Thank you, Sarah! This is very helpful and something I struggle with. I am already doing some of these with my current WIP, but you have given me some more tactics to use too.
Much appreciated! 🙂

I enjoyed this article! ☺️🙌🏻The advice on staggering introductions reminds me of Gandalf’s plan to introduce the dwarves to Beorn two by two so as not to annoy him with everyone all at once. 😂

Excellent article! Love/compassion is, I think, one of those qualities that separates the good books from the great.

Thank you! I think compassion is one of the most important things to get right in fiction, especially for Christians. (Poor point #3, it’s so unloved… 😉 )

THANK YOU!

I think that drawing from our experiences and growth is what tips storytelling over the edge into genuine truthfulness and encouragement. It’s the difference between reading a self-help manual or watching your grandmother demonstrate the skills she’s learned. ❤

Thanks! Glad it resonated with you!

YIKES, I don’t remember that part, though it’s been a while since I read them. Those books are a minefield of horrible content. I was so stuck on the part where she married her dad’s best friend that I don’t remember much else. 😣

I really loved this article. Such a good approach to writing fiction as a believer. Still chewing on this one since it’s so densely packed with good stuff, so I can’t say which point was my favorite.

Loving readers by displaying compassion in story teller is such a tall order, but the examples you included to demonstrate giving characters opportunities for redemption illustrates that disposition so well. Wonderful advice and examples.

Hey Eloise! Glad you enjoyed this! I agree, epic heroes were always my favorites as well. As long as you take care to develop them realistically, with flaws and weaknesses, there’s no reason for them to be perceived as cheesy or less interesting than antiheroes. Good luck in your quest to unlock the un-preachiness of your novel!

Excellent article! I love working with the balance between epic and virtuous protagonists who are still flawed! They’re my favorite kind of protagonists.

And that point on glorifying mistakes is really important. It’s annoying when a book is said to be Christian but doesn’t have negative consequences for sinful actions. Especially rebelling against parents!
Right now I’ve got a deceptive protagonist, and I’m making sure her “little” lie comes back to bite her.

Fantastic article!! We really REALLY need more kids books with good role models. *frown*

Ooh, I never thought about that aspect of The False Prince before!! *will have to think on this* Thanks for the article!

Oooh, this is spot on, Sarah. I feel like this is what I’ve been trying to say for a long time, but you articulated it far better than my attempts. XD

I never write the first paragraph of an essay first. I can only introduce something after I know what in the world I am talking about!

I’ve found these principles useful in my writing. The other day I had two hours and a book to start writing. I had no clue what to do with that beautiful blank page even though I knew where the beginning of the story was going. To make myself start I just wrote about little mundane things.

It’s encouraging to know that it wasn’t my own madness, but a method to the madness of writing! 😂

Thankee and thankee! I’m glad you were encouraged! Henceforth, may all blank pages quake at the sight of you.

(And the bio compliment made my day. I wanted to write one people would truly enjoy reading, so it’s nice to hear I’ve succeeded.)

Difficult things usually are simple when you take them apart piece by piece. They just like to dress up in scary costumes to frighten us from doing them. 😉

I relate. That practice is the one I tend to implement the most.