Persistent Pests

“Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!”

‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭

These little foxes aren’t yet fully grown. Nobody would think a cuddly little fox would be dangerous to have around. They love nothing better than to eat the young grapes before they come out fully. Thus, they wreak havoc on the vines of our walk with the Lord.

Let’s mention 5 of the “little foxes” or persistent pests that ruin some of our fruitful writing before it’s fully ripened…

1.) Sensitiveness or easily offended. It can be a small chip on our shoulder but flare up if we’re not given the respect we desire. It can stifle our creativity in writing and dry up the flow of the Spirit. Pray that we can have the mind and humility of Christ.

2.) Laziness. Too lazy to dig into the Word. Too lazy to spend time in prayer. This also leaks into our writing. The Kingdom Writer cannot afford to compromise in these areas if we expect eternal impact. There’s a cost to those things and also a great reward.

3.) Living in regret. The most powerful 3 words in history were uttered by Jesus while hanging on the cross, “It is finished!” Regret sucks the life out of us and keeps us from moving forward in all that God has for us.

4.) Distraction. Causes us to go down rabbit trails. Social media is the major distraction of our day. One writer calls it “nuggets of nothingness.” Before we know it, we’ve wasted 1-2 hours with nothing to show for it.

5.) Busyness. We fill up our days and weeks with good things. But somehow we fail to set aside scheduled writing blocks. Or when we do, it can easily be cancelled and replaced by something else. It’s not treated as a priority.

The only way to handle these “little foxes” is to kill them. If we don’t, our sweetest, most fruitful writing, like vine-ripened grapes, will not materialize.

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.

Your book deserves more than words on a page—it deserves stories that stay with readers long after they finish the last chapter.

If you’ve ever worried your stories fall flat, feel surface-level, or simply don’t capture the power they held in real life, you’re not alone. Many writers struggle with stories that don’t connect deeply or get forgotten too quickly.

That’s why we created the Stories That Stick workshop. In just 90 minutes, you’ll:

• Discover a list of meaningful story ideas you can use right away.

• Walk away with one fully outlined story that’s ready to bring to life.

• Learn a simple, repeatable framework to craft stories that resonate, connect, and remain unforgettable to your readers.

Because a book shouldn’t just be written—it should be remembered.

Get your ticket here: https://authors.thrivecart.com/stories-that-stick

We are excited to announce that we've published a new book: Rise and Write. Get your copy at the links below.

Rise and Write (Kindle): https://amzn.to/4fFoev2
Rise and Write (print): https://amzn.to/4lntRiI

Forward your receipt to support@trainingauthors.com to claim your prizes

Buy during launch week (Tues–Thurs 9/23/25 - 9/25/25) and get these special launch bonuses:

• Silence Your Inner Critic workshop free ($47 value)
• Perfectionism Detox Journal free ($9 value)
  

Plus, you will be entered to win the Kingdom Writers Bundle ($69 value) shipped to your home — mug, tote bag, journal, t-shirt

Do you dream of being a bestselling author?

Have you written a book but have no idea how to sell it?

Can you envision your message in the hands of thousands of readers?

Unlock the secrets to epic book sales with Susan Neal’s book How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month. Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced author looking to elevate your marketing tactics, this book offers a treasure of insights to significantly boost your sales and increase the effective outreach of your unique message.

Susan Neal, an award-winning author and seasoned marketer, condenses years of successful sales and marketing strategies into practical steps that can turn your book into an award-winning bestseller. Learn how to:

• Create a focused and polished manuscript
• Captivate and grow your audience
• Master the art of online marketing
• Leverage social media to build a compelling author brand
• Use keywords to boost your book’s visibility
• Harness the power of reviews, blogs, and podcasts to increase sales

This guide doesn’t just tell you what to do—it shows you how to do it, with detailed action plans tailored for both new and veteran authors. From building a robust marketing plan to planning a book launch to navigating the complexities of Amazon ads, Susan covers everything you need to know to reach—and surpass—your book sales goals.

Get a copy of Susan’s new book “How to Sell 1000 Books a Month” here: https://amzn.to/46pG6qy

Author Bio

As a certified writer coach, Susan Neal, RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others professionally publish and effectively market their divine-inspired message. She is the author of nine healthy living books.

Susan is the CEO of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), Christian Authors Network (CAN), Christian Indie Awards, and CAN Marketing Awards. She is also the Director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. You can find Susan at SusanUNeal.com.

Compassion Makes a Difference

When does compassion matter most? It's when it's least deserved. Jesus showed us what it means to have compassion and what difference it makes in the world and for eternity. This is your friendly reminder to be more intentional about viewing the world with a compassionate heart. It makes a difference.

Dak Frederick is an Author Success Coach and has spent hundreds of hours helping writers reach their goals. His clients describe him as patient, humble, and deeply invested in their success. Beyond writing, Dak is a singer and musician who enjoys playing the piano and guitar. He's been joyfully married for almost fourteen years and is a proud father to two girls. Dak is a Retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant. He holds a Master's in Counseling from Liberty University, a Bachelor's in Communication from Ashford University, as well as Digital Marketing Certificates from eCornell University. You can connect with him at: www.empoweredtopublish.com

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.

Dying to Ourselves

How would you answer this question if God asked you…

“If I should hand you a silver platter with one item, what would you like?”

Perhaps the best answer: “Give me your will for my life, O God, with this, there is nothing more.”

S.D. Gordon relates a similar experience, “I sometimes thought, what if God were to say to me: ‘I want to give you something as special as a love-gift; an extra because I love you: what would you like to have?’ Do you know what I thought I would say? ‘Dear God, you choose. I choose what You choose.’

An example of me asking Shelley where she would like to eat. Sometimes she responds, “You choose, I have decision fatigue.” 😂

“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭

Christ died in Gethsemane before He ever died on the cross. Have you been to Gethsemane?

As you and I die to ourselves, our own plans, our own agenda, our own ideas of how our books will turn out, we allow our Father’s will to take place.

The Kingdom writer is willing to die long before they take their last breath.

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.

You don’t need a full memoir to make an eternal impact.

In the Tiny Testimony Book Workshop, you’ll prayerfully choose the part of your story God is leading you to share, create a simple 6-chapter outline, and begin writing a short book that brings hope and healing to others—without overwhelm.

Ambassadors for Christ

What does being an ambassador for Christ involve? Debra L. Butterfield shows the comparison between a US ambassador and an ambassador for Christ. She outlines the purpose and duties to give us a bigger picture of our work for the Lord. God has given us each a unique message to share with the world as His ambassadors.

Bio: Debra L. Butterfield is the author of eleven books, a freelance editor, former editorial director of CrossRiver Media Group, and a former copywriter for Focus on the Family. https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.