Writing Evil without Being Overcome
Suffering is an important part of giving your story meaning. But how do we make sure we're writing it well?
Telling a Religious Story Without Being Preachy, Part 2
By Rachel Garner, Staff Writer
Last week, we looked at the problem of “preachiness” in Christian stories, and two major elements to eliminate to avoid coming off as preachy in your own work: Mouthpiece Syndrome and the Willing Recipient. This week, I focus on some other practical ways to address the problem of preachiness, especially when editing important thematic scenes.
Telling a Religious Story Without Being Preachy
By Rachel Garner, Staff Writer
If everything else we write mimics life, then our characters’ faith should too. We have to give characters the dignity of their own opinion. Sometimes they will agree with us, sometimes they won’t. The important thing is that they express it in their terms.
Myths: Still Powerful for Storytelling Today
Justin Ferguson, Guest Contributor:
From the earliest days of the human race, we have told stories to make sense of ourselves, our world, and our place in it. These stories we call myths, and they were told not simply for entertainment, but to understand the nature of life on this planet.
Is There a Right Time to Write?
Angie Fraser, Guest Contributor
Although The One Year Adventure Novel (OYAN) is designed for high school students, we also have many adult students—some college-age, but others who write in the midst of parenting and jobs outside of the home. Angie, in New Zealand, has the distinction of being both the mother of OYAN students and an OYANer herself. We asked her to tell us about what it's like writing a novel as a mom and home-educator.