Story Embers Podcast
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!
Episodes
79 episodes
Finale: Navigating Change as a Writer
The time has come for the grand finale of the Story Embers Podcast!To celebrate the last five years of the podcast and to reflect on this big season of change for Story Embers, podcast host James Noller sat down with Josiah DeGraaf, Mari...
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Season 3
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Episode 79
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37:03
How to Craft Memorable Characters (with Amanda Dykes, Laurie Lucking, and Faith Blum)
Join Christian authors Amanda Dykes, Laurie Lucking and Faith Blum as they share advice on: how to make characters unique from each other how to write redemption arcs how to tackle character dialogue...
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Season 3
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Episode 78
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56:24
How to Craft Impactful Themes (with Kerry Nietz, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Lori Z. Scott)
Listen to expert advice from Christian authors Kerry Nietz, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Lori Z. Scott as they show you:how to discover the theme of your story how to write about God authentically in fictionho...
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Season 3
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Episode 77
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52:34
Building Suspense that Grips Readers (with JJ Fischer, Ann Marie Stewart and CJ Milacci)
Join award-winning authors J.J. Fischer, Ann Marie Stewart and C.J. Milacci as they reveal how to build suspense in every chapter of your novel, how to turn sagging middles into tension-pounding scenes, how suspense works differently in romance...
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Season 3
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Episode 76
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1:01:01
How to Cultivate Deep Thinking as a Writer
Great stories require deep thinking. But how can you create space for deep thoughts in a world filled with distractions and other commitments?In today’s episode, Lori, Martin, and Daeus give some key insight into cultivating deep thought...
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Season 3
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Episode 75
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34:52
How to Create 3-Dimensional Characters
How do you create characters who are dynamic, unpredictable, and who leap off the page? In today’s episode, Martin, Lori, and Daeus discuss what makes a nuanced, well-rounded character – and how to avoid the pitfalls of a boring pro...
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Season 3
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Episode 74
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23:45
How the Bible Inspires a Writer’s Creativity
If the Bible reveals a creative God, how does His Word inspire and expand a writer’s creativity?In today’s episode, Daeus, Lori, and Martin explore how to ground your creative life in Scripture and how to depict characters who both are a...
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Season 3
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Episode 73
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29:28
The Concept of Coming Home within Christian Fiction
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 Chr...
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Season 3
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Episode 72
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22:51
Creating Nail-Biting Cliffhangers
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?
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Season 3
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Episode 71
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16:13
How Should Christian Writers View Fame and Success?
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 70
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24:29
How to Become a Servant-Hearted Writer
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 69
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22:18
Writing Stories That Celebrate Wholeness and Human Flourishing
Like 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 read...
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Season 3
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Episode 68
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26:38
A Writer's Role in the Body of Christ
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? Liste...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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32:06
Short Stories as Preparation for Writing Novels
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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20:48
Who Is Your Story for?
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 tod...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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21:20
Finding Unique and Surprising Plots
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 tha...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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19:42
Creating Tragic Heroes
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 in...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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18:22
Can Christians Fit into Genre Boxes?
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?...
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Season 3
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Episode 62
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19:43
Drawing Themes from Your Own Life
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 betw...
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Season 3
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Episode 61
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20:20
Chapters, Scenes, and Pacing
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.Sh...
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Season 3
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Episode 60
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36:39
Sympathetic Villains and Antiheroes
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 w...
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Season 3
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Episode 59
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35:02
Make Your Writing Goals for 2023
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. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 58
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34:46
Reflecting on Advent and the Season of Hope
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 o...
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Season 3
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Episode 57
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30:28
What Are You Consuming?
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 work...
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Season 3
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Episode 56
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30:37
How to Show and Not Tell the Gospel in Fiction
“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 di...
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Season 3
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Episode 55
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30:53