Story Embers Podcast

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 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.com/) Support the show

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 credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

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 Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

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 Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

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:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

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 illuminate many sides of this issue.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.com/) Support the show

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 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.com/) Support the show

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 Story Embers updates, swag, and more!Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

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.com/) Support the show

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 credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

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/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the showSupport the show

“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 Embers)- 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.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

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 Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

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 more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Positive Motivation - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

Welcome to a special edition of our podcast in conjunction with our article series and book study on Sara Ella’s Coral. Today Brianna Storm Hilvety, Mariposa Aristeo, and James Noller sit down with the author to discuss her experience while writing the novel. Sara gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what inspired her ideas and explains how she balanced sensitive issues like depression and suicide with her love of fairy tales.Show notes:- For more book promotion and platform help, listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast! (https://www.authormedia.com/novel-marketing/)- Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/se-podcast-52-interview-with-sara-ella-about-coral)- 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.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

 Edits that affect your entire manuscript can be daunting. How do you know what to change, when to change it, and whether you’ve fixed the problem? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss how to manage large-scale revisions and find the motivation to edit when you’re overwhelmed. Show notes:- For more book promotion and platform help, listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast! (https://www.authormedia.com/novel-marketing/)- Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/se-podcast-51-ho…during-revisions/)- 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.com/) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Support the show

 In today’s episode, the panelists celebrate Story Embers’ fourth anniversary with a walk down memory lane and a heartfelt goodbye to current podcast host, Grace Livingston. Josiah, Daeus, and Grace reminisce about Story Embers’ development from a daring concept to the site’s launch in 2018, and Lori shares how our mission drew her in years later. They reflect on how Story Embers has shaped them personally, grown their knowledge of storytelling, and more. Show notes:- For more book promotion and platform help, listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast! (https://www.authormedia.com/novel-marketing/)- Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/se-podcast-50-reflecting-on-four-years-of-story-embers/)- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Legendary - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

In today’s episode, Josiah, Daeus, and Lori tackle a common storytelling obstacle: forgettable themes. They discuss examples of underwhelming themes, propose possible causes, and give advice on how to ensure that your story’s theme is relatable and impactful. Show notes:- For more book promotion and platform help, listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast! (https://www.authormedia.com/novel-marketing/)- Learn more about The Resonant Themes Summit--registration closes April 17th! (https://storyembers.org/summit/) - Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/se-podcast-49-how-to-avoid-forgettable-themes/)- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Legendary - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show

Engaging fiction comes from a fountain of creativity within the author, but ideas gush out more fluidly on some days than others. In today’s episode, Josiah, Mariposa, and Lori share the habits that keep their imaginations primed for use and give tips to help other writers through dry spells. Show notes:- For more book promotion and platform help, listen to the Novel Marketing Podcast! (https://www.authormedia.com/novel-marketing/)- Read Lori's article "5 Classroom Techniques Writers Can Adopt to Improve Creativity"! (https://storyembers.org/5-classroom-techniques-writers-can-adopt-to-improve-creativity/)- Comment on this episode on our blog! (https://storyembers.org/se-podcast-48-embracing-your-inner-creativity/)- Become a supporter and get access to exclusive Story Embers updates, swag, and more! (https://www.patreon.com/storyembers)Music credits:Legendary - Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com/) Support the show