Lies Christian Writers Believe 📖 Christian Fiction Writing Tips from a Published Author

[@jcandye1]

In writing my novel, I prayed about how I was worried that I couldn't glorify Him with it, and clearly but inaudibly I heard, "Just show love." He is love, and we can share that with others. Thank you so much for this video! I really needed it.

[@courtneykleefeld7717]

Whenever the thought "I'm not a good enough writer" comes up, reply with, "Good enough for who?" and "What is good enough?" Your writing will never be good enough for critics because they will always find something wrong with it. But we can find comfort in the Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way, and God will help us find the readers who like the book. That's one way to know it is good enough. And when you ask the question, "What is good enough?" there is never a real answer, unless you find a reasonable answer like, "Is it true, is it engaging, is it interesting, is it lovely? Is it noble?" and then "Is it well-proof-read, and are the characters believable? Is the plot believable or entertaining?" Thank you so much for this video. Your perspective keeps on challenging me to return to the roots of the gospel instead of watering down the truth to please an audience.

[@CareenasAdventures]

This! This is so good. You are so right. It's so tempting to try and please everyone, instead of trusting that God will bring it to the people who will be blessed by it.

[@ldunham2485]

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am planning on self publishing my first book. It is a devotional aimed to bless families who are caring for an autistic child. I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. Thankyou for kindly reminding me that my story needs to be told. You have made my day brighter! God bless you.

[@abbafatherswarriorprincess3627]

You're SO encouraging. Thank you so much, dear sister! I'm on page 56 of a diary-style Christian novel that I'm writing. It's my very first book and, although fictional, it's inspired by my own life and how Jesus took me out of the world and brought me into His Kingdom. May God continue to bless you and yours abundantly! Much love Celeste

[@CareenasAdventures]

Sounds like a wonderful story! I love the idea of a autobiographically-inspired Christian novel.

[@mljezierski]

I'm working on my first book. After talking with a non Christian friend of mine on why she doesn't want to become a Christian, she has inspired me to add some of her issues to my story and have the main characters have the same issues and give them a way to overcome and eventually accept Christ as savior. The big issue she has is she had a bad experience with someone who was supposed to be a Christian and this has turned her off the most. Unfortunately, I hear this from many others. I have also asked this same friend to beta read my story when done. Thanks for your videos, they help a lot.

[@donharder5449]

I'm a writer and also venturing into Christian writing can we share our work as beta readers ?

[@CareenasAdventures]

What a great concept, Misty! I think the topic of overcoming those issues is a wonderful one to be incorporating into Christian fiction.

[@slcollazo.2911]

I love your content and maturity in Christ. I came across your videos by searching KZbin on how to write a Christian Romance Novel. The Lord gave me the title several years ago and then prompted me to write it this year. In 2022, at 58-years old, I became a self-published author to my Christian Devotional. I also wrote my Autobiography under my Pen Name, which are ranking 5-stars on Amazon. Keep sharing what you’re doing, Sweetheart. You’re AMAZING! 👍🙏💞

[@MrVlandus]

Thank you. I need to bring more light into my fantasy world. Thank you for reminding me.

[@hapruitt.anelthalien]

Yes, it is hard to get past feeling like the story isn't good.

[@maddiejones4417]

Thank you so much for your channel and how your faith really shows, Careena. You're my favorite authortube alongside Jerry Jenkins. God bless you richly.

[@erinmanning1231]

Thank you for sharing these words. I am praying for you and your success in all that you do 🤍

[@Writing4Jesus247]

Awesome verses, awesome truths!! Thank you, Careena! I've had some setbacks with printing my book, but I think I'm over the hump! People may fail, but God is forever FAITHFUL! HE TRULY WORKS EVERYTHING FOR GOOD! Now I see the setbacks I had made things easier for me now :)

[@user-ig2qo6he3c]

Hello, new follower here, just discovered you 👋 keep going with this channel, sister 🙏

[@markedelylumbao1609]

Thank you and this is encouraging and really, really came at a right time. Thank you for letting God use you and posting these and even writing. Out of the abundance the heart the mouth speaks and the hand well... writes or do. Taking something from the Heart of God, our Heavenly Father and putting what we received into our own hearts out for people to see and read. Preparing the soil of their hearts to receive the seeds God will sow. Stories are possibilities, Words and yearnings from the human heart. What is in there that points to Him and His Good News. I want to be a writer with such a philosophy, walking and writing it out. God as willing as He always is to let me do things He has called us to do... I'm even more excited to write with God again thanks to you. Father and child bonding y'know? Take care, have a good day and God bless you.

[@CareenasAdventures]

This comment is an answer to prayer. Thank you for encouraging me! Praise God for using the fruit of His grace in my life to speak to you! May you be blessed on your writing journeys 💕

[@markedelylumbao1609]

@@CareenasAdventures Thank you its been a privilege and honor hearing that and being used by God in such a way. Its something that I heard from God last night or well, received from His word. Having doubts and seeing this post encouraged me. You know how people love testimonies and their real life stories? Our testimonies? They are stories written by God! We are God's poema. The Word is said to be God breathed and written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. I love the work of His hands. People who walk with God in agreement are living inspired by the Word. Now as dearly beloved children, it would be amazing to build with and like Him! To God be the glory! We can't make this up but He's really THE Writer. May God richly bless you in your journeys as well. He truly cares and loves us, hearing even our smallest worries and providing. Once again, thank you. Sorry for the long post, this is partly your fault for encouraging me. Hope this blesses. Live well and prosper in the Lord, miss.

[@myladychaos]

2:05 As you were talking about how God would not call us to do something if He basically didn't have a plan for it, God reminded me of Philippians 1:6 which says "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." I had to pause and get up to look up that very scripture because we've read it several times in our women's bible study (its called Flourish and is beautiful and rekindled some of my lukewarm faith), but it never meant so much to me as it now does. I've been writing a fantasy novel which will be part of a larger series for about five or six years now, restarting and refocusing my goal, and recently I had to kind of readjust my mindset to keep Christ at the focus (cause He ain't letting me do this without him, no way sir XD). Because of all the setbacks, and feeling afraid to get lost in my own wants for this story rather than His, this verse just hit home for me and made be break into sobs rigth as I read it with a new pair of lense. This entire story and the universe around it, began with fifteen year old me wanting to honor and give glory to Christ in this alagorical, C.S. Lewis inspired story I had cooking in my head, and I truly believe as it hasn't died like some of my fanfic ideas or other stories, that this is something He wants me to continued to work through. Being reminded that he began this journey, is just so encouraging to me as now I'm reminded that if I pursue Him diligently, He will see these stories through to completetion, and I plan to keep him at the helm. So thank you so much for this video! I honestly wasn't entirely sure I'd have much to glean from it when I first clicked it, but God is so good in how He works and reminds us through the little things saying "I got you baby girl. Let's do this!"

[@CareenasAdventures]

💕📖

[@courtneyj9906]

#1 about it being too preachy is one of my biggest fears. I also have the opposite of it being too worldly as a fear, too. My plot is kinda intended to be something like a prodigal in which the characters grow up in the faith, but have a long season (about a decade or so) of backsliding and almost giving up the faith, and coming back to the faith of their youth having learned some hard lessons. But also being able to look back and see that God had a hand in their lives even in their seasons of rebellion. So I’m struggling with the balance. But also if I’m going to have a mainly Christian audience, would writing about characters, even with as little detail as possible, doing sinful things be wrong and a stumbling block?

[@CareenasAdventures]

I think it would depend on how it was handled. I definitely think portraying characters who make a lot of bad choices can be a stumbling block, regardless of whether or not it is for a Christian audience. However, that isn't to say you can't have characters who have made some bad decisions in the past. I think it would depend on how much time the mistakes take up in the story and how they are handled. If the emphasis is on where the character is now versus how they used to be, it could be a wonderful story of redemption! Also, if your audience is a little older (say college age for example), you might be able to go into a little more detail than if it was for younger readers. Don't give up! Trust that God will lead you as you craft this story for Him.

[@Pallas1211]

Same!

[@christinesanderson7819]

Hey thank you for such amazing encouragement. May God continually bless you in all that you do x

[@marianocastro3430]

Hi, may I ask if you used a literary agent to get published? Thank you for your video. I just finished writing a Christian novel and am in the publishing part.

[@CareenasAdventures]

I did not use a literary agent because I chose to self-publish. If you're not sure whether you want to self publish or traditionally publish, I made a video outlining some of the pros and cons of each!

[@bailujen8052]

A bible verse to improve your fiction, Philippians 4:13

[@maryw6271]

Thank you so much for this video! May I ask you a question? I want to write a Christian Romance novel but not sure how many words it should be? And chapters? Can you help?

[@CareenasAdventures]

Certainly! A novel is generally at least 50K words, although according to my research they can be as short as 40K words. As far as chapters, that depends on how long the chapters are. My novels are usually between 15 and 20 chapters, but some genres such as fantasy are usually longer and have many more chapters. Hope this helps!

[@maryw6271]

@@CareenasAdventures Thank you so much! ❤️😊 God bless

[@goldenauthor]

Actually, I have a question, I'm a Christian, I just finished this book. It's a pure romance. The Male lead is a Christian. I wanted to show the love a Christian has through him, but on the last chapter, there was a kiss between him and his love interest, I aimed at making it as pure as possible but I'm so worried that it might be interpreted badly by others and lead them to think badly. I don't know...any advice?

[@CareenasAdventures]

There will always be a possibility of something in a story being interpreted wrong. Follow the spirit, get input from trusted friends, and let God take the rest!

[@goldenauthor]

@@CareenasAdventures Thank you. You're awesome!

[@matthewmusgrave6673]

I've been wondering if the thought, "my book is too sad and depressing for Christian readers," is a lie but I guess I'll find out when I send it to my beta readers.

[@CareenasAdventures]

Tragedy can certainly be used to God's glory, as evidenced by many stories in the Bible. However, balance is key for the story being productive and non melodramatic. Beta readers will definitely help you figure out how the balance of tragedy and hope might need to be adjusted. Hope this helps. Happy writing! 💕📖