Story Embers | Rachel Gilson | Activity

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 20:00:26 -0400

How Parents Can Build Sustainable Writing Habits Writing at any stage of life can be difficult. Some stages present especially complex challenges, like raising children. Your time, resources, and even […]

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:00:13 -0400

Has your work-in-progress ever taken a dark turn? You thought you were writing about teenagers falling in love for the first time, but instead you ended up with scenes where the characters crossed physical […]

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:00:59 -0400

With minimal scrolling through search engine results, you can gather an abundance of information on writing stories, but what about the grueling process that follows it? How do you rearrange your mess into an […]

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:00:58 -0400

Has a story’s setting ever intrigued you even more than the plot? Think of the gloomy weather on the moors that reflects the characters’ turbulent emotions in Wuthering Heights, or the unforgiving sand drifts wro […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 22:39:13 -0400

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.

In reply to - Sarah Burns wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the third installment in our four-part series on pursuing the storyteller’s great commission. To learn why we’re running this series and how we’re approac […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 22:15:11 -0400

I love the concept that as image bearers we are “signposts pointing to God”. Asking myself what image bearing, as the goal of sub creation, looks like in my own story telling. There’s so much to chew on here!

In reply to - Daeus Lamb wrote a new post “Bearing” the image of God ought to be an active verb, because it’s a mad dash with no finish line. To steal from C. S. Lewis, it continually guides us “farther up and farther in.” Go […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 22:09:00 -0400

Nothing speaks like a good garden metaphor! Loved what you said about the Spirit’s power being greater than our worries regarding subtlety. Wonderful article and a great reminder to crack open my Bible and read some Genesis.

In reply to - Josiah DeGraaf wrote a new post Taking Dominion with Your Stories Involves More Than Fighting Culture Wars Editor’s Note: This article is the second installment in our four-part series on pursuing the s […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:19:17 -0400

Hi Katie! Thanks for reading 🙂

In reply to - Rachel Gilson wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the final installment in our four-part series on pursuing the storyteller’s great commission. To learn why we ran this series and how we approached eac […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:17:38 -0400

To live in the present is definitely a good reminder. We writer’s spend a lot of time in our own heads which can make being faithful moment by moment difficult. You’re absolutely right—God won’t abandon us even when we lose touch. Thank you for reading the article!

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:00:11 -0400

Editor’s Note: This article is the final installment in our four-part series on pursuing the storyteller’s great commission. To learn why we ran this series and how we approached each topic, read our int […]

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 21:00:39 -0400

Millions of books release each year—yes, millions. Between traditional and indie publishing, the number of new titles entering the market is staggering. Maybe those statistics boost your confidence that someday y […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 21:23:14 -0400

Thanks for reading, Sara! Happy writing 🙂

In reply to - Rachel Gilson wrote a new post From Dr. Watson to Samwise Gamgee to Jane Bennet, no beloved classic would be as engaging without side characters. They’re the protagonists of untold stories that thrive between the l […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 21:22:07 -0400

That sounds like an awesome exercise. I’m sure it would bring out some surprising answers. I’ll have to try it sometime. Thanks for the suggestion!

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 21:19:48 -0400

Hi Kristen! Thanks for reading. I wish your protagonist the best of luck amidst all the interesting side characters.

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 14:00:36 -0400

From Dr. Watson to Samwise Gamgee to Jane Bennet, no beloved classic would be as engaging without side characters. They’re the protagonists of untold stories that thrive between the lines. But have beta readers e […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 01:58:56 -0400

Wonderfully said, Sarah! When we can articulate our stories to ourselves, we can articulate them to others. You’ve provided a fantastic formula.

In reply to - Sarah Burns wrote a new post A few years ago, an inquisitive stranger cornered me with a seemingly innocuous question: “What’s your book about?” Instead of rattling off a zinger, my brain blanked, my tongue tangl […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 19:51:18 -0400

Hi Jenna! I’m glad it was helpful. I was definitely reminding myself as well. I have a shiny story idea, but right now I need to stay the course. I hope this summer produces some story endings for you!

In reply to - Rachel Gilson wrote a new post An idea captures your attention, and after mulling it over for a few weeks, you begin to pursue it. The story flows naturally until you pass 20,000 words and realize you’re not sure w […]

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 14:00:28 -0400

An idea captures your attention, and after mulling it over for a few weeks, you begin to pursue it. The story flows naturally until you pass 20,000 words and realize you’re not sure why your protagonist made a l […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Thu, 26 May 2022 19:15:58 -0400

I’d recommend the Name of the Wind, however I haven’t read the sequel. I’ve heard positive things about it, but also that its content level is more mature.

In reply to - Rachel Gilson wrote a new post Have you ever started reading a book you expected to enjoy only for the setting to stymie any connection you might have had with the characters? You keep losing your bearings because […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:50:40 -0400

Thanks for reading, Sarah. If you ever want a sounding board for your world building woes/ideas, give me a holler. I live for this stuff!

Rachel Gilson wrote a new post

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Have you ever started reading a book you expected to enjoy only for the setting to stymie any connection you might have had with the characters? You keep losing your bearings because of weird place names. The info […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:00:43 -0400

Such a good topic, Sarah! I particularly like the solution to corrupt good intentions. It’s relatable and there’s so much to work with. And it allows for the possibility to have healthy parental relationships still be a part of the story. Like you said, death and abuse are not the only options! Thanks for sharing your insights.

In reply to - Sarah Burns wrote a new post Distracted, diabolical, or dead is the standard for most fictional parents. If they don’t perish in a horrific accident (thus giving the protagonist an excuse to dress in black for e […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 16:49:44 -0400

I like the point you make about love resembling forgiveness. It made me think of why Pride and Prejudice still strikes a chord with so many readers. Darcy is sacrificial and giving even when he’s not getting acknowledgment or accolades, and Elizabeth is overcoming her own shortcomings to extend forgiveness. Love costs us, but it calls us upward for sure!

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post Have you ever loved a relationship more than the characters in it? Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Right were likable on their own, but their dynamic was so compelling that both of them […]

Rachel Gilson posted a new activity comment

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 16:30:22 -0400

I like what Kristiana said about putting our characters through hardship to their benefit. I never thought about it quite that way, but her explanation about it refining them as we are refined by our Author is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing these perspectives Lori!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […]

Rachel Gilson changed their profile picture

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 21:17:20 -0400

Rachel Gilson changed their profile picture

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 21:15:34 -0400

Rachel Gilson's profile was updated

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 21:12:26 -0400