Your self-assessment results are in.
You struggle the most with…
Theme
Keep scrolling to learn how we can help you grow in this area.
Why You (Probably) Struggle with Theme
Christian writers must beware of giving their stories themes that make readers yawn.
You have the opportunity to impact lives! Yet all too often the stories that Christians write fail to…
Reveal new truths or present familiar truths in fresh light.
Unpack a message without being preachy.
Reach secular audiences.
These mistakes happen for a variety of reasons, but most are tied to one common problem:
Your stories aren’t asking thematic questions that are actually hard to answer.
The Core Truth You Need to Embrace
If you want to move readers with a theme, you can’t start with a question that has an obvious answer.
You need to think deeply about a real issue that has no easy resolution.
Stop writing books about:
Is Christianity true?
Should you love difficult people?
Should you be courageous?
Instead, write books about:
How should Christians wrestle with doubt?
How do you love difficult people?
How do you act courageously without being reckless?
If your characters grapple with truly challenging questions, you’ll have meaningful revelations to share.
How to Embrace This Truth
Our Top Resource Recommendations
Over the past several years, we’ve compiled a wide range of material on this subject. Browse the following suggestions to see which items fill your current needs.
Theme Worksheet
Worldview Builder
In-Depth E-book
Peruse Our Blog Posts on Theme
Other Recommended Resources
We didn’t create these resources ourselves, but we highly recommend them.
Book on Vision
The Christian Imagination
By Leland Ryken, ed.
Book on Craft
Writing Your Story’s Theme
By K. M. Weiland
In-Depth Course
Theme Mastery
By Josiah DeGraaf
Learn More about Story Embers
(Wrong result? Try viewing the other possible options!)
