Edie Melson's Blog, page 5

The #1 Mistake Writers Make in Plotting—and the Simple Fix

From Edie: If you're struggling with story structure, this blog post can help you discover why character-driven plots create stronger, more engaging stories—and how one simple shift can transform your writing.

The #1 Mistake Writers Make in Plotting—and the Simple Fix
by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

I was sitting across from a writer at a recent conference, and she looked at me with that familiar, frustrated expression. “I know what happens in my story,” she said, “but I don’t know how to get there.” 

Suddenly, I was reminded of something I’ve seen over and over again: How so many writers try to build a plot before they’ve built a character. They treat plot like it’s separate from the person experiencing it. And that’s why they continue to struggle. Here's a simple truth about story structure to help you stay on track. 

At the end of the day, story is all about perspective—it’s about WHO the story is happening TO that matters.

When you approach your story from the primary character’s point of view, it helps you avoid a heap of common problems, such as:

Passive main characters (who don’t drive the action)Episodic plotting (where events happen to the character, but they don’t cause them)Unmotivated scenes (no clear stakes or goal or urgency driving the character)Characters reacting to circumstances rather than shaping them

Let’s say you have a detective trying to solve a murder, but he’s just wandering from clue to clue. All he’s doing is reacting. 

Now flip it—what if he’s pursuing justice because his partner was the victim? Now every clue is a personal choice, driven by emotion, and the plot becomes electric.

Why?

Because changing the motive can reposition the character as the engine of the story—but only if that motive then drives intentional, high-stakes choices.

In other words, just having emotional motivation doesn’t automatically make a character active. To really flip it, the detective’s actions must change. And that means:

He doesn’t just follow leads—he pushes for new ones.He breaks protocol because the case is personal.He burns relationships, makes risky choices, maybe goes rogue.He pays a price for every step forward—because he’s driving the plot, not just walking through it.

Now we’re watching a man on a mission, not just a cop doing his job. That’s the difference between passive and active.

Let’s define the terms clearly:

A reactive character responds to external events. Things happen to them. They follow clues only when they’re given clues. They go where the plot sends them.An active character makes things happen. They pursue goals, escalate tension, and create ripple effects with their choices. Even when reacting, they do so with intent, urgency, and personal stakes.

This shift is crucial because your plot should unfold according to the choices your main character makes under pressure in pursuit of their goal.

This means you can’t plot out your story separate from the character. Your plot depends entirely upon who your main character is. Your plot is your character’s journey.

Even a well-known story like The Pied Piper would change radically depending on which point of view you chose to tell it. The main plot elements might be the same—the town has a rat problem, hires the Pied Piper, refuses to pay, the children are taken away. These may be the main components of the story, but what the story is really about and how we will experience it as readers will change radically depending on who’s telling the story.

Is it the Pied Piper's story? Or a member of the council? Or one of the mothers? Or one of the children?

Same events. Completely different story. Because whoever the main character is will radically transform the plot depending on the choices that character makes. 

Again, just changing a motive doesn’t necessarily flip a character from passive to active. But when you know who your main character is and what drives them personally, you can have that character pursue their goal relentlessly over the rest of the story. 

All great stories are character-driven because they’re about that character’s pursuit of one primary goal.

When you approach story with this perspective, you’ll end up with a plot that unfolds organically and feels emotionally satisfying.

I’ve read hundreds—maybe thousands—of scripts and manuscripts over the years, and I’m telling you: Most stories would dramatically improve if the writer just made this one adjustment.

This one adjustment will prevent you from ever getting lost, because you’ll always be able to go back and ask yourself, what does my character want? 

When you can answer that question, you’ll be able to figure out what next steps your character should take to get it.

P.S. Want help applying this to your own story? This is the kind of foundational work we do inside my online course Hollywood Story Structure Made Easy.Learn more here » https://thestorytellersmission.com/hss-course-details

TWEETABLE

The #1 Mistake Writers Make in Plotting—and the Simple Fix 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

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

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

10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use)by Lori Hatcher
How many hours do writers invest in finding just the right word? We agonize over implied meaning, swap synonyms and antonyms, and study every nuance. Use just the right word and our sentence will soar. Use the wrong word, and it will bellyflop. 
Thankfully, the English language gives us a plethora of words to choose from. Approximately one million, if you include scientific names and chemical entities.
Just for fun, I went on a treasure hunt for quirky writerly words to keep on hand for the day our creativity crashes. I hope you enjoy my collection and will add your favorites in the comments.
10 Quirky Words for Writers 1. Bumfuzzle“Bumfuzzle” is a verb meaning “perplex” or “fluster.” It can also be written as the adjective “bumfuzzled,” which means being “in a state of bewilderment.” Merriam-Webster tells us that the word’s earliest use can be traced to 1873. It may be an alteration of other English terms such as “befuddle” and “dumbfound.”
Example: Sometimes the publishing process leaves me bumfuzzled.
2. SnollygosterAlthough “snollygoster” sounds like a fictional Dr. Seuss creature, it actually refers to “an unprincipled but shrewd person.” By the 1850s, it was popular among those in the American South.
Wordsmarts.com tells us, “President Harry S. Truman used the word in a 1952 speech about his colleagues across the aisle, saying, ‘I wish some of these snollygosters would read the New Testament and perform accordingly.’” 
Example: Someone called Bob Hostetler a snollygoster, but I defended him.
3. HullaballooThis word causes the onomatopoeia meter to go off the charts. Can’t you just hear it? Hullaballoooooooooo! You can use this word when you’re talking about a commotion.
Example: You should have heard the hullaballoo our Word Weavers chapter made when Elizabeth’s book launched.
4. ConjubilantWriters can use this word to describe a group that is shouting out in joy together.
Example: Our conjubilant Word Weavers chapter made quite the hullaballoo when the book reached the top ten on Amazon. 
5. CattywampusNo, this isn’t a type of Indian money spent by felines. It’s a directional term that means the same thing as saying an object is catty-corner (or diagonal) from something else. 
Example: When I looked at the display in Barnes and Noble, I noticed that Jeannie’s book was positioned cattywampus from Lisa’s book
6. OctothorpeMost people refer to the number symbol as a hashtag (#), but smart writers know that the real name for this symbol is an octothorpe.
Example: Don’t forget to add an octothorpe to your Facebook post when you share your BRMCWC pics.
7. FinifugalThis is what you’d call someone who is afraid of finishing anything. You know them. There’s at least one in every writers group. They bring the same piece to your critique meeting for years but never submit it.
Example: “That lady in the corner? That’s Mary the finifugal. She’s been working on the last chapter of her manuscript for 14 years.”
8. FlummoxedYou can use this word to describe how you feel when you’re completely confused.
Example: I let my characters take the reins in this story. Now they’ve driven me into a box canyon, and I have no idea how to write myself out of it. I’m simply flummoxed.
9. CollywobblesThe next time you have a stomach ache, you can use this word. Often heard in Britain, it describes the slightly-queasy, marginally nauseous feeling you get when you’ve eaten something that disagrees with you.
Example: I knew I shouldn’t have drowned my sorrows over that rejection letter by consuming a pound and a half of Reese’s peanut butter cups. Now I’ve got the collywobbles.
10. FloccinaucinihilipilificationOne of the longest words in the English language, floccinaucinihilipilification refers to the estimation of something as worthless. 
Example: His spouse’s floccinaucinihilipilification of his writing dreams may have caused him to quit writing all together. 
There you have it, my friends. I hope you enjoyed my ten favorite quirky English words and their usage in the writerly world. 
Now it’s your turn. Which one of them is your favorite? Do you have a quirky word you’d like to add to the list? Leave it in a comment below, and remember to add the definition and an example. If you do, I might be conjubilant enough to raise a hullaballoo.
TWEETABLE10 Quirky English Words Every Writer Should Know (and Actually Use) 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.

Building Industry Relationships: How Christian Writers Find Success Through Community

Edie Here: This blog post will help writing Discover how Christian authors can build lasting industry relationships through conferences, associations, and God-led connections for writing success.

Building Industry Relationships: How Christian Writers Find Success Through Communityby Susan U. Neal @SusanNealYoga
Developing relationships with industry professionals is key to success as a Christian author. I know it has been for me. You never know how someone will inspire, encourage, or positively affect your career.
Attend Writer Conferences
I started meeting industry professionals by attending writer conferences. The first conference I attended was the Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC). I had been writing for about five years, but I was so new that I realized at the conference registration desk that I didn’t know how to properly pronounce genre. Yes, all of us start out not knowing much about this profession.
Volunteer and Serve
At the FCWC I found out about Word Weavers a Christian writers group and joined a local chapter in Destin, Florida in 2015. By 2018 I was the president of that chapter and for another online chapter. By 2019, I became a Word Weaver mentor for three in-person chapters. I got to know so many industry professionals through this volunteer leadership experience. And influencers like Eva Marie Everson got to know me.
In 2021 when I became the director of the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and Christian Indie Awards, Eva Marie Everson gave me free coaching on how to set up the awards so it would be modeled after the Selah Awards. When you serve others, they naturally want to serve you too.
In 2024 Eva Marie also coached me on taking over the directorship of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. She had previously been a faculty member at the conference and knew all about it. It was for me to step into this leadership role, but God equipped me with the people I needed to help.
Make Influencer Appointments at Conferences
In 2018, while at the FCWC, I made an appointment with Edie Melson. I met with her to discuss a healthy living journal manuscript I was writing. She offered to Zoom with me for free after the conference to explain a bullet journal to me. She was so kind that I dedicated my book to her, Healthy Living Journal: Track Your Healthy Eating and Living Habits for Improved Health and Well-Being. At that time I started attending Edie’s conference, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Edie asked me to write a monthly article for her blog, The Write Conversation. However, I was reluctant at first because I didn’t know if I really had something beneficial to offer. There was that inferiority complex. She asked me again to write for her blog when I saw her at AWSA conference, and I accepted. I also gave her a copy of the book I dedicated to her. 
I have been blogging for The Write Conversation for the past seven years. I love it. At first I wrote blogs about healthy living, such as Tips to Stay Physically Active When Writing. After I became successful with book marketing, I started blogging about that subject. I have an MBA and marketing comes naturally to me.
After I became the director of CIPA and Christian Authors Network (CAN), I was able to add links to courses and these associations in my blogs. This was a win-win situation for me to serve The Write Conversation readers while promoting my business. What did I tell you about marketing feeling natural to me.
Join Author Associations
I met Linda Evans Shepherd in 2018 when she taught a speaking continuing track at the FCWC. After that, I joined her organization the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), and I’ve attended her conference every year since then. Linda gave me my first break with speaking by asking me to teach a class at the AWSA conference in 2019. After that other conferences started allowing me to teach. 
It takes a while for influencers to remember you because they meet so many people while teaching and speaking. Therefore, you need to see them numerous times before they will remember who you are and what you write. That’s why it is important to introduce yourself, make appointments, and sit with them at meals while at conferences.
Obtain Certifications
I have taken the AWSA coaching program to become a certified writer coach and their Power Speaking program. It’s always a great idea to improve your skill. I’ve been coaching authors since I graduated from that program in 2019 and have been able to quadruple my rates with loads of demand since then. It’s very important to invest in our education. How else can we improve?
Attend Trade Shows 
In 2019 I attended the Christian Product Expo with AWSA where I was introduced to my first retailer trade show. I try to get the most out of author associations by participating in the variety of things they offer. That’s where I visited the CIPA booth, met Sarah Bolme (the founder), and joined as soon as I returned home. I wanted to continue learning about this industry, and CIPA helps authors publish professionally and market effectively. I needed all the help I could get.
In February 2020 I attended the National Religious Broadcasters convention with CIPA for the first time. What an amazing experience to obtain so many media interviews and participate in a book signing for 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates where I had a 30-foot-long line of people waiting to get a signed copy of my book. I felt like I had finally arrived as a successful author.
As Sarah Bolme and I were leaving the convention, I asked her what her plans were for this year. She indicated that she was retiring at the end of the year and was praying for God to rise up a leader to take over the organization because it had always been God’s business. I prayed for her next ministry and didn’t give a second thought about CIPA’s leadership.
Say Yes to God
Then, in the middle of the night, God woke me up. We wrestled. He wanted me to become the leader of CIPA. I resisted—I already had a mission to inspire others to improve their health so they could serve God better. But God gave me a dual mission—to also help Christian authors get their divine-inspired messages into the hands of more readers to further the kingdom of God. 
God has bigger and better plans than we could ever imagine. Ephesian 3:20, Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (NLT). 
I said yes and became the CIPA Director in 2021. That same year, several CAN board members joined CIPA and were impressed with the high standard of excellence it provided authors. (I used to be an administrator at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville—my standards are high!) In 2022 I became the director of the Christian Authors Network. 
In 2025 I became the director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. The founder, Marilyn Turk, is a friend from of the Destin Word Weavers group. When she announced she was retiring, I prayed and felt led to accept. With over 500 CAN and CIPA members, plus the Christian Indie Awards and CAN Excellence in Marketing Awards to oversee, it made sense to have a conference where we could announce and celebrate the winners. 
I didn’t seek out these ministries. But when God opened a door, I prayed, and walked through it trusting that he would provide the help and resources I needed to serve him well. God equips the called, and meeting industry professionals was key. 
Steps to Develop Writing Industry Relationships
What should you do to develop industry relationships? ()1. Attend writer conferences. I’ve attended three to four conferences per year since 2017 when I committed to becoming a professional author. In 2021 I transitioned to teaching at them.2. Make appointments with industry professionals. Research shows takes up to seven times before someone buys a product. It may take that many encounters before an influencer remembers who you are and what you write in.3. Travel with writer friends. Drive or fly with writer friends to conferences because a trip is a great way to build deeper connections. I always ask my fellow writer group members who is attending a conference and coordinate travel plans if possible.4. Room with someone new. I know this can be scary but pray and put it in God’s hands. In 2021 I posted on the AWSA email group that I needed a roommate for the AWSA Conference and Christian Product Expo convention. Virginia Grounds replied and we became roommates. We got along so well that she later became the CIPA eBlast Coordinator, but more than that we became dear friends.5. Join a writers group. I’ve been a member of the Destin Word Weaver group for ten years. I would not be where I am today, with ten published books, including How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month.) without the support of this group. I highly recommend joining word-weavers.com.6. Hire a coach. I wish I had done this sooner as it would’ve shaved years off of my learning curve. I got my first professional coaching at the AWSA Conference in 2018. At that point I had five books and no website. We all have to start somewhere, right? The coach helped me determine my next steps: create a website, get professional photographs, and develop my brand. I wish I had done this in 2016 when I published my first book. Coaching is worth the investment. You can see my coaching packages here.7. Join writer associations. I started with Christian book Academy, which taught me how to write a book. Then I joined Word Weavers. AWSA took me to the next level. CIPA taught me how to market my books. If you are traditionally published, CAN is a great fit. 
The Christian writing world is encouraging, not competitive. Linda Evans Shepherd, the founder of AWSA, even invited me to her home when I was vacationing in Colorado. You never know how one relationship can influence your career and future. Seeking out and develop relationships—they are key to building the kingdom of God together. That’s how God designed us, to live in community with unity and peace. 
Please share other ways you’ve developed relationships with industry relationships. I’d love to them!
TWEETABLEBuilding Industry Relationships: How Christian Writers Find Success Through Community from @SusanNealYoga on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERSwhich ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIAis a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

When God Says “Write”: Overcoming Fear and Finding Your Voice

From Edie: “If God has called you to write but fear keeps whispering ‘not you,’ this encouragement will remind you that obedience is the assignment—and God never wastes a willing pen.”

When God Says “Write,” Overcoming Fear and Finding Your Voiceby Kennita (Kay) Williams
If God has called you to write but fear keeps whispering ‘not you,’ this encouragement will remind you that obedience is the assignment—and God never wastes a willing pen.
I never imagined I’d call myself a writer.
Speaker? Yes. Coach? Confidently. Leader? Absolutely.But writer? That title felt like it belonged to someone else; someone with a shelf of published books, a polished grammar style, or a deep love for commas and semicolons.
Not me.
To be honest, I used to scroll past the word “writer” like it was a item on sale, but in the wrong size. I respected it, but I didn’t see myself in it. I told myself I was a communicator not a writer. I could talk all day long. Give me a mic, a whiteboard, or a group of people ready to be inspired, and I was in my element.
But writing? That felt permanent. Too revealing. Too quiet. Too lonely.And worst of all what if no one wanted to read what I wrote?
That question haunted me for years. Until one day, I heard God whisper something I didn’t expect:
“Write.”
That was it. One word.
Write.
When God Speaks… and Fear Answers First.
I wish I could say I jumped into obedience, pen flying across the page like fire.But no, fear answered first.“God, are You sure? Who’s going to read anything I write?”“I’m not like those other writers.”“My voice isn’t literary. I don’t know all the rules.”“What if I fail?”
God didn’t debate me. He didn’t argue with my excuses. He simply repeated the instruction in His gentle, knowing way:
Write.
And because I’ve learned through the years that obedience opens doors fear can’t close, I did. I wrote. Not for applause. Not for likes. Not even for confidence. I wrote because God said to.
The First Time I Hit “Publish”
I remember the first time I shared something I’d written publicly. My palms were sweaty. I hit “publish” and immediately wanted to delete it.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Someone reached out and said, “This was exactly what I needed today.”Then someone else messaged me: “Thank you for saying what I’ve been afraid to say out loud.”
And in that moment, I realized something powerful:Obedience is the assignment. Impact is God’s business.
I wasn’t responsible for how far the words went. I was only responsible for releasing them.
Fear Still Visits… But It Doesn’t Get the Final Word.
Let’s be honest: fear doesn’t disappear just because you’re walking in obedience.
I still have moments where I open a blank document and wonder if I really have anything to say. I still feel that familiar nudge to play small or stay silent.
But here’s what I know now:Fear may visit, but it no longer sits at the head of the table.Obedience to God’s call has taught me that my words, and your words are not random. They’re assigned. Think about that… we get to be on assignment for God our Father… what a privilege… what an honor.
Even when it feels like no one’s reading.Even when the page feels heavy.Even when you’re not sure what to say next.
If God said “Write,”He has already prepared the heart who needs what’s in you.
From Fearful Writer to Faithful Messenger
So now I write from a different place—not from perfection, but from permission.I’ve given myself permission to write imperfectly. To write with honesty. To write even when I don’t feel qualified.
Because clarity doesn’t come before the writing. It comes in the writing.
And confidence?That comes through consistency and obedience, one page at a time.
For the Writer Who’s Still Hiding
If you’re reading this and you’ve felt the nudge to write, but fear keeps whispering, “Not you” I want to speak directly to you.You are not behind.You are not too late.You are not unqualified.
God doesn’t call the most eloquent, He calls the willing.You don’t need a contract to be called.You don’t need a platform to be obedient.You don’t need a perfect sentence to have a powerful story.
What you do need… is to listen.
If God said “Write,”your only job is to move your pen or your fingers and begin.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Friend, I never set out to be a writer people would quote or follow.I simply said yes to the assignment.And through that yes, God has opened doors, healed hearts, and revealed purpose, not just in others, but in me.
So here’s your reminder for today:Don’t wait until you feel ready.Don’t wait for the fear to vanish.Just “Write.”
God never wastes a willing pen.
TWEETABLEWhen God Says “Write”: Overcoming Fear and Finding Your Voice from Kennita (Kay) Williams on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Dr. Kennita Williams is a visionary leadership coach, author, and founder of Clear Vision Consulting. With a passion for helping leaders overcome fear, lead with clarity, and live whole, healthy, and healed, she equips others to write, speak, and lead from a place of faith and obedience. She is the author of multiple devotionals and leadership tools, and serves as a monthly contributor to The Write Conversation. Contact: drkay@clearvisionleader.com www.clearvisionleader.com

A Writer’s Guide to Living Well: Surviving and Thriving in Brokenness

Edie here: Feeling weighed down by conflict, loss, or broken relationships? In this blog post, discover 5 practical tips for writers to stay creative, find resilience, and live well—even in life’s toughest seasons.

A Writer's Guide to Living Well: Surviving and Thriving in Brokennessby Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767
Writing is a lot like life—it’s full of conflict, action, and suspense. The difference is that in our novels, we control the plot twists. In real life, we don’t always get that privilege.
Often, the stress of broken family relationships, the ache of distance between you and a loved one, or the weight of loss presses in so hard you can’t see straight—let alone write straight. And yet, deadlines and obligations don’t stop to give you a breather.
I’ve been there. I’ve faced days when the personal hurt felt so heavy that sitting at my desk to string words together seemed impossible. But I’ve learned in the trenches that you can survive and even thrive during brokenness. The secret is to remember that your worth isn’t in what you produce, but in how you live.
5 Tips to Navigate the Tough Seasons of Being a Writer & Stay Creative
1. Name the Conflict
In storytelling, the protagonist must face the problem head-on. In life, we often tend to ignore it, distract ourselves, or bury it under productivity. Healing begins with acknowledging the truth.
Say it out loud or write it down. Tell a trusted friend or mentor: “This is what’s holding me back right now.” Naming your conflict doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you a truth-teller—and truth-tellers write better, live better, and love better.
2. Take Purposeful Action—Small and Steady
When life feels overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle every problem at once. Focus on one purposeful step each day.Read a good book that shifts your perspective.Listen to an uplifting podcast while you cook dinner.Put on music that motivates and lifts your spirit.Eat well—not perfectly, but intentionally.Step outside, breathe fresh air, and let nature remind you that the world is still beautiful.Play with your pet and remember that joy can be simple.Exercise in a way that brings you joy. (For me, swimming is one of my favorites outlets. The water feels like freedom.)These little actions create small wins that build resilience.
3. Lean Into Your Suspense
Life’s uncertainty is often the most challenging aspect of brokenness. We want resolution, and we want it now. But suspense—the “what’s going to happen next?”—is what keeps us turning the pages in a story. 
Rather than resisting the unknown, lean into it. Let it be a teacher. Brokenness might feel like a cliffhanger, but it’s also the place where faith, hope, and creativity can grow the most.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Play
Sometimes the best therapy is to be ridiculous. Throw on some old-school rap or house music and dance like nobody’s watching. Laugh hard. Be silly on purpose.
When we play, we remind ourselves that life isn’t all about solving problems—it’s also about enjoying the moments in between. Play breaks up the heaviness and gives your mind a chance to breathe.
5. Commit to Living Well—Not Just Writing Well
Sometimes it’s tempting for us as writers to think our worth is tied to how much we publish, how quickly we meet deadlines, or how well our words are received. But when life hits hard, it’s more important to live well than to write well.
That doesn’t mean abandoning your craft—it means refusing to sacrifice your health, relationships, and joy on the altar of productivity. Commit to being a whole, present, and vibrant human first. Your writing will be richer for it.
Final Word
Brokenness will visit all of us. But it doesn’t have to define us. Your story—the one you’re living right now—is still being written by the One who knows the ending.
So breathe deep. Do something small and good today. Laugh loud. Swim your laps. Dance your cares away. And remember, you’re not just a good writer in the making—you’re a good life in the making.
TWEETABLEA Writer’s Guide to Living Well: Surviving and Thriving in Brokenness @KHutch0767 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021). She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color),
AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.
Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations. She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.

How a Writer Can Turn Passive Newsletter Subscribers into a Thriving Community

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff
Have you ever written a newsletter you feel really great about…only to hear crickets?No replies. No clicks. Not even a “Loved this!” from that one aunt who always replies or a “Got your newsletter today” from your bestie? 
If you have, you know it’s frustrating. And you’re not alone. A lot of time and effort go into putting together a newsletter. If you’ve written one for a while, you may wonder why your readers aren’t engaging like they used to. If you’re new to the newsletter world, you may wonder why your readers aren’t engaging like you thought they would. 
Reality is, newsletter engagement doesn’t just happen; you have to put effort into creating the space for it to happen. Thankfully, with a few intentional tweaks, you can change the tide of newsletter engagement. You can spark genuine conversations, build stronger connections, and turn those pesky passive readers into active fans that respond every single month. 
But let’s be real. Why does it even matter? Is it even worth your time? 
YES! It is worth your time and energy!
When your readers open, click, and reply, it’s more than a nice ego boost. It’s literally the key to your newsletter’s success. 
5 Reasons Newsletter Engagement Matters
1. Better Deliverability: Email platforms (like Gmail) watch how people interact with your emails. More opens, clicks, and replies tell the algorithms that people want to read your content, and it keeps you out of spam. Nothing is worse than having every Gmail subscriber go to a spam folder!2. Stronger Relationships: Engaged readers are more likely to trust you, support your work, and buy from you. Your newsletter becomes a conversation with individuals, not just a salesy email to a large group of people.3. Higher Conversions: Are you selling a book, product, or idea? Engaged readers with higher interaction boost the chances they’ll take action and buy your book.4. Audience Insight: Engagement data (like which links people click or what topics they respond to) helps you discover what your readers care about.5 Sustainable Growth: Readers who are invested in you, your story, and why you’re emailing them will be more likely to forward your email, share your content, or recommend you to others, growing your list organically. In short, engagement turns your subscriber list into a genuine community. And a community will carry your work further than any social media post ever could.
Now that you understand why engagement is so important, what can you do to increase your newsletter engagement? 
5 Newsletter Tweaks to do TODAY to Increase Engagement 
1. Ask Better QuestionsSpecific questions get specific answers. Instead of generic questions like, “What’s your favorite book?” try, “What’s a book you’ve read twice on purpose?” Swap “Any vacations planned this summer?” for “What’s one special thing you’re looking forward to this month?” The more specific the question, the easier it is for your subscribers to answer. 
2. Make It PersonalUse your reader’s first name if possible. Most providers give the option to include their name (with a “fallback” option if you haven’t collected everyone’s names). Make sure you are speaking in your voice and always write like you’re talking to one person. Because on the other side of the screen, you are.
3. Invite the ReplyIf you want responses, ask for them! Try, “I’d love to hear what you think. Hit reply and tell me.” Sometimes readers need permission to respond.
4. Show Up ConsistentlyShow up regularly (whatever that means for you: weekly, monthly, etc. ). People engage with what they’re used to. Consistency builds trust and trains readers to expect and look forward to your emails. 
5. Reward EngagementShout out a reader reply in your next email. Highlight a reader’s comment in your next newsletter or offer a small incentive for people who respond to a survey. (I often give away $10 Amazon Gift Cards!) Show your readers that their engagement matters. 
The more your newsletter feels like a genuine back-and-forth conversation, the more your readers will lean in, share their thoughts, and look forward to hearing from you. Over time, those little moments of connection build trust, loyalty, and a sense of belonging. And one day, you’ll open your inbox to find a reply that says, “This is exactly what I needed today.”
That’s when you realize you’re not just sending emails anymore. You’re leading a community. A community that shows up for you, supports your work, and helps your message travel further than any algorithm ever could. And here’s the best part. You don’t need thousands of subscribers to get there. You only need the ones you have to feel seen, heard, and valued.
I’d love to issue a challenge today. Choose one of the tweaks above and try it in your next newsletter. Be intentional, invite your readers in, and watch what happens. 
After you do it, send me a quick email at newslettersmadesimpl@gmail.com and let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear about your wins, big or small!
TWEETABLE How a Writer Can Turn Passive Newsletter Subscribers into a Thriving Community from @KateOliviaHuff on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Kate Huff is a storyteller at heart and loves finding Gospel elements in all stories, especially fairytales. She believes fairytales that explain the Gospel in clear and captivating ways have the power to change the world, one person at a time. Her first manuscript is currently with an agent, and she’s working on her second fiction novel along with a few non-fiction projects. 
Kate works as a freelance content writer and newsletter specialist. She has over twenty years of experience crafting content, specifically newsletters, across diverse sectors, including non-profits, sales, and fundraising. She helps authors and entrepreneurs create compelling newsletters that connect with their audiences and offers tailored content creation services, as well as training on how to build newsletters and grow subscriber bases.
You can find her at WWW.KATEOLIVIAHUFF.COM or on most socials as @kateoliviahuff. Sign up for Newsletters Made Simple for Authors at HTTPS://REBRAND.LY/NEWSLETTERS-MADE-SIMPLE for simple tips to take your newsletter from good to great!

From Agents to Zeugma: An A–Z Guide to Writing Words

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam
For many of us writers, this year has been, well—a little rough. I know of many struggling through health issues, losses of all kinds and various other reasons they may be unfocused or unable to write a lot during this time. I’ve talked to a few close writing friends of late, and see a recurring theme, myself included, and that would be the struggle to write. Life is pulling us all over and when the time comes to sit and write, words elude us. 
This summer I’m going through a God directed pivot in my writing and writing work, and I’m not completely on board with all of it—yet! Doubts and questions have risen to a bubbling point. To be honest, it has me at the bus stop for the struggle bus far too often of late. I’m generally a positive person—and definitely one who loves to giggle as much as possible—so I thought I’d share something with my fellow writers here who may have drooping chins. The project below will be a quick and fun little game to make you think. 
Let’s have some fun and play “A Writer’s ABCs.” I enjoyed putting this list together, and I’m positive all you talented writers out there will be able to add to my list. Please play along and make this list even longer.
Share a word corresponding to each letter of the alphabet in the comments section below. They need to be writing or writing industry related. See how many more terms you can add. We might find ourselves having to do a little research on some words we’ve not come across in our writing journey yet, I know I did with a couple I’ve put on the list! 
A to Z of Writing: Creative Terms and Ideas for Writers
A – agents, archetype, antagonist, acquisitions, alliteration.
B – brainstorming, bylines, bios, blogging, beats.
C – caffeine, chocolate, coaching, connections, critiques, conferences.
D – deadlines, deleting, dictionary.
E – editors, edits, engagement, editing, eBook, excel.
F – friendship, fiction, flash-fiction
G – genre, galleys.
H – hybrid, historical.
I – Independent, ISBN.
J – jargon, journal.
K – keywords.
L – learn, lingo. 
M – manuscript, metaphor.
N – nonfiction, novel, novella, noun.
O – online, outline.
P – premise, publishing, platform, protagonist, plot, POV, panster, proposals.
Q – query, questions, quantifiers.
R – romance, reading, rewrite.
S – synopsis, suspense, subplot, speculative, Scrivener.
T – thesaurus, tags, trope, theme.
U – update, understatement.
V – value-added, voice, vocabulary, verb.
W – writing, write, writer, Word.
X – Xenophanic (for real writing term!).
Y – YOU (only YOU can answer YOUR calling to write YOUR story).
Z – Zoom!, Zzzzs (need your rest), Zeugma (look it up!).
Those are some I have come up with. What else would you add to the list? Let’s have some fun!
TWEETABLEFrom Agents to Zeugma: An A–Z Guide to Writing Words from @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. Don't miss her recent book, LAUNCH THAT BOOK, just released in November. 
Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.

Online Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Scams are a huge issue for everyone today. This is particularly important for writers because we do so much of our engagement with readers online. It seems everywhere we turn we are being notified about another breach or getting another possible scam message. But there are things we can do to say safe. Beyond keeping ourselves safe, being wise can protect others as well. 
Craft a DefenseWe begin our defense on our knees. In these days of online attacks, a wise writer prays:Before opening thecomputerBefore opening an email or a messageBefore responding. Urgency is a common trick every scammer uses. If they can make us react in haste, we are much more vulnerable. The best way to combat this trick is to slow down and take time to pray. 
Combat scammers is to remember who the true enemy is. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.Ephesians 6:12. 
Not all those who are sending scam messages or making scam phone calls are doing it because they want to. There is something new called scam farms. These are full of trafficked men and women who are enslaved and forced to spend hours a day sending out scams. They are punished if they don’t get results—another reason to begin our warfare with prayer. 
10 Steps for Writers to Take to Stay Safe Online1. Remain aware. Every single time there is a security breach, there will be an uptick in scams. Pay attention to notices that warn of a breach that may contain your personal information. Then go one step further. Visit one of these two sites to see if your password/social security number/email address has been compromised. https://haveibeenpwned.com and https://cybernews.com/personal-data-leak-check/2. Develop a healthy skepticism. Every single time you get an email begin by assuming it’s a lie. Skepticism can be a great defense to help us stay safe. Start with the assumption you’re being scammed and unfortunately, you won’t be far from wrong.3.Never use public wifi to sign into any website that uses a password. Public wifi is vulnerable to spoofing. Do your banking, and anything that has a password on a private—secure—wifi.4. Sign up for two-factor authentication. Yes, it’s an inconvenience to sign in with extra steps. But that inconvenience is nothing compared to dealing with a scammer. 5. Use the HIDE YOUR EMAIL option when you enter your email online. This is relatively new and it seems counterintuitive, but it is infinitely safer and can keep hackers from getting your email address in a breach. 6. Use a different password for every single account. Don’t ever repeat an email, this makes you vulnerable to hackers. I use a password program to keep up with my passwords and help me remember when I need to change them. There are lots of good ones out there. Look for 32-bit encryption when you’re choosing one. 7. Assume it's a lie. If you approach everything you see online with a healthy skepticism, you'll be right more often than not. 8. Do your research. When you receive an email, text, or phone call—especially if it's urgent—stop and look at where it originates. Inspect the phone number, the email address and look for discrepancies. THEN look up the contact information online and use that way to contact the company and/or personal who contacted you. Also do a quick search for what has happened and the word scam. That will tell you if this is a common tactic of scammers. 9. Stop believing ANYTHING on social media (and online) is private. It is not. Friends only on Facebook has been breached so often we've lost count. Stop being lured into a false sense of security. 10. Delete and close old and little-used accounts. These are a goldmine for scammers and hackers. And they can cause you problems on related sites. Facebook could shut down your entire library of accounts if an old account gets hacked. 
Bottom Line: Know the Warning SignsAn email address that’s close to a legitimate email. Look for extra numbers and letters. Poor grammar. Even AI hasn’t perfected perfect grammar in subject lines or in the body of messages. A ticking clock. Scams rely on making the recipient panic or worry about time running out. A request for personal information, like passwords, banking info, user names, etc. Legitimate companies would never ask this information. A link to click. When you’re asked to click a link—even if you think it’s legitimate—go to the website on a separate browser and investigate. 
With these steps we can all stay safe online.
TWEETABLEOnline Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025 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.

How Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
We all want new—and easier—ways to connect with those who read what we write. For a long time, Instagram reels was the way to do that. But in the last year or so, there has been a glut of reels on Insta and even a little view fatigue. 
In recent interviews, the CEO of Instagram has shared how the platform is tweaking their algorithm to allow room for something old that’s new again—Carousels. 
Carousels on Instagram are the new hot thing and are enjoying a boost in the algorithm—when they’re done well. So today we’re going to break it all down and give you an updated look at best practices for Instagram Carousels.
What is a Carousel?It’s certainly not new—even if the term is unfamiliar to us. 
The term is derived from the now-old-fashioned slide projector (not the ride you find at an amusement park). The gadget we loaded slides into was called a carousel. This is what Insta calls a post with multiple slides (images and/or videos). So don’t look for a new icon to tap, just go to New Post and click the multiple image icon (a small double square icon) and you’ve chosen the carousel option. 
Why Post a Carousel?I’m so glad you asked! LOL! Here are some of the best reasons:People can consume the content at their own pace. People are tired of having to view information in movie form (reels) and even having to watch the reel multiple times to get what they need from it. Carousels show up in multiple places on IG—when you add music to them. FeedExploreRecommended reelsCarousels create a strong profile experience when you pin one the top of your gridCarousels are easy to make from repurposed content and easy to repurpose for content elsewhere Instagram often shows carousels multiple times in a newsfeed—using the second slide to create a new post. So one carousel has the opportunity to show up twice in your newsfeed—once with the first slide as the image, and again with the second slide as the image. 
10 Things that Make a Carousel Better1. Adding music to your carousel. Even better is to utilize the trending music option. Carousels (and reels) that utilize trending music just show up more often in the algorithm.2. Curating the flow of your slides. Whether you’re posting vacation pics, or disseminating information from a blog post, think through the flow of information. You’re telling a visual story—it needs a beginning, middle and an end.3. Remembering the first two slides are critically important. The first slide is your hook and will be what entices a reader to stop and scroll through your carousel. Surprisingly, the second slide is also vital to getting your carousel seen. It should contain your hook as well—restated and intriguing4. Including your CTA (Call to Action) in the last slide. This can be anything, including but not limited to: Subscribe to my newsletterPurchase my bookRead my blog postFollow me on insta5. Not overstuffing slides with text. Too much text is a turn-off. Keep it simple.6. Keeping the images engaging and at least some of them real. Pictures of yourself speaking, writing, taking pictures, etc. remind the reader that you are a real person. 7. Using no more than 10 slides (in almost all cases) however Insta allows up to 20 slides.8. Using these 3 main categories to create the focus of your carousel:Educational Behind the scenes Storytelling (authority thought-leader content)9. Making the slides on Canva & using similar fonts to what’s available on the IG app. It’s so much easier to create your slides here and then upload them to IG. We want to use similar fonts because that makes a smoother transition for the reader who’s scrolling through the IG newsfeed. Here are some fonts on Canva that mimic the fonts on Instagram (the first font is the name on IG, the second is the name on Canva):Normal — Roboto BoldElegant — ArapeyDirectional — Nuniti Sans CondensedLiterature — Source Serif Pro10. Using AI to help you curate the content you already have. This one is a game changer! Upload a blog post into your AI of choice (I use ChatGPT) and ask it to give you ideas for an Instagram Carousel. Do the same with a chapter in your book, or a talk you give regularly. You've already created the content, all AI is doing is helping you find a good way to share it.
Best Types of Carousels for Writers to Reach Readers There are multiple types of carousels and you can scroll through my Instagram newsfeed to see several You can find me here:  @Stop2Pray on IG). 
Stacked Style: This type of carousel has images stacked on top of each other in a single slide. You can see an example of this in my Difference Between a Successful and Unsuccessful Writer carousel. I created each stacked slide in Canva before I uploaded them to Instagram. There isn’t a way (that I know of) to create stacked slides in the Insta app or website.
Listicle: This is taking a list and using each item as an individual slide. I did that in Bible Verses to Pray Over Your Writing . This example is also an example of what NOT to do. Each slide has too much text, so it’s not very effective. 
Mini Book Preview: This could be created by using the chapters as individual slides, or taking a single chapter and using the main points as individual slides. 
Mini Talk Preview: This is the same as the book above but it utilizes a talk from your speaking repertoire.
Video/Slide: This can be done with any of the above types of carousels. It’s great to include a short (no more than 30 seconds or so) video as one or two of the slides in your carousel. 
Bottom LineCarousels are a great way to connect with readers, repurpose content, and share what you have to offer. Now it’s your turn. What questions do you have about creating carousels and if you’ve done them, what has worked and what tips do you have for the rest of us? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,Edie
TWEETABLEHow Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers @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.

Keeping It in the Family: How to Involve Family Members in Your Writing Journey

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites
“I got a idea,” my six-year-old grandson said. “Let’s put the gingerbread guys in the tree and take a picture.”
Beniah knows nothing about social media, but he has observed my photo ops with Ginger and Geoff, the stuffed gingerbread dolls I use for book marketing. He delights in joining my creativity. He likes to pretend I’m Photographer Julie and he’s Mr. Photography Assistant. 
For some odd reason unbeknownst to me, we talk in high-pitched, squeaky voices when we assume these roles. 
“This will be a good shot,” Benaiah squeaked after squeezing Ginger and Geoff on a pine branch. After taking twelve pictures of the same pose—maybe one of the dolls blinked?—Benaiah moved them to another branch and snapped away again. 
I played along and let him take as many pictures as he wanted. I mean, after all, I have twenty-three pictures of Ginger and Geoff in blackberry vines and next to blueberry bushes from a previous Grandmommy Camp visit to a local you-pick produce field.
And guess what? Just a couple of days after Benaiah went home to his parents, I realized I could use a photo he took of Ginger and Geoff in a tree to celebrate Tree Climbing Week for my daily social media posts. (Who knew there was a Tree Climbing Week?)
Some people say, “Writing is a lonely job.” But it doesn’t have to be. We can find unique ways to involve family members in our writing journey. Here are some of my favorite tips.
10 Tips to Involve Your Family in Your Writing Journey 
1. Brainstorm ideas together. 
2. Ask for editorial assistance. (You may want to first share with the family member the Word Weavers International method of critiquing—begin with positive affirmation, share constructive criticism, end with positive affirmation). 
3. Discuss social media posts and involve family members in videos or photo ops.
4. Ask a family member to create social media memes. 
5. Visit a library or bookstore together and search for and peruse comparative titles. 
6. Discuss fellow authors, especially in your preferred genre, with your spouse or other family member to keep them in the know about your writer friend-group.
7. Invite a family member to help you address and stamp mail-outs. 
8. Travel to the post office together to mail books and flyers. Get a coffee, soda, or donut treat afterward.
9. Invite a family member to help you write interview questions to share with a podcaster or radio or television host.
10. Encourage family members to pray often for your writing journey. 
Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely activity when we make the effort to involve our spouse, children, or six-year-old grandchild who loves taking photos—lots of them. Do you have other ways to include family members in your professional writing life? Share them in the comment section—I’d love to incorporate your suggestions. 
TWEETABLEKeeping It in the Family: How to Involve Family Members in Your Writing Journey from @JLavenderWrites on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Julie Lavender is the co-author with her husband of three recently-published books from Penguin Random House: Raising Good Sons, Jumbo Bible Word Search, and Children’s Advent Stories for Bedtime. She and her husband also penned eighteen educational books for Mitchell Lane Publishers that release soon, with contracts pending for four more six-book series in the next ten months. Julie is very grateful for the writing opportunities God’s sent her way and thanks Him often for His blessings.