How do I Start Writing? / Quick Tips for Writers 1 / 7:16

 

The Write Focus brings in a Blast from the Past, from Summer 2025. Thirteen—count `em, 13—posts that distill over 30 years of writing knowledge and 10 years of publishing writing. 

Host M.A. Lee has 60-plus novel-length titles under three pen names that guide this information. We hope you find a spot of wisdom in each of these Quick Tips for Writers.

In our first episode of the series, we answer every writer’s burning question: “What do I need to start writing?”

TIMINGS

00:40 Introduction

01:10 Quick Tip 1

4:14 Closing

Total Run Time = 5:14

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/7_oH-qIaDok

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/how-do-i-start-writing-quick-tips-for-writers-1-716/?token=1e92aa255856f4375794794b407439ce

 Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

·        You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters series.

·        Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

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Here are the easiest. Make us a favorite, and follow along easy-peasy, once a week, while you fix a quick dinner, drive a short commute, or take a brisk walk.

My favorite podcast is Podbean. https://eden5695.podbean.com/

YouTube direct link to the Current Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7IZWMlW9kLwMNEkuLMySGnq

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-write-focus/id1546738740%20

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Tune-In https://tunein.com/podcasts/p1608565/

IHeart Radio  https://iheart.com/podcast/90647163   

 

Content copyright is 2020 to 2026, Writers Ink Books.

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

MORE: Easter / Bright Sunday with Creativity Refresh 15 (Last in Series) / 7:15

 

Our More: Easter series concludes in this episode with my confession of a longtime failing and the way I’m casting off that sin … which was one of the motivations for the entire series on More.

And our final Creativity for Writers segment, we consider the daily practice of gratitude to the greatest Creator of all.

TIMINGS

00:40 Introduction

00:50 Bright Sunday

06:20 Creativity Refresh 15

10:22 Last Words and Next Series

11:05 Closing

Total Run Time = 12:05

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/8XR8SZIyOvk

Prazoli Christian Bible Prayer Journal https://www.amazon.com/Prazoli-Christian-Prayer-Journal-3-Month/dp/B0D3PFXNX5/

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-sunday-with-creativity-refresh-15-715-last-in-series/?token=235ee31a6ad8a3ed94fb90f44e5ed948

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

 

MORE: Easter / Bright Saturday and Creativity for Writers 14 / 7:14

 

David’s prayer in Psalm 143 is our focus, following God’s timeline rather than the world’s.

In the Creativity for Writers segment, we look at three techniques to generate new ideas from the blankness.

TIMINGS

• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Bright Saturday
• 06:06 Creativity Refresh 14
• 11:12 Closing

Total Run Time = 12:12

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/zc-8WsHsAh8

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-saturday-with-creativity-for-writers-14/?token=759f42452b96d468dfc5128a2633fc02

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

 

MORE: Easter / Bright Friday with Creativity Refresh 13 / 7:13

 

As we age, we think the three most common bedtime prayers for children are only for the little people. They seem too plain for our complex lives.

Our mistake is when we try to make our prayers more when simple is better.

In looking at the simple, we often see things we have forgotten because our so-called complex lives are actually only filled with distractions.

In the Creativity for Writers segment, we look at overcoming the burdens of the daily grind by awakening our child.

TIMINGS

00:40 Introduction

00:50 Bright Friday

08:40 Creativity Refresh 13

12:02 Closing

Total Run Time = 13:03

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/jAe2b_1EzoE

Versions of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_I_Lay_Me_Down_to_Sleep

The Shema https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQLOuIKaRA

Christ with four arch-angels Painting  https://media.craiyon.com/2025-04-10/cNA-qexEQ2SwteWDcqbNKg.webp

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-friday-with-creativity-refresh-13-713/?token=e95ab584d4f854bf3d9ee6dda43ea1fa

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Bright Thursday with Creativity Refresh 12 / 7:12

 

While the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed and even little Glory Be offer the basic tenets of Christian faith, we can still add more to intensify our daily walk with Christ.

More can mean a greater understanding of the church year, such as knowing Holy Week and Bright Week. More can also mean additional readings to add to our daily devotions.

Reading through the Bible can be a challenging daily devotion, especially when we are deep into Leviticus or the minor prophets or weeping Jeremiah. Supplementing with additional small readings can make the uphill struggle of the laws or the Lamentations bearable.

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is one such addition.

In the Creativity for Writers segment, we consider the hardest method of all to refresh our creativity.

TIMINGS

00:40 Introduction

00:50 Bright Thursday

04:40 Creativity Refresh 12

09:05 Closing

Total Run Time = 10:30

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/1MLb9c9_QdE

The Prayer As a Song https://youtu.be/ZABZroCGXTU?si=J0OYhJ763_KXJnZf

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-thursday-with-creativity-refresh-12-712/?token=341380ab5724434e93d9579c81fd048c

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Bright Wednesday, Emmaus, and Creativity Refresh 11 / 7:11

 

He is Risen! That’s the word the women gave, based on the evidence of the tomb and the word of the bright angel who reassured them.

Yet the disciples could not bring themselves to believe. They wanted to, desperately, but their earthly realism prevented complete belief.

Our focus today is on the event three days after the Crucifixion, on the day of the Resurrection, when two of the Jesus’ followers are walking on the road to Emmaus.

In the Creativity Refresh segment, we discuss the management of two guiding principles of writing that constantly affect creativity.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 00:50 Bright Wednesday
• 06:00 Creativity Refresh 11
• 10:50 Closing

Total Run Time = 11:51

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/VC99lBtdJr8

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-wed-emmaus-creativity-refresh-11-711/?token=93eae6b59970cc4a09433a083340f1c8

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Bright Tuesday and Creativity Refresh 10 / 7:10

 

In this day of contemporary music and blended worship services, with guitars and drums accompanying the pianos and organs, the bland traditional services of my childhood now seem strange.

God calls upon us to make a joyful noise in praise to Him. Music creates a harmonious celebration. Psalm 150 even lists the instruments for accompaniment.

Our question today is how do we use music in our daily life?

In the Creativity Refresh segment, we focus on managing the flatness of our ideas and words and encountering roadblocks.

TIMINGS

• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Bright Tuesday
• 03:35 Creativity Refresh 10
• 11:05 Closing

Total Run Time = 12:05

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/E88zKRELlHw

Audio 

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Bright Monday with Creativity Refresh 9 / 7:09

 

Easter began with Sunrise—the tomb open and empty, the faithful women first to see, first to receive the good news, first to spread the good news.

This week should be the most celebrated time in the church, yet it is often more neglected than any other time of the church.

Fasting and grief are over; feast and joy return. Christ is Risen!  Christ is Lord of All!

Today is Easter Monday, Bright Monday. On this day, let’s examine one of the foundational creeds of Christianity, a creed that helped fight heresies of the past and that can fight heresies of today.

In our Creativity for Writers segment, our focus continues to be ways to fuel the creative spark.

 TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Bright Monday / Apostles’ Creed
• 10:10 Fuel for the Creative Spark / Refresh 9
• 17:17 Closing

Total Run Time = 18:16

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/MKQ4jkm5bOc

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-bright-monday-with-creativity-refresh-9-709/?token=387afd9b860880148551fb3697a33ea1

MORE: Easter / Easter Day with Creativity Refresh 8 / 7:08

 

On Easter, we greet each other with “He is risen.”

The traditional response is “He is risen indeed.”

Easter is our great hope and assurance, the fulfillment of the promise of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

My efforts for an Easter reflection to share with you were poor indeed, and it is a wise writer who recognizes her inadequacies. Thus, I have three reflections by others to share on this most holy day.

In the Creativity for Writers segment, the topic is finding a new perspective.

 

TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Easter Day
• 05:15 Refresh 8
• 10:30 Closing

Total Run Time = 11:30

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/b6nXeGyvrTs

Johann Habermann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Habermann

Book of Common Prayer, 1552 :: 1928 edition https://www.amazon.com/1928-Book-Common-Prayer/dp/0195285255/ OR 1979 edition https://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Deluxe-Personal/dp/0898691117/

Charles Spurgeon, sermon delivered April 21, 1889, in London. Available in its entirety in The Complete Spurgeon Sermons Collection. https://www.amazon.com/Spurgeons-Sermons-Volumes-C-Spurgeon/dp/1598568329/ OR https://www.spurgeongems.org/spurgeon-sermons/

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/04/more-easter-easter-day-with-creativity.html

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-easter-day-with-creativity-refresh-8-708/?token=71b896a34556b7af7f9cdb67a74d48ca 

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Black Saturday with Creativity Refresh 7 / 7:07

 What is the key to Holy Saturday? 

The church is bare, the altar blackened, all hope entombed with Christ.

Black Saturday is the vigil before Easter’s Resurrection. After the Crucifixion, the black veil is removed from the altar cross, for Christ is brought down from the 300-pound cross that the Sanhedrin and the Romans intended to be His failure.

They didn't know the key, though.

After our focus on Black Saturday, the creativity segment considers our physical workspace for writing.

 

TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Black Saturday
• 05:05 Refresh 7
• 09:36 Closing

Total Run Time = 10:37

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/aZQuZMgK80U

Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/3-michelangelos-sistine-chapel-michele-falzone.jpg

Matt Papa “The Story of God” https://youtu.be/E4cL-Zcxa9M

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-black-saturday-with-creativity-refresh-7-for-writers-707/?token=445edbc4ef7e82c2f085bcab694e3f84 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter / Good Friday and Creativity Refresh 6 / 7:06

Why is Good Friday “Good”?

That is the official title of this meditation, but the focus is something else.

First, the answer to the question is basically because we received the best gift in the world, the gift of redeeming salvation from Christ Jesus.

Our focus is an aspect of that question / answer, wrapped up in a behavior of self-denial. On this Good Friday, let us consider the reason we say no to opportunities.

In the Refresh that Creativity segment, we focus on a strong method to awaken new ideas.

TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Good Friday
• 10:00 Refresh 6
• 14:52 Closing

Total Run Time = 15:53

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/-cmJCtHWSas 

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/04/more-easter-good-friday-and-creativity.html

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-good-friday-creativity-refresh-6-for-writers-706/?token=e5ad9092d5cc086470b6f5f2e6aa183c

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

 

MORE: Easter / Maundy Thursday & the Tenebrae / 7:05

 

The “Maundy” of Maundy Thursday is such an odd word.

It comes down to us from the Middle Ages, entering English in the old French form of mandé, which leads back to Latin and mandatum, meaning command, order.

The mandatum comes from Jesus’ words to his disciples. In this episode, we explore Christ’s new commandment to his disciples at the Last Supper.

We also have a bit on the Tenebrae service that often concludes a Maundy Thursday service.

In the Writing segment, we look at several types of journals in order to Refresh that Creativity that writers depend upon.

 

TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Maundy Thursday
• 06:30 The Tenebrae
• 08:20 Creativity Refresh # 5
• 13:46 Closing

Total Run Time = 14:35

 

LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/3IIEi5nmtc4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y9qCsIPzNo taken from The Passion of Christ

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/04/more-easter-maundy-thursday-tenebrae.html

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-maundy-thursday-creativity-705/?token=78d64c04c2e6d5cb93ccbcf39de39951

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

MORE: Easter ~ Spy Wednesday / 7:04

 

Holy Wednesday is often called Spy Wednesday.

Spy Wednesday sounds like a cool name with more going on than simply Holy Wednesday.

Holy Wednesday is given the name Spy to remind us of the horrible conspiracy that began on this day: Judas Iscariot and the high priests negotiated a deal in which Judas would betray Christ Jesus, who would then be brought before the Sanhedrin Court, an assembly of rabbis.

That means SPY Wednesday is not cool.

In our writing segment, our focus is seeking the other arts to Refresh our Creativity.

TIMINGS

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Spy Wednesday
• 08:06 Refresh # 4
• 13:00 Closing

Total Run Time = 13:59

 LINKS

Video https://youtu.be/WbCPm7nEECk 

Who Can Be Called Rabbi? - Torah Musings https://www.torahmusings.com/2012/05/who-can-be-called-rabbi/

Audio https://eden5695.podbean.com/e/more-easter-spy-wednesday-704/?token=8b092388aa556282e0a94f4b78b0b70b

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.