Is your idea strong enough to become a book? If you've ever wrestled with that question, you're in good company. In today’s episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, I sit down with writing coach and author Ann Kroeker to talk about how to know whether your idea has the depth, clarity, and longevity needed for a full manuscript. Together, we explore: ✨ How to test and validate your book idea long before you write the full draft ✨ Why sharing your idea early is a gift—not a risk ✨ How curiosity, calling, and stewardship shape the projects we pursue ✨ What traditional publishers are really looking for ✨ When self-publishing is the stronger path ✨ How to build a brand that supports your message—without losing sight of ministry ✨ Why experimentation, iteration, and “just making things” matters for every writer ✨ The surprising connection between platform, clarity, and long-term passion for your topic Ann’s wisdom will encourage you to slow down, think deeply, and discern where God might be leading you as a writer. If you're standing at the crossroads of Do I write this book? or Is this idea enough?, this episode will meet you right where you are. You can follow Ann at annkroeker.com and her podcast, Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, wherever you listen to podcasts. 👇 Let me know in the comments: What idea are you exploring right now—and what step will you take this week to test it?

Writing online can feel like shouting into the void or slipping into self-promotion. In this conversation with Grant Herbel of The Writer’s Calling on Substack, we explore a different way: seeing writing as worship, serving readers rather than chasing numbers, and using Substack’s features to build a real, engaged community. If you’ve wondered whether Substack is worth your time, how to grow there without “platform panic,” or how to think Christianly about promotion and audience-building, this episode will steady and encourage you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your “failed” blogs and abandoned projects aren’t wasted in God’s hands How a secure identity in Christ can free you to write boldly without making writing your identity What makes Substack unique for writers who want depth, not just clicks. How Substack Notes can become a top-of-funnel way to meet new readers Practical ways to host a community using comments and Chat Healthy ways to think about paid subscriptions and monetizing your writing 🔗 Find Grant on Substack: thewriterscalling.substack.com If this conversation encouraged you, like, subscribe, and share it with a writer friend who’s trying to navigate calling, community, and platform with a clear conscience before the Lord.

What if the most fruitful writing life isn’t about going bigger—but going smaller? In this conversation, author Kristen Couch (Deep Roots, Good Fruit) shares how “thinking small” has shaped her craft: trading platform chasing for prayerful presence, social scrolling for noticing, and grand gestures for steady obedience. Kristen opens up about her process and her weekly workflow. She shares editorial tips, such as the power of reading aloud, choosing stronger verbs, cultivating specificity, and guarding sacred writing hours. She also offers gracious counsel on life rhythms and what it means to write for an audience of One while serving the many. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “small faithfulness” produces deep fruit in your writing How to protect creative focus in a distracted world Practical editing moves: read aloud, feel the “potholes,” strengthen verbs The surprising reach of specificity (how small stories touch universal nerves) A simple analog system for capturing ideas that won’t get lost How to build a sustainable weekly writing rhythm without guilt Connect with Kristin Website & newsletter: the-palest-ink.com (The Good, the True, the Beautiful) Audio course: Write the Truth Beautifully (details on her site) Book: Deep Roots, Good Fruit (The Good Book Company) To access Kristin's teaching in the Writers’ Bloc, consider becoming a premium member here: https://writers-bloc.mn.co/plans/3029... If this encouraged you, share it with a writer who needs a nudge toward steady, quiet faithfulness. Subscribe for more craft-forward, gospel-hearted conversations, and join our community to grow in the art and heart of writing—together.

How do you write honestly about pain, without despair, and with real gospel hope? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Vaneetha Rendall Risner shares her journey from childhood polio and profound loss to a ministry of writing that comforts the suffering. We talk about lament, journaling, discernment about what (and when) to share, and how God often calls “reluctant writers” to faithful words. Key takeaways for writers Lament is candid grief with trust—bring your full heart to God and let the turn to praise arise honestly. Write from processed pain: journal now; publish later. Measure faithfulness, not metrics. Obedience beats “virality.” Your plain, unadorned voice can be precisely the vessel God uses. Resources mentioned Scripture: John 9; Romans 8:28; the Psalms of lament On lament: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop Mentors referenced: John Piper; Joni Eareckson Tada; Ann Voskamp; Paul Tripp Writing tool: Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice-to-text) Connect with Vaneetha Website: vaneetha.com (aka “Dance in the Rain”) Books: Watching for the Morning (devotional); Walking Through Fire (memoir); The Scars That Have Shaped Me; This Was Never the Plan (forthcoming, April 1) Stay connected with The Writers’ Bloc Subscribe for more conversations that help you grow in the art and heart of writing. Share this episode with a friend who’s writing through hard places. Want community and craft support? Join us inside The Writers’ Bloc. If this episode encouraged you, drop a comment with a one-sentence lament or prayer let’s bear one another’s burdens and point each other back to Christ.

In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray sits down with Lori Ann Wood, author of Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted. Lori Ann shares how an unexpected heart failure diagnosis became the catalyst for her writing journey, leading her to process suffering through journaling and eventually publish a traditionally published, award-winning book. She opens up about walking through seasons of deep uncertainty, how she wrote her story in small, faith-anchored pieces, and how God meets us on the detours we didn’t plan for. If you’ve ever wondered how to write from scars instead of wounds—or how to trust God when your life takes an unplanned turn—this conversation is for you. 📖 Connect with Lori Ann Wood: Website & book trailer → https://loriannwood.com/books Instagram & Facebook → @LoriAnnWood ✍️ The Writers’ Bloc Podcast is a place for Christian writers to grow in craft, faith, and community.

Welcome to The Writers’ Bloc Podcast! In this episode, Cara sits down with Mary DeMuth—a powerhouse in the Christian publishing world. Mary is a literary agent, a daily podcaster of Pray Every Day, a Scripture artist, a speaker, and the author of over 50 books. 🎙️ In this conversation, we talk about: What makes a strong agent–author relationship How to build a meaningful platform that truly connects with readers

Common publishing myths (and what agents are really looking for) Why great writing and original ideas still matter most Tips for craft, mentorship, and marketing that help authors stand out Mary also shares personal insights from her decades-long career, from writing in journals as a young girl to mentoring writers around the world. 📚 Learn more about Mary: marydemuth.com 📖 Her latest book: The Freedom of Surrender (IVP) 🪴 Writers, be encouraged: God does impossible math with your loaves and fishes. Steward your words well, and trust Him with the reach.

Writing isn’t just about fighting distractions—it’s about facing the mindsets that keep us stuck. In this episode of the Writer’s Bloc Podcast, Cara Ray and Amy Simon (host of The Purposeful Pin Podcast and writer of the Pen Points newsletter) talk about building a sustainable writing routine rooted in discipline, grace, and truth. We dig into: Why writing is a spiritual discipline How to spot (and replace) unhealthy mindsets like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and “all-or-nothing” thinking Balancing God’s role and our role in the writing process How to write faithfully, even when numbers or recognition don’t come If you’ve ever felt stuck, distracted, or discouraged in your writing, this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical steps for moving forward. 👉 Don’t miss Amy’s premium teaching inside the Writer’s Bloc, where she’ll go even deeper into mindsets and strategies for writers. Join us at www.mywritersbloc.com. You can follow Amy at @amylynnsimon.com and The Purposeful Pen Podcast.

Can you really pray for your writing? In this episode of The Writer’s Bloc Podcast, I sit down with author Jenn Soehnlin to talk about the power of prayer in the writing life. Jen shares her journey from resisting God’s call to write to discovering how praying Scripture transformed not just her motherhood and faith but also her words on the page. We explore: How prayer shapes and sustains the writing process The surprising lessons Jenn learned about praying Scripture Practical ways writers can pray for their words, ministry, and readers Why prayer changes us even before it changes our circumstances Whether you’re wrestling with imposter syndrome, longing for direction in your calling, or simply wanting to align your words with God’s will, this conversation will encourage you to see writing as a ministry, rooted in prayer. 📖 Connect with Jen: embracing.life 📖 Download her 25 Scriptures to Pray for Your Writing: https://prayerempoweredwriter.substac... https://jennembracinglife.substack.com/ https://embracingthisspeciallife.subs...