To celebrate the last five years of the podcast and to reflect on this big season of change for Story Embers, host James Noller sits down with Josiah DeGraaf, Mariposa Aristeo, and Daeus Lamb to discuss how to navigate seasons of change as a writer. They dig deep to share personal stories of change in their own writing journeys. They give heartfelt advice on what to do when your writing practice doesn’t look the same as it used to during big life transitions, as well as what to do when you are changing as a writer.
Podcast #78: How to Craft Memorable Characters (with Amanda Dykes, Laurie Lucking, and Faith Blum)
Join Christian authors Amanda Dykes, Laurie Lucking, and Faith Blum as they share advice on how to make characters unique from each other, how to write redemption arcs, how to tackle character dialogue, where to put in character descriptions, and more!
Podcast #77: How to Craft Impactful Themes (with Kerry Nietz, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Lori Z. Scott)
Listen to expert advice from Christian authors Kerry Nietz, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Lori Z. Scott as they show you how to discover the theme of your story, how to write about God authentically in fiction, how to know when you’re experienced enough to tackle a theme, how to create realistic and subtle character arcs that convey a theme, and much more!
Podcast #76: Building Suspense that Grips Readers (with JJ Fischer, Ann Marie Stewart, and CJ Milacci)
Join award-winning authors J.J. Fischer, Ann Marie Stewart, and C.J. Milacci as they reveal how to build suspense in every chapter of your novel, how to turn sagging middles into tension-pounding scenes, how suspense works differently in romance vs. action stories, and much more!
Podcast #75: How to Cultivate Deep Thinking as a Writer
Great stories require deep thinking. But how can you create space for deep thoughts in a world filled with distractions and other commitments? In today’s episode, Lori, Martin, and Daeus give some key insight into cultivating deep thoughts as a writer. They share the SCAMPER technique, discuss the difference between linear and web thinking, and describe how to “push beyond the wall” inside your mind.
Podcast #74: How to Create 3-Dimensional Characters
How do you craft characters who are dynamic and unpredictable? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss what makes a nuanced, well-rounded character and how to avoid the pitfalls of a boring protagonist. Tune in to discover the ingredients to finding depth in your characters and learn how digging into your own experiences can help the lives of your story’s inhabitants connect to readers.
Podcast #73: How the Bible Inspires a Writer’s Creativity
If the Bible reveals a creative God, how does His Word inspire and expand a writer’s creativity? In today’s episode, Daeus, Lori, and Martin explore how to ground your creative life in Scripture and how to depict characters who both are and aren’t walking in truth. They also share some examples of stories that engage with Scripture without coming across as preachy.
Podcast #72: The Concept of Coming Home within Christian Fiction
Every human heart longs for heaven. And, as Christians, the anticipation of going home to heaven one day is a unique theme we can poignantly wrestle with in our fiction. We can explore the tension we feel between the now of living for Christ in an imperfect world and the not yet of experiencing the new heavens and earth. In today’s episode, Daeus, Mariposa, and Josiah discuss how to write about a home we yearn for but haven’t yet seen.
Podcast #71: Creating Nail-Biting Cliffhangers
Cliffhangers entice you to turn pages long into the night. But how do you write in a thrilling way that avoids disappointment and boredom? What actually keeps readers invested in a story when they encounter a dangling plot point? In today’s episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Daeus show you how to engage readers with scenes that close at a nerve-wracking moment and later reach a satisfying conclusion.
Podcast #70: How Should Christian Writers View Fame and Success?
We live in a world that’s become increasingly focused on fame, and “success” for a writer means having thousands of followers, signing with a large publisher, and hitting the bestseller list. The goal is to be in the spotlight and make a hefty income. But, as Christians, we write for God’s glory, not our own. In this episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Daeus discuss serving God through writing—whether with a huge platform or a small one.