Your Best Writing Life

What did you think of this episode?Writing picture books? During this episode, a professional illustrator gives us the inside scoop on how the illustration process works.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host Linda Goldfarb, each week I bring you tips and strategies from experts in the writing and publishing industry to help you excel in your craft, I’m so glad you’re listening in, during this encore episode, you’ll learn the ins and outs of Illustrating a Picture Book.My industry expert is Jack Foster. Jack is a follower of Jesus, the father of five, and the grandfather of fourteen. He has illustrated over 125 published picture books. He grew up in Chicago but now resides in Tennessee near the Smoky Mountains with his wife, lovely Aleithia, and their two cats, Jasper and Stormy.Do you work traditionally or digitally, and what is the norm?What is the process of illustrating on full-page illustration?What is a Spot illustration?How long does it take to illustrate a picture book?Explain how you choose the colors for your illustrations and what inspires you.Is the text added by illustrators or by a designer?LINKSJack Foster Mr. Bobblehead BlogJack Foster FacebookJack Foster TwitterJack Foster InstagramJack Foster - FreeBibleImagesVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Submitting work to agents and editors can be financially rewarding. Do you know that a submission can be rejected without even being read? Learn more in this episode.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this encore episode, you’ll learn guidelines to help your manuscripts avoid rejection.Rhonda is a multimedia creative who treasures her fairy tale life in Central Kentucky, insisting her home is her castle, even if her prince refuses to dig a moat. She has published works in several anthologies and periodicals, winning numerous awards for her historical romance books. LINKSRhonda Dragomir Proposal Template DownloadFree Writing Resource ClassesDetails for checking the reading grade level of your WORD document   Hint for Mac users - To check Readability, (you do not have "Options" - instead, click Word, then Preferences, then Grammar & Spelling. From there, turn on "Show readability stats" - hitting OK is not required).To view the readability level, click the Editor icon, then select Document Stats under Insights.  Tada!         Grammarly AI-Powered writing enhancement toolChristian Writers Market GuideVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?You’ve invested in a website and published a book. Now, how do you get people to visit your website? Today’s blogging tips are the answer. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn Blogging Tips to Increase Website Traffic.My industry expert, Susan U. Neal, is the author of nine books on healthy living, and her most recent release is "How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month."  She is the CEO of the Christian Indie Publishing Association, the Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Indie Awards, and she serves as the director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference.Talk to us about blogging and search engine optimization (SEO)Google Keyword Planner at https://ads.google.com/home/#!/ (free), UberSuggest at https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/ (3 free uses/day or paid), and Publisher Rocket (paid). Christian Indie Publishing Association blog (https://christianpublishers.net/blog/), Healthy Living Series blog (https://susanuneal.com/healthy-living-blog). Create blog guidelines and post weekly.Rewrite the blog’s meta description. Create an engaging blog title. Use https://convertcase.net/ Use the Advanced Marketing Institute’s headline analyzerPixabay.com Unsplash.com Canva.com Pixlr.com Check out the blogging course at CIPA.Podia.com.Interested in writing for Susan's blogs? Email Susan at Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Are you pouring yourself out for Jesus and running on empty? Today’s guest offers the right fuel to keep you going!Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I share tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you succeed in your craft. I’m so happy you’re tuning in. In this episode, you’ll discover how to make wise choices during uncertain times.Today’s guest is Katie M. Reid, a dynamic Bible teacher and the author of four books (Made Like Martha, God, What Do I Do?, and two fiction rom coms, A Very Bavarian Christmas and A Very Bavarian Summer). Trained in education, Katie teaches around her kitchen table, in the classroom, and around the country. She hosted the Martha + Mary Show podcast and runs the Martha + Mary Show Sisterhood group on Facebook. Following Jesus, marrying her husband, and being a mom to five… are the best decisions she's made. Cut-to-the-chase conversations, sunsets, and musicals are a few of her favorite things. Subscribe to Katie's "Good News-Letter" at katiemreid.com.Alright, sis – help us out here, how can we… Make wise decisions in uncertain times1 - What are wise decisions we can make, even when we’re not sure what to do next?2 - How do we move from a place of striving to a place of settledness when we’re wired like Martha (type A)? In other words, how can we be poured out for God but not burned out?3 - What do we do when we face a dead end in our writing journey? Katie's newest book – God, What Do I Do? A Bible Study on Judges 1–5 About Making Wise Decisions in Uncertain TimesWherever books are sold or on my website. RightNow Media has a corresponding video series.Just for you! The introductory lesson for free, from God, What Do I Do? here:https://katiemreid.myflodesk.com/biblestudyfreebie1 You can find out more about Katie M. ReidWebsite: https://www.katiemreid.comPodcast: https://www.katiemreid.com/martha-mary-show-podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieMReidWriterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_m_reidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatieMReidVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Writing about people is one of the easiest ways to get your article published. Learn tricks of the trade by article writing guru Linda Gilden.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this encore episode, you’ll learn how to write the Best People-based Articles.My industry expert is Linda Gilden – Linda is an award-winning Amazon bestselling author of the LINKED Personality Series, Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, Mama Was the Queen of Christmas, Personality Perspectives, Called to Write, Why You Do What You Do, Words to Live By, Called to Speak, Articles, Articles, Articles, and several ghostwritten books. As a freelance editor and writing coach, working with publishers and individuals, she encourages others to make their writing the best it can be. Linda is a wife, mother, and grandmother of the six cutest grandchildren in the WORLD! Her greatest joy is the time spent with her family. Her favorite activity is floating in a pool with a good book, surrounded by splashing children!Writing the best People-Oriented ArticlesThe first type of people-oriented article is a personal experience.  1 Why would anyone want to read/hear about my experiences?2 Do I really have anything of value to say to others?3 Who is your audience?The second type of people-based articles is Profiles.4   What is the difference between a profile article and a personal experience article?5   As a Christian writer, do I always have to write for Christian markets?6   Where is the best place to pitch a personal experience or profile article?Part Two - Writing Instruction-based Articles LINKSLinda GildenArticles, Articles, Articles bookSample Article Submission Page PDFBarney the San Antonio Toilet Seat ArtistVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode? Are you a fiction writer with little to no medical background or familiarity with medicine? Today’s guest is gonna open your eyes to mistakes you can’t afford to pen…we’re talking novel malpractice, my friends. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Medical mistakes in fiction and how to prevent them.My industry expert is… Dr. Ronda Wells. A physician and award-winning author of The Christmas Cherub, Ronda Wells, writes “Heartfelt Stories from the Heartland.” Her Killer Nashville Magazine column, Novel Malpractice website, and her blogs, Novel Malpractice and Historical Novel Malpractice, offer authentic medical information for authors. Dr. Wells is a contributor to Guideposts, and she writes devotions for Crossmap and Arise Daily.Linda - Alright, let’s head into our content for today… WARNING! Laughter will ensue.Why did you get started with Novel Malpractice?What’s the most frequent mistake you see in books and movies?What can writers do to prevent making medical mistakes in their novels?LINKSAre you committing novel malpractice? quiz - https://novelmalpractice.com/quiz/ As we wrap up – The Christmas Cherub, at https://a.co/d/8g3RpCyYou can find out more about Ronda in our show notes as well.https://novelmalpractice.com https://rondawellsbooks.comLink for The Christmas Cherub: https://a.co/d/8g3RpCyX    https://x.com/RondaWellsBooksFB author page https://www.facebook.com/RondaWellsWriter/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rondawellsbooks/Threads https://www.threads.com/@rondawellsbooksPinterest https://www.pinterest.com/rondawellsbooks/Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/rondawellsbooks/Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57306481.Ronda_WellsBookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ronda-wellsVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?How good are you at speaking your story? Have you considered dictation? Today’s guest is gonna rock your writing world!Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Dictating your story. This is speaking instead of typing.My industry expert is… Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah is an author and writing instructor. She has appeared on Joanna Penn’s The Creative Penn podcast, Jane Friedman’s blog, Writer’s Digest magazine, and more. Sarah also hosts The Confident Fiction Author podcast, which encourages authors to pursue their best creative lifestyles.Linda - Alright, let’s head into our content for today… Dictating Your Story.1.    How did you personally get started with dictation, and what was your learning curve like?2.    What kind of impact has dictation had on your writing output?3.    What exactly is dictation, and how does it work for writers?Listener giveaway... a live Dictation Bootcamp for Authors coming up on October 14, 2025. The link isn’t live yet, but you can share: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation Learn about the Dictation Bootcamp Learn About Morning Pages Mini-courseYou can find out more at https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation, https://fictioncourses.substack.com, https://www.choctawspirit.com, https://www.fictioncourses.com/   Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?What writers and speakers provide to the podcast host steers the conversation of the interview. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn … How to Create Promise-fulfilling Interview Questions. Today’s industry expert is… me! And my wonderful friend and sister podcaster, Kim Stewart. Kim is a podcast strategist for authors and host of the Book Marketing Mania podcast. She helps nonfiction authors reach more readers as a podcast host and guest. When she’s not strategizing with clients, you’ll find her in Dallas enjoying time with her family, and indulging in coffee, caramel, and Friends reruns. As part of our Start Marketing When You Start Writing Series, for four episodes, we are covering podcast interview best guesting practices – taken from Linda’s award-winning book, Creating Dynamic Podcasts & Audiobooks – available directly from Linda, her contact info is in the show notes, and on Amazon. The best guesting practices we cover are:How to Expand the Reach of Your Core Message – Part One on YBWLHow To Create Your Top Three Interview Topics – Part Two on BMMHow to Create Promise-fulfilling Interview Questions – today’s topic on YBWLHow to Create Professional Interview Queries – final episode on BMM next weekAlso, something fun… we are broadcasting the four episodes on alternating podcasts – we are on Your Best Writing Life and on Book Marketing Mania.Linda Goldfarb is a speaker, award-winning author & podcaster, audiobook narrator, and board-certified Christian life coach.She hosts the Your Best Writing Life and Staying Real About Faith & Family podcasts. She is a clarity and mindset coach for The Biblical Nutritionist Academy, a board member of AWSA, emcee of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and co-founder of the LINKED® Personality Assessment.Hey, Linda Goldfarb… welcome back to Your Best Writing Life!Kim: We are cooking up something extra special today… First, we gather three ingredients: topic, audience, and need. Using a talking point template is a great recipe to keep your flow for multiple interviews. Create your media page for interviewers to find you.Kim: Next time, we will cover how to create professional interview queries on my podcast, Book Marketing ManiaVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?As a writer and speaker, your value to an interviewer goes beyond one book, article, or talk.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … 3 Steps to Expand the Reach of Your Core Message.Today’s industry expert is… me! And my wonderful friend and sister podcaster, Kim Stewart, is with me to help facilitate this episode. Kim is a podcast strategist for authors and host of the Book Marketing Mania podcast. She helps nonfiction authors reach more readers as a podcast host and guest. When she’s not strategizing with clients, you’ll find her in Dallas enjoying time with her family, and indulging in coffee, caramel, and Friends reruns. As part of Linda’s and Kim's Start Marketing When You Start Writing Series, for four episodes, we are covering podcast interview guesting best practices – taken from Linda’s award-winning book, Creating Dynamic Podcasts & Audiobooks – available directly from Linda; her contact info is in the show notes, and on Amazon.The best guesting practices we will cover are:How to Expand the Reach of Your Core Message - Part OneHow To Create Your Top Three Interview Topics - Part TwoHow to Create Promise-based Interview Questions - Part ThreeHow to Create Professional Interview Queries - Part FourAlso, something fun… we are broadcasting the four episodes on alternating podcasts – part  1 & 3 are on Your Best Writing Life, and parts 2 and 4 are on Book Marketing Mania. The link to Kim's podcast is in the show notes as well.Let me tell you a little bit about today’s guest. Linda Goldfarb is a speaker, award-winning author & podcaster, audiobook narrator, and board-certified Christian life coach.She hosts the Your Best Writing Life and Staying Real About Faith & Family podcasts. She is a clarity and mindset coach for The Biblical Nutritionist Academy, a board member of AWSA, emcee of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and co-founder of the LINKED® Personality Assessment.Linda says,“My life is far from perfect, and that’s where Yeshua met me, loved me, and saved me. For Him, I’m eternally grateful.” So, Linda Goldfarb… welcome to Your Best Writing Life!Today's episode covers the following:         a - Identify Your Audiences          b - Identify Your Audience’s Needs         c - Satisfy Your Audience’s NeedsNext time, we will talk about how to create your top three interview topics on Book Marketing MVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?We often refer to writing as a lonely act of creativity. Today’s guest not only pokes holes in that theory, but he also offers foundational truths to inspire every writer to gain higher inspiration in the process. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … How to Connect With the Source of All Creativity as a writer.My industry expert is… Bob Hostetler. Bob Hostetler (www.bobhostetler.com) is an award-winning author, literary agent, and international speaker from Ohio, who these days lives in southern Nevada. His more than fifty books, which include the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and the dual-timeline novel, The Bone Box, have sold millions of copies. As a literary agent with the Steve Laube Agency, Bob represents the work of fiction and nonfiction writers to Christian publishers.  He has been a radio disc jockey, radio commentator, game writer, pastor and preacher, and (with his wife, the lovely Robin) a foster parent to eleven teenage boys (though not all at once). He and his wife love spending time with their daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and their five perfect grandchildren. Bob Hostetler, welcome back to Your Best Writing Life!Alright, let’s head into our content for today… How to Connect With the Source of All Creativity as a writer.This is an exciting day, Bob, as 100 Prayers for Writers is being released to the public. How did this book come about?  1 - Give us your take on writing being a solitary art. 2 - You say, when the writer consciously and purposefully partners with God in the creative process, something amazing happens.3 – Today is the release of your latest book, 100 Prayers for Writers. Tell us what our writers can expect.Bob’s book, 100 Prayers for Writers, is located on Amazon and at ShoptheWord.com, 100 Prayers for Writers – Creative Fuel for Inspired Work in both print and Kindle 100 Prayers for Writers Kindle.Connect with Bob HostetlerComment on Bob's Episode post in our YBWL Facebook group through 4 PM CT on August 25, 2025, to be placed in a drawing for one of three signed books from Bob.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast