Claim OwnershipStory Embers Podcast
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© 2024 Story Embers Podcast
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A podcast dedicated to guiding and inspiring Christian storytellers to glorify God with excellent craftsmanship. Tune in every third Monday of the month as podcast host James Noller and various members of the Story Embers staff discuss topics from all areas of story craft. Whether it’s writing habits, character development, complex themes, or plot gimmicks, we’ll be tackling all that and more from a Christian perspective on the Story Embers podcast!
72 Episodes
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Every human heart longs for heaven. And, as Christians, the anticipation of going home to heaven one day is a unique theme we can poignantly wrestle with in our fiction.We can explore the tension we feel between the now of living for Christ in an imperfect world and the not yet of experiencing the new heavens and earth.In today’s episode, Daeus, Mariposa, and Josiah discuss how to write about a home we yearn for but haven’t yet seen. They also give advice on staying faithful each day without ...
Cliffhangers entice you to turn pages long into the night. But how do you write in a thrilling way that avoids disappointment and boredom? What actually keeps readers invested in a story when they encounter a dangling plot point? In today’s episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Daeus show you how to engage readers with scenes that close at a nerve-wracking moment and later reach a satisfying conclusion. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to...
We live in a world that’s become increasingly focused on fame, and “success” for a writer means having thousands of followers, signing with a large publisher, and hitting the bestseller list. The goal is to be in the spotlight and make a hefty income.But, as Christians, we write for God’s glory, not our own.Knowing this, we wrestle with moral questions about our dreams and ambitions. What if we want to be published by the Big Five? How do we grow an audience but not our pride? If we’re not se...
Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” As writers who intend for others to read our work, we desire to be leaders, and as Christians that means we must lay ourselves down and seek to serve our audiences. But what does the application of that look like?Listen as Josiah, Gabby, and Daeus unpack the motivations and actions of a servant-hearted writer, why it’s such an important mindset to have, and how building relationships with readers can be ...
1Like Tolkien’s depiction of The Shire, portraying moments of warmth and joy can be a powerful way to convey that Christ’s path is vastly different from the darkness in the world. How can showing characters’ potential to thrive give hope to readers? And how can writers do that while still being honest about sin and the hardships we all go through?Listen as Josiah, Gabby, and Daeus explore the concept of wholeness, its importance within fiction, and whether hope comes from waiting for heaven’s ...
What role does a writer play as a member of Christ’s Body? How do we respect others and their gifts, even when their purpose looks vastly different from ours? And how do we respond when we feel like our value is misunderstood? Listen as Josiah, Gabby, and Daeus tease out where our identity comes from, how our actions involve much more than simply the task of writing, and how we can be a blessing to others both within the Body of Christ and outside it.Show notes:- Comment on this episode ...
Famous writers throughout the ages attribute their growth to short stories. But is this literary form relevant to modern novelists?Listen as Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus discuss how short stories have (or haven’t) helped them, when a writer is ready to begin longer works, and how to hone your craft using short stories.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music c...
No matter what you’re writing, your book is meant for someone, whether yourself or a specific group of people. But at what point should you decide who your target audience is? And how does that choice affect your writing process? In today’s episode, Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus dive into these questions and discuss Christian vs. secular audiences, when writing for yourself is helpful, and more.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story...
What keeps a reader turning page after page? Unique and surprising plot twists. But how do you pull them off? In today’s episode, Lori, Mariposa, and Daeus give practical and inspiring advice to superpower your ability to create plot twists that shock and delight again and again.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple P...
Some of the most memorable, enduring literature portrays tragic heroes and deep, powerful themes. So how can you depict these characters from a Christian perspective? In today’s episode, Lori, Gabby, and Josiah discuss negative arcs and give insightful advice on how to write the climax of a tragic arc.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positiv...
Human beings were created by God as unique individuals and have been given the ability to create. So where do we find the balance between creating something completely new and original, and fitting in with today’s publishing world? Genre expectations are deeply established, but if God has called us to explore new directions within our work, how can we navigate that and still have a publishing career? In today’s episode, Josiah, Lori, and Gabby share clear and practical thoughts that...
You’ve probably heard the saying that “someone who wants to write a great story must first live a great story.” But how do you tackle the questions and struggles you’ve faced through your characters and plot? Where should you draw the line between fiction and reality? In today’s episode, Lori, Gabby, and Josiah discuss a big topic: how writers can find inspiration in their own personal stories while still being servant-hearted.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a s...
How do you structure a chapter? Where should a scene start and end? In today’s episode, Gabby, Daeus, and Hope dive into the fundamentals of crafting chapters and scenes, including choosing the right pacing to create powerful effects.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more!Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the Show.
How can you approach sympathetic villains and antiheroes from a Christian perspective, especially in our modern culture? In today’s episode, Gabby, Hope, and Daeus give inspiring and thought-provoking advice on how to make a villain relatable without condoning his actions. They also explain how the Apostle Peter demonstrates that antiheroes need to be explored as much as heroes and villains. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive...
Do you want to supercharge your writing habits during the new year? In today’s episode, Daeus, Hope, and Gabby give their top tips for setting writing goals that will help you maintain a consistent schedule no matter how busy your life is. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.c...
In this special episode, we’re taking a step back to think about Christmas. Traditionally, this is a season of anticipation for the future and remembering the long wait for a Savior. Lori, Josiah, and Mariposa discuss how to cope with seasons of waiting as writers and how to find time to rest during the holidays.Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music cred...
How does the content you digest affect your writing? How can you be more intentional about what’s influencing your stories? In today’s episode, Lori, Mariposa, and Josiah discuss practical ways they use their favorite books to deepen their works-in-progress and how you can tell if your latest read is damaging your creative process. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog!- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/st...
“Show, don’t tell” is a common writing mantra, but can it extend to how the gospel influences your fiction? What are some practical ways you can allude to God’s reality without becoming preachy? In today’s episode, Mariposa, Josiah, and Lori discuss how characters’ actions can point to Christ, as well as the purpose of writers within the broader context of the church. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog! (SE Podcast #55: How to Show and Not Tell the Gospel in Fiction - Story...
The most powerful stories end with a sacrifice. But why does that theme resonate with readers? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss why sacrifice is vital to the protagonist’s growth and how you can craft an impactful scene. Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/?p=150718)- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Plane...
In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus share the various ways Scripture has influenced their creative choices as storytellers and deepened their work. How does the Bible model the kinds of stories we want to tell? And how does the truth contained within our favorite verses seep into our fiction?Show notes:- Comment on this episode on our blog! (SE Podcast #53: The Bible’s Impact on Writing - Story Embers)- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and mor...
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