What did you think of this episode?As a writer, your story behind the story plays a huge role in reaching future readers. Get ready to hear today’s story with Angela Mackey. 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, we continue a new addition to Your Best Writing Life with The Story Behind the Stories series.My industry expert Angela Mackey encourages people to experience God through His Word so that everything–from ordinary days to hard seasons–is transformed by Jesus. She lives with her family in the Arkansas River Valley, cheering on her adult kids and delighting in the surprising ways God shows up daily.Tell us the Story Behind Difficult to Conceive: A Godly Perspective for the Road Ahead.This is a nonfiction book for women dealing with infertility. Biblically based, encouraging, and providing guideposts to help you with your journey through infertilityObviously, this book is based on your journey of infertility. What prompted you to take on the responsibility to write it?Share some of the Scriptures…and how they helped you to help others. Wrestling with God, how to ask questions, lament, and walk away changed and blessed, Genesis 32:24-32.How to determine God’s direction for you and your spouse based on knowing what Godly wisdom looks like from James 3:17-18.Often, our thoughts whirl out of control and do not help us focus on God and trust Him. So, we would discuss the battle for our minds based on 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and Philippians 4:8-9When things do not go as we prayed, we may wonder if we just did not have enough faith. We would discuss the kind of little faith Jesus condemned and see that God honors even faith as small as a mustard seed. Multiple scriptures are used here.When things are particularly dark, the best thing for us to do is put on the garment of praise. So we will discuss what it takes to put on a garment of praise in the midst of darkness and how that will not change your circumstance often, but it does change your perspectiveThree tips for writers.Prayer is your most important tool to effectively communicate God’s message.Next, start with God’s word, not your idea. Instead of saying I want to write about how important positive thinking is so I will find some verses about that, ask what does God’s Word say about thinking? Seek His Word…the ideas will be rooted in Him.Trust that the Holy Spirit in you will give you all you need to effectively communicate His message as you write, rewrite, edit, and do the work to write well.Listener giveaway… is a downloadable 9-day devotion that is attached to my enewsletter. It is based on Philippians 4:8. Available here: http://eepurl.com/h3NafzAs we wrap up – Online Infertility Support Group Called Circle of Hope sign up link: https://www.twelve12ministries.org/circleofhopeYou can find out more in our show notes below:Website:https://angelamackey.com/Podcast:https://life-as-worship.com/Book:https://a.co/d/06FDQT7nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mackeyal/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rethinking_my_thinking/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