How to Write a Blackest Moment in Fiction & Why Your Character Needs to Fail

How to Write a Blackest Moment in Fiction & Why Your Character Needs to Fail

Think your character has to be perfect for readers to love them? If you’ve been trying to write clean fiction with strong, likable characters — but your story still feels flat, predictable, or emotionally disconnected — you’re not alone. And honestly, the problem might be that your character’s life is just too easy. In this episode, I’m sharing why your character needs to fail, what a blackest moment actually is, and how disasters and dilemmas create the emotional depth readers connect with most. I’ll walk you through practical ways to raise the stakes in your middle grade or YA novel while still writing clean, faith-aligned fiction full of heart, growth, and emotional tension. We’ll talk about: • What a blackest moment is and why every story needs one • Why flawed characters are more relatable than perfect ones • How disasters and dilemmas create emotional depth • Why hard choices and consequences keep readers invested • How false confidence makes your blackest moment hit harder emotionally You do not have to write perfect characters to write meaningful stories. You can write characters who struggle, fail, grow, and keep going — and honestly, those are often the stories readers remember most. Your stories matter. And it’s not too late to start. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Grab the Middle Grade Magic Workbook: 👉 https://bit.ly/middlegrademagic [https://bit.ly/middlegrademagic] Sponsored by Sera Craven Mystery #1 — The Case of the Missing Person: 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Case-Missing-Person-Craven-Mystery/dp/1727391764 [https://www.amazon.com/Case-Missing-Person-Craven-Mystery/dp/1727391764] Grab the FREE Social Media Safety Workbook: 👉 https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/socialmediasafety [https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/socialmediasafety] Join the Novel Writing for Christians community: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians [https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians] Join the email list for encouragement and writing tips: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter [https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter]

How to Write a Clean Middle Grade Novel That Kids Actually Want to Read

Think clean middle grade fiction can’t keep readers hooked? If you’ve been trying to write middle grade or YA fiction that’s exciting without relying on profanity, graphic scenes, or inappropriate content — feeling unsure whether readers will actually stay engaged — you’re not alone. And trying to figure this out on your own can keep you stuck longer than you need to be. In this episode, I’m sharing how to write a clean middle grade novel kids genuinely want to read — while still honoring your Christian values and keeping your stories full of adventure, heart, mystery, and emotional depth. I’ll walk you through a few key elements that make clean fiction work, especially if you’re a Christian writer who wants to create meaningful stories without compromising your faith. We’ll talk about: • Creating a main character readers truly connect with • Why quirks and unique traits make characters unforgettable • How to include adult guidance in middle grade fiction without losing tension • Why clean fiction can still have cliffhangers, danger, twists, and emotional depth • Using the read-aloud test to protect the integrity of your story You don’t have to compromise your faith to write compelling fiction. You can start small. You can start where you are. But you don’t have to do this alone. Your story matters. And it’s not too late to start. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Grab the Middle Grade Magic Workbook: 👉 https://bit.ly/middlegrademagic [https://bit.ly/middlegrademagic] Sponsored by Sera Craven Mystery #1 — The Case of the Missing Person: 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Case-Missing-Person-Craven-Mystery/dp/1727391764 [https://www.amazon.com/Case-Missing-Person-Craven-Mystery/dp/1727391764] Grab the FREE Social Media Safety Workbook: 👉 https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/socialmediasafety [https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/socialmediasafety] Join the Novel Writing for Christians community: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians [https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians] Join the email list for encouragement and writing tips: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter [https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter]

How to Overcome Fear of Technology and Finally Finish Your Book (with Donna Sherrie)

Is technology is one more obstacle standing between you and writing your book? If you’ve been trying to figure out things like writing software, publishing platforms, websites, or even basic tech tools… feeling overwhelmed, intimidated, or wondering if you’re “too behind” to learn it all — you’re not alone. And trying to navigate the tech side of writing alone can keep you stuck longer than you need to be. In this episode, I’m joined by special guest Donna Sherrie — author, book writing coach, and host of the globally ranked podcast Book Writing Made Simple. Donna helps women of faith write and finish their books using Holy Spirit-led strategies, and in today’s conversation, we’re talking about overcoming fear of technology, simplifying the writing process, and moving forward with confidence even when the tech side of writing feels intimidating. This episode is especially for Christian authors, writers, and empty nesters who know God placed a story on their heart — but feel overwhelmed by all the technology that seems to come with modern writing and publishing. We’ll talk about: • Why fear of technology keeps so many Christian writers stuck • How to simplify the writing and publishing process • Why you do not need to master technology before you begin writing • Practical encouragement for moving forward with confidence, one step at a time You don’t have to let fear of technology stop you from stewarding your story. You can start small. You can learn as you go. But you don’t have to do this alone. Your story matters. And it’s not too late to start. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Connect with Donna Sherrie and listen to Book Writing Made Simple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-writing-made-simple-how-to-write-a-book/id1656633293]👉Grab her book - Untarnished [https://www.amazon.com/UNTARNISHED-Reclaiming-worth-through-Untainted/dp/1949826376/] Join the Novel Writing for Christians community: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians [https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians] Join the email list for encouragement and writing tips: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter [https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter]

Why You’re Distracted From Writing — And The Shift That Changed Everything for Me

Tired of trying to make time for writing while everyone else’s needs keep coming first? If you’ve been trying to write your book between volunteering, caregiving, housework, errands, and exhaustion… feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or wondering why writing always seems to end up at the bottom of the list — you’re not alone. And trying to figure this out alone can keep you stuck longer than you need to be. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I approach writing — especially as a Christian woman who spent years believing writing was selfish or less important than everyone else’s needs. I’ll walk you through the deeper reason many Christian writers struggle with distraction and how learning to treat writing like obedience instead of indulgence helped me finally protect the calling God placed on my life. This episode is especially for Christian authors, writers, and empty nesters who are ready to stop pushing their stories to the back burner and finally move forward with novel writing for Christians. We’ll talk about: • Why distraction may actually be a permission problem • The hidden guilt many Christian women carry around creativity • Why you do not have to earn the right to write • The one mindset shift that helped me start treating writing as a calling instead of a hobby You don’t have to keep treating writing like the leftover scraps of your life. You can start small. You can start where you are. But you don’t have to do this alone. Your story matters. And it’s not too late to start. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Join the Novel Writing for Christians community: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians [https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians] Grab the Author Mindset Checklist: 👉 https://bit.ly/authormindsetchecklist [https://bit.ly/authormindsetchecklist] Join the email list for encouragement and writing tips: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter [https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter] This week's episode was sponored by Fatal Fixer-Upper, grab your copy - https://a.co/d/03Vv9BMU [https://a.co/d/03Vv9BMU]

Stumped On Writing Dialogue? 3 Powerful Tips To Get Your Characters Talking

Sick of trying to figure out how to get your characters talking when you’ve never written a book before? If you’ve been thinking about writing a book but feel stuck when it comes to dialogue, unsure what your characters should say, or wondering how to make your story sound natural — you’re not alone. And trying to figure this out on your own can keep you stuck longer than you need to be. In this episode, I’m sharing three powerful tips to help you get your characters talking — along with examples from my own writing. I’ll walk you through simple, practical ways to approach dialogue to help you move forward with novel writing for Christians — especially if you’ve been wanting to write your book but don’t know how to bring your characters to life on the page. We’ll talk about: • Why knowing your character is the foundation for writing dialogue • How to use simple verbal tags to make your characters sound real • How dialogue helps tell your story instead of just describing everything • How to write clean dialogue that still feels natural and engaging You don’t have to feel stuck when it comes to writing dialogue. You can start small. You can start where you are. But you don’t have to do this alone. Your story matters. And it’s not too late to start. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Join the Novel Writing for Christians community: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians [https://bit.ly/novelwritingforchristians] Join the email list for encouragement and writing tips: 👉 https://bit.ly/novelnewsletterhttps://bit.ly/novelnewsletter [https://bit.ly/novelnewsletter] Sponored by Fatal Fixer-Upper -https://a.co/d/092EOCBN [https://a.co/d/092EOCBN]