fb
Articles
Suffering Writers Don’t Need More Optimism, They Need More Opportunities to Strengthen Others

Suffering Writers Don’t Need More Optimism, They Need More Opportunities to Strengthen Others

by | | 9 Comments

As writers, words are our swords and pain is the process that tempers those instruments. Death, divorce, disease, job loss—with the crises we face mounting on a daily basis, we may sink into an egocentric realm of despair where we can’t write, can’t ideate. But through these stressful circumstances, God challenges and molds us. And when we endure, we can mine our experiences to commiserate with hurting readers.

read more
Stuck Writers Don’t Need More Creativity, They Need More Personal Growth

Stuck Writers Don’t Need More Creativity, They Need More Personal Growth

by | | 8 Comments

Many of us, by default, partition off our writing growth and our personal growth. One is vocational and the other is spiritual. Although we realize that the two can and do intersect on occasion, we assume that the phenomenon is limited to traits that help us with the process (such as patience or courage), not experiences that inform our craft. But what if both kinds of growth coexist in the same sphere, each complementing the other?

read more
Frustrated Writers Don’t Need More Answers, They Need More Time with God

Frustrated Writers Don’t Need More Answers, They Need More Time with God

by | | 10 Comments

Sometimes I worry that we spend more time talking to peers about the ins and outs of being a Christian writer than we do asking God to help us flourish at it. Chatting about ourselves is easy—it’s one of our favorite hobbies as humans. And if the other person shares our interests, we can ramble back and forth for hours. But when we speak with our Heavenly Father, other concerns tend to crowd in. An ailing family member. A sin we need to overcome. A decision we’re not sure how to make. Prayer is the lifeline that keeps us afloat in the whitecaps. We have no doubts about that! But is it necessary to our writing?

read more
Tired Writers Don’t Need More Sleep, They Need More Spiritual Rest

Tired Writers Don’t Need More Sleep, They Need More Spiritual Rest

by | | 10 Comments

Rarely does a day pass anymore without a depressing headline hitting the news. Violence, hate, and fear rampage across your screen. Some days you can’t bear it, so you shut off your devices. You’re done. You want life to be normal again. You want your motivation back. You want to revive the creativity that all of the chaos and uncertainty killed. But ignoring the news will only give you a false sense of peace that won’t last. “Take a walk. Read a book. Visit a friend,” anxiety taunts. “I’ll return when you’re through.”

read more
5 Ways Our Subscribers Use the Christian Storytellers Manifesto to Elevate Their Writing

5 Ways Our Subscribers Use the Christian Storytellers Manifesto to Elevate Their Writing

by | | 0 Comments

Three years have passed since we released our manifesto, but some of you may still be wondering how it can help you thrive. A document like this is pointless if it never translates to action. We recently surveyed our audience to see how signers have applied the CSM to their writing, and today I’m going to highlight the five differences it’s made in their spiritual lives, mindsets, and relationships.

read more
17 Ways to Approach Your Story from a Fresh Angle

17 Ways to Approach Your Story from a Fresh Angle

by | | 4 Comments

In this article, I’m going to give you two lists of outside-the-box strategies to cracking the big-picture puzzle of an engaging story. The more you experiment, the more sides of your story you’ll reveal until you can visualize how every piece fits together and find the jewel at the center. As you consider the possibilities, don’t be too quick to discard any, because sometimes the ideas you’re reluctant to try will help you the most.

read more
5 Stylistic Choices You Need to Stop Making

5 Stylistic Choices You Need to Stop Making

by | | 7 Comments

Every story consists of tiny, pixel-like decisions that either make the big picture clear and vivid or fuzzy and muted. Whether you’re placing punctuation or determining which character’s voice should narrate a scene, each judgment call will affect readers’ enjoyment. Oftentimes, the difference between clunky and compelling text is a pair of scissors, and the acronym P.R.O.S.E. can help you recognize what to trim.

read more
4 Overlooked Benefits of Writing Articles about Story Craft

4 Overlooked Benefits of Writing Articles about Story Craft

by | | 1 Comment

You probably think that fiction and nonfiction are on opposite sides of the equator—and I would say that you are absolutely correct. Each have different sets of rules, audiences, and goals. One is entertaining and the other is informative. One keeps us on the edge of our seats and the other keeps us on the edge of our brains. One lifts us into another dimension and the other pushes us down to reality.

read more
Lessons Thanos and Ultron Teach about Creating Sympathetic Villains

Lessons Thanos and Ultron Teach about Creating Sympathetic Villains

by | | 17 Comments

What’s the difference between Infinity War and Age of Ultron? Why is one shocking and fantastic while the other is shallow entertainment? The producers didn’t recast half the Avengers or cross more fingers when Infinity War hit theaters. But where Age of Ultron is predictable, Infinity War is riveting. Where Age of Ultron is funny, Infinity War is impactful and humorous (props to the writers). So, why is Infinity War a winner?

read more

Article Categories

Pin It on Pinterest