Expert Edition - Harness the Power of Prewriting and Brainstorming

Ever stare at a blank page, wondering where to start? You’re not alone! Before the words start flowing, the real magic happens in the pre-writing and brainstorming phase. In this episode, we’re diving into powerful strategies to spark creativity, organize your thoughts, and build a strong foundation for your writing—without the overwhelm.

I’ll walk you through practical techniques like journaling, free-writing, mind mapping, and the “book sketch” method to help you move from scattered ideas to a clear, inspired vision. Whether you’re writing a book, blog, or devotional, these tools will bring clarity, confidence, and consistency to your writing process.

stephanie@butterfly-beginnings.com : Email me with the subject "transformation tale" to receive your copy of the transformation tale with a pre-filled example.

https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemillercoach/ : DM me "transformation tale" to get your copy!

https://www.butterfly-beginnings.com/freebie grab the guide to stop self-sabotaging your writing life!

About the Author

Stephanie Miller is a multi-published author, speaker, and certified Spiritual Growth Coach and Writing Coach with a heart for inspiring Christian women to reach their full potential. She regularly teaches workshops, speaks at events and has been featured on over 50 podcasts (and counting). Previous published works include The Butterfly Blueprint and several multi-author books. Through her coaching, she has helped many aspiring writers overcome their fears and develop their craft while also growing in their faith.

Stephanie enjoys indulging her creative side with painting watercolor and staying active by chasing her three young children around. She and her family live outside of Nashville, Tennessee, along with their two mini-goldendoodles. Connect with her at www.butterfly-beginnings.com, stephanie@butterfly-beginnings.com, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook @stephaniemillercoach.

Overcoming Impossible

“I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14

-In chapter 2, we read of 43 different groups who took responsibility for a section of the wall. It starts and finishes at the Sheep gate. -2 1/2 miles of wall which translates to 13,200 feet

Expect Opposition

“Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭

Expect Fatigue

“Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭

Expect to finish with God’s help

“So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭

-What should have taken 10 years to finish, was completed in a mere 52 days. -Hard work by the people + God’s divine protection and empowerment = a victory every time. -There is power in a Spirit-led community of believers-in our case Kingdom Writers-coming together to rebuild what the enemy has broken down.

This is how we overcome impossible!

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.

Expert Edition - Writing a Faith-Based Memoir

Having just completed my writer's memoir, I have been amazed at how the process strengthened my faith and thankfulness to God for what He has done in my writing life. I would love to engage with writers who would like to write this kind of memoir, and/or those who have a similar story to share.

As a small thank you for listening today I’d like to offer you a Free download of my devotional book, Spur of the Moment. Please use coupon code - QGKBB

I am also offering a 20% discount on my 5-week Writing Devotionals of Distinction Course. Please email me at vinemarc@telus.net for more details.

About the Author

Marcia Laycock currently has 16 books available on Amazon, including contemporary adult novels, fantasy novels for middle grade readers, devotional books, a book of Christmas stories, a children’s picture book, and most recently, Pond’rings, a writer’s memoir. Find her at https://marcialeelaycock.com and https://marcialeelaycock.substack.com

Useful

Luke 1:5-17

Out of all the thousands of Levites serving in the Temple in the First Century, Zechariah is one of the only ones we know by name.

God knew where to find Zechariah. God does not require that we have a big, flashy, well-known life to be significant to Him.

All that matters is what He sees, what He thinks, and how He is pleased with our lives.

This is not a flashy, outgoing couple. They are dutifully behind the scenes in their lives. Zechariah and Elizabeth were just a tiny, almost insignificant part of a community of thousands of Levitical priests, grouped into 24 teams that took their turns on duty at the Temple of God.

Zechariah was one of 24,000 priests who served 2 weeks each year by rotation. An an aged man, it was a supreme honor given once in a lifetime to serve at the altar of incense.

The incense was offered daily before the morning sacrifice at about 9am, and after the evening sacrifice about 3pm in the afternoon. It was probably the evening offering that was assigned to Zechariah.

Application: God knows your address. You can be plain, unknown to most people in the world, never achieving public fame, live as an ordinary person, having a nondescript life and still be living a Spirit-filled life, useful to God.

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.

Feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands and wondering when you’ll ever find time to write? In this episode, I share three practical strategies to help you carve out consistent writing time—no matter how busy your season feels. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, block small chunks of time like non-negotiable appointments, and create accountability to stay on track.

Your words matter, and God can multiply even the smallest moments when you take a step of faith. Whether you’re starting fresh or picking up where you left off, this episode will equip you to make real progress on your book this year. Plus, I’ll share how you can join our free Writing Week challenge for the accountability and encouragement you need to keep going.

Listen in, take that first step, and trust God with the journey. Your book has a purpose—and it’s time to begin.

Desert

At some point in our lives, we will find ourselves in the desert. A place of heat and barrenness. We’re talking about the Mojave or Sahara in July, not Palm Springs.

The word desert is the Hebrew word “midbar” which comes from the root word “dabar” meaning “to speak.”

The Lord speaks to us in those desert places. It’s where everything we rely upon for comfort is stripped from us. Things we thought we needed but realized we didn’t. Things that may have kept us from hearing God speak.

Deserts aren’t comfortable. But deserts can be very educational. Not all of our deserts are the same. For some, it might look like caring for a loved one for a long time. For others, it might be dealing with an extended illness. Or perhaps financial challenge. Or a season of no writing productivity. Maybe a season of depression. A divorce, death of a spouse, a season of one rejection after another where you can’t seem to win for losing. Maybe moving to an area where you don’t know anyone.

Deuteronomy 32:10-12

Where is God when we find ourselves in a desert? Initially, we feel alone, forgotten, and vulnerable.

What if we placed our own names there in verse 10?

God does 4 things when He places us in a desert:

1. He surrounds us

2. He watches over us

3. He guards us (like the pupil of His eye)

4. He guides us (He alone)

Moses was a man acquainted with the desert. Interesting that the Lord put Moses in a desert for 40 years before putting him in another desert as the leader of God’s people where they wandered for 40 years.

Deuteronomy 8:2-5 - We learn what we’re truly made of in the desert. The Lord doesn’t place us in the desert to ruin us. He does it to refine us.

Moses went from being advanced in hieroglyphics and Egyptian sciences, one of Pharaoh’s elect to tending sheep in an obscure part of the desert. Talk about humility 101!

Each of our deserts will look a little different but serve the same purpose of humbling & refining us to be more effective Kingdom writers.

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.

Join Me for a Free Live Training! Add it to your calendar here: https://www.addevent.com/event/LP24300245

📆 Tuesday, January 7th at 1 pm Eastern (10 am Pacific, 11 am Mountain, noon central)

Topic: “Beyond the Book: How to Build Bridges and Spark a Ripple Effect With Your Message”

In this live training, you’ll learn about:

✅ The Mosaic: How your book is the first piece of a bigger picture God is creating through you.
✅ The Ripple Effect Plan: How even one simple step can amplify your book’s reach and bless more lives.
✅ 3 Simple Steps to Create offers that naturally guide readers back to your book.

### Why Show Up Live?

✨ You’ll leave with a clear, actionable Ripple Effect Plan for your book—a simple blueprint to multiply your message without feeling overwhelmed.

✨ Live Q&A: Get your questions answered in real-time so you can confidently take the next step.

✨ Clarity and Confidence: You’ll finally see how to expand your impact while honoring the message God has entrusted to you—without overcomplicating it.

God gave you this message for a reason. This training will help you take the next faithful step to serve your readers and unlock the greater story He’s still writing.

**

📆 Save the Date and Add It to Your Calendar Now: https://www.addevent.com/event/LP24300245

If you can't make it live the replay will be posted here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_MxZkAom1Yk_s-6_cSYFLndXZpQqn3xwxwAwar6M-Zg/edit?tab=t.0

This year marks 20 years since I began my online business journey, and what a journey it has been! It’s been filled with both challenges and blessings, but through it all, God has taught me so much. As I reflect on the last two decades, I want to share 20 lessons I’ve learned along the way.

To celebrate this milestone, we're giving away our Kingdom Writers book for free from December 17–19, 2024. You can download your copy here.