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.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stumped-on-writing-dialogue-3-powerful-tips-to-get/id1787164915?i=1000767558416

Does outlining your novel feel overwhelming… like you have to figure everything out before you even start writing? If you’ve been trying to figure out how to write a book but keep getting stuck at the outlining stage — unsure where to begin or how to structure your story — you’re not alone. And this is where many Christian writers lose momentum before they ever get started. In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple, step-by-step way to outline your story — without overthinking it or making it more complicated than it needs to be. This approach comes straight from my Middle Grade Magic workbook, and while it’s designed for middle grade and YA, these principles work for any novel. What we cover: - How to start with your main character and build your story from there• Why your character needs to fail — and how that shapes your plot• The moment that changes everything (and how to identify it)• Simple ways to make your characters feel real and relatable• How to identify your story’s lowest moment• How to keep your outline simple so you can actually move forward You don’t need a complicated outline to write a meaningful story. You just need a clear path — and the confidence to take the next step. You can start small. You can build as you go. And you don’t have to figure this out on your own. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Get your free book — The Girl Who Didn’t Exist:👉 https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/thegirlwhodidntexistbook Middle Grade Magic Workbook (step-by-step outlining help):👉 https://kgauthor.myflodesk.com/middleschoolmagic

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sick-of-trying-to-become-an-author-alone-a-better/id1787164915?i=1000760229127 If you’ve been trying to figure out how to write your book — piecing things together, second guessing your next step, or feeling stuck because you don’t know how it all fits — you’re not alone. And trying to do this alone?It often keeps you stuck longer than you need to be. In this week’s podcast episode, I’m sharing part of my own journey — what it looked like when I tried to do everything on my own… and what changed when I finally stopped. I’ll also walk you through a simple, practical framework for writing your novel — especially if you’re a Christian writer who wants to move forward without compromising your faith or feeling overwhelmed. Inside the episode, we talk about: • Why doing this alone leads to spinning your wheels• How to find the right kind of support as a Christian writer• What it actually looks like to treat your writing like a real priority• Why investing in your growth matters (even if you’re starting later than you hoped) You don’t have to choose between honoring your faith and writing a meaningful, engaging story. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself. You can start small.You can start where you are.But you don’t have to start alone. Your story matters — and it’s time to move forward.

Have you ever read a novel where a character has PTSD or anxiety… but it doesn’t actually affect how they think, act, or relate to others? If you’ve been trying to figure out how to write a book with characters who feel real — not flat or unrealistic — you’re not alone. And this is one area many Christian writers struggle to get right. In this episode, I’m joined by Lori Owens from the podcast Practical Solutions for PTSD, and we’re talking about what most writers miss when it comes to portraying trauma on the page. We’re looking at how PTSD and anxiety actually show up in everyday life — and how you can bring that depth into your story in a way that feels authentic, compassionate, and grounded. This is especially important for novel writing for Christians who want to write meaningful stories without oversimplifying real struggles. What we cover: - Why trauma affects more than just a character’s backstory• How PTSD and anxiety influence thoughts, reactions, and relationships• Everyday coping behaviors that make characters feel real and relatable• How trauma shows up in the body, emotions, and beliefs about trust and safety You don’t have to guess your way through writing hard topics.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-trauma-informed-characters-with-guest/id1787164915?i=1000758626878

Let’s play a little This or That: Writer Style! 👇 Pick one and tell us why in the comments. Pen & Paper or Typing?