What’s your story’s theme? And why does it matter? Those two questions shape your writing and books far beyond craft, publishing, or marketing. They take your frail offerings and turn them into creative art that changes lives. But a deeper question underpins them. “A deeper magic,” as C.S. Lewis would say. And within the answer lies the true power of your story. Are you ready? This is your invitation to journey farther up and farther in to discover your story’s real theme.

Crafting a deep theme may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this session, Josiah DeGraaf, the summit & marketing director at Story Embers, gives you a roadmap you can use to write a story that moves readers because of how authentically and honestly it portrays reality.

All of us live in a fallen world. But if you want to provide answers to the world’s brokenness, you can’t do so effectively in storytelling until you depict the sin and suffering accurately. In this session, best-selling author Melanie Dobson talks about how to focus your story on real problems that people face and discover thought-provoking answers to those questions.

Every writer wants to move readers. But how do you actually achieve that with your story’s themes? In this session, Daeus Lamb, the outreach & community director at Story Embers and author of Songkiller’s Symphony, explains how to craft themes that hit home with readers.

Showing your story’s theme begins with your protagonist. But how can you make sure your protagonist’s journey to growth feels authentic and not like a clumsy morality tale? In this session, best-selling biblical fiction author Connilyn Cossette explains how to ground your protagonist’s character arc in her personality and backstory.

Crafting a great theme doesn’t end with your protagonist. But how can you weave other side characters into your story’s theme in powerful ways. In this session, award-winning author Lani Forbes explains how to craft rich side characters that contrast with your protagonist in intriguing ways.

Everyone loves a memorable villain. But epic villains don’t just intimidate the protagonist–they also are uniquely suited to exploit his weaknesses and force him to change. In this session, Kara Swanson, an award-winning author and co-founder of the Author Conservatory, explains how to craft a villain who presents a potent challenge to the protagonist’s beliefs.

Theme can be developed in more areas than just characters. Setting also plays a role–especially in the unique worldbuilding of a fantasy or sci-fi novel. In this session, award-winning sci-fi author Kerry Nietz explains how to use worldbuilding to explore big ideas in ways you can’t easily do in other genres.

At Story Embers, we often discuss the foundational techniques for crafting themes that resonate. But you can’t craft thoughtful themes unless you’re a thoughtful person yourself. How do you live a life that will fuel meaningful storytelling? In this session, Brian Kohl, the editorial director of Canon Press, explains how to live a life that’s sustenance for thoughtful themes.

Sometimes telling stories honestly means wading into difficult topics that require wisdom to tackle as a Christian storyteller. In this panel discussion, author and podcast host Parker Cole, writing school director Brad Pauquette, and award-winning author Sarah Sundin answer audience questions about addressing sensitive topics with honesty and tact.

Not every writer will cover explicitly Christian themes in their stories. But those who do won’t want to miss this session. Supernatural thriller author L.G. McCary talks about how to depict Christians who are “saints, not angels; sinners, not demons” and explains that embracing the unusual sides of Christianity may be the secret to depicting your faith authentically.

As a Christian, you have a powerful advantage when it comes to crafting themes that resonate. But do you realize the full extent of the opportunities you have? This closing keynote will remind you of the tremendous gift you’ve been given and how you truly can change readers’ lives when you write with faith and confidence.