Christian Indie Writers

Podcast Home

Jenifer Carll-Tong

284: Writing the Villain: Can a Bad Guy Point to Christ?

What makes a villain truly villainous? And how can Christian storytellers write villains that both challenge their heroes and point readers toward deeper spiritual truths?

In this episode, we explore the art of crafting compelling villains in faith-driven fiction. We start by unpacking what separates a simple antagonist from a true villain — and why villains are often essential to driving a story forward. From Shakespeare’s Iago to Star Wars’ Darth Vader, we look at iconic villains across literature and film and ask: what makes them unforgettable?

[Read more…] about 284: Writing the Villain: Can a Bad Guy Point to Christ?

Put God First in Your Writing Habit

As writers—especially Christian writers—it’s easy to get swept up in word counts, deadlines, marketing plans, and the ever-tempting chase of genre trends. But if we’re not careful, we’ll forget the very reason we were called to write in the first place. The heart of it all is simple: put God first in your writing habit.

[Read more…] about Put God First in Your Writing Habit

283: 5 Ways to Save Your Characters Without Ruining Your Story

So, we’ve convinced you to heap trouble upon your characters, and now you’ve gotten them into a real fix! The question is, how do you untangle this mass of complications, peril, or genuine disaster you’ve created? This week, the ladies have five techniques you can use to save your characters while preserving the believability and relatability you have worked so hard to cultivate earlier in the story. 

[Read more…] about 283: 5 Ways to Save Your Characters Without Ruining Your Story

282: The Meta Piracy Controversy

If you’re anywhere on social media, you’ve likely encountered The Atlantic’s article about META scraping millions of books and scientific papers to train its AI, without giving a dime of compensation to the authors. One of our hosts has fallen victim to this scheme, and we’re going to talk about it today. Ready or not, AI is here, and it’s coming after our creative works. What are the ramifications, and what can the Indie Author do about it?

The Power of Back Matter: A Guide for Indie Authors

As authors, we pour our hearts into crafting compelling stories, but what happens after “The End” matters just as much as what comes before it. The back matter—the content that follows the final words of your book—plays a crucial role in engaging readers, driving future sales, and building a loyal audience. Let’s break down what back matter is, why it’s important, and what it should (and shouldn’t) include.

[Read more…] about The Power of Back Matter: A Guide for Indie Authors

280: How to Add Conflict to Your Story

This week we’re exploring conflict in the second of two episodes about this meaty topic. At the end of these two shows, it is our hope that you will learn to embrace conflict as an author. This week, we’re talking all about the basics of conflict – why is it necessary? What does it add to your story? It’s sure to be an episode you do not want to miss.

279: The Importance of Conflict

This week we’re exploring conflict in the first of two episodes about this meaty topic. At the end of these two shows, it is our hope that you will learn to embrace conflict as an author. This week, we’re talking all about the basics of conflict – why is it necessary? What does it add to your story? It’s sure to be an episode you do not want to miss.

So, You Want to Write a Novel? Here’s How to Get Started

Have you ever felt that spark of inspiration—the deep desire to write a novel but weren’t sure where to begin? If so, you’re not alone! Whether you have a clear story idea or are still searching for inspiration, this blog is packed with practical tips to help you take that first step.

[Read more…] about So, You Want to Write a Novel? Here’s How to Get Started

277: Top 10 Romance Tropes and Why They Work

In this Valentine’s edition of the Christian Indie Writers’ Podcast, we dive into the top 10 most popular romance tropes and explore why they continue to captivate readers. From the sizzling tension of Enemies to Lovers to the heartwarming journey of Friends to Lovers, we break down what makes these classic story elements so effective. Whether you’re a romance writer looking for inspiration, a non-romance writer looking to add a little love to your story, or a reader who can’t get enough of these beloved tropes, this episode is packed with insights, writerly wisdom, and, as always, a few laughs along the way.

Facebook
RSS