Writers Chat, hosted by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, Melissa Stroh, and Norma Poore.

The place where craft connects community!

Writer’s Journey ~ When God Ignores Your Perfect Plans with Becky Antkowiak

What happens when your plans don’t work out the way you hoped or expected? Sometimes it’s hard to understand God’s plans. Becky Antkowiak, founder of 540 Writers Community, joins us to share her “carrot and chocolate” experiences as she felt God leading her to fulfill specific roles, such as preparing her for the mission field, only to discover that wasn’t His plan. With hindsight, though, it’s easier to see that God’s “no” often protects us and other times, it’s a “wait because something better is coming.”

Watch the November 4^th replay.

Becky Antkowiak, aka “Becky Blue,” is Director of the Write to Publish conference, Executive Director of the nonprofit 540 Writers Community, and Chief Encouragement Officer of the Christian Writers Institute. Becky Blue works to equip writers with the confidence, clarity, and deep connection they need to impact their readers’ lives. Her passion is shattering barriers to writer-education. A storyteller at heart, Becky Blue champions the idea that books can lead readers to deep faith, true peace, and unconditional love. Known for her infectious enthusiasm and signature blue hair (a fundraiser for Compassion International), she is dedicated to supporting underserved writers.

Writing in Two Genres as an Indie with Charles Hack

Success as an indie writer in one genre is tough enough. But how does a writer navigate writing and marketing in two different genres? Author Charles Hack talks about the “side character” who inspired him to pivot from one genre to another, Guest host and avid reader, Jillian Lancour, interviews Charles about his transition to Indie publishing, the challenges of writing in two different genres, the business decisions he’s had to make, and a bit about branding and marketing.

Watch the November 11^th replay.

Charles Hack is the author of the Space Warfare Group Sci-Fi/Space Opera books and the Hank Lin Mysteries. After writing for over twenty years, his first published novel is Into the Darkness. He studied electrical engineering in college and is still a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience before retiring and entering full time Christian ministry. He currently serves as a pastor in his hometown and has a master’s degree in systematic theology. Writing is one of his passions along with reading, woodworking, and coffee. Charles is married with two children and two noisy dogs. They live on a small ranch, known as the Ranchini, in the Great Basin of Northern Nevada.

Writers Chat Journey: The First Ten Years

Co-founders and former co-hosts Jean Wise and Bethany Jett join current co-hosts Johnnie Alexander (also a founder), Brandy Brow, Norma Poore, and Melissa Stroh in a stroll through the past. We talk about the early days, the changes in the writing industry during the past decade, and how God has blessed this writing community. What began as a vague idea is now a place for writers, wherever they are on their writing journey, to learn from industry professionals—editors, agents, freelance writers, authors, marketing and social media specialists—and also to encourage, support, cheer, comfort, and pray for another.

Watch the November 18^th replay.

Come Write with Us: Winter Impressions

Brandy Brow—Writers Chat co-host, writer, and editor—guides us in a series of of writing exercises that turns out to be a great way to use observation and memory (utilizing our five senses) to create the foundation for an article or a story. Check out the Come Write With Us playlist for additional opportunities to engage in fun and productive writing sessions.

Watch the December 9^th replay.

Disclaimer: The opinions and viewpoints presented by the cohosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of Writers Chat or Serious Writer, Inc.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom.