The Writers Bloc Podcast

Ep. 36: How to Find the Heart of Your Story with Mara Eller

When you're writing about your life, sooner or later, you have to answer the question, "What does it all mean?" In this conversation, Mara shares a surprisingly simple exercise to help you identify the central themes that can provide purpose and direction for your written narratives. Listen in on how you can discover clarity in your story and how you can use that clarity to write an infinite number of powerful pieces. You won't want to miss it!

Mara helps writers craft stories that change the world.  You can work with Mara and follow her on her website, maraeller.com, or on Instagram @mara.eller

Do you want to be a part of an ongoing conversation about the art and heart of writing? Do you want to link arms with other writers going in the same forward direction as you are? Guess what? Now you can! Join the Writers' Bloc for FREE now through the end of August 2024. Don't miss out! Did we mention it's free? 

 

Ep. 35: Finding Peace in Pruning with Cara Blondo

As writers, we focus on growth: personal growth, our readers’ growth, growth of platform, influence,  and more. What happens when growth slows - or even “worse” - appears to diminish? Do we spin our wheels harder and faster or recognize we may be in a pruning season? In this episode, Cara helps us consider what pruning may look like and how we can be honest about its difficulty. It's in these seasons of pruning that we gain the courage to continue by looking at Scriptural examples that remind us of His higher ways and better purposes for our lives and writing endeavors. 

You can follow Cara on her website at: theonethingdesired.com

or on Instagram at @the_one_thing_desired 

Do you want to be a part of an ongoing conversation about the art and heart of writing? Do you want to link arms with other writers going in the same forward direction as you are? Guess what? Now you can! Join the Writers' Bloc for FREE now through the end of August 2024. Don't miss out! Did we mention it's free? 

Ep. 34: For the Love of Language: How to Read and Understand Poetry with Ashley Anthony

Do you want to get better at reading and understanding poetry? Does poetry sometimes intimidate you? Who better to help us appreciate poetry than Ashley Anthony? She's a seminary student at Westminster Theological Seminary and teaches English at a university in Missouri. She loves words, stories, and poetry and shares her love with us in this fun conversation about how to read both Christian and Scriptural.  

You can follow Ashley's writing at ashleyganthony.com

 

Through August 2024, we're offering free membership to the Writers' Bloc. Join us as we grow in the art and heart of writing together! Join for free today!

Ep. 33: Writing and Publishing as an Unconventional Entrepreneur with Space Welch

Space Welch has been managing a small business since 2007, yet never considered herself a business owner. Her philosophies are unconventional. She sees Space Cadet Soaps as God's business rather than her own and her product as an opportunity to bless others rather than just to make money. She sees vending as a covert missionary operation and an opportunity to offer counseling to those in need rather than an opportunity to sell things. Her upside-down way of viewing her business has enabled her to view her writing the same way. By side-stepping the pressure to "sell" her words, she's been able to see them as a means of tending souls and also believes that if she simply walks in faithful obedience to make the art God created her to make, she can trust Him to do with it what He wills. Listen in on this fun conversation and consider how your writing and/or business can be unconventional for the sake of the kingdom.

Check out Space's business, Space Cadet Soaps: spacecadetsoaps.com 

You can follow Space and her writing at spacewelch.com

Did you know you can now join the Writers' Bloc for free? Enrollment is open now through the end of August 2024. Come be a part of this exciting and growing community and grow with us in the art and heart of writing! Join us today!

 

Ep. 32: How to Use Substack as a Tool in Your Writing Career with Lara D’Entremont

Trends are always changing, and it's no different in the writing world. Right now, Substack is the place to be as a creative writer. But this trend is different from the dancing and pointing trends of IG Reels—this trend is actually for writers and can provide them with a better way to connect with their audiences without needing to jump through hoops, as social media forces us to do. Lara will show us how to harness Substack to grow our readership in a way that doesn't feel tacky or icky.

 

Are you interested in joining this dynamic online writing community? Click here to join our free community today.

 

Ep. 31: How to Understand Your Audience More Deeply with Lisa Schell

Do you ever wonder how to connect with your audience? Have you ever wished you knew how to dig into their felt needs and reach them with your words? Join us for this conversation with Lisa Schell who helps large and small businesses and entrepreneurs connect to their target audiences with conversational messaging that builds trust and rapport using the principle of empathy. We'll consider how Jesus modeled this and how you can understand your audience more deeply and uncover their needs beneath "the need." You can learn more about Lisa's work at LisaSchell.com.

 

Are you interested in learning more about the Writers' Bloc? We're an online community of Christian women writers seeking to grow in the art and heart of writing together. Learn more about how you can be involved at www.mywritersbloc.com.

 

Ep. 30: Platform Building According to the Bible with Jana Carlson

As Christian writers, we're sensitive to the pitfalls of pride and self-promotion, yet we understand the value of building a platform. Jesus showed us how to faithfully glorify God and serve our audience without caving under pressure. Jana will walk us through Biblical examples and practical encouragement to equip us to maximize our gifts for the good of others and the glory of God.

 

Jana writes to encourage women in the Word and equip Christian writers to write for God's glory. You can follow her work at www.janacarlson.com.

Do you want to build your own writing platform? Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or a published author, there's more to learn and new friends to be made at the Writers' Bloc. Join us and become our new neighbor at www.mywritersbloc.com.

 

Ep. 29: A Conversation with Ruth Chou Simons

Ruth Chou Simons is a bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies - including Gracelaced, Beholding, and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease. She's an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people's hearts. 

She dropped in to talk to us about writing, calling, platform-building, and remaining true on and offline. Enjoy this special episode with Ruth Simons and Writers' Bloc founder Cara Ray.

 

You can follow Ruth on her website at https://gracelaced.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ruthchousimons/

 

Do you want to grow in the art and heart of writing? There's no better place to do that than among your neighborly friends at the Writers' Bloc. Learn more and join us here at: www.mywritersbloc.com