Michelle Bolanger 9/15/26 Michelle Bolanger 9/15/26

Setting Goals That Bend Pt 2.

With book events, holiday commitments, and two manuscripts I need to finish, I am already deep into planning for the final three months of 2026. That is so crazy to write, but it is proof that time flies, and if I don’t have a plan in place time will get away from me and nothing will get done.

However, while I need a structured plan to keep me focused, I also need to build in flexibility that allows for life’s inevitable interruptions. I have been able to do that for my personal life, but creating a bendable plan for business can be a bit trickier. Because the events are fixed dates but life rarely is, I have to build in wiggle room where I can.

Michelle Bolanger 9/1/26 Michelle Bolanger 9/1/26

Setting Goals That Bend Pt. 1

It’s hard to believe 2026 is more than half over! It seems like just a few days ago, I was finalizing the edits of Not My Hero, and now it’s three weeks past launch! It has been several years since I published a new book, and I’d nearly forgotten all the things that have to be done to have a successful release.

I thought I was well prepared, but things still caught me off guard, and as I’m reviewing the months leading up to this launch, I’m taking note of how I could have planned things differently.

Michelle Bolanger 8/18/26 Michelle Bolanger 8/18/26

Remaining Steadfast Through Seasons of Depression Pt. 2

The Bible doesn’t present suffering as evidence that God has abandoned His people. It doesn’t pretend faithful people never feel this kind of despair. In fact, many of the most important people in Scripture walked through seasons of intense sorrow, fear, grief, weariness, and emotional collapse.

Elijah was so exhausted and afraid that he sat under a broom tree and asked God to take his life.

David poured out his anguish in the Psalms and asked God how long He would hide His face.

Paul wrote honestly about being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.

Naomi was so overcome by grief and loss that she asked the women around her not to call her Naomi anymore, but Mara, because she believed the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her.

And Jesus Himself was described as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

Their stories don’t teach us that depression is failure. They teach us that God can be trusted in the middle of suffering and that despair doesn’t disqualify us from being loved by God. They remind us that when God’s people are weak, He doesn’t turn away in disgust. He draws near.

Michelle Bolanger 8/4/26 Michelle Bolanger 8/4/26

Remaining Steadfast Through Seasons of Depression Pt. 1

The Bible doesn’t present suffering as evidence that God has abandoned His people. It doesn’t pretend faithful people never feel this kind of despair. In fact, many of the most important people in Scripture walked through seasons of intense sorrow, fear, grief, weariness, and emotional collapse.

Elijah was so exhausted and afraid that he sat under a broom tree and asked God to take his life.

David poured out his anguish in the Psalms and asked God how long He would hide His face.

Paul wrote honestly about being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.

Naomi was so overcome by grief and loss that she asked the women around her not to call her Naomi anymore, but Mara, because she believed the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her.

And Jesus Himself was described as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

Their stories don’t teach us that depression is failure. They teach us that God can be trusted in the middle of suffering and that despair doesn’t disqualify us from being loved by God. They remind us that when God’s people are weak, He doesn’t turn away in disgust. He draws near.

Michelle Bolanger 3/3/26 Michelle Bolanger 3/3/26

Joining a Critique Group

Being respectful of the group is the single biggest way you can be a good critique group member.

Michelle Bolanger 2/2/26 Michelle Bolanger 2/2/26

joining a CRITIQUE Group

If you truly want to become a better writer, getting involved in a helpful, supportive critique group is essential.

Michelle Bolanger 1/12/26 Michelle Bolanger 1/12/26

the messy MIDDLE

We are in the midst of preparing the house for new carpet and office furniture, and right now, the house is a disaster!

Michelle Bolanger 12/31/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/31/25

word of the YEAR

Every October or November, I begin to pray about what my Word of the Year will be for the upcoming year.

Michelle Bolanger 12/29/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/29/25

what is REDEMPTIVE fiction?

In my bio, I describe my writing as REDEMPTIVE FICTION, but what does that mean?

Michelle Bolanger 12/29/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/29/25

world building BASICS

I am certainly no expert, but these are some of the things I’ve learned in my writing journey.

Michelle Bolanger 12/22/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/22/25

When Happy Holidays Aren’t.

Helping you find peace and joy amidst the most stressful time of the year.

Michelle Bolanger 12/15/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/15/25

Just You Wait!

Waiting isn’t something most of us are inherently good at.

Michelle Bolanger 12/8/25 Michelle Bolanger 12/8/25

the JOY of the LORD

Have you ever had a horrible day? Like the kind of day where no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to go right?

Michelle Bolanger 11/10/25 Michelle Bolanger 11/10/25

Remember Your Calling

I love to write, and I believe God has gifted me with stories that will both entertain and give hope, but what I struggle with is marketing.

Michelle Bolanger 10/27/25 Michelle Bolanger 10/27/25

The Creative’s Rest

This year has been full of activity. In the spring, I began the process of rebranding my author platform and worked through a deep dive of who I’ve been, who I want to be, and how I plan to get there.