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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 5 months ago
By Sarah Spradlin
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After the longest dry season,you pour yourself into the cracks in the clay and your overflowing,lasting long after the clouds have passed us by,is the color green.Hope, after so many days […]
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 6 months ago
By Sarah Spradlin
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Sister, I see your arms are trembling.
Brother, I see your tears,
your stone-set face,
how this fire
rattling in your bones,
shut up no longer,
has burned you in the telling.
Â
May I […]
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Beautiful, Sarah <3 Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Libby!
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Thank you, Emily!!
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I am so glad this continues to resonate with you, Eddy!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 7 months ago
By Dani Renee
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Brown leaves battered Mr. Cotter’s beat-up truck as he pried open its door. He shook his head. How much time had withered since he last drove it? A year. He sighed, remembering the plot he pu […]
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Beautiful job! This was different than the genres I normally read, but I lived reading it! Your description is so vivid and gorgeous, and I could hear and see the characters in my head.
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I really like that you tackled a set of characters that don’t tend to see the light of day very often. You really brought them to life in a way that I appreciated. Nice work!
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I love this! I really feel connected to the characters. Well done!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 7 months ago
By Rachel Leitch
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London, 1928
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Mother’s favorite waltz warbled from the corner of the garage. I must have left the phonograph on a few hours ago, before the party. Behind me, the chipped door clo […]
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Woah, soo good!! Totally deserves first place. 😉
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Aw, thank you so much! That means a lot.
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Thank you so much!!!
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Love this story! Your writing has a clean, simple style. I really loved the car-themed metaphors you slipped in every now and then – it really helped immerse me in the character’s way of thinking about the world.
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Thank you so much! Your encouragement means a lot.
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Aw, thank you so very much!
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This is beautiful, Rachel, and totally deserves first place! Your twists were so well-placed and really kept me interested!
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I’m completely in love. 😀
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 8 months ago
By Anne of Lothlorien
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Midnight thoughts surround me,
messy and monstrous,
so I tread carefully.
I slip between the forests
built of whispers of words,
searching for possibilities.
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Mostly I choose t […]
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😍😍😍 I love it!!!
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Yay!!! Thank you!!! 🥰🥰🥰
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This is breathtaking. It paints such an amazing picture. Beautifully done!!
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Thanks Ellanyme 😊
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Great poem Anna!
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Thanks Bethania! 🙂
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 8 months ago
By E. C. Colton
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I run a race that no one can see,
But too often I lag behind.
I watch the leaves glide on the wind
And wonder what it’s like to bide time.
When I pause to take a breath,
The wind shoves an […]
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Wow, Em, your poem is amazing! And right on point, too. I think all of us have felt that way at one time or another of wondering if what we’re doing is really worth it. Keep running the race!! 🙂
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Thank you so so much, RuthAnna! That means a lot! 😊
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Wow. This was beautiful and inspiring. What an encouragement. Thank you, thank you for writing this. I felt the passion and the emotion and am so motivated by it.
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It means so much to me that this touched and encouraged you, Autumn. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!! Keep on running the race—you are not alone!
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Wow… I’m speechless. I… this is GORGEOUS! I love it. You’ve got talent, Emeline!
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Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you loved it!! 😊
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So proud of you, Em! This is so neat to see! And the whole idea of a spaceless race paints a picture of endurance and depth. Thank you for sharing this, girlie!
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Aww, thank you, Coralie, that means a lot! And of course! It was super fun to write. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Karissa! 😊
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Quyen Yee! I’m so glad it encouraged you. 😊
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Wow. This is so beautiful. It resonates with every part of me. So beautiful. I copied it by hand so I could have it in my room to read. Just gorgeous.
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Aww, I’m so glad this poem touched you, Andrea! Thank you so much for taking the time to drop a comment. 😊
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 9 months ago
By Abbi Langille
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Have you ever been tempted to tear pages from your notebooks, toss the crumpled wads into the trash, and vow to never write again because it isn’t worth your time? Some days, the words re […]
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This article really ministered to me. The easy part was putting the pen down, especially when feeling so tired. Then questions arise, like why am I writing? Is this really going anywhere? Is there a point?
Thank you for the firm reminder of why we write as Christians! Thank you for the motivation and inspiration!
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So very encouraging and just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 9 months ago
By Emily Waldorf
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Earth, an infant of giant size,
Rocked gently by the ocean’s rise;Â
Calm, unpeopled, its surface lies.
Above are spread the lightening skies
With all the joy of the planets rin […]
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This poem flows with such beauty and power; the analogies are stunning, the descriptions are spectacular, and the overall concept of it is AMAZING!! I really love poems that look from the perspective of nature. Fantastic job, Emily!!
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That was so beautiful
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Thank you!
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A delightful surprise to read this thoughtful poem. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for reading.
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GIIIRRRRLLLL
LOVE. IT.
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 10 months ago
By Sarah Susanna Rhomberg
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I know his face,
I know his frown,
The man who lives
A few roads down.
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His walk didn’t change,
Though he grew older;
His bent back
And hunched shoulders.
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When we talk […]
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Beautiful!!
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Lovely!
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THis is really good Sarah!
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Very deep and poignant, Sarah! Amazing job!
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So full of feeling… you out what I’ve felt in words I couldn’t.
You are amazing Sarah! -
This is so good. Ugh, I have so many emotions now. Thank you!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 10 months ago
By Christopher Babcock
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As Jesus walked along, he noticed a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me. I mean, if you want to. No pressure. And feel free to wrap up the wo […]
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Wow, this is so helpful and insightful! Having grown up as a missionary kid, I can definitely say that my experiences have really enriched my writing. And while my whole life has been one big adventure, it’s always a good reminder to continue to step outside my comfort zone and have that desire to learn more so that I can grow as a writer.
Thank you for this great article, Chris!
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Hey Kristianne,
Glad it was helpful! That’s really neat. I’m actually a missionary kid as well (if you couldn’t tell). I’m currently writing from Malawi, where I’ve spent most of my time since the age of ten. I think it’s a bit easier for MKs to step out of our comfort zones, but it still requires effort to make it a habit!
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Haha, I’m stepping in as an MK as well. 🙂 How many years have you been MKs, Chris and Kristianne?
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Wow that’s cool, Olivia! I’ve been an MK since I was 9, so about 11 years now. Where does your family serve?
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It is! I feel like there are a lot of MKs around, or at least more than I ever thought existed when I was younger. I didn’t know many MKs growing up, besides my siblings.
Cool! My family became missionaries on a First Nations reserve in North Western Ontario when I was one, but we moved from the res when I was twelve. So I was an MK for ten and a half years. Technically I guess I wouldn’t really be an MK anymore, but I still feel like one and love talking with other MKs.
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That’s really cool, Olivia! I have a friend whose family is working with Indigenous communities and churches in Saskatchewan. It sounds like very interesting work, and very necessary as we as a nation move toward truth and reconciliation.
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That’s really cool, Olivia! I have a friend in Canada whose family is working with Indigenous churches in Saskatchewan. It sounds like a very interesting dynamic, and very necessary as we as a country move toward reconciliation and truth.
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Woah… these are all excellent points! More and more I find myself incorporating the little bits of everyday life (and the non-everyday life) into my stories. I live on a farm, so I ride horses a lot – thus, I knew how to write it when my characters picked up a few. Hikes are great – it really helps you describe scenery!! All excellent points, Mr. Babcock, and I intend to go out and find a few adventures of my own!
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Thanks Joelle! That’s really cool, sounds like you have a lot of tools under your belt for the writing process. I love hikes too, also runs. Recently I was running a half marathon and decided to mentally describe the scenery around me as best I could. When I got home I wrote it down as a description exercise, and I found it to be a great prose-building activity.
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That was a really cool article to read! Thanks for that! I’ve never really thought of it in that light: that if I want adventures to write about or new ideas, going on adventures myself is a good idea. Never crossed my mind before.
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Also, I couldn’t help noticing that you lived in Northern Ontario when you were young. I live in Northern Ontario and have my whole life, so I was curious what town you lived in?
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Thanks Olivia! Glad you found it useful.
So I grew up in Deep River, which may not be “northern” for you depending on where you live, haha! It’s North of highway 7 though, so that counts for something. How about you? -
You’re welcome. 🙂
Haha, so I don’t know the name, but let me look it up on a map… it may be closer than I’m picturing. And I have no idea where Highway 7 is, so I really need to look it up. xD
We live in a small mine town really far North, two and a half hours farther North of Dryden. Do you know where that is?
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I just looked it up and we’re a long ways away! Almost twenty hours!
I didn’t realize how much of a difference it makes when I say Northern Ontario versus North Western Ontario. xD Now I see how much of a difference it can make! We’re like way over, close to the Manitoba border.
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Oh wow lol, that is pretty far North! Sounds like an adventure living there.
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It definitely is! 🙂 Half the winter is spent playing hockey and sledding. 😉 Haha, not quite, but my brother and I do play hockey a few times every week.
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Awesome article! Thanks!
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You’re welcome Benjamin, glad you enjoyed it!
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Great article! I’m definitely the type who needs an extra push to step outside her comfort zone. One thing I’ve done that has certainly enriched my writing is theatre. Acting out a story onstage gives you a whole new perspective on what makes stories work—especially when it comes to characters.
This post is poking me now, though, reminding me that I’m a fail safe homebody and that I could stand a few adventures. Maybe I’ll ask my friend to give me some fencing lessons after all. 😄
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I agree completely! Being in theatre has given me even more help than usual since I am also a scriptwriter.
I am definitely going to check out the Audio Cinema. I’ve never heard of it before, but it sounds really interesting! That’ll be a step out of my comfort zone for sure.
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Thank you Abigail! That’s super cool, I should probably try some acting at some point even if my audience is only my siblings. I imagine it would also be super helpful for knowing how to write facial expressions and body language.
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Thank you Sarah! Glad you enjoyed it. My books aren’t published quite yet, I’m currently working on the revision process. But I do hope to begin sending manuscripts to agents or publishing houses within the next 3-4 years.
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Hey Brian,
Wow, that’s quite a life! I’m glad that you have a Hobbit hole to return to after all of those travels and adventures. I’m sure that storehouse of experiences will serve you well as you write.
I love that verse from Corinthians, thanks for sharing. Praise be to God! And what wonderful adventures we will have when we reach Heaven.
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Thanks, Chris!
Appreciate your article, sir!
I began writing Sci-Fi as a young kid and am glad that “not being an astronaut” didn’t disqualify me from thinking about characters who might be a starship pilot. 😉
No matter how high I jumped on the neighbor kid’s trampoline, I just couldn’t get the direct experience I needed for writing about zero gravity. Didn’t help that I may have landed on my head a few times… ;P
I guess I can now write about…head trauma? ><)
But seriously, I get it. One must find a way to research enough to get the feel of authenticity, to be able to write credibly about something.
With Satellite Maps software one can visit almost anywhere on Earth and get a reference point in a moment in time, even from a street level view, but this does not satisfy a true taste of the place. Its sounds, its climate, its smells and its flavors or odors. That may be where listening to the people who have walked in the places and experienced the non-visuals can help provide the atmosphere needed to credibly re-create from a distance. Reading auto-biographies helps in those cases or connecting with someone "safely" from another culture, with permission and transparent oversight from a safe guardian. (Not going to send a kid into a bar or advise them to pick up random online "chat pals". We do live in a fallen world, after all. Predators abound and naivete is cruelly punished. Matt. 10:16.)
A "5-Senses" journal is a great idea if one travels. Capture the sense-perceptions of a place, but also time of day, weather conditions, light and cloud images, the moment in history point that is "here today and gone tomorrow" descriptions. Those put a reader in a place that feels real, and creates that fictive bubble that Ted Dekker talks about in his courses. -
Thank you so much, Justine!
I didn’t know Dekker had a writing course, that’s pretty cool! I’ll have to check it out.
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Absolutely, Brian! I’ve fallen out of the habit, but I did a writing course in middle school that forced me, as part of my homework, to make 5 daily observations/questions about my environment. It was a great exercise that stimulated my creative thinking. A “five senses” journal sounds like a great idea.
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Hi Dave!
Thank you, that means a lot! Maple Grove seems like a world away, but our thoughts are still with you all. I didn’t know that you are a storyteller as well, that’s pretty cool. I’d love to discuss the craft someday!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 4 years, 11 months ago
By Lori Z. Scott & Allison Raymond
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Editor’s Note: This is the final installment in our three-part series exploring how Christian writers should depict the supernatural. You can read the introductory post h […]
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years ago
By K.M. Small
Â
Madiya would do better on this final day of her existence. No wincing, weeping, or hiding. She would be the solemn, dutiful Lifewarden she always should have been. Beginning now.
Â
Shadows d […]
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This is beautiful, Khylie. I especially like the mystery introduced in the opening paragraphs.
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Thank you, Zachary! 😀
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Oh my goodness, THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!!! You describe everything in such poetic, powerful beauty, and aaaahhhh I have no more words to say how AWESOME and IMPACTFUL and OUTSTANDING this was. <3 <3
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THANK YOU SO MUCH! Aaah, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Elisha! <3
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GREAT JOB, KHY!!!
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THANK YOU! <3
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AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE I CAN’T
You are amazingly gifted, Khylie! It is a joy seeing you use that gift to spread the Truth! I feel like I could rant forever about Lifewarden yet I can’t seem to come up with suitable words. I’m really at a loss because it’s that amazing. Way to go, dear friend!-
Thank you so much, Hope! Those words and your support mean a ton to me. <3
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Thank you so much, Acs! 😀
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Great job, Khylie! I love the message of this story!
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Thank you, Hope! And thanks so much for reading and commenting! 😀
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Great story! I loved the theme and the way you explored it!
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Thank you! I really enjoyed working with this theme.
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This is great! I was so intrigued by its concept; you did a good job exploring the theme! 👏🏻
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Thank you so much, Kenzie!
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I LOVE that!!!!!
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THANK YOU!
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This is beautiful!! I love the lyrical tone of your prose. Great job!
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Thank you so much, Kristianne!
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Wow.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Oh boy, I really love this one. Excellent work!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years ago
By Krista Lynn Weeks
Â
If You say I’m Your daughter, why do I
So utterly defenseless seem to be
Against all storms afire in the sky,
Against all hurricanes that stir the sea?
I’m searching for the eye amid […]
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Wow.
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Wow… This describes almost exactly what I’m dealing with right now. You are a true poet.
~Kylie
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 1 month ago
By Natalie Davis
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How like the mountain, confident,
The world around me stands,
Defiant hands upon hips,
Lips issuing demands.
Am I the only shattered soul
Who’s sometimes lost her way?
The only one wi […]
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This is such a cool poem! The way you embodied the world as a person was a very great way to bring your point across! Nicely done!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 1 month ago
By Caleb E. King
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Sometimes I look into my drawer of old sketches,
Take one out, and admire the dark lines and etches.
Memories are recalled, all unique and precious.
Â
The deeper I look, the worse the s […]
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That was so cool, Caleb! Thank you for sharing that with us! And that’s awesome that you finally got published on SE!!! Yay!!!!!!
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Thank you so much, Olivia! 😀
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Thank you so much Esther!! 😀
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Ah, that was magnificent! I love the lines about relating art to specific feelings! I’m so happy this got published! Thanks for brightened my day!
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Thank you so much, Sophia! Aw that means a lot! I’m glad I could make your day better! 😀
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Oooh I love it!! Nice job, man!!! ^-^
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Thank you!! 🙂
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Congrats Caleb!!
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Thank you, Annika! 🙂
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Thank you! Yes, we should look back at our old art and writing as stepping stones. If we hadn’t created it, we wouldn’t be where we are now! 🙂
Thanks for reading! -
Thank you, Rachel! Yes! Agreed!
Thank you for reading! -
Thank you, Daniel! It means a lot!
Ahaha that’s great! XDXD -
Thank you!! Yes, it feels awesome! 😀
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Awesome, Caleb! Loved this a lot! =)
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Thanks so much, Beth!!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 2 months ago
By Libby Powell
Â
I took a walk among the forest pines
To be alone, away from all mankind,
To listen to the sound of nothingness,
And leave my doubts and worries far behind.
As I wandered beneath a maple […]
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Love it!
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I’m so glad, Dakota : ) Thank you.
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So beautiful! The imagery is amazing!
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Thank you, Madelyn, your words are so encouraging : )
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<3
I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you for lighting up my day and making me think! (well dream. . . and get story ideas, and imagine things. But same thing =)-
Your words are so kind, Terah, thank YOU for reading and commenting <3
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This made me smile!
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And that makes me so glad ^.^ Thank you, Emily.
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Lovely. I’m smiling too.
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Thank you, Kathleen 🙂
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 5 months ago
By Natalie Davis
Â
At dusk the old world lives again
As faeries fill the open air.
The Small Folk come, the world reclaim;
They journey from I know not where.
Ancient secrets spice the wind,
Things […]
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 7 months ago
By Darlene N. Böcek
Â
Dec. 24. Victim discovered 3 min. off San Pasqual Valley Road/Highway 78. Mile marker 12. Female. Mid 20s. Face down. Homicide suspected. No attempted burial. Thrown and discarded. D […]
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Wow, Darlene! I loved reading this so much! I enjoyed watching the detective open up and learn as he watched these two women’s stories unfold. (though it’s so sad!) Lovely work!
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Beautiful!
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This was such a captivating story! I loved how we learn a little more about the two women and their relationship as the investigation progresses. Great job!
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That is such a tragically beautiful story! ❤ It’s so sad that Laurel and Octavia never reconciled…😥 But amazing job, Darlene!
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This is beautiful, Darlene. I love the letter at the end–seeing a glimpse of the joy Octavia missed out on makes the situation so much sadder, but it also left me with a powerful sense of hope!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 7 months ago
By Bethany Fehr
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Green. Not eaten. Not trampled into the dust. Food, or maybe poison. It didn’t matter which.
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Prisoner 13358 hadn’t been actively searching for either. If he had, he would have passed over […]
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Bethany, what a beautiful, beautiful story. This piece… it brought me sorrow, it was so painful – but the way hope shone through was oh, so powerfully done. Congratulations on winning, this is truly a wonderful work of art <3
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Wow, thank you so much Libby! Your encouragement really blesses me. I’m so glad my story was meaningful to you!
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Well done! I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
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Thank you, Dakota!
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This story is absolutely beautiful. It actually brought tears to my eyes. You did such a great job developing the atmosphere of hopelessness and suffering and also bringing out the hope the prisoner found in the flower. Well done!
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Thank you so much Kristianne! This means so much to hear!
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Can I cry now?! Yes? *runs away to grab a tissue* Well done, Bethany! What a beautiful story portraying brokenness yet illuminating hope in the midst of it! *sniffles and smiles*
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I’m so glad it moved you Rolena! This story means a lot to me and it blesses me so much to know that other people are sharing the feels!
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Beautiful. I’ve got goosebumps. Congratulations on the win—you earned it. 😉
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Thank you, Kate!
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Thanks, Sarah!
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This is such an encouragement, Terah! God has certainly used this story to bless and teach me, and I’m so glad it’s blessed you too!
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Thank you so much for your lovely words, Auntie Annie! You’ve always been an amazing encourager!
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Thank you for the encouragement! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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I see someone added a new cover photo! I love it!
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Story Embers wrote a new post 5 years, 7 months ago
By Zachary Holbrook
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You pick up a new fantasy novel. The cover is beautiful, the blurb intriguing. You’re eager to be immersed in an intricately crafted world—but after turning several pages, you lose your […]
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Great article! I love the idea of being a hospitable worldbuilder. (And I need to work on this myself… I have a feeling that the number of foreign words in my WIP does not demonstrate hospitality to many people.)
By the way, though I agree that terms like “lighteyes” and “surgebinder” can be helpful, for me, if an author uses them too often, it seems as if he/she thinks I can’t handle unfamiliar terms. Since one of my reasons for reading high fantasy is that I love foreign terms, that annoys me. (That might just be me, though 😉
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These are great tips! I also love how Brandon Sanderson balances explanation and questions in his Way of Kings series. I especially find his evocative names to be helpful since you can easily remember the names of places and objects based simply on their function or main characteristic. I’ll be coming back to this article as I craft my own world!
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Great tips! I’ll be sure to implement them.
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Wow, awesome article! And yes, special terms are something that bother me as a reader. I must be able to envision what I’m reading, and it’s definitely frustrating when I can’t figure out what this mysterious animal or creature must look like.
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Thank you so much, Eddy!
So beautiful. I could feel every drop!
I am so so glad you enjoyed it, Glynis! Thank you for commenting. <3
Goosebumps, from beginning to end. Absolutely beautiful, Sarah! I am a farmer’s daughter living in a semidesert, giving me an increased appreciation and love of rain. This poem resonates with me on every level. Thank you.
Ahhhhh! I love that so so much! I am so glad that this resonates. As a farmer myself, this poem was really special to me to write. <3 Thank you for commenting and sharing that!
Loved this, especially as someone who lives in Southern California 😉
Awww! I love that. So glad it resonated with you!
Wow! That was so beautiful!
Thank you so much!! I’m glad it spoke to you. 🙂
This was so beautiful! My state is somewhat of a desert, so rain is always a wonderful blessing from God. I loved the imagery and description; I could see the picture the poem painted. Thank you for sharing this, Sarah!