What role does a writer play as a member of Christ’s Body? How do we respect others and their gifts, even when their purpose looks vastly different from ours? And how do we respond when we feel like our value is misunderstood? Listen as Josiah, Gabby, and Daeus tease out where our identity comes from, how our actions involve much more than simply the task of writing, and how we can be a blessing to others both within the Body of Christ and outside it.
Story Embers
Story Embers is run by a group of Christian writers and editors 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.
First Place Winner: New Samaria
I wake to the taste of saltwater on my tongue and throbbing behind my eyes. Heat sears my back as I bob in turquoise waves. Below and around me float crates imprinted with Japanese symbols, empty life vests, an object that looks like a severed pale arm…
Podcast #66: Short Stories as Preparation for Writing Novels
Famous writers throughout the ages attribute their growth to short stories. But is this literary form relevant to modern novelists? Listen as Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus discuss how short stories have (or haven’t) helped them, when a writer is ready to begin longer works, and how to hone your craft using short stories.
Podcast #65: Who Is Your Story for?
No matter what you’re writing, your book is meant for someone, whether yourself or a specific group of people. But at what point should you decide who your target audience is? And how does that choice affect your writing process? In today’s episode, Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus dive into these questions and discuss Christian vs. secular audiences, when writing for yourself is helpful, and more.
Podcast #64: Finding Unique and Surprising Plots
What keeps a reader turning page after page? Unique and surprising plot twists. But how do you pull them off? In today’s episode, Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus give practical and inspiring advice to superpower your ability to create plot twists that shock and delight again and again.
Podcast #63: Creating Tragic Heroes
Some of the most memorable, enduring literature portrays tragic heroes and deep, powerful themes. So how can you depict these characters from a Christian perspective? In today’s episode, Lori, Gabby, and Josiah continue their conversation about negative arcs and give insightful advice on how to write the climax of a tragic arc.
Podcast #62: Can Christians Fit into Genre Boxes?
Human beings were created by God as unique individuals and have been given the ability to create. So where do we find the balance between creating something completely new and original, and fitting in with today’s publishing world? Genre expectations are deeply established, but if God has called us to explore new directions within our work, how can we navigate that and still have a publishing career? In today’s episode, Josiah, Lori, and Gabby share clear and practical thoughts that illuminate many sides of this issue.
Podcast #61: Drawing Themes from Your Own Life
You’ve probably heard the saying that “someone who wants to write a great story must first live a great story.” But how do you tackle the questions and struggles you’ve faced through your characters and plot? Where should you draw the line between fiction and reality? In today’s episode, Lori, Gabby, and Josiah discuss a big topic: how writers can find inspiration in their own personal stories while still being servant-hearted.
Second Place Winner: Memory Knife
The desert is no place for a guilty conscience. The silence eats at sinners until they’re small enough and broken enough to be swallowed whole. That’s why Erin Flores chose the Mojave as her new home. After her term in prison, disappearance felt like absolution. She paid cash for a structure that the ad loosely described as a house, the siding peeling off in white strips like dead skin, and settled in to wait for her ingestion.
Podcast #60: Chapters, Scenes, and Pacing
How do you structure a chapter? Where should a scene start and end? In today’s episode, Gabby, Daeus, and Hope dive into the fundamentals of crafting chapters and scenes, including choosing the right pacing to create powerful effects. Listen to their conversation here!