United States, Japan, Mexico, and Spain. Connect with her at LoriHatcher.com.

When Writing Gets Hard: Quotes, Faith, and God’s Timing to Keep You Moving Forward

From Edie: Discover inspiring writing quotes, faith reminders, and lessons on God’s timing to help you persevere when writing feels hard and discouragement sets in.

When Writing Gets Hard: Quotes, Faith, and God’s Timing to Keep You Moving Forwardby Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas
Many of us have writing quotes to inspire or nag us. Or to nudge us to keep writing.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Writing Quotes to Inspire“If my family didn’t want me to write about them, they should’ve behaved better.” - Anne Lamott“First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!” - Ray Bradbury"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” - Terry Pratchett"So, the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads." - Dr. Seuss"Tell the readers a story! Because without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences." - Anne McCaffrey“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London"Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good." - William Faulkner"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." - Louis L’Amour"You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page" - Jodi Picoult
I also have quotes that I make up for myself or paraphrase from what I’ve read about the craft. The one I use most frequently comes to mind when I’m frustrated with some aspect of my writing. The story isn’t working as I hoped. The characters are rebelling. Another rejection comes in, or a speaking engagement falls through, or an editing client quits.
At the peak of my bafflement, I’ve looked heavenward and said, “Remember, this was your idea.” I take my discombobulation out on God. It’s a way of saying, “You called me to this, but it isn’t working out the way I thought it would (or should).” And God says…Nothing! Or so it seems.
He knows me all too well. There are times I think he lets me stew in my situation. I’m sure it’s to teach me something. One of the things I’m learning is patience. I’m also learning the more difficult character-building traits of trust and obedience.
If I’m called to be a writer, then I write. If I don’t write, then I’m in disobedience. If I’m not called to be a writer, and I’m writing, then I’m also in rebellion. And he can’t bless disobedience any more than he can bless whining or begging.
It’s when I repent of my disobedience that his blessings can flow, and his plan for me can move forward. And I’m learning it moves forward in his timing, not mine. At the beginning of this year, he gave me specific directions on how he wants me to proceed with my writing over the next few months. Before that morning, it seemed like he’d never heard my prayer. Now, I know differently. He was getting me into a position to listen to him.
I’m doing that now. And trusting his timing.
In his sermon, Learning Hope the Hard way, Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, said when doing things God’s way seems hard, it’s because, “If it was easy, I’d think I did it myself.” I’d glorify myself instead of God.
When I tell God, “Remember, this was your idea,” his response is, “I know. Are you ready to trust me?” My complaint becomes an inspiration to keep going, knowing his way—even when I can’t fathom it—is so much better than mine. 
And let’s not forget: "Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read." - Groucho Marx
Do you have a personal phrase or a favorite quote you use to keep you going?
TWEETABLEWhen Writing Gets Hard: Quotes, Faith, and God’s Timing to Keep You Moving Forward from Henry McLaughlin (@RiverBendSagas) on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest.
Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. 
Connect with Henry on his BLOG, X (TWITTER) and FACEBOOK.

How Your Personality Type Affects the Way You Edit and Improve Your Manuscript

From Edie: Discover how your personality type—introvert, extrovert, or in between—shapes the way you revise. Learn strategies to edit and improve your manuscript with less stress.

How Your Personality Type Affects the Way You Edit and Improve Your Manuscriptby DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Understanding how we process information is critical to focusing on how we can best revise (edit and improve) our manuscripts. 
Our personalities process information based on nature, nurture, life experiences, education, health, birth order, culture, and a host of other factors. These define us as either introverts, extroverts, or somewhere in between according to how our brains are wired. Consider each one of us is different, which means revising our manuscripts can be difficult until we grasp the best way we manage tasks effectively, efficiently, and eliminate undo stress.
We begin with Personality Testing.
Personality testing is available online: Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Four Temperaments, and others. All vary in their questionnaires, but all measure extroversion and introversion. Like our personalities, we fall within a wide range of uniqueness. 
Extroverts thrive on interacting with the outside world. They love people and prefer a revision party with as many friends as possible. Social interaction is a vital part of their personality. The more people they talk to, the more they are energized. An extrovert steps into a crowd of people and is exhilarated, fulfilled. Often extroverts will take risks and appear to have a wild nature. They seek adventure and are optimistic. Without people in their lives, they can become depressed. Specialists say extroverts learn best by experience. 
Introverts are slower in their process and dive deeper into the why and how of revision. They tend to be quiet, inward, even withdrawn. This personality type doesn’t need to be around others to feel satisfied. They enjoy solitude and work best in quiet settings where they can plan, research, organize, and evaluate. Being around lots of people is exhausting. Introverts have only a few close friends and can be viewed as hard to get to know. In a large room or social gathering, these people prefer sitting in a corner and watching others. It’s more important for an introvert to understand themselves and why they behave or think than to acquire and practice social skills. Specialists say introverts learn best by observation.
When we understand how our brains process information, we can proceed with what makes sense. 
7 Tips to Help Extroverts Revise their Writing1. Choose to embrace who you are and your need for other people.2. Profit from feedback provided by other readers and writing groups.3. Organize the work that needs to be done and call on friends to help at an interesting location.4. Look forward to growing in the craft and relationships formed with other readers and writers.5. Set goals and enlist others to help you stay on track.6. Seek permission to record or ask someone to journal comments and suggestions.7. Don’t be afraid to delete.
Always have a plan to celebrate!
7 Tips to Help Introverts Revise their Writing1. Reread all research notes applicable to the manuscript.2. Journal not only your progress, but also your thoughts and emotions during revision.3. Stretch yourself and ask for feedback from readers, writers, and your editor.4. Avoid negative self-talk. 5. Look at your calendar and set your deadline due date at least three weeks before the project is due.6. Revise at the time of day best suited for you.7. Text-to-voice software is an aid to hearing and reading our work.
Always have a plan to celebrate!
Remember we are talking about a huge spectrum of individual preferences and methods of working. I’m an introvert who doesn’t use an outline and has a bit of a wild streak when it comes to experiencing and observing my novel’s setting. 
Have you discovered your best method to revise? I encourage you to share your findings in the comments below.
TWEETABLEHow Your Personality Type Affects the Way You Edit and Improve Your Manuscript from @DiAnnMills on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 
She is the former director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Connect here: DIANNMILLS.COM

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 Lifeby 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.
Or was it last Friday? It seems like last Friday. But no. Friday was the day of JFK’s assassination. I remember my mother standing in front of the television, crying.
Last Thursday, a man was killed . . . and the whole world saw it.
Or was it last Thursday? It seems like last Thursday. But no. Thursday was the day of MLK’s assassination. I remember sitting on the floor, crying. 
Last Wednesday, a man was killed . . . and the whole world saw it.
Or was it last Wednesday? It seems like last Wednesday. But no. Wednesday was the day of RFK’s assassination. I remember being at my friend’s house, getting the news from her corner-positioned television set.
Last Wednesday, a man was killed . . . and, just like before, the whole world saw it. But this time was different. This time we had 24/7 coverage. We had thousands of cell phone cameras pointed at the subject. This time we have the capability of reliving the trauma again and again and again whether we want to or not because our laptops, computers, and phones bring us the news and the reaction to the news nonstop. 
Many of us are gutted. Some of us had to ask, “Who?” Others, horrifically, celebrated. And to be honest, I’m sure there were those who celebrated the deaths of the three men who died in the 1960s. But we didn’t have social media. Unless we were one of them, we didn’t know.
For those of us who have been in the processes of writing, whether under contract or not . . . for those of us who have been in the process of editing, whether under contract or not . . . for those of us who have been sludging through the days following (no matter where we are in our writing journey), the struggle has been real. 
For me, I sit at my desk daily and write a chapter. The next day, as is my habit, I re-read (to edit) that chapter. Typically, I think, “Good start” and then give the work my editing best. But this past week, I re-read and think, “Who wrote this? It’s awful! It’s disconnected. It’s trivial.” 
Focusing is difficult. Nearly impossible. “I need a mental health day,” I said a few times, although only to myself. Haven I taken one? Not yet. I have a conference coming up . . . and I’m the director. I have meetings scheduled. I have a blog to write. Emails to answer. Financial spreadsheets to balance. Not to mention beds to make, laundry to wash, dry, and fold, dishes to wash (okay, I put them in the dishwasher, but someone has to take them out and put them away and that someone is me). I have a daily word count to meet. 
Then I learned that Charlie Kirk has a book releasing in December: . In the introduction, the author calls this one day of rest as “God’s gift of grace.”
I needed that. And so, by the time you read this, I will have taken my day (I typically enjoy a Sabbath, but I’m taking about truly unplugging from all the madness. I will not think about my WIP. I will not think about the conference. I will not think about the news. I will not worry about the financial spreadsheets. I will only rest and think of the things Paul encouraged us to think about in his letter to the Philippians. I will think on these things: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—anything excellent or praiseworthy. Perhaps I will grab my journal and draw out 8 columns, one for each of those “things” Paul listed. I will write them down. I will refocus and rethink only on those things. 
Then, the next day, I will pick up where I left off (because the work will still be there). The next day, I will go back and re-read my work and, I’m believing, it will be “a good start.”
What about you? How do you cope when life becomes complicated but work still needs to be done? 
TWEETABLEDipping the Quill Deeper: Refocusing on the Good and Choosing Peace and Perspective for the Writing Life from @EversonAuthor on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Eva Marie Everson is the CEO of Word Weavers International, the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and the contest director for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is the author of almost 50 books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her next novel, Beth Bettencourt, is set for release in 2026 (Kregel). To know more about Eva Marie (or to be added to her Southern newsletter), you can connect with her at www.EvaMarieEversonAuthor.com