Tag Archives: Steph Beth Nickel

The Benefits of Taking Small Steps (Guest Post)

The Benefits of Taking Small Steps

by Steph Beth Nickel

But I want it done yesterday!

Longsuffering is an outdated word that we’ve replaced with patience, but the former is so much more effective.

We might tell our child to be patient until everyone finishes their meal before asking for dessert, but we wouldn’t think of this as longsuffering—at least not as adults. Our child might disagree, however.

There are many things we may want: to lose 10 pounds (or more), to develop healthier habits, to complete the renovations to our home, to zero out our inbox, to finish our manuscript(s)…

And if you’re anything like me, your inner voice may be repeating the opening statement above, even though we might rarely confess our impatience aloud.

While I’m sure we’ve all heard it countless times before, the encouragement to do the next right thing, to take the next small step toward achieving our goal, is sage advice.

If I want to lose weight (and I do), I must eat better and move more. The pounds may not melt off, but I will see progress. Borderline cholesterol and blood sugar levels are my primary motivators rather than the scale, but I have to admit seeing numbers I haven’t seen in years is an encouragement. It also helps that I like healthy food and exercise. Setting achievable, sustainable daily goals is far more likely to get me to my ultimate goal than depriving myself of all my favourite treats and wearing myself out with too strenuous a workout.

It looks as if my husband and I will be moving in 2027. So, we very much want to complete the renovations to our 100+-year-old house as soon as possible. Doing at least a little every day will get it done.

Zeroing out my inbox? Not gonna happen, but I can check it daily to make sure I don’t miss anything important, follow-up by responding to starred emails weekly, unsubscribe from newsletters I’m not reading, etc. (By the way, kudos to everyone who has less than 100 emails in their inbox!)

And those manuscripts I mentioned… I have set a goal of choosing 30 of my devotionals on the Gospel of John by the end of October and readying them for publication by the end of the year. My goal for my YA manuscript is to have the current draft completed by the end of the year at the latest. And the last goal for 2026 is to complete the revisions to Paralympian Deb Willows’s second memoir and resubmit it to the publisher.

I will not achieve the goals in the paragraph above unless I break them down into steps that can be completed in short order. This week I will work on Deb’s book at least three times. I will complete and post another chapter of Rule and Reign, my YA novel. I will choose the first 5-10 devotionals to include in the book.

We must be patient with ourselves as we work toward our goals. And sometimes, pressing on will feel like suffering long (or longsuffering), but as we learn to celebrate each step forward, no matter how small, we will see the end goal getting closer and will set a good example for others.

How about you? What small step can you take today toward achieving one of your goals?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

To Substack or Not to Substack (Guest Post)

A woman in a flowered top works at a table with a laptop. A cup of coffee and glass of water are in the foreground.
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

To Substack or Not to Substack

by Steph Beth Nickel

It has been almost a year since I began my Substack account.

My original plan? To post chapters of my YA novel on Mondays and devotionals on the Gospel of John on Fridays. [Note: To read the first post in each of these, click the linked text.]

I had written dozens of chapters of Rule and Reign and all the devotionals. So, I had a great running start.

And then I ran out of chapters of my novel and came to the last devotional.

The answer? Write and post a chapter of Rule and Reign each week.

How hard could that be? I’d only have to write a couple of pages each day.

But…life.

Did I get so busy I didn’t have the time? Nope.

Did I too often listen to the siren song of my not-even-very-comfortable couch? Why yes! Yes, I did.

Reading. Listening to podcasts. Watching miscellaneous YouTube videos. But writing when I wasn’t motivated? Don’t be silly.

There are legitimate reasons I won’t be posting much to Substack, if anything, between now and the end of September. 

My hubby and I are gathering our daughter’s belongings and driving them from Ontario to Saskatchewan. Sarah has a place of her own, and after approximately a year, has room for her things. It will be lovely to visit with her, her brother, and her sister-in-law, but there won’t be time for writing. 

Hopefully, my readers will forgive the delay.

[Note: If you would like to subscribe to Substack for FREE to read more, you can do so here: Steph Beth Nickel | Substack]

Things to Know About Substack

  1. There are many features I haven’t investigated, which, when taken advantage of, may improve the experience—for both creators and their readers. Reading up on these features is on my To-Do list. (Kudos to all of you who research a new-to-you platform before jumping aboard!)
  2. Just signing up isn’t enough. You actually have to create and post content. A given…that can be more challenging than anticipated.
  3. Developing a mailing list… If you don’t already have one, there’s virtual legwork to getting followers and subscribers. (Growing subscriber numbers isn’t currently high on my priority list, but it is important to the majority of Substack creators I’m sure.)
  4. What about random followers and subscribers who stumble across your account? Be careful. It seems some are bots or potential scammers looking for info.
  5. When a human follows or subscribes, it’s good to thank them and welcome them to your account. However, there’s no need to follow back just to boost their numbers if you’re not interested in their content and don’t have the bandwidth for one more email hitting your inbox that you don’t have the time or inclination to read.
  6. When a legit subscriber sends you a message, it’s a good idea to respond. Still, you’ll want to read their mini-bio. They may be in the market to sell you a service. You can tell pretty quickly from their messages and their public posts what their intention is.

What are my future plans?

I plan to do some research on the Substack features I am not taking advantage of.

Hopefully, I will have this draft of Rule and Reign completed and my 30-day devotional ready for formatting and publication by the end of the year.

Happy Writing and Publishing (wherever that may be)!

Here is my Substack info:

Steph Beth Nickel | Substack

Rule and Reign Chapter 1… click here.

Nurture and Inspire Love Day 1… click here.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Book Recommendations by Steph Beth Nickel (Guest Post)

A stack of hardcover books, with the top book lying open and a pair of glasses on top.
Image by Hermann Traub from Pixabay

Book Recommendations by Steph Beth Nickel

In my last guest post, I spoke about getting older.

Below are a few of the books I recommend for those of us “of a certain age” and others as well.

[Note: All book links point to Goodreads.]

Health and Fitness

Independence for Life by Will Harlow: An excellent step-by-step guide to improve mobility, strength, balance, and bone density, as well as focus on lessening chronic pain.

Biblical View of Aging

Dust to Dust by Jen Wilkin: An insightful look at what the Scriptures say about growing older.

Building a Legacy of Faith by Chris Syme: An examination of what we can leave behind that will truly bless others.

No Matter What Your Age

The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman: A look at how to determine the next step to take, no matter how small.

The Next Right Thing Journal by Emily P. Freeman: A guided journal to help you determine what’s next.

Free of Me by Sharon Hodde Miller: A challenging yet encouraging examination of how to be less self-focused with countless honest examples from the author’s life.

The Cost of Control by Sharon Hodde Miller: A book whose subtitle says it all: Why We Crave It, The Anxiety Over It, and The Real Power God Promises.

The Plan by Kendra Adachi: A guide by the author of The Lazy Genius Way and host of the podcast The Lazy Genius. The tagline: How to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Growing Older (Guest Post)

Image by 🌸♡💙♡🌸 Julita 🌸♡💙♡🌸 from Pixabay

Growing Older

by Steph Beth Nickel

I have reached the age that the Canadian government classifies as “a senior.”

Why did this trip me up for the briefest of moments? Is it because I subscribe to the apparent worldview that “you can’t be young, thin, or rich enough”? I don’t.

Is it solely because I want to “finish well” and leave a God-honouring legacy? While that’s a big part of it, it wouldn’t be honest to say that was the only reason.

I truly love this stage of life. I have more time with my hubby now that he’s retired. He left his “temporary job” after more that forty years, nine days after his 70th birthday. We are completing several long-needed renovations to our century home and will take some time to enjoy it before moving west to be close to family, Lord willing. Because of God’s grace, I have family and friends who love me and enjoy spending time with me. The list could go on and on.

Still, there are so many perspectives on aging, and I want to set a good example for others, whether they are in their fall or winter years or still in the spring or summer of their lives. But it’s a matter of finding the balance between assumptions, reality, and eternal matters.

Do we have to accept the fact that our health is going to rapidly decline?

While it’s unlikely that we will have the physical acumen that we had in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s, it isn’t inevitable that there’s nothing we can do about it. Eating well, staying active, getting adequate rest, continuing to learn new things, and participating in a supportive social community go a long way in maintaining our physical, emotional, and intellectual health.

Do we have to buy into the anti-aging industry?

What a loaded term, anti-aging! Even the term makes aging the enemy. Whether or not you agree with the premise, Dove was onto something when they brought out their line of “pro-aging” products. I don’t know enough about the company to know if it was truly anything more than a marketing approach. Still, if we viewed aging with a positive attitude and encouraged others to do the same, I believe we would make a more positive impact on those around us—whether our nighttime routine includes 30 minutes of skincare or less than five minutes.

Do we have to resign ourselves to being confounded by technology?

It’s true that technology is constantly changing, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn enough to at least be “in the loop.” There are plenty of seniors who successfully use cell phones and computers. There are even several who do so “like a boss.” And when it comes to the things we want to learn about tech, what better way than to ask a young person to show us the ropes? We just may learn something new, and they may learn how to effectively distill what they seem to know instinctively and patiently share it with another person.

Do we have to cringe when others refer to us as old and assume they mean this as a negative?

This is the crux of the matter for many of us. Their attitude toward aging, whether actual or merely something we assume, doesn’t have to shape ours. If we embrace the positives of getting older (and there are many), we may be influential in changing another’s perspective—and maybe even our own. And while it may stir up anxiety, resentment, or some other unpleasant emotion when someone makes a joke about Boomers, we can deliberately refocus and give thanks that because we’re still drawing breath, we still have purpose.

Do we have only two options: buy into the negative press about getting older or become resentful and rebellious?

We may vacillate between the two, but there are other options. Here are just a few of them: 1) we can keep a thankfulness journal specifically about the things we enjoy about aging, 2) we can get involved in a social group in whatever capacity corresponds with our interests and abilities, and/or 3) we can choose one healthy habit to pursue (it may be more achievable than we imagined).

And my new government-assigned category? Well, I have received my first OAS and CPP cheques. So, there’s that. <grin>

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

The Importance of Accountability (guest post)

Image shows an open laptop and a smart phone and pen resting on a closed hardback journal.
Image by Free stock photos from www.rupixen.com from Pixabay

The Importance of Accountability

by Steph Beth Nickel

There are likely things we do without someone deliberately holding us accountable, tasks for which self-motivation is sufficient. But there could be others that keep getting put off until “tomorrow.” Your lists are almost certainly different than mine, but let’s talk about how accountability can keep us moving forward.

Here are some things that have been working for me:

Exercise

While I have a variety of dumbbells laid out where I can see them and aim to use them at least three times per week, I haven’t gotten into the habit of doing so. Most days, I do a bodyweight routine for my legs. But walking regularly? That only happens because a friend and I walk twice a month, and my hubby almost always invites me to join him when he’s going for a walk. Even though he has been retired for over a year, he still hits his 8000-step goal six days most weeks. Although I don’t have his stamina, I do say yes more often than I used to when he asks me to go for a walk.

YouVersion Bible Studies

Like many Christians, I have a “quiet time” each day, but the same friend I walk with and I have been doing YV studies online for quite some time now. Recently, my daughter has joined us. There are definitely benefits to studying on our own, but doing so with others can be an encouragement to them and to us. Plus, we can gain a new perspective when others share what they’re learning, things we may not have considered, things that didn’t stand out to us.

Writing

I began my YA novel a million years ago—or so it seems. When I committed to putting a chapter up on Substack each week, I was set for quite a while. I had written over 30 chapters. But guess what. I have now added all those chapters and must hunker down and write more. While I’ve only committed to adding a new chapter every other week, it keeps me at my computer. No more making excuses, saying, “I’ll get back to writing when I’ve completed this, that, or the other thing.” So, while the masses aren’t flocking to subscribe, those who have done so—especially those who Like the posts—unintentionally keep me accountable and motivated. Years ago, I wrote a poem called “Writing for the One,” meaning, if only one person was encouraged by what I wrote, that was enough reason for me to keep putting pen to paper and fingers to keyboard.

Will I keep exercising? That’s the plan. I want to stay as active as possible as long as possible. And I wouldn’t mind developing a little muscle tone as well.

Will I keep doing YouVersion studies? As long as Deb and Sarah would like to, I’m all in.

And writing? Will 2027 be the year I self-publish my novel and my Bible study / devotional on the book of John? Possibly. And if not, I will keep posting to Substack. I may even do a little more promo.

How has accountability kept you moving forward?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Encouraging One Another (Guest Post)

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Encouraging One Another

by Steph Beth Nickel

Most of us equate encouragement with positivity. But there is another side to true encouragement. Sometimes we need correction. At other times, we are the ones offering the correction. How can we do so in a way that encourages rather than disheartens the other person?

I’ve received this type of encouragement, have sought to give it, and have witnessed it as a third party as well.

Below are some pointers to keep in mind.

Correcting with Compassion

Recently I witnessed this form of correction in a way that brought tears to my eyes. The recipient of the needed correction humbly accepted it. In fact, they sought it. And the encouragement? Onlookers were instructed on how not to make the situation worse and how to offer compassion in the midst of everything. Personally, I’ve never seen this type of thing handled with such grace.

And while critiquing and editing my clients’ work cannot really be compared to how this situation was handled, there are applicable lessons for editors and writers alike.

So, whether you’re a professional editor, a critique partner, or a writer seeking input on your work, here are three things to keep in mind:

  1. First, point out what the client or writer has done well. Do so sincerely and honestly. And if you’re looking for others to review your writing, find those who will point out the specifics of your work that not only need strengthening but also those that make them want to keep reading.
  2. As writers, we do have to develop a thick skin of sorts. We must recognize that editors, critique partners, and our general readership won’t always see things as we do. Sometimes, they will offer edits and critiques that we find discouraging. We may become defensive or discouraged. When these corrections are offered with compassion, we may find it easier to revise our work. When the advice seems harsh, it is our responsibility to humbly accept the correction even so. (Thus, the need for a thick skin.)
  3. Remember that some perceived weaknesses in another’s writing are subjective. When pointing out these things, we may want to phrase it more gently than when pointing out specifics that are actually mistakes (i.e., when a character’s physical traits change inexplicably or when the writer uses the incorrect homophone, etc.). Sometimes, I begin such a comment with “I would suggest…” And if we’re the writer, we must recognize that some comments are subjective—even if not worded as such. Humbly accepting correction is good but knowing when to stand our ground is also important.

Questions to Consider

Have you received correction that was offered with genuine compassion?

Does this type of correction encourage you to shore up the weaknesses in your writing? And if you haven’t received this type of correction, do you think it would make the revision process less discouraging?

How do you offer this kind of encouragement to others?

Are there ways you feel challenged to offer correction with more compassion?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Podcasts and More Podcasts (Guest Post)

Podcasts and More Podcasts

Broadcast announcer-type microphone in front of multicoloured representation of soundwave bandwidth.
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

by Steph Beth Nickel

Because I’m eclectically interested, I enjoy a wide variety of podcasts.

Among them…

Writing-Related

The Indie Author Magazine Podcast: Focused on topics of particular interest to self-published authors and those interest in self-publishing.

Writing at the Red House with Kathi Lipp: Kathi and her guests chat on a wide variety of topics of interest to writers.

The Quitcast with Becca Syme: Advice for writers from a Clifton Strengths expert. We’re not all the same—and that means there isn’t only one way to succeed as a writer.

Helping Writers Become Authors with K.M. Weiland: I now watch these episodes on YouTube, each with slides, making them like writers’ workshops.

The Dialogue Doctor with Jeff Elkins: Covering a wide variety of topics of interest to authors for various audiences.

Editing-Related

Your Next Draft with Alice Sudlow: Polishing your manuscript.

The Modern Editor with Tara Whitaker: Tips for the editor’s practical and personal life.

The Editing Podcast with Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle: Tips for editing both fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on the business side of editing.

Self-Care (It’s not about spas and getaways to the beach.)

The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman: Insights on how to identify and do the next right thing “in faith, work, and life.”

The Lazy Genius with Kendra Adachi: Author of The Lazy Genius, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, and The Plan shares her unique perspective on how to “be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t”—and only we can decide what truly matters to us.

Grit ’n’ Grace with Cheri Gregory: Wisdom for Christian women who are Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). Although this moniker doesn’t apply to me, I enjoy listening to this podcast. Developing empathy for those who don’t perceive the world as we do is such a good thing.

Do I agree with everything these podcasters (and others I listen to) stand for, with everything they say? No. But I do learn much from them.

Plus, I enjoy listening to podcasters and audiobook performers because they keep me, a work-from-home extravert, company.

What podcasts do you listen to and why?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Ever-Changing Seasons (Guest Post)

Yellow crocuses blooming in the snow.
Image by M W from Pixabay

Ever-Changing Seasons

by Steph Beth Nickel

After what, for many, felt like a never-ending winter, spring is just around the corner. In our neck of the woods, the snow is almost gone. We’ve even experienced a rare winter thunderstorm.

In much of the world, we’ve gotten used to the ever-changing seasons. The first blooms poking through the last thin layer of snow. The increasing warmth of the sun—and the lake. The occasional red and orange leaf. The bitter wind and the dancing snowflakes. And around we go again.

The annual seasons are not the only ones we experience, however. (Of course, not all will necessarily apply.) The seasons of life include… Childhood. Youth. Young adulthood. Employment. Courtship and marriage. Parenthood. Middle age. Empty nest. Retirement. “The Golden Years.”

And throughout the seasons… Relationships of all descriptions. Times of health and illness. Changes of address, more for some than others. Travel, across town and/or across the globe. Education, both formal and that which comes with orbiting the sun year after year.

Of course, you could name several others and further expand on those listed about.

With each season come new joys and new challenges.

My hubby retired approximately 11 months ago, nine days after his 70th birthday. Since then, we have slowly but surely been prepping the house to put on the market. Considering the fact that it’s well over a century old, it will take some time to get everything done.

Dave has always wanted to spend his retirement in a new location, experiencing new adventures. And considering three of our adult children (a son and his wife and our daughter) live two provinces over, that was my vote—despite the long, cold winters. <sigh>

And so, that’s what we’re working towards—we think. Only God knows for sure what His plans are for us.

If we remain here, we can relax and enjoy all the renos. Not to mention, the friends we’ve made over the last four decades.

If the new season of our lives includes a move west, we will experience yet more joys and challenges. Making new friends. Finding a new church. Discovering where God would have us serve. Not to mention selling the first home we ever purchased and buying a new one.

Making our way in a community where we will be, at first, virtually unknown isn’t something we’ve experienced in over 40 years. Talk about making first impressions. I wonder if I remember how to do that.

For now… The decluttering is liberating. The packing of at least temporarily unneeded items gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment. (The pile of boxes in the loft is growing day by day.) And witnessing the renovations take shape is incredible.

Living in the Now with a view toward tomorrow can be a challenge no matter what season we’re in, but it’s something God calls us to throughout the spring, summer, fall, and winter of life.

Let’s embrace the beauty of our season and trust Him with all that are yet to come.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Books I’m Reading (Guest Post)

Image shows one hardcover book (red binding) balanced open on top of two other hardcover books (blue and orange bindings).
Image by Hermann Traub from Pixabay

Books I’m Reading

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’m one of those odd ducks who like to have several books on the go at any one time. Below are some of those I’m actively reading and whether I would recommend you grab a copy.

Nonfiction

Matthew: Pray Like This by Barb Roose

This is a unique six-week study of the Lord’s Prayer and how to use it as a springboard for the reader’s personal prayer times. It is a combo study and workbook, and I would recommend it for those interested in deepening their prayer life. Rather than completing the book in the recommended six weeks, readers may want to take a couple of days on each chapter, making it a twelve-week study.

The Plan: Managing Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

January seems like the perfect time to (re)read this book by the host of the podcast The Lazy Genius, who encourages us to “be a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t.” The Plan is a unique time management book written by a woman for women, taking into account our individuality and encouraging us to make plans based on our personal priorities. This isn’t a cookie cutter approach, and I highly recommend it to women of all ages.

Gazing at God by Sharon Hodde Miller

Immediately after completing this 40-day study, I began again. This book is a follow-up to the author’s earlier work Free of Me. I highly recommend both of these books, which I will be reading once every year or two. I recommend them to those who, while not neglecting or demeaning themselves, want to move from being self-focused to being God-focused.

Fiction

Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

This is a collection of the author’s short pieces. So far, they have all qualified as science fiction rather than fantasy. As is often the case with a collection of writings, it’s likely readers will enjoy some more than others. That’s what I’ve found with this book. Still, there are far more stories that I would recommend than those I wouldn’t. If you enjoy Sanderson’s writing, especially his sci-fi, I encourage you to grab a copy.

The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair

While, of course, I have my favourites, I pick up every book by this author. One of the things I like best about her series is visiting “old friends.” While each book in a series features a different couple, those readers have met before are secondary characters or, at least, make an appearance. The Wild Card is a clean rom-com that takes place in the imaginary town of Sheet Cake, Texas. I suggest reading the other books in the series before picking up this one. I recommend Emma St. Clair’s writing to those who enjoy a lighthearted read, yet one that doesn’t shy away from real-life issues.

Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant

This book is the second in The Gateway Trilogy. The Amazon description of the first book, Shadowcast, reads as follows: “After witnessing the brutal death of his brother at the hands of the Steward Knights, Mason Grey turns to vengeance . . . Seria Gayle longs to be seen as more than the town washerwoman. When she finds an injured [man] in the woods, she welcomes the chance to use her healing skills and hopes it will earn her some respect. But as she nurses the sullen stranger back to health, she discovers he is nothing like the knights she has long admired . . .” This trilogy is a study of good and evil and asks the question, “Is redemption available to one who is blinded by unforgiveness and bent on vengeance, one who can control the minds of his adversaries and is allied with evil?” I look forward to completing Lightshed and then reading the last book of the trilogy, Darkend.

Happy reading, all!

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Are You a Goal-Setter? (Guest Post)

An empty coil notebook with lined pages lies open on a pale wooden tabletop with a collection of various coloured pencils, pens, and markers.
Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay

Are You a Goal-Setter?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Perhaps you’re like me. You enjoy setting goals and listing what you would like to accomplish in the new year—even if you know you will only achieve a fraction of those goals (at best). Although those around you may not be able to understand, the act of creating this list in and of itself brings a sense of excitement and anticipation even if you know it’s more of a thought experiment than a roadmap.

Maybe you shy away from setting goals because you feel like a failure if you don’t reach them. Or perhaps, you set only a limited number of achievable goals so you can check them off your list in short order and then go on to create another brief list.

No matter what kind of a goal-setter you are (or aren’t), here are six pointers when it comes to considering what you want to achieve in 2026:

  1. Make a list of things that are important to you (i.e.: relationships with family and friends, your physical health, your emotional / mental health, time management, career goals, etc., etc.).
  2. List one achievable goal that you could reach by the end of January (or the end of March at the latest) and one “pie-in-the-sky” goal for each category. (If listing a plethora of goals brings you joy, go for it!)
  3. Now, break down each achievable goal into its most basic components. (For example, say your goal is to write the first draft of a novella in the first quarter [Q1] of 2026. Step #1 could simply be to write for at least 15 minutes or until you’ve added 250 words to the manuscript for three days the first week and slowly increase from there. If checkmarks, stickers, or smiley faces on a physical calendar give you a boost, let the endorphins flow—no matter how old you are. I’m 64 and love stickers and checkmarks—but especially stickers.)
  4. This suggestion might be a little more challenging, but it’s important. Although the overarching categories you listed may all seem to have equal importance, it’s good to prioritize them—at least the highest ranking two or three.
  5. When you’ve chosen your highest priority categories, chose one specific goal in each and then one achievable, targeted goal. (Let’s say improving your physical health and connecting with extended family members are two of your top priorities. Your specific goals could be to develop the habit of eating better and emailing, texting, or popping a physical note in the mail each week. Zeroing down even further, you could add a serving of vegetables to each evening meal and create a list of four to eight family members you will touch base with in January.)
  6. And remember not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you don’t achieve your goal today, remind yourself that tomorrow is another day. If you are consistently “falling short,” adjust your goals. It’s okay to do so. Really, it is.

You’ll notice that I haven’t listed any “negative goals.”

Do I have at least one bad habit I want to stop? Sure I do.

Could I apply guilt and shame to my goal-setting (such as “stop eating such and such” or “stay off social media entirely”)? Absolutely.

Could I label myself a failure if I don’t achieve my Q1 goals—again? I could.

However…

By listing those things I want to accomplish, seeking to add “positives” rather than eliminate “negatives,” and focusing on a limited number of goals at any given time, I’m far more likely to achieve at least some of them.

What’s your #1 goal for 2026? What’s the first step you intend to take to achieve it? Are you like me and simply enjoy creating the list?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.