As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and renew our creative energy as GospelWise authors. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out on your Christian writing journey, this moment offers a unique opportunity to reset your goals, refocus your purpose, and reignite your passion for writing in a way that glorifies God and serves your neighbor.
Drawing from years of experience as an independent Christian author and working alongside some of the largest Christian publishers, I want to share practical insights, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on how to navigate the challenges and victories you’ve encountered this year. Let’s dive into this motivational boost together, crafted especially for writers like you who are committed to wielding the pen for the sake of the cross.
Halfway Through 2025: Where Are You Now?
Mid-year is a natural checkpoint. It’s a moment to honestly assess where you stand in your writing journey this year. Have you met the goals you set back in January? Are you excited about what you’ve accomplished, or do you feel a bit behind? Perhaps there’s a mix of emotions swirling around—joy, discouragement, anticipation, or even exhaustion. All of these feelings are normal and part of the creative process.
Personally, I recently completed my first novel of 2025 – the 14th book in my Order of Thaddius series, The Guardian Exchange. While I’m thrilled to see it finished and ready for release, it took longer than I expected. I had hoped to wrap it up by the end of April, but creative challenges and the weight of expectations slowed me down. This struggle wasn’t just about writing; it was about reconnecting with my “why” and remembering the deeper purpose behind my work.
Maybe your experience this year resembles mine. Maybe you set ambitious goals—three or four books a year, a steady stream of devotionals, or a growing email list—and you’re wondering why things haven’t gone quite as planned. That’s okay. Your journey and your pace are unique. What matters most is not the number of words or sales but the heart behind your writing.
The Danger of Losing Sight of Your “Why”
One of the biggest pitfalls Christian authors face is shifting focus from the people we’re called to serve to the numbers on a sales report or email list. It’s easy to become consumed by how many books sold, how many readers signed up, or how effective our Facebook ads are. But these metrics, while important in a business sense, can distract us from the true mission of our vocation.
Your “why” as a GospelWise author is not about statistics. It’s about the person behind each number—the reader who picks up your book with hopes, questions, or needs. It’s about creating vessels for the Spirit of Christ to move through, to inspire, entertain, and draw people closer to God’s heart.
“The gospel isn’t about numbers; it’s about creating vessels through which the Spirit of Christ can love and draw people into the heart of God.”
Remember this truth when you feel discouraged by slow sales or creative blocks. Your identity as a Christian writer is rooted in being a child of God, not in your output or income. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Writing is one of the beautiful ways we live out this calling.
Celebrate Your Journey So Far
Before setting new goals, take a moment to celebrate what you’ve accomplished. Even if you haven’t finished a full manuscript, maybe you’ve written chapters, devotionals, Bible studies, or blog posts. Perhaps you’ve deepened your understanding of scripture or connected with new readers through social media or a podcast.
What you have created, no matter how big or small, is a gift to the world. Each word written in faith is a step forward in your ministry. Celebrate the progress, the lessons learned, and the connections made. This celebration will fuel your motivation for the months ahead.
Learning from an Unexpected Inspiration: My 11-Year-Old Son
Recently, I found unexpected inspiration in my 11-year-old son. He’s taken a keen interest in running, push-ups, and fitness goals. Watching him set ambitious targets—running five miles, doing daily workouts, getting up early to train—has been a powerful reminder of the importance of goal-setting and discipline.
What struck me most was his unwavering commitment and excitement. He has embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, motivated by his own desire to improve and succeed. This passion has encouraged me to approach my writing goals with the same energy and dedication.
To help him stay on track, I bought him and his sister affordable Fitbits. These devices track their steps, miles, and workouts, offering tangible feedback and motivation. This simple tool has turned goal-setting into a fun and engaging experience for them.
Similarly, as authors, we can benefit from external tools or systems that help us stay focused. For me, it’s a dedicated Chromebook that I use solely for writing. When I sit down with it, my mind shifts into creative mode, free from distractions. What tools or routines could help you maintain focus and momentum?
Setting Your Goals for the Second Half of 2025
With renewed perspective, it’s time to set or revisit your goals for the remainder of the year. Here are some practical steps to help you plan effectively:
- Define Your Big Audacious Goal: What is the one major writing project you want to complete? It could be a novel, a devotional, a Bible study, or a resource to empower other Christians.
- Break It Down Into Manageable Tasks: Calculate the word count or chapters needed and divide that by the days or weeks left in the year. This math helps you create a realistic daily or weekly writing target.
- Schedule Writing Time: Look at your calendar and carve out dedicated writing sessions. Treat these appointments with the same importance as any other commitment.
- Identify Sacrifices: Consider what activities you might need to reduce or postpone—whether it’s Netflix, social media, or other leisure activities—to free up time for writing.
- Find Accountability and Support: Share your goals with a writing buddy, join a writing group, or participate in challenges that keep you motivated.
Remember, your goal is not just to produce content but to glorify God and serve your reading neighbor through the gospel. Every word you write with this heart will bear fruit far beyond the page.
Join Me in an August Writing Challenge
To help kickstart the second half of the year, I’m planning a month-long writing challenge this August. The goal? To write a 50,000-word novel in 31 days. This challenge is not just about hitting a word count; it’s about committing to the discipline of writing for Christ and encouraging each other along the way.
If you’re interested, I invite you to join me. Challenges like this can be incredibly motivating—they get you into the writing chair, help you build momentum, and bring your creative vision to life.
To learn more and sign up, visit crossandpen.com/challenge. Let’s encourage one another as we write for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors.
Final Encouragement: Return to Your Why
As you move forward, keep returning to your “why.” Why did you start writing in the first place? Why has Christ called you into this unique creative vocation? Your answer is the fuel that will sustain you through creative struggles, distractions, and doubts.
Jesus summarized our calling beautifully: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Your writing is an expression of that love. It’s a ministry of the heart, a way to invite others into the grace, truth, and hope found in Christ.
So, whether you’re just beginning or well into your author journey, remember this:
You are a child of God, equipped and called to create for His glory and your neighbor’s gospel good.
Take that identity with you into the remaining months of 2025. Set your goals, make your plans, and write boldly. The world needs your voice, your stories, and your faith-filled resources now more than ever.
If you want more tools, encouragement, and faith-filled training to confidently live out your Spirit-led ministry as a GospelWise author, visit gospelwiseauthor.com. Together, let’s create for Christ.
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