#431: Do You Feel Rusty in Your Writing?

#431: Do You Feel Rusty in Your Writing?

Author: CJ and Shelley Hitz: Writing Mentor, Author Coach, Christian Writers July 3, 2024 Duration: 22:11

Do You Feel Rusty in Your Writing?

"We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out." - Theodore Roosevelt

"There is a time for everything. We wait on God to renew our batteries, and then when they are up to full power, we turn them loose into the work of God." - A.W. Tozer

"Christians are like farm implements. Farm machinery seldom wears out. If you keep your machinery up, you can use it summer in and summer out until it becomes obsolete. The idle machine sitting in dampness will go to pieces in one season, but that same machine used for 10 years will only make it shine. One year of sitting around sulking will do more to rust your soul than 100 years of hard work, if God granted you that many years" - A.W. Tozer

We can easily apply the above quotes to our own writing. There's certainly a time to rest but we must be careful not to rust. Writing is a skill that must be practiced and refined over time. Staying consistent with a writing habit will help "keep our machinery up" so we can use it year after year. As little as 15 minutes a day can go a long way to preventing us from rusting out as Kingdom writers.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT) says, "Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest."

Are we waiting for perfect conditions in our writing? If so, we may be in for a long wait which could allow our writing to become rusty. God is calling us to plant our words into the lives of others for His glory. 

Let's keep our pens active and the ink flowing, all for the purpose of fulfilling God's call on our lives.

The Power of Having a Weekly Business Meeting with God

Learn the simple steps you can take to implement a weekly business meeting with God. This is one of the most important actions you can take as a Christian writer to ask God for the strategies to write, publish, and market your books successfully.

Get access to the video and PDF download now here.


There’s a particular kind of resistance that comes with writing something you believe matters-a mix of doubt, distraction, and sometimes, sheer weariness. Kingdom Writers: A Podcast for Christian Writers of All Genres meets you right in that space. Hosts CJ and Shelley Hitz, who work as writing mentors and author coaches, understand that the journey to finishing your book isn't just about craft; it's a spiritual undertaking. Each episode blends practical guidance with heartfelt spiritual encouragement, often weaving in prayers specifically for the hurdles writers face. Whether you're drafting a novel, a memoir, or a devotional, the conversation here rests on a core belief: your story has a purpose and you have a unique role to play. This podcast feels like a dedicated writing session with friends who get it, offering both the tools and the faith-filled perspective to keep moving forward. Tune in for honest talks about the writing life, all grounded in the encouragement that your work can impact lives in meaningful, lasting ways.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kingdom Writers: A Podcast for Christian Writers of All Genres
Podcast Episodes
#423 Writing Well: Keep Your Creativity Flowing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:08
In this episode, Shelley shares insights on how to keep your creativity flowing and seek guidance from God in the writing process. What is the importance of refilling your creative well and how do you do it? Listen to th…
#422 Mentoring Moment: New Vision [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Hagar & Ishmael were sent away Genesis 21:14-19 Is it possible that in her pain & despair, Hagar assumes the worst-that God is not with her and that He will not help her, that He doesn't see her suffering-and that this p…
#419 Writing Well: How to Persevere and Complete a Full-Length Novel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:30
In this episode, Shelley shares valuable insights on how to persevere and complete a full-length novel. Get to know the importance of knowing your why, establishing a community for support and accountability, and incorpo…
#418 Mentoring Moment: Unsung Hero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
Jesus's earthly father Joseph was an unsung hero. Joseph displayed obedience and played a key role in God's plan played out through Jesus. Joseph can sometimes be in the background, blending in without much notice. After…
#417 Marketing Minute: How to sell your books to your email list [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:42
Get ideas on the best ways to sell your books online and how leveraging other people's experiences and feedback about your book—whether it's through reviews or personal stories—can engage your email list effectively. Lis…
#416 Publish with a Purpose: Best companies to self-publish a book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
If you're looking for the best self-publishing companies, this episode is right for you. What are the differences between traditional, vanity, and self-publishing? And how do you learn the top choices for print and ebook…
#414 How to Get Beyond Fear and Self-Sabotage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:06
Many writers often find themselves entangled in a web of fear and self-sabotage, but how can one overcome them? In this episode, Shelley shares amazing insights on how to break free from the paralyzing grip of fear and e…