Home Row: Just Keep Writing

J.A. Medders

J.A. Medders interviews authors on writing, books, and more. Learn about writing, get inspired to write, and of course, just keep writing.

  1. Glenna Marshall on Writing, Psalm 139, and Loving Scripture

    08/18/2025

    Glenna Marshall on Writing, Psalm 139, and Loving Scripture

    In this episode of Home Row, Jeff Medders welcomes writer Glenna Marshall to discuss her journey as a writer, her latest book 'Known and Loved', and the importance of God's love as expressed in Psalm 139. They explore the writing process, the challenges of balancing writing with publicity, and the significance of imprecatory prayers. Glenna shares her insights on how to engage with Scripture and the transformative power of God's love, emphasizing the need for writers to serve their readers and glorify God through their work. Glenna's New Book Jeff's Amazon Author Page Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back to Home Row02:40 The Journey to Becoming a Writer05:59 The Writing Process and Life as an Author15:47 Exploring Psalm 139 and God's Love23:57 Surprises in Writing and Understanding God's Affection28:48 Understanding Psalm 139: Comfort in God's Presence30:18 The Journey of Writing: Balancing Projects31:32 Navigating the Challenges of Multiple Book Contracts34:29 The Role of Deadlines in Writing39:56 Writing for the Kingdom: Purpose and Passion42:25 The Subtext of Writing: Encouraging Love for Scripture46:17 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights into the Writer's Life Takeaways Glenna Marshall emphasizes the importance of journaling for writers.The writing process can be messy and unglamorous, often taking place in everyday settings.Writing is a tool for serving the church and helping others know God's love.Imprecatory prayers can be understood through the lens of God's love and justice.Glenna's writing aims to make readers love God's Word and understand His affection for them.The balance between writing and publicity can be challenging for authors.Glenna's writing journey began with journaling as a child and evolved into blogging and book writing.The significance of Psalm 139 is highlighted as a declaration of God's delight in His people.Writers should focus on their purpose and the impact they want to have on their readers.Every writer has a subtext that influences their work.

    52 min
  2. Matt Smethurst on Writing and Tim Keller

    08/11/2025

    Matt Smethurst on Writing and Tim Keller

    In this revival episode of Home Row, host Jeff Medders welcomes back Matt Smethurst to discuss his new book, 'Tim Keller on the Christian Life.' They explore Keller's legacy, the writing process, and the lessons learned from his work. The conversation delves into the importance of clarity in writing, the organization of research, and the personal transformation experienced through Keller's teachings. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal insights into writing habits and preferences. 00:00 Welcome Back and Introduction 03:00 Exploring Tim Keller's Impact 05:17 The Writing Process and Lessons from Keller 08:33 Behind the Scenes of Writing the Book 11:13 Research and Organization Techniques 17:20 Influences and Inspiration 31:24 Keller's Books and Recommendations 39:21 Personal Transformation through Keller's Teachings 43:18 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts Takeaways Keller's writing is characterized by clarity and relevance.The importance of life experience in writing.Writing should serve the reader, not the writer's ego.Keller's books address timeless topics that resonate across generations.The writing process can be overwhelming but manageable when broken down.Research and organization are key to effective writing.Imagery and illustrations enhance the reader's experience.Keller's teachings remind us of the simplicity of the Christian life.Every writer should strive for beautiful clarity in their work.Personal transformation often comes from engaging deeply with Scripture.

    48 min
4.8
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

J.A. Medders interviews authors on writing, books, and more. Learn about writing, get inspired to write, and of course, just keep writing.