Home Row

Home Row

39: Karen Swallow Prior: On Reading Well and Writing Well

Mar 30 • 35 min

Reading and writing are the writer's peanut butter and jelly. We can debate crunchy or smooth another time. But there is no debate that Karen Swallow Prior is a stellar writer, filled with sage advice for us fellow writers.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support…

38: Collin Hansen on Telling Your Story, TGC, & Editor-Writer Dynamics

Mar 21 • 35 min

Collin Hansen is a smart man. Like, super-duper wise. Listen as Collin tells us the kind of writing TGC craves, and how you can improve as a writer—and how to treat an editor.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support for Home Row is brought to you by Baron Fig,…

37: Tools and Stages of Writing

Mar 15 • 18 min

What software do you use? How do you edit? Every writer has tools, and each tool is used at a certain stage. Let's open the toolbox.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support for Home Row is brought to you by Baron Fig, tools for thinkers. As writers, we need paper,…

36: 12 Writing Tips from Marvin Olasky

Mar 6 • 53 min

Ready to learn from a sage of writing and editing? Marvin Olasky is ready to give your 12 practical pieces of advice to help your writing. Your readers will thank you—and they'll thank Marvin too.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support for Home Row is brought to…

35: Tim Challies Can’t Write (But Finds a Way)

Feb 20 • 36 min

Tim Challies is a writer who can't write right now because of a condition that keeps him from typing. So what does a writer who can't right do? Listen and learn from Tim as he pursues his craft even when obstacles rise. Also, listen to Tim talk about the…

34: How to Navigate Platform, Marketing, and the Audience with Chris Martin

Feb 13 • 45 min

Writers don't want to think about advertising, marketing, social media, and platform. But you must. Don't treat these four buckets like the four horsemen of the Writer-Pocalypse. Today on the show we have Chris Martin and his job is to help writers…

33: Life in the Wild as a Writer with Dan Dewitt

Feb 6 • 45 min

Professor and prolific writer, Dan Dewitt, takes us into the mind and rhythms of writers—his own and C.S. Lewis.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support for Home Row is brought to you by Baron Fig, tools for thinkers. As writers, we need paper, and the good folks…

32: Practical Tips and Insights from a Journalist

Jan 30 • 36 min

Get ready for notebooks for wisdom The Gospel Coalition's journalist, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra. Sarah is a senior writer for The Gospel Coalition and contributing editor at Christianity Today. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern…

31: Christ-Centered Writing with Tony Merida

Jan 23 • 43 min

All of our writing, whether fiction, poetry, or non-fiction should center on Jesus. How? Listen to Tony Merida and me talk about being Christ-centered writers.Sponsored By:Baron Fig: Support for Home Row is brought to you by Baron Fig, tools for thinkers.…

30: 10 Resolutions for Writers

Jan 15 • 28 min

Are you ready to tackle your writing in 2018? Here are 10 resolutions, goals, ideas, whatevers, for us writers as we get to work this year.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an…

29: On Writers Using Twitter and Avoiding Idolatry

Oct 17, 2017 • 27 min

On Ep. 29, I answer two listener questions: How can writers avoid idolatry in our writing, and how can we use Twitter to help our writing.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an…

28: Writing Tools with Roy Peter Clark

Oct 2, 2017 • 38 min

Roy Peter Clark is professional writer. Boss-level. He has taught writing at Poynter to students of all ages since 1979. Roy teaches writing, reporting, editing, reading, language and politics, American culture, ethics, and the standards and practices of…

27: The Writer’s Diet and Zombie Nouns with Helen Sword

Sep 25, 2017 • 55 min

Ready to learn from a writing professor? In this instant-classic, Helen Sword tells us about her book The Writer's Diet and what exactly are Zombie Nouns—and why we should avoid them like the living-dead.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show…

26: C.S. Lewis and the Purpose of Writing

Sep 19, 2017 • 14 min

On today's episode, I answer a listener question with an answer from C.S. Lewis on his vision for writing.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an optimal blend of accuracy and…

25: Kristen Wetherell on Broadway, Providence, Suffering, and Writing

Jul 24, 2017 • 42 min

Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an optimal blend of accuracy and readability, the CSB helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong…

24: How To Spark Your Creativity

Jul 11, 2017 • 16 min

Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an optimal blend of accuracy and readability, the CSB helps readers make a deeper connection with God’s Word and inspires lifelong…

23: Drew Dyck on Stellar Book Ideas & Qualities of a Good Writer

Jul 3, 2017 • 41 min

Lots of people have ideas for a book, but that doesn't mean it should be published. Listen as author and acquisitions editor at Moody Books, Drew Dyck, pull back the curtain and tells you how it works.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is…

22: Jaquelle Crowe on Writing & Finding Your Audience

Jun 20, 2017 • 32 min

At nineteen years old, Jaquelle has published her first book with Crossway, written for Desiring God, and helps lead a workshop for writers. Listen in and learn from this writing veteran. I sure did!Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is…

21: Listener Questions + Do The Work

Jun 10, 2017 • 16 min

On this episode I start to answer listener questions and address what is a vital step in being a writer. You gotta sit down and do the work. No more procrastinating. Do the work.Sponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The…

20: Eric Geiger on Writing, Publishing, and the NBA

May 30, 2017 • 35 min

Eric Geiger serves as one of the Vice Presidents at LifeWay Christian Resources, leading the Resources Division. Eric received his doctorate in leadership and church ministry from Southern Seminary. Eric has authored or co-authored several books including…

19: Matt Smethurst on Writing, Candy, & Coffee

May 22, 2017 • 41 min

Matt Smethurst is managing editor of The Gospel Coalition and author of 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12-Week Study (Crossway, 2017). He and his wife, Maghan, have three children and live in Louisville, Kentucky. Listen to Matt detail how I changed his life.…

18: Thomas Kidd on Writing, Platform, Whitefield and Franklin

May 8, 2017 • 47 min

Listen to author, historian, and professor Thomas Kidd and I discuss multipack of topics on writing. George Whitfield used the technology and platform of his day for the spread of the gospel. What can we learn from him and our writing? Is platform wrong?…

17: David Murray on Writing

May 1, 2017 • 36 min

Listen to David Murray, author and professor, talk about how he became a writer, the struggles in writing, burnout and pace as a writer. Check out David's blog: http://headhearthand.org/blog/ His new book, Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout…

16: Episode 16: Lore Ferguson Wilbert on Writing

Apr 26, 2017 • 45 min

Listen to Lore (pronounced Loreee) and I talk writing, C.S. Lewis, editing, and vulnerability in our writing. Big thanks to rapper, nobigdyl, for providing today's music. Check out his album Canopy. Todays tracks: Tree Tops and Purple Dinosaur.…

15: Russ Ramsey on Writing

Apr 6, 2017 • 55 min

On today's show, Russ Ramsey, author and editor, drops writing wisdom all over the place in this episode. The Rabbit Room: https://rabbitroom.com/ The app I use to proof my work, Pro Writing Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/ He Reads Truth:…

14: Scott Sauls on Writing

Mar 20, 2017 • 34 min

Episode 14: Scott Sauls on Writing by J.A. MeddersSponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an optimal blend of accuracy and readability, the CSB helps readers make a deeper connection…

13: Trillia Newbell on Writing

Mar 13, 2017 • 50 min

Episode 13: Trillia Newbell on Writing by J.A. MeddersSponsored By:Christian Standard Bible: Today's show is brought to you by The Christian Standard Bible. Offering an optimal blend of accuracy and readability, the CSB helps readers make a deeper…

12: Scott James on Writing

Dec 19, 2016 • 33 min

On the final episode of Season 2, I talk with Scott James. Who? Scott, like me, isn't a celebrity pastor or writer. He's an ordinary person, and he's a great writer. Scott is a lay elder at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. And, Scott is…

11: Kevin Vanhoozer on Writing

Dec 5, 2016 • 43 min

Kevin Vanhoozer and I talk about a vision for Christian writers. Listen in as we talk about what does it mean to communicate what is "in Christ". I think you'll find our discussion on writers as theologians helpful to your writing and your calling. Find…

10: Russell Moore on Writing

Nov 21, 2016 • 34 min

In this episode, Russell Moore and I talk about growing as a writer, how country music helps his writing, and why writing with End Times theology in mind is a good thing. Listen and learn from one of my favorite writers. Article on Procrastination:…

9: Don Whitney on Writing

Nov 7, 2016 • 34 min

On this episode of Home Row, Don Whitney and I talk about writing, ministry, fountain pens, and more. Listen as Dr. Whitney talks about his emphasis on writing on spiritual disciplines and the things that help us grow in Christ. Hear the story of how his…

8: Christian George on Writing

Oct 23, 2016 • 40 min

Christian George, Professor at Midwestern Seminary and Curator and the Spurgeon Library, and I talk writing—and Spurgeon as a writer. We often think of Spurgeon the pastor and preacher, but forget he also wrote around 140 books, managed a magazine, and…

7: Jen Wilkin on Writing

Oct 17, 2016 • 32 min

Jen Wilkin and I talk writing, creativity, editing, being from Texas, au-gratin potatoes, and the challenge of writing a fresh work on God's attributes. Be sure to check out Jen's author page on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2eyf1Kb Her first book, Women of the…

6: Douglas Wilson on Writing

Jul 5, 2016 • 49 min

Mr. Wordsmith himself, Douglas Wilson, and I talk about, you guessed it: writing. Doug's Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/29oxWCU Doug's Book on Writing: Wordsmithy If you want to buy a book on writing, this is the one. Wordsmithy is my favorite.…

5: Trevin Wax on Writing

May 17, 2016 • 42 min

On this episode author Trevin Wax and I talks about the three kinds of writers, where writers should start writing, and motivations in writing. Show Notes: Trevin's Books: Gospel-Centered Teaching: http://amzn.to/1WBw3FR Counterfeit Gospels:…

4: Tim Challies on Writing

Apr 26, 2016 • 32 min

On this episode, Tim Challies and I talk about discipline as a writer, growing through the daily slug, and how to stay focused on your calling as a writer. SHOW NOTES: The Game of Life: http://amzn.to/1T2L6kI Tim's books: Visual Theology,…

3: Barnabas Piper on Writing

Apr 18, 2016 • 41 min

Barnabas and I talk about writing tips, his favorite writing books, and how to promote your writing without feeling sleazy. Barnabas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarnabasPiper J.A. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrmedders Barnabas' Books:…

2: Tony Reinke on Writing

Apr 11, 2016 • 38 min

Tony on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonyReinke Jeff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrmedders Tony's Books: Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books: http://amzn.to/1qjmCws Newton On The Christian Life: http://amzn.to/1SZCcXM The Joy Project: A True…

1: Jared Wilson on Writing

Apr 4, 2016 • 35 min

In our first episode, Jared C. Wilson and J.A. Medders talk about writing, the writing life, tips and tricks, fat royalty checks, and writer's block. Jared's Books - http://jaredcwilson.com/books/ Jared's Twitter - https://twitter.com/jaredcwilson…