The Purposeful Pen - Clarity for Christian Writers

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 moneyScripture We Return ToProverbs 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.comThe Christian Writers’ Mindset Makeover: www.amylynnsimon.com/makeoverThe 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 novelistMentioned 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 progressIf you have ideas for future episodes or season themes, email me at [email protected] 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 SteadyPen PointsThe 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