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Many faulty mindsets sit on top of an exaggeration or an oversimplification. This episode looks at one of them: the question of how much of our writing for God is our effort and how much is God’s work. We explore the image of co-creating with God, then apply it to the area where this mindset shows up most, which is marketing and promoting our writing. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why neither extreme holds up: “all God, no effort” or “all me, no God” * What co-creating with God looks like: abiding, time in Scripture and prayer, then writing while asking for wisdom * Why the “let God promote my work” mindset is so common, including discomfort, uncertainty about how to market, pride concerns, and imposter syndrome * Why using promotion as a test of whether God values your work is problematic * How to see marketing as a way to serve your readers rather than something separate from your calling * What it looks like to approach marketing the way you approach writing: abiding, praying, working, and trusting God with the results Key takeaways * You don’t need a magic formula or a percentage split of effort and faith. Co-creating with God is the guiding picture. * If you want to write for others, getting your writing in front of them is an integral part of the process. * God typically works through normal, natural processes. We do the work and He blesses those efforts, or doesn’t. * Marketing is a way to help readers find what you’re offering them, and it’s part of glorifying God and building up the Body of Christ. * Secular marketing methods have plenty to teach us, but they should be followed prayerfully. * Uncomfortable doesn’t mean wrong. It just means uncomfortable. Resources: Sign up for Pen Points, a weekly email to encourage you in your writing. Download the Christian Writer’s Mindset Makeover. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

Ryan Pote was an injured Navy pilot trying to heal from trauma and rebuild his life. His counselor suggested that he journal, but doing so in the first person felt too vulnerable. Instead, he fictionalized his experiences as a way to process his trauma. In this interview, you’ll hear how God used his journaling to bring healing as well as lead him to a personal relationship with Jesus. Those journals also unearthed a love of writing fiction and paved the way for his current career writing thriller novels embedded with biblical truth. More about Ryan Ryan is a twelve-year veteran Navy helicopter pilot and mission commander who was part of a joint interagency special operations task force (JIATF). He did three deployments during Operation MARTILLO countering narcotics smuggling throughout Central and South America.Ryan then served as a search and rescue pilot for the US Navy Experimental Test Wing and NASA. After getting out of the Navy, he was a federal investigator for six years on prototype aircraft development programs. He currently works for the Navy’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Test and Evaluation Squadron as the safety department head.Before the Navy, he lived and worked in Hawaii as a PADI SCUBA Instructor and lab tech researching algal-biofuels for Shell Oil. Ryan’s been the director of an oil company, a bartender, and even a live musician. He attended college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and earned a master’s degree in US History and Teaching from Ashland University. Books: Blood and Treasure (Berkley 2025), The Ghost City (Berkley 2026), CLIVE CUSSLER The Serpent's Eye (Putnam April 2027). Various other projects in print and Hollywood protected by NDA. Find him at https://www.ryanpote.com and @ryanpotebooks (IG, FB, X, Goodreads, Youtube) The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] Disclaimer: I believe in and approach life (and writing) from a distinctly evangelical Christian perspective, but some of my guests may not. When I interview a guest on a specifically spiritual topic, I do my best to know in advance that I can support their theological stances on the topics that relate to our interview. When the topic is not particularly spiritual, our theological views may differ. My interviewing of guests and providing links to their work does not necessarily indicate a complete theological endorsement of all their written work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

What does it actually mean to be “called” to write? Do you need that calling to keep going? This week we’re digging into what Scripture says about calling, how to recognize it in your own season of life, and the faulty mindsets that can quietly distort it. In this episode, we cover: * What the Bible primarily means by “calling” (hint: it’s not what you think) * The internal and external elements of recognizing a specific calling, drawing on Jared Wilson’s The Storied Life * Three faulty mindsets that turn a calling into pressure instead of purpose * Why your calling doesn’t have to look like a burning bush — or a book Reflection questions: * Have you sensed both the internal and external parts of a calling to write? * Which faulty mindset tends to pull at you the strongest? Continue the conversation in the comments! You can download the “Christian Writers’ Mindset Makeover” here. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

This week we’re tackling a mindset that keeps so many writers stuck: the belief that we aren’t worth investing in. If you’ve ever hesitated to spend money on a writing course, a community membership, or a coach because you weren’t sure you were “serious enough” to justify it, this episode is for you. I share my own story of wrestling with this during Covid, when I felt God nudging me away from writing assorted magazine articles and toward building something of my own: a website, a focused message, an audience I could actually serve. I found an online writing community that felt like exactly what I needed, but it came with a monthly cost, and I froze. Was it worth it? Did I even believe my writing was worth it? Spoiler: investing in that community changed everything. And I think a lot of us need permission to ask the same question about our own writing. What We Cover * The empty-nest season many of my coaching clients are in, and why “what’s next” can feel disorienting after years of pouring into other people * The difference between spending money and investing wisely: courses you finish but never apply, memberships you never fully engage with * Practical ways to invest in your growth as a writer: a paid community like the Writers’ Bloc, a writer’s conference, or working with a coach * Why it’s worth journaling through where this mindset came from in the first place (a practice we talked about back in episode 150) * What it means to be a good steward of the gift of writing, not just a good steward of your money Scripture We Return To Proverbs has plenty to say about the cost of gaining wisdom. But the passage I keep coming back to is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Each servant was entrusted with something and asked to invest it, not bury it. If writing is a gift we’ve received, we’re called to invest in it so it can grow and become a blessing to others. Sometimes that means spending money. Sometimes it means spending time. Either way, it’s an act of stewardship, not indulgence. If this episode stirred something up for you, I’d love to help you take the next step. Book a free discovery call and let’s talk about where you’re stuck and what investing in your writing could look like for you. And if you’re not ready for a call yet, join us for Pen Points, our weekly email where we dig into mindset, craft, and calling together. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

Who am I to have anything of value to offer? If that question has ever stopped you before you started writing, this episode is for you. We’re unpacking imposter syndrome from three angles: two identity issues and one skill issue. The writer you think you’re supposed to be. We often carry a picture in our heads of what a “real” writer looks like: confident, experienced, never stuck. But that picture is usually a myth. Even successful authors write from kitchen tables and bleacher seats, wrestling with the same doubts we do. The spiritual worthiness question. This one runs deeper. We wonder if we’ve “arrived” enough to have something worth saying. Jesus tells us the truth in John 15:5: apart from Him we can do nothing. But that’s not the whole verse. When we abide in Him, we bear much fruit. Our worth to write was never about our own sufficiency. The skill question. Sometimes we’re just not there yet, and that’s okay. Skill grows through writing and through community. We talk about how a space like Writers’ Bloc’s premium membership offers a safe place to get real feedback and grow. A question for you: Which of these three angles hits closest to home? What’s one step you can take this week to lean into what’s actually true? Share in the comments! Resources mentioned:Writers’ Bloc premium membership: www.mywritersbloc.com The Christian Writers’ Mindset Makeover: www.amylynnsimon.com/makeover The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

This season, we’re digging into the faulty mindsets and spiritual struggles that surface when we write for others. Writing has a way of pushing our fears and insecurities into the light, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s one of the ways God grows us. In this episode, we talk about: * Why spiritual growth is really about renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) * How writing for publication exposes the lies we believe about ourselves and about God * A simple three-step process for working through any faulty mindset: reveal, investigate, replace * A preview of the mindsets we’ll tackle this season, including “Who am I to have anything of value to offer?” and “It’s prideful of me to promote my work” * Two upcoming interviews: Angie Baughman on rest and seeking God in our writing, and author Ryan Pote on his journey from atheist Navy helicopter pilot to Christian thriller novelist Mentioned in this episode:Download the free Christian Writers’ Mindset Makeover at amylynnsimon.com/makeover. It walks through several of these mindsets, shows you the kernel of truth that keeps you hooked, and gives you Scripture to counter the lie. Sign up for Pen Points, a weekly email that accompanies each episode, giving you a question to consider and some possible next steps. Note: The journaling practice I talk about is not meant to be a quick fix or a substitute for biblical counseling, especially if the “investigate” step involves past trauma. I am not a counselor. Serious issues of your past should be addressed with a godly professional. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

This is the last episode of this season until the podcast starts up again in September. In this episode, I recap what we talked about regarding what to do before starting to write your nonfiction book. I also talk about what happens AFTER you finish your book proposal: * Options for editing and evaluation of your proposal * How writing conferences can fast-track your proposal through the submission process * Additional resources to help you make progress If you have ideas for future episodes or season themes, email me at [email protected]. I will still be taking coaching clients in August. Book a free discovery call here. Sign up for Pen Points, the weekly email that accompanies the podcast here. That email will also pause for the month of August but you can still sign up any time. You can find additional free writing resources on my website here. I’ll see you back in September when we’ll dive into common unbiblical mindsets we typically struggle with as writers and how to counter them with truth from God’s Word. See you then! The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

Writing a book is a huge endeavor, as we’ve discussed this season. But what would it look like to write a book as a family? The Bryant family has done just that! This homeschooling family of 5 decided to turn a dream into reality and write and publish a children’s book together. In this interview with Bobby and his three kids, BJ, Ava, and Joseph, we talk about where their idea for the book came from and what the writing and publishing process looked like. You’ll hear about the lessons they learned and be encouraged by the close bond this family has together. You can find their book, “Trusting Timothy: a Story about Cheating” here. About the Bryant family: The Bryants are a Christian homeschooling family, who deeply believe in the power of God's Word and the importance of growing into the best version of yourself. Their debut children's book, "Trusting Timothy: A Story about Cheating", not only delivers a powerful message, but also serves as a testament to the creative freedom and flexibility that homeschooling provides. They are deeply driven by the desire to instill in today's youth principles of excellence and to remind them that with God, all things are possible. You can find them on their website and on Instagram. Additional resources mentioned in the episode: Stuck to Steady Pen Points The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

Have you ever had a chapter idea that sounded amazing in your head, but when you sat down to write it, you realized you didn’t have much to say? That’s exactly the tension we’re working through in this episode. We’re talking about how to move from the big picture vision of your book to the ground-level work of chapter summaries, one of the key elements of a book proposal. In this episode, we cover: * Why your book’s big picture transformation should shape every single chapter * Two different ways to structure your chapters (step-by-step journey vs. sub-topic exploration) * What a typical chapter length actually looks like, and why that surprises a lot of writers * Why you shouldn’t write your whole book before your proposal is done (with one common exception) * How going back and forth between the 30,000 foot view and the chapter level helps you catch problems early If you’ve been staring at a blank table of contents wondering where to even start, this episode will give you a clearer path forward. Ready to move from vague idea to clear direction? I’d love to walk alongside you. Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to see if coaching together would be a good fit. Sign up for Pen Points, a weekly email to encourage you in your writing. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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 Molly Molly Arbuthnott is a teacher, author, editor, and academic from Scotland. She is passionate about the promotion of children’s literature and has published eighteen award winning picture books. Molly, a former teacher, transitioned her career to children’s literature in 2019 completing a Master’s in Children’s Literature at Glasgow University. Molly crafts narratives based on people that have been important in her life and that are simultaneously honest and gentle, teaching children about empathy, teamwork and moral courage. Each book collaborates with a charity which is associated with the theme of the book in some way. Her writing has received acclaim during book tours worldwide and won national awards; they have been shortlisted for the People’s Book Prize, won the Wishing Shelf Book awards and the Firebird Book Awards. She’s shared academic papers with IRSCL Congress. She has been published in the ‘Once Upon Another Time’ anthology by the Book Whisperers and she has received the Emily Dickinson Award. She has a contract with Celene Press in Greece and Select Books in USA. Beyond writing, Molly has also demonstrated her proficiency in production, having written a program and trailer for BBC Alba’s adaption of her book Oscar the Ferry Cat. She also successfully created a VR program for Glasgow University’s Hackathon and hosts the popular podcast, “My Favourite Books.” She has amassed a loyal fan base of over 115K followers. Her foray into the auditory realm is also noteworthy, with her stories now available on Audible. Her current endeavour is to animate Oscar the Ferry Cat, with the goal of enchanting children through her compelling storytelling. Molly’s website: https://mollyarbuthnott.com/ Her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B077S1H5HN Amy’s Resources: Start here email course Pen Points The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] Disclaimer: I believe in and approach life (and writing) from a distinctly evangelical Christian perspective, but some of my guests may not. When I interview a guest on a specifically spiritual topic, I do my best to know in advance that I can support their theological stances on the topics that relate to our interview. When the topic is not particularly spiritual, our theological views may differ. My interviewing of guests and providing links to their work does not necessarily indicate a complete theological endorsement of all their written work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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. What I cover: What a book proposal actually is and why even self-publishing writers benefit from writing one before they begin. Comp titles demystified. “Comparative titles” are books similar to yours, and they’re not a threat. They’re proof that a market exists. I talk about how to find them (Amazon is a great starting point), what makes a strong comp, and how to position your book so it fills a slightly different need. Where would your book live in a bookstore? This simple question can bring surprising clarity to your project and help publishers and booksellers understand exactly what you’re offering. Your marketing plan. You don’t need a massive social following. Email subscribers, speaking engagements, podcast guesting, and other platforms all count. I talk about what to include and how to think about it without the overwhelm. If the scope of all this feels paralyzing, that’s normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It might just mean you need someone to help you think it through. Book a free 30-minute discovery call at amylynnsimon.com/coaching to talk about where you are in your writing journey and whether coaching might be your next right step. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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 before you share your story with the world. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why autobiography and memoir are not the same thing * The three audiences to consider before you write your story (yourself, your family, or a wider readership) * What memoir actually is: a specific transformation, not your whole life story * Why you need to heal privately before you share publicly * How to use your personal experience as illustration rather than the centerpiece of your writing * Why hiding behind your story might be fear in disguise Resources mentioned: * Bible study resources from Jana Carlson: janacarlson.com * Free download: 10 Questions to Ask About Your Reader and Message → amylynnsimon.com/free-writing-resources Recommended books on memoir writing (not all from a Christian perspective): “Writing Life Stories” by Bill Roorbach “Tell it Slant” by Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola “Handling the Truth” by Beth Kephart “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr (contains some language, fyi) “The Memoir Project” by Marion Roach Smith “Your story Matters” by Leslie Leyland Fields The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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-service to others without boundaries led to burn out and crisis, and eventually a poetry based memoire. About Sarah: Sarah Steele is a poet, songwriter, and performer whose work weaves vulnerability with hope and layered vocal harmonies. Her poetry memoir, An Ocean Without, tells the story of how God redeemed her from a life of service without boundaries, and she has shared her work at churches and community events across the Midwest. Sarah also serves as Senior Editor for The Way Back to Ourselves. Sarah lives in Michigan with her five redheads and loves embodying life as a Village Poet. You can find her on Substack at thevillagepoet.substack.com. Website YouTube Books on Amazon Looking for the Journey to Publication download mentioned in the intro? You find it here. Sarah also mentioned Writing Off Social. You can find them here. The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] Disclaimer: My interviewing of guests and providing links to their work does not necessarily indicate a complete theological endorsement of all their written work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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 writers * Two practical ways to find clarity when you feel stuck: free-writing and working with a writing coach Try This: Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and free-write everything you want your book to include. When time’s up, look for recurring themes, common threads, and a central transformation. That’s where your book lives. Work With Me: If you’re still stuck, book a free 30-minute discovery call to talk through your ideas and find your direction. 👉 amylynnsimon.com Stay Connected: Enjoying the podcast? Get Pen Points, a weekly email with: * A short summary of each episode * A key question to reflect on * Practical next steps * A prayer for your writing Subscribe here: amylynnsimon.com/pen-points The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

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 three foundational questions every writer needs to answer before starting a book. Not after the first draft. Not halfway through when things start feeling muddy. Before. These aren’t questions to rush past. They’re the ones that keep you from spending years writing a book that never quite lands. We talk about why being able to describe your book in one or two sentences isn’t just a marketing exercise. It’s a clarity test. If it takes several paragraphs to explain what your book is about, that’s important information. We also tackle one of the hardest things for writers who care deeply about their message: the difference between writing for everyone and actually serving someone well. If you’ve been circling a book idea and wondering why it still feels fuzzy, this episode is worth a listen. Resources mentioned: Hungry Authors by Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry Download the free resource, 10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Reader and Message The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com