Home Row: Just Keep Writing

Jeff Medders reconnects with Scarlet Hiltibidal to discuss her latest book, 'Hopefulish.' They explore the themes of faith, humor, and the writing process, delving into Scarlet's personal experiences with loss and hope. The discussion highlights the importance of community, the challenges of writing, and the need for authenticity in sharing one's journey. Scarltt shares her unique stories, including a humorous yet poignant tale about donkey attacks, and offers insights into the writing process, encouraging aspiring writers to embrace their craft and trust in God's plan.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
03:57 Scarlett's Writing Journey and New Book
08:52 Reconciling Faith with Overwhelming Feelings
16:06 The Donkey Attack Story
21:17 Navigating Authenticity in Writing
28:07 The Journey to Becoming a Published Author
31:22 The Reality of Writing Routines
35:09 Finding Time to Write
44:11 Tools of the Trade
46:01 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Jeff Medders and Jimmy Needham explore songwriting, writing for children, and the creative process. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the challenges of writing, and the joy of creating meaningful content for kids. Jimmy shares insights from his journey as a musician and author, emphasizing the need for brevity and clarity in writing, especially for children's literature. The discussion also touches on the significance of playfulness in the writing process and how it can enhance creativity.

Both of Jimmy's Books at WTS
Sing! Hymnal at WTS Books.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:00 The Journey of Songwriting
05:59 Writing for Kids and Podcasting
08:31 The Art of Prose and Poetry
11:50 Lessons from Songwriting for Prose Writers
22:58 Exploring the Psalms: A Journey of Experience
24:33 The Passion Behind Writing Children's Books
25:31 Discipleship Through Storytelling: Real Bad Guys
28:04 The Quest for the Best: A Journey of Satisfaction
30:58 The Writing Process: From Index Cards to Books
38:07 Lightning Round: Insights and Recommendations

Dr. Jim Hamilton shares his journey as a biblical scholar and writer, discussing the importance of gratitude, mentorship, and early influences that shaped his career. He delves into his academic work, including his dissertation and subsequent publications, emphasizing the core message of biblical theology, which centers on God's glory and salvation through judgment. Dr. Hamilton also highlights his latest book on the literary structure of the Gospel of John, offering insights into the art of writing and the balance between academic and pastoral responsibilities. He provides valuable advice for aspiring writers, encouraging perseverance and the cultivation of a rich intellectual life.

Get Hamilton's new book: In the Beginning Was the Word: Finding Meaning in the Literary Structure of the Gospel of John.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
02:42 Writing Journey and Early Influences
05:45 First Publications and Academic Contributions
08:48 The Core Message of Biblical Theology
11:43 Recent Works and Literary Structure of John's Gospel
14:32 The Genius of Biblical Authors
17:39 Approaches to Writing and Commentary
20:42 Balancing Writing with Life Responsibilities
23:27 Setting Writing Goals and Expectations
27:41 Writing Habits and Routines
32:15 The Art of Structuring Content
38:48 Perseverance in Writing and Publishing
41:03 Rapid Fire Questions

In this engaging conversation, Jeff Medders and Mitch Chase explore the intricacies of writing, the publishing process, and the balance between pastoral duties and creative endeavors. Mitch shares insights into his writing journey, the importance of passion in his projects, and how he manages his time effectively. They discuss the significance of morning writing sessions, the role of inspiration, and the rituals that accompany Mitch's writing process, including his coffee preferences. The episode concludes with a lightning round of questions that reveal Mitch's thoughts on writing habits and influences.

https://mitchchase.substack.com/

Check out all of Mitch's books

00:00 Introduction to Mitch Chase and His Work
02:43 The Publishing Process and Timeframes
07:46 Passion-Driven Writing
13:18 Writing Rhythms and Routines
18:27 Techniques for Effective Writing Sessions
24:12 Coffee Rituals and Writing Habits
28:37 Influential Writers and Their Impact
31:27 Lightning Round

In this episode, Jeff Medders interviews Amanda Bible Williams, co-founder of She Reads Truth, discussing her journey as a writer, the mission of She Reads Truth, and the release of her new book, 'The Bible is for You.' Amanda shares insights on the importance of community in Bible reading, her writing process, and the unique aspects of her new devotional book that aims to make Scripture accessible to everyone. The conversation also touches on the challenges of writing, the significance of prayer, and the beauty of good design in publishing.

BUY ON AMAZON

00:00 Introduction to Amanda Bible Williams
02:54 The Mission of She Reads Truth
05:57 The Journey to Becoming a Writer
11:44 The Launch of 'The Bible is for You'
21:01 Unique Features of the New Devotional
29:44 The Writing Process and Environment
31:53 Creating a Productive Writing Environment
39:34 Finding Rhythm in Writing
46:31 The Art of Devotional Writing
48:47 Rapid Fire
55:08 Dependence on God in Writing

In this episode of Home Row, host Jeff Medders welcomes Sean DeMars, a pastor and author, to discuss his journey in podcasting, writing, and church revitalization. They explore Sean's experiences as a missionary in Peru, the inception of his podcast 'Room for Nuance', and his latest books, including 'Redemption Song'. The conversation delves into the writing process, the importance of being grounded in a local church, and the challenges and joys of writing for a Christian audience. Sean shares insights on how to approach writing with purpose and the significance of prayer in the creative process.

00:00 Intro
02:41 The Journey of Sean DeMars
05:56 New Book: Redemption Song
09:02 Writing Journey and Early Works
11:51 Rebel to Your Will
15:39 The Process of Writing Redemption Song
31:05 The Writing Process: Rituals and Inspirations
36:14 Embracing the Identity of a Writer
40:16 Finding the Right Environment for Writing
42:55 Balancing Pastoral Duties and Writing 
46:06 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights into Writing Preferences
55:06 The Importance of Prayer in Writing

In this episode of Home Row, Jeff Medders welcomes writer Glenna Marshall to discuss her journey as a writer, her latest book 'Known and Loved', and the importance of God's love as expressed in Psalm 139. They explore the writing process, the challenges of balancing writing with publicity, and the significance of imprecatory prayers. Glenna shares her insights on how to engage with Scripture and the transformative power of God's love, emphasizing the need for writers to serve their readers and glorify God through their work.

Glenna's New Book

Jeff's Amazon Author Page

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to Home Row
02:40 The Journey to Becoming a Writer
05:59 The Writing Process and Life as an Author
15:47 Exploring Psalm 139 and God's Love
23:57 Surprises in Writing and Understanding God's Affection
28:48 Understanding Psalm 139: Comfort in God's Presence
30:18 The Journey of Writing: Balancing Projects
31:32 Navigating the Challenges of Multiple Book Contracts
34:29 The Role of Deadlines in Writing
39:56 Writing for the Kingdom: Purpose and Passion
42:25 The Subtext of Writing: Encouraging Love for Scripture
46:17 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights into the Writer's Life

Takeaways

• Glenna Marshall emphasizes the importance of journaling for writers.
• The writing process can be messy and unglamorous, often taking place in everyday settings.
• Writing is a tool for serving the church and helping others know God's love.
• Imprecatory prayers can be understood through the lens of God's love and justice.
• Glenna's writing aims to make readers love God's Word and understand His affection for them.
• The balance between writing and publicity can be challenging for authors.
• Glenna's writing journey began with journaling as a child and evolved into blogging and book writing.
• The significance of Psalm 139 is highlighted as a declaration of God's delight in His people.
• Writers should focus on their purpose and the impact they want to have on their readers.
• Every writer has a subtext that influences their work.

In this revival episode of Home Row, host Jeff Medders welcomes back Matt Smethurst to discuss his new book, 'Tim Keller on the Christian Life.' They explore Keller's legacy, the writing process, and the lessons learned from his work. The conversation delves into the importance of clarity in writing, the organization of research, and the personal transformation experienced through Keller's teachings. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal insights into writing habits and preferences.

00:00 Welcome Back and Introduction

03:00 Exploring Tim Keller's Impact

05:17 The Writing Process and Lessons from Keller

08:33 Behind the Scenes of Writing the Book

11:13 Research and Organization Techniques

17:20 Influences and Inspiration

31:24 Keller's Books and Recommendations

39:21 Personal Transformation through Keller's Teachings

43:18 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Takeaways

• Keller's writing is characterized by clarity and relevance.
• The importance of life experience in writing.
• Writing should serve the reader, not the writer's ego.
• Keller's books address timeless topics that resonate across generations.
• The writing process can be overwhelming but manageable when broken down.
• Research and organization are key to effective writing.
• Imagery and illustrations enhance the reader's experience.
• Keller's teachings remind us of the simplicity of the Christian life.
• Every writer should strive for beautiful clarity in their work.
• Personal transformation often comes from engaging deeply with Scripture.