The most powerful stories end with a sacrifice. But why does that theme resonate with readers? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss why sacrifice is vital to the protagonist’s growth and how you can craft an impactful scene.
SE Podcast #53: The Bible’s Impact on Writing
In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus share the various ways Scripture has influenced their creative choices as storytellers and deepened their work. How does the Bible model the kinds of stories we want to tell? And how does the truth contained within our favorite verses seep into our fiction? Listen to their conversation here!
SE Podcast #52: Interview with Sara Ella about Coral
Welcome to a special edition of our podcast in conjunction with our article series and book study on Sara Ella’s Coral. Today Brianna Storm Hilvety, Mariposa Aristeo, and James Noller sit down with the author to discuss her experience while writing the novel.
SE Podcast #51: How to Make Large Changes During Revisions
How do you know what to change, when to change it, and whether you’ve fixed the problem? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss how to manage large-scale revisions and find the motivation to edit when you’re overwhelmed.
SE Podcast #50: Reflecting on Four Years of Story Embers
In today’s episode, the panelists celebrate Story Embers’ fourth anniversary with a walk down memory lane and a heartfelt goodbye to current podcast host, Grace Livingston. Josiah, Daeus, and Grace reminisce about Story Embers’ development from a daring concept to the site’s launch in 2018, and Lori shares how our mission drew her in years later. They reflect on how Story Embers has shaped them personally, grown their knowledge of storytelling, and more.
SE Podcast #49: How to Avoid Forgettable Themes
In today’s episode, Josiah, Daeus, and Lori tackle a common storytelling obstacle: forgettable themes. They discuss examples of underwhelming themes, propose possible causes, and give advice on how to ensure that your story’s theme is relatable and impactful.
SE Podcast #48: Embracing Your Inner Creativity
Engaging fiction comes from a fountain of creativity within the author, but ideas gush out more fluidly on some days than others. In today’s episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Lori share the habits that keep their imaginations primed for use and give tips to help other writers through dry spells. Listen to their conversation here!
SE Podcast #47: Does God Call People to Write?
Some people write because they believe it’s their calling—others write for the sheer joy it brings them. In today’s episode, Daeus, Rose, and Martin share the values that drive each of them as authors and discuss the meaning of being “called” to write. They talk about the importance of understanding your own motivations and give practical tips for deciding how to prioritize writing in your life. Listen to their conversation here!
SE Podcast #46: Why Writers Should Read Widely
As the old saying goes, good writers are good readers first. But what books should writers be reading? In today’s episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Lori talk about the importance of exploring genres outside the ones they write in and the lessons they’ve learned when doing so. They also give practical tips on how you can expand your own reading selections. Listen to their conversation here!
SE Podcast #45: How to Subtly and Effectively Speak Truth in Fiction
The fourth resolution of our manifesto states, “We resolve to infuse our storytelling with truth, being bold and unafraid of our stance while presenting it with love and tact, recognizing that truth in storytelling is best communicated when shown, not told.” Telling the truth in love is a common mantra in Christian circles. But how do you apply it to fiction, and what does it look like in practice? Josiah, Daeus, Rose, and Martin tackle these questions and more in today’s episode. Listen to their conversation below!