Story EmbersStory Embers is run by a group of Christian writers who are committed to glorifying God with excellent craftsmanship. We accept article, poetry, and short story submissions from a number of Christian storytellers around the world. You can peruse our latest posts from contributing audience members below.
In February, Josiah, Rolena, and Daeus discussed the elements of a satisfying climax, but what happens once the protagonist has survived the final conflict? Today Josiah, Hope, and Brandon explore what makes a story’s resolution effective and meaningful. They share their favorite examples of memorable endings and give tips on how to avoid common mistakes when tying off a story.
The moon burned red in the deep, dark pool. The stars gazed down in awe as the maid strode down the ancient path, her fate engraved by law.
By Eliana Duran As the old lady sits in her wooden porch chair, She sews together a blue teddy bear. For years she’s sat in the shade of the birch, Sewing a bear for each baby at church. There aren’t any now, but there’s never been a drought. There isn’t much time...
On our podcast, we talk a lot about writing quality stories. But what does that look like in practice? How do authors use the techniques we discuss to craft compelling themes, characters, and plots? Today we’re thrilled to introduce Michael Stanton as the guest host for a new experimental series of podcast episodes.
Welcome to the finale of our book study and article series on The Promise of Jesse Woods! In today’s episode, Josiah DeGraaf, Brianna Storm Hilvety, and Grace Livingston sit down with author Chris Fabry to discuss his experience while writing the novel. Fabry gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what inspired his ideas and how he developed his characters, plot, and theme.
Those long miles down old gray roads, roller coasters on the way to roller coasters, coast to coast, talking in codes, the leaking pipes, the broken toasters.
The forlorn girl looks up with a smile each time the maple leaves sway with the breeze, dancing like maidens of scarlet and gold for the girl at the window who watches the trees, seeking escape from a sorrowful world.
Editing is easy to overdo. You open your latest draft to restructure a scene, but as you reread your work to get your bearings, you can’t resist tinkering with a clunky paragraph in the previous chapter. Then you remember a worldbuilding element you need to research so you can use it to set the mood when your protagonist meets her love interest. And soon you’ve spent an hour brainstorming the perfect analogy for his blue eyes.
Last month, Josiah, Hope, and Brandon tackled parents in fiction—this month, Josiah, Rolena, and Daeus are taking a look at the other end of the spectrum with child characters.
So it begins, the smell of freshly spread paint mixed with sweet-sticky perspiration. Tireless preparation. Scrub the stains, pack what remains, stack boxes in bedrooms, eat lunch (Oreos and applesauce) while sitting cross-legged on the floor, write up a laundry list of things to do and realize there isn’t yet a washer, make a conscious effort to avoid spilling on new carpet but do it anyway.
