Writing Tips
On my Writing Tips Blog I offer writing tips and encouragement as we journey together in our writing ministry. (I blogged previously at Next Step Coaching Services with Amy Carroll.)
I love to partner with writers of all abilities to help make their dreams come true! Find more about this and under the Writing Coaching section of my website.
When you sign up for my Writing Tips Blog, you’ll receive
FREE WITH YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
- writing tips on punctuation and grammar
- teaching about organizing and developing your manuscript, no matter what size
- encouragement for the tough days, when you’re doubting your ability and calling
- guidelines for how to use Scripture in your writing
Latest Writing Tips
Let’s Examine Our Holiday Season Choices
My husband and I have been reflecting on holiday season choices we’ve made in the past, and we’re analyzing which ones served us well and which ones didn’t. For us, that means looking at our choices in light of honoring God, others, and ourselves. Here are a few purposeful choices we’re making for the holiday…
What to Do When Your Writing Direction Seems Unclear
Welcome, writing friends! I’ve missed you! If you’ve been a regular follower of Next Step Coaching Services with Amy Carroll and me, first let me say thank you! If you’ve read the last couple of posts on Next Step, you know that my writing tips will now come from my personal website, MelanieSChitwood.com. (Amy’s speaking…
You Might Be Surprised at the One Thing That Helped My Writing the Most
The one thing that helped my writing might not be what you expect. It wasn’t taking a writing course. It wasn’t hiring a writing coach. It wasn’t learning more about the craft of writing. What’s the surprising thing that helped my writing the most? It was making a decision to write. Even though I’d…
Congratulations to Next Step Coaching Services’ Devotion Contest Winner!
After reading many fantastic devotions, our judges have chosen a winner of the Next Step Coaching Services’ Devotion Contest. Congratulations to Leslie McLeod! Our judges lauded her devotion’s format, biblical foundation, relatable tone, and especially her creative wording. Enjoy reading! Setting Your Hopes Free “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I…
Next Step Coaching Services’ Devotion Contest Starts Today!
We’re so excited to announce Next Step Coaching Services’ Devotion Contest is starting today! Here are the rules: Submit: now through July 30th, 2021 Deadline: July 30th, 2021 Required word count: 400 to 500 words (will not be considered if outside this) Theme: A universal theme, as explained in our How to Write a Devotion: Workbook…
Would You Like to See Your Devotion Published?
There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing your writing published! Devotion writing is a great way to dip your toe in the publishing world. Last year we held our first Next Step Coaching Services Devotion Writing Contest, and we’ll hold our second in a week. We’ll announce all the contest details next week! In the…
Amy Carroll and Melanie Chitwood Talk About How the Writing Process Is Crucial to Good Writing
Amy Carroll, the speaking coach at Next Step Coaching Services, and I, Melanie Chitwood, the writing coach/editor, talk in this video about how the writing process is crucial to producing good writing. Listen in and learn: What are the five stages of the of the writing process? What’s prewriting? How can the ugly rough…
Tips to Enhance Your Writing Professionalism
I’m putting my English teacher hat on today, one of my favorite things as a writing coach and editor. Certain errors can make your writing look amateurish and unprofessional. Here are a few common errors to avoid. Run-on sentence Incorrect: We’re heading to the mountains this weekend, we’re hoping to ski. That’s technically called a…