This episode was original published December 20, 2021 (Episode 275).

Have you ever wondered how to become a better writer? Today, Kathi Lipp and Kathleen Kerr, an editor and speaker, tackle this important question by breaking down a frequent lie that writers believe about being a writer and replacing it with applicable strategies for how to strengthen your writing knowledge and practice.

In this episode, Kathi and Kathleen discuss:

• How to be a great student of writing.

• Their favorite fiction and nonfiction books.

• Why you need to learn the rules of writing before you break them.

Listen in and learn how to improve your writing skills before the new year begins.

Every agent and publisher will tell you the same thing: your email subscribers are gold. But what if you're starting from absolute zero? What if not even your mom has signed up yet?

In this practical episode, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp break down the essentials of building an email list that actually serves your readers—and your writing career. Whether you're trying to figure out which tool to use or wondering what kind of freebie to offer, this conversation will help you take your first confident steps.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

Key Takeaways

Your newsletter is a relationship, not a broadcast. Think of each subscriber as a one-on-one conversation rather than a crowd you're shouting at. People are thirsty for authentic connection.

Match your lead magnet to your newsletter. Whatever you offer to get someone on your list should feel like a natural preview of what they'll receive each week. No bait and switch.

Start simple. You don't need fancy tools to begin. A Google spreadsheet and a sign-up sheet at your next speaking event can get you started while you figure out what your newsletter is really for.

Put your sign-up everywhere. Your website, social media, podcast—anywhere you already show up, make it obvious how people can join your list.

If you've been putting off starting your email list because it feels too complicated or too techie, this episode will give you the permission and the practical steps to just begin.

In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi talks with writer and creator Cheri Fletcher about building a beautiful, useful tool for grievers: the Beyond I Don’t Know What to Say grief communication cards. If you’ve felt stuck because “real writers write books,” this conversation opens the door to another path—creating a product your audience can hold, use, and share. Listeners will hear:

• Why a card deck sometimes serves your reader better than a book—and how to know the difference.

• How Cheri went from index cards at the family table to a polished, giftable product.

• Practical nuts-and-bolts: prototyping, choosing a printer, minimum order quantities, cost ranges, timelines, and packaging.

• Tender, ready-to-use language for entering a griever’s world without fear.

• How churches and small groups are using the cards (including Blue Christmas services), plus a simple way friends can “bridge the gap” when they don’t know what to say.

If you want to serve your people with something they’ll actually use—and do it with excellence—this episode gives you both the heart and the how.

We hope you will enjoy this replay of a previously published episode (Episode 340).

In this behind-the-scenes conversation, Kathi Lipp welcomes Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom) to share the real process behind her new book, The Time-Saving Mom. If your writing dreams feel squeezed by real life—kids, work, and a calendar that won’t quit—Crystal’s story offers a practical path forward. Listeners will hear how she wrote in 5–15 minute bursts, built a simple feedback loop with trusted voices, and partnered with her editor and a paid reader team to strengthen the message before it ever went to press. Crystal also unpacks a hard-won lesson: why your book title must signal “I need that” in one glance—and how that shift impacted sales. You’ll walk away with doable strategies to: use small pockets of time to make big writing progress, invite feedback early (without derailing your momentum), and choose a title/cover that serves your reader and your marketing. For every writer who’s tempted to say “I don’t have time,” this episode reframes the work: choose to use time differently and let your systems carry you through seasons of upheaval.

In this hands-on episode, Kathi Lipp invites listeners into a live title lab—no hype, just practical help. With guest creators Tenneil Register and Roger Lipp, Kathi models how to use AI as a brainstorming partner (not a writer) to craft clear, connected, curiosity-building titles for blogs, series, pitches, and books.

Listeners will hear:

• A simple prompt that keeps your unique voice while getting better title ideas fast.

• The 3 Cs filter (clarity, connection, curiosity) applied in real time.

• How to iterate: cherry-picking words, combining phrases, and refining subtitles.

• Faith-adjacent, audience-first language that invites readers in—without the hype.

• Kathi's practical "title frames" and the all-important ear test.

Tenneil shares a live case study from her "Christmas through the decades" content, and Kathi workshop-tests options for her next decluttering book (for readers low on money, energy, emotional bandwidth, or time). Plus, Roger shows how AI can speed up production without losing the human touch.

If you want faster, stronger titles that truly serve your reader, press play and follow along with the prompt in the show notes.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

The Title Editor Prompt

Copy and customize this prompt to generate titles in your unique voice:

Example from the episode: "Act as a title editor for 'What I Learned About Christmas Through the Decades.' Keep Tenneil's voice warm, practical, faith-adjacent. No hype. We need an audience felt need and an outcome promise. Titles only, no explanations."

The 5 Title Frames for Manual Tweaking

Use these elements to strengthen your titles—with or without AI:

1. Specific Noun over general noun
   Example: "paper piles" vs. "clutter" | "decision fatigue" vs. "overwhelmed"

2. Power Verb
   Examples: cut, tame, build, reclaim, map, create, unwrap

3. Concrete Frame
   Examples: in 15 minutes, 40 days, this weekend, for caregivers, when you're low on energy

4. Contrast
   Example: from messy to managed, what we lost and what we found

5. The Ear Test
   Say it out loud repeatedly. If it's hard to say or sounds awkward, keep refining.

The 3 Cs Filter

Rate every title option on these three criteria:

• Clarity – Is it instantly understandable?

• Connection – Does it speak to a felt need?

• Curiosity – Does it make you lean in?

Pro tip: For books, prioritize clarity. For articles and blog posts, lean into curiosity.

Bonus Tips from the Episode

• AI is a collaborator, not the creator. You guide, iterate, and cherry-pick.

• Don't settle for the first batch—keep refining by telling AI what you like and don't like.

• Words you don't use for the title can become subtitles, chapter titles, or marketing copy.

• If working with a traditional publisher, confirm title choices align with their publication standards.

In this fast, practical episode, Kathi Lipp, Tenneil Register, and Roger Lipp help writers move from clever to clear with a simple three-filter system for titles: clarity, connection, and curiosity. If your titles feel “off,” confusing, or too cute, this conversation shows you how to refine them so your audience instantly knows what they’ll get—and wants to click. Listeners will hear how to use AI as a brainstorm partner (not a voice thief) and how to validate your ideas with real humans through Instagram Stories polls, simple Facebook “this or that” posts, and A/B testing. They also unpack a real example (hello, chambray!) to show how a hook can derail your episode if it doesn’t reflect the whole message. You’ll leave with a repeatable process: run every title through clarity, connection, and curiosity; test it with your people; and choose one clear promise. Plus, get ready—next week they’ll invite you to share your title for feedback inside the free Writing at the Red House Facebook group.

In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp teams up with Roger Lipp and Tenneil Register to help listeners brainstorm titles, hooks, and lead-ins that feel like an invitation—not clickbait. They unpack why the reader’s felt need must be your filter, how to guide AI with your actual voice and audience avatar, and how to avoid those cheesy, off-brand suggestions that make your people cringe. Listeners will learn:

• How to articulate your audience’s felt need so titles land instantly

• What to feed AI (your voice and your avatar) to get better ideas, faster

• A simple Venn diagram approach—audience + voice + information—to keep titles on target

• Why “classy, not clickbait” builds trust (and clicks)

• A short homework assignment to prep for next week’s on-air title workshop

Perfect for overwhelmed writers juggling life and deadlines, this conversation gives you practical steps to move from bland to brilliant—without losing your voice or your values. Stick around for the homework so you’re ready for next week’s “Magic Formula of Threes” title sprint.

Do you ever wonder if you’re being ruthlessly honest in your writing? This is the topic of today’s episode. Kathi is back with Jennifer Dukes Lee to discuss not only why you need to be ruthlessly honest in your writing but also how that impacts you and your readers.

Listen in and learn:

• What ruthless truth-telling is.
• Why ruthless truth-telling is so important.
• How to give yourself permission to be honest.

Do you want to write a book, devotional, or blog but are having a hard time getting the words written? Today Kathi and Jennifer share several ways to put your thoughts on paper and create something beautiful.

Listen in and learn:

• How to think of deep questions to ask yourself.
• Why you should write down your thoughts.
• How to stay narrowly focused.

It’s easy to get stuck with writer’s block if we don’t take the necessary steps. Tune in next week for another conversation between Kathi and Jennifer.

Kathi’s new book, Accidental Homesteader, came out August 29th.

Inside Scoop: Sign up for the Writing Tips Newsletter at Writing at the Red House to get Kathi’s 7 Day Platform Plan for free.

In this listener-focused follow-up on DIY events, Kathi Lipp and guest Tenneil Register break down how to confidently plan and host your own gathering—without burning out or breaking the bank. If you’ve been waiting for an invitation, this episode hands you a plan. Listeners will learn:

• A simple 90-minute run-of-show (welcome, teaching, reflection, Q&A) that keeps people engaged.

• How to choose dates, venues (from cozy coffee shops to church basements), and a smart, speaker-first budget.

• Why your event promise should drive your schedule and your marketing.

• How to build partnerships (coffee shops, bookstores, churches) that add credibility and community.

• An 8-week timeline to launch: from graphics and event pages to volunteers, tech checks, and promotion.

• Practical promotion that works: warm audience first, ready-made posts for partners, and why posters still matter.

Perfect for writers and speakers who want to build community, grow an email list, and deliver a meaningful experience—without waiting for someone else to make the magic happen.