The Writers Bloc

Ep. 48: People’s Personalities: Real Life and Character Creation with Rosemary Berry

"Why would he do that?" "How could she say that?" "I just don't understand some people!" God created every human being, but we have different temperaments. An understanding of how people tick, especially if they are not like us, helps us to understand our neighbors so we can love them better. In addition, as writers, we need a deep understanding of people to write well. Fiction writers need to create believable characters, and nonfiction writers need to awaken an understanding of their topic or the subject of their biography in readers. Understanding the temperaments is an eye-opening (sometimes mind-blowing) way to achieve this. Come learn how to use knowledge of the temperaments to improve your relationships and enrich your writing!

Follow Rosemary on Substack at: https://rosemarymcguireberry.substack.com/ and Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/rosemary.writer/

The Writers' Bloc is a podcast and an online community for Christian writers who desire to grow in the art and heart of writing. Love God, love words, and love readers with us. Join the waiting list for our next open and free enrollment. www.mywritersbloc.com

 

Ep. 47: A Conversation with Will Parker Anderson

Join us for a special conversation with Will Anderson, a senior editor at Waterbrook Multnomah. As a publishing professional, Will understands what publishers seek in writers who want to get their books published. He sympathizes with the struggle to build a platform and offers great suggestions for writers who wish to develop their platforms without relying too heavily on social media. Join us for this insightful conversation about how to build your writing platform, test your book ideas, and grow in the craft of writing. You'll come away refreshed and encouraged!

You can follow Will on his podcast, The Writers Circle, or his website at www.willparkeranderson.com.

The Writers' Bloc is a podcast and an online community for Christian writers who desire to grow in the art and heart of writing. Love God, love words, and love readers with us. Join the waiting list for our next open and free enrollment. www.mywritersbloc.com

 

 

Ep. 46: Five Ideas to Make Your Writing an Act of Worship with Keri Willis

Do you consider the act of writing as worship?

You don't have to raise your arms or voice to worship the Lord. Writing is a spiritual offering; we can give to the Lord and ask him to receive it as worship and bless his people. Keri Willis understands this concept well. As a teacher, she knows that when she's excited and engaged in a lesson, her students are too. This kind of engagement yields far more results than a simple lecture or worksheet. The same is true for our writing. Whether fiction, non-fiction, devotionals, Bible study, or memoir, our attitudes as we write, the word pictures we present, and our correct representation of Scripture can serve our readers, moving them from spectator to participant. Keri Lynn Willis joins us for this conversation about how we can serve our readers and honor the Lord by using writing as worship.

 

Keri Willis writes to encourage thirsty souls to drink deeply from the fountain of living water. You can follow her work at www.kerilynnwillis.com

 

The Writers' Bloc is a podcast and an online community for Christian writers who desire to grow in the art and heart of writing. Love God, love words, and love readers with us. Join the waiting list for our next open and free enrollment. www.mywritersbloc.com

 

Ep. 45: A Conversation with Meg Marie Wallace

Meg Wallace is a writer, author, speaker, dreamer, creator, wife, and mother to seven! She's also a self-taught photographer, part-time homeschooler, 22+ year pastor's wife, life coach, potty training expert, hair and fashion guru, Bible obsessed, people-loving ballet/sports mama, puppy parent, chicken keeper, sourdough lover, and official homemaker for a not so little family.

Meg first began blogging in 2015 as an "expression of art" after their church, Mars Hill Huntington Beach, closed down. She wrote posts geared toward moms, with a desire to strengthen women and communicate the gospel. Her writing gained the attention of millions, and her work has been seen on Focus on the Family, The Courage with Kirk Cameron, Faith Wire, Faith It, and many more.

As a woman who juggles a lot, her prayer hasn't been, "Lord, please help me lessen my load," but, "Lord, expand my capacity." Join us for this fun conversation about certain seasons that require addition, not subtraction. If you've ever felt that way in juggling writing, family, and responsibilities, you'll find fresh gospel encouragement in this conversation with Meg and Cara.

You can learn more about Meg on her website: https://www.megmariewallace.com/. She is the author of With all Joy. Meg talks all things motherhood on her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/megmariewallace/

Are you interested in joining the Writers' Bloc? Our free community offers quarterly enrollment. To learn more and join the waitlist, visit www.mywritersbloc.com. 

 

 

 

Ep. 44: Leaving Social Media without Regret with Sandy Cooper and Mary K. Tiller

More and more writers are choosing to leave social media because it's not life-giving, they're tired of battling the algorithm, or they find that the return on their investment isn't worth their time and energy.

Leaving social media as a writer is an emotional decision. You’re probably asking yourself, “How will people find me? Will I fade into obscurity? Is it irresponsible of me to even consider shutting this down? What if I leave and then regret it?” Sandy and Mary K. get it! They both decided to leave social media and haven't looked back. If you are a writer considering leaving social media, this conversation is for you. Sandy and Mary K will offer several viable alternatives to social media, so if you choose to leave it, you can do so without regret.

You won't find Sandy and Mary K. on social media, but you can find them on their website: https://writingoffsocial.com/ or subscribe to their podcast. 

Another way to grow your following is to learn and grow in community with other writers. If you want to join the Writers' Bloc, sign up for our waitlist here: www.mywritersbloc.com. 

 

 

 

 

Ep. 43: From Writer to Speaker: Transitioning our Words for Impactful Speaking Events with Marissa Bondurant

As writers, we will eventually be asked to speak. Your message matters and your voice is needed. But how do we transition our written words into a live speaking experience that leaves our listeners encouraged and ourselves joyful? Join us in this conversation with Marissa Bondurant as we discuss practical steps we can take to craft our spoken message from what we have already written onto paper. This conversation will encourage you to boldly step into new ministry opportunities the Lord may call you to.

Are you a caregiver in need of encouragement? Marissa offers gospel hope to caregivers and is the author of Who Cares For You? A 4-Week Bible Study for Caregivers

Find encouragement in your caregiving by following Marissa on her website at https://marissabondurant.com/ or her Substack Gospel Hope for Caregivers

Are you interested in joining the Writers' Bloc? Our free community offers quarterly enrollment. To learn more and join the waitlist, visit www.mywritersbloc.com. 

 

Ep. 42: Special Guest: A Conversation with Melanie Dobson

Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to immerse herself in the past by reading old books, interviewing new friends, and exploring fascinating places around the world. She is the award-winning author of almost thirty historical, time-slip, and romantic suspense novels. Five of her novels (Memories of Glass, Chateau of Secrets, Catching the Wind, The Silent Order, and The Stranger) have received Carol Awards, and Catching the Wind received the Inspirational Fiction Audie Award and was a finalist for the Christy. The Black Cloister, her novel about a dangerous cult, was named the ForeWord Religious Fiction Book of the Year.

Melanie also loves encouraging writers and stopped by for a fun chat on the Bloc. Writers of all skill levels will appreciate and benefit from this interview.

To learn more about Melanie, visit her website at https://melaniedobson.com/

Are you interested in joining the Writers' Bloc? Our free community offers quarterly enrollment. To learn more and join the waitlist, visit www.mywritersbloc.com. 

Ep. 41: How to Tell a Story: Building Blocks of Fiction with Rachel Allord

Well-told stories are powerful. They ignite our imagination, inspire us to action, and enable us to absorb greater truths. Understanding the building blocks of fiction will empower your writing, whether you craft novels, blogs, memoirs, or non-fiction. Rachel will help us share our stories and add sparkle to our writing by teaching us the must-have ingredients of a good story, the power of word pictures, and the tools to develop a plan and start writing.

Rachel is the author of several books, including her most recent The Girl on the Tube. You can learn more about Rachel, her ministry in London, and her other books on her website at https://rachelallord.com/

You can access Rachel's complete teaching, and a host of other resources and make new writing friends by joining the Writers' Bloc.