The Purposeful Pen - Clarity for Christian Writers

Where do the ideas for picture books come from? For my guest, Molly Arbuthnott, they started from the imagined adventures of her family cat who was lost on a ferry trip. In this interview, I talk with Molly about how she started writing picture books, how she is trying to market them for adults as well as children, and some encouragement for those just starting out on the writing adventure. About...

If you’re dreaming of writing a nonfiction book, the book proposal isn’t just a hoop to jump through — it’s a clarity tool. Think of it as a business plan for your book, and one of the most valuable things you can do before you write a single chapter. In this episode, I walk through two of the most misunderstood (and most dreaded) sections of a book proposal: comp titles and your marketing plan. W...

Have you been thinking about writing your life story as a memoir? Before you start, there are some important distinctions every writer needs to understand. Getting clear on them could save you months of frustration. In this episode, I breaks down the difference between memoir and autobiography, help you identify who you’re really writing for, and offer a honest word about emotional readiness befor...

If you’re growing tired of the constant push to get your words out to as many people as possible, I invite you to take a deep breath and listen to this interview with Sarah Steele. In this conversation, we talk about how Sarah chose to invest her time, effort, and attention on serving her local community through her writing, which includes songs and poems. She also shares how her story of over-ser...

Can you explain your book in one or two sentences? If not, that’s your next step, and this episode is for you. This week we’re diving into how to sharpen your book’s main idea and craft an elevator pitch that brings clarity to both you and your reader. What You’ll Learn: * Why a clear, concise book concept is essential before you start writing * What an elevator pitch is and why it matters for wri...

You walk into a bookstore and a title catches your eye. You pick it up. Maybe you buy it. But why that book? It made you a promise, and you wanted it. That simple moment of connection is actually the key to writing a book that works. And it raises a question worth sitting with before you type a single chapter: What is the promise your book is making to your reader? In this episode, we dig into thr...

We’ve talked about the mindset that has to come first. Now let’s talk about the work. Because here’s the thing: wanting to write a book means we actually have to write well. If you feel like you’re not there, yet, don’t be discouraged. Writing is a craft, and crafts can be learned. Ways to Actually Grow A few places to start: * Read the classics on craft. On Writing Well by William Zinsser and The...

Before we talk craft or contracts or query letters, we need to talk about something that will shape everything else on this journey. Humility. Not the kind that shrinks back and whispers, I have nothing to offer. And not the kind that charges forward thinking, I already know what I need to know. Both will quietly sabotage the work before it ever reaches a reader. The Two Extremes Some of us feel a...

What should you actually do before you start writing your book? In this episode, I’m joined by author and acquisitions editor Jennifer Dukes Lee to talk about what aspiring authors often overlook in the excitement of getting started. If you’ve been eager to dive into writing your book but feel unsure where to begin, or you’ve already started but question whether you’re on the right track, this con...

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Purposeful Pen ! From now through July, we’re focusing on what happens before you write a book—because the writing journey starts long before “Chapter One.” If you’ve ever told someone you’re a writer and immediately been asked, “What books have you written?” —you’re not alone. Many people assume writing always leads to publishing a book. But is that really the...

After exploring multiple ways to grow your platform, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. In this episode, we’re simplifying the process and helping you discern your next right step . Instead of trying to do everything, you’ll learn how to choose one platform strategy that fits your current season, strengths, and capacity—so you can move forward with clarity and consistency. What You’...

In this week’s episode, I talk with Cara Ray , who has recently published her first book, “The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places” . We talk about the different ways that she grew her platform, including through publishing Bible reading plans on the YouVersion Bible app. She also shared about her publishing journey and what that looked like as a first time author without havi...

Platform growth can easily become all about numbers, such as followers, subscribers, downloads. But as Christian writers, our worth isn’t measured by metrics. In this episode, we talk about how to pursue growth without being defined by it, how to focus on the people behind the numbers, and how to stay faithful while leaving the results to God. If you’ve been discouraged by slow growth or tempted t...

In this episode, we’re talking about two practical strategies to grow your audience: collaborations and giveaways . Collaborations There are several ways to collaborate with someone who serves a similar audience: * Trade lead magnets and share each other’s free resources * Create something together (like a devotional, challenge, or workshop) and promote it to both audiences * Participate in or hos...

YouTube is yet another way to grow your online writing platform. It gives your audience a chance to see you and get to know you better. You can also take advantage of opportunities for new people to find your content without getting lost in algorithms and scrolling. About Rose: Rose McCombs Jordan is a devotional-life mentor, podcast host, YouTube creator, and the founder of Beneath The Fig Tree,...

Looking for ways to grow your platform without adding another major project to your plate? This week, we’re talking about two strategic options: becoming a podcast guest and writing articles for other blogs or websites. These opportunities allow you to step in front of an established audience and share your message in a way that benefits both you and the host. But how do you find the right fit? Wh...

Podcasting can be a powerful way to grow your audience—without travel, booking agents, or a big production budget. In this episode, we explore podcasting as an alternative (or complement) to public speaking, especially for writers and creators who want to share their message in a more personal, accessible way. We’ll talk about why podcasting works, how it helps your audience connect with you beyon...

Public speaking is one of the most effective ways to grow your platform—whether or not you use social media. When you speak, your audience doesn’t just read your words; they hear your voice, connect with you personally, and begin to trust you. In this episode, we explore why public speaking works so well, how it helps you refine your message, and how it allows you to gather instant feedback from y...

Building a writing platform does not have to include social media. There - you can breathe a huge sigh of relief! This week, I had a fun conversation with Sandy Cooper and Mary K. Tiller from Writing Off Social about how it is indeed possible to build a platform and be a writer without using social media. It’s a longer episode than usual, but I know you’ll enjoy it! To learn more about Writing Off...

Christian writers often struggle to understand where God’s sovereignty and our responsibility meet—especially when it comes to building a platform. If God is in control, how much effort should we put in? Do we wait for Him to act, or move forward on our own? In this episode, we explore why the answer is usually both/and . God is sovereign, and He also calls us to be faithful stewards of the work H...

One of the biggest concerns Christian writers have about building a writing platform is pride. Is it prideful to attach your name to your work? Does promoting your writing mean you’re really just promoting yourself? In this episode, we tackle those questions head-on and look at what Scripture says about pride, humility, and having an accurate view of ourselves as writers. You’ll learn how to disti...

What does it really mean to “build a platform” as a Christian writer—and why does the idea make so many of us uncomfortable? In this episode, I kick off a new season focused on building your platform without losing your soul . I lay the foundation by answering a fundamental question many writers wrestle with: Why can’t I just write? You’ll learn why a platform isn’t about self-exaltation or chasin...

This is the last episode of 2025! Listen in for a summary of what we talked about this fall with rhythms, routines, spiritual disciplines, and mindsets. I also look forward to January, when I’ll be talking about ways to build your online platform without losing your soul. If you have specific topics you’d like me to address, let me know! If you’re interested in my free reflection and planning page...

Do you ever feel like you’re behind —as a writer, as a Christian, or just in life? Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, “Shouldn’t I be more spiritually mature by now?” or “Is it too late to write my book?” This mindset of being “behind” is one that many of us carry, but it’s built on ideas that don’t line up with truth. In this episode, I unpack three root issues behind the “I’m behind” soundtr...

Have you ever wanted to have a manifesto or a framework to write by? In this interview with Christian author and coach Stephanie Miller, we talk about her D.R.E.A.M. framework for making sure the right things stay front and center in our writing lives. Stephanie Miller, M.A., is a certified Spiritual Growth and Writing Coach, 2x international best-selling author, editor, and speaker passionate abo...