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!
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!
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!
In today’s episode, Josiah joins staff members Mariposa and Lori as they take an in-depth look at kidlit. They discuss what makes the genre unique, how the age of your audience affects the writing process, and the lessons authors of any genre can learn from children’s stories. Listen to their conversation below!
“Deconstruction” has become a popular term online over the past year to describe people who are rejecting certain Christian tenets and seeking other answers. Although the term is new, the phenomenon is not, and in today’s episode, Josiah DeGraaf, Daeus Lamb, Rose Sheffler, and Martin Detwiler discuss the importance of portraying doubting or “deconstructing” Christians in fiction.
In today’s episode, Josiah, Hope, and Gabby discuss how writers can create unique and interesting villains. They share their favorite examples of memorable villains, warn against common pitfalls writers encounter when crafting attention-grabbing villains, and debate whether or not a villain can be too unique.
Last summer, several Story Embers staff members watched the first season of The Chosen together. In this episode, Josiah, Rolena, and Daeus discuss what they loved about the series and the techniques Christian storytellers can draw from it. What made the show’s...
In today’s episode, Josiah, Hope, and Gabby tackle the strengths and weaknesses of different POVs and explore how a character’s perspective impacts readers’ relationship with the story. They share their personal preferences and give tips on how to choose the right POV character for your story.
Finding the right theme to explore in a story can be a struggle. How can you make sure your theme is deep instead of shallow? What are some common mistakes writers make when selecting themes? Josiah, Rolena, and Daeus tackle these questions and more on today’s episode.
The second act is notoriously difficult for many writers. What’s the secret to making it engaging while also moving the plot at the correct pace? Hope, Josiah, and Gabrielle give tips on how to remedy a sagging middle and discuss how writers can ensure that every...
