Write for a Reason
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- 28 Oct 2026
À propos du podcast
For Christians new to writing novels for kids and teens. Creative writing tips, encouragement and inspiration from Janet Wilson, writer, speaker, and publisher of Christian fiction for young people. Get ready to take your writing to the next level! You can do it - all you need is a bit of help. Don't miss out!
Épisodes 74
What Does Your Protagonist Need?
Send us Fan MailWhat does your protagonist need?At the beginning of your story, your protagonist may or may not want or need anything particular, but if something doesn't happen that will jerk him or her …
Notes de l’épisode
What does your protagonist need?
At the beginning of your story, your protagonist may or may not want or need anything particular, but if something doesn't happen that will jerk him or her into action, you won't have much of a story.
We all have physical needs - warmth, shelter, clothing, air, medical help, food, clean water, safety. We also have emotional and spiritual needs - we need to love and be loved, to matter, to use the gifts God has given us.
Your protagonist may have any type of need, depending on the genre of the novel you are writing . . . physical, emotional, spiritual, community-related or all of the above and perhaps a few other things, too!
There will probably be one over-arching want/need, though. So, what is the one main thing that your protagonist lacks, that will make him act?
Does he need to find out why his mother died? Does he need to find out what the message in the bottle means? Is she desperately seeking forgiveness/love/acceptance? Will he gain significance from solving the crime? Does she need release from fear? Does he need to get to a place of safety (and save others, too)?
This main need of your protagonist, and their search to get it, will be your story. So what's yours? :-)
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Times to Write
Send us Fan MailWhat time works best for you, to write?Maybe there's more than one!In this episode we look at how you can get into the habit of writing daily, but also how to grab other moments when you …
Notes de l’épisode
What time works best for you, to write?
Maybe there's more than one!
In this episode we look at how you can get into the habit of writing daily, but also how to grab other moments when you feel the inspiration flowing.
Enjoy!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)25 Quick Writing Tips for Christians Writing Stories for Kids and Teens
Send us Fan MailOver the summer I sent out 5 quick writing tips every Monday to my email list. Nothing detailed – a bit like proverbs, perhaps!I have put all 25 into a neat list for you and turned them into …
Notes de l’épisode
Over the summer I sent out 5 quick writing tips every Monday to my email list. Nothing detailed – a bit like proverbs, perhaps!
I have put all 25 into a neat list for you and turned them into this podcast.
I hope you will find them useful! If you do, make sure you subscribe to the podcast, and if you'd be kind enough to leave a review, that would be wonderful. Thank you!
Every blessing,
Janet
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)5 Basic Essentials for Writing Stories for Kids and Teens
Send us Fan MailThere are many elements we need to get right with our stories, but there are some basic essentials that will make or break our novels.I hope this podcast will help you make sure you have at …
Notes de l’épisode
There are many elements we need to get right with our stories, but there are some basic essentials that will make or break our novels.
I hope this podcast will help you make sure you have at least these 5 elements just right for your readers!
Don't forget to subscribe... and I'll see you next time.
Oh, and at the end of this episode I have a very special offer for you, so make sure you don't miss out!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Ten Top Tips for Writing Tight Sentences
Send us Fan MailTight SentencesAs in every area of art, writing tight sentences is not an exact science, but I hope some pointers in the right direction might help you with your work in progress.The aim of …
Notes de l’épisode
Tight SentencesAs in every area of art, writing tight sentences is not an exact science, but I hope some pointers in the right direction might help you with your work in progress.
The aim of writing tight sentences is to help with clarity and pace, and increase reader enjoyment of your novel. Authors who write tight sentences show their readers exactly what's happening without wandering around. Readers won't be bored or puzzled. They won't have to go back to check who did what, where and when. They will know exactly how the characters feel and the reasons for their actions. Clarity is the key.
I trust this will help you with your work in progress!
Janet
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Surprises in Your Story
Send us Fan MailSome surprises in stories can be good - some can be bad.Listen in and get some tips for your own novel, to make sure you are thrilling your readers with some great surprises!Support the showLike …
Notes de l’épisode
Some surprises in stories can be good - some can be bad.
Listen in and get some tips for your own novel, to make sure you are thrilling your readers with some great surprises!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)A Few Thoughts on Characters
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing …
Notes de l’épisode
Welcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing stories for kids and teens, stay tuned for encouragement, creative writing tips and actionable strategies you can implement immediately to become a better writer, and get your books out into the world.
Characters are a very important part of your novel - if you don't get these right, you could lose your readers.
But how many characters do you need? How many is too many? How old should they be? What is a 'guide' - and should you include one?
Listen to this podcast and be inspired!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Tips on Writing Great Dialogue
Send us Fan MailSome writers are great at dialogue - others find it more challenging. Here are some tips to help you write dialogue that will move your story forward, help your readers to get to know your …
Notes de l’épisode
Some writers are great at dialogue - others find it more challenging. Here are some tips to help you write dialogue that will move your story forward, help your readers to get to know your characters better, and bring in lots of emotion.
Enjoy!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Compelling Settings
Send us Fan MailThe setting of our story is important!Janet Wilson of Dernier Publishing (Christian fiction for kids and teens) discusses the importance of choosing a compelling setting to enhance your story …
Notes de l’épisode
The setting of our story is important!
Janet Wilson of Dernier Publishing (Christian fiction for kids and teens) discusses the importance of choosing a compelling setting to enhance your story, and how it can increase reader engagement.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Descriptions - 7 Quick Tips
Send us Fan MailGetting descriptions right can be tricky. Janet Wilson of Dernier Publishing gives 7 tips to help you write great descriptions for your stories.Support the showLike to do my free writing course …
Notes de l’épisode
Getting descriptions right can be tricky. Janet Wilson of Dernier Publishing gives 7 tips to help you write great descriptions for your stories.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Do You Need an Antagonist?
Send us Fan MailDo you need an antagonist in your story? Not necessarily!Listen to this podcast episode to find some other ways of introducing conflict into your stories.Support the showLike to do my free …
Notes de l’épisode
Do you need an antagonist in your story?
Not necessarily!
Listen to this podcast episode to find some other ways of introducing conflict into your stories.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Weaving a Message into Your Story
Send us Fan MailIn one of our recent Writers for a Reason Unite groups, one of the things we talked about was weaving a message into our stories. How do we do this gently, with respect? After all, we are not …
Notes de l’épisode
In one of our recent Writers for a Reason Unite groups, one of the things we talked about was weaving a message into our stories. How do we do this gently, with respect? After all, we are not here to persuade, as much as allow readers to think through issues of faith, and make up their own minds.
Of course, as Christians, we would love everyone to share our faith! But not everyone will choose to do so, and that’s between them and God – our job is to simply to share our story.
This episode will help you think about how you can weave a brilliant message into a story your readers will love.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Divide Your Character into Four
Send us Fan MailWe usually start of with a good idea of what our characters look like. But what about other parts of their personality?Here's a writing exercise for you to do, that will help you get to …
Notes de l’épisode
We usually start of with a good idea of what our characters look like. But what about other parts of their personality?
Here's a writing exercise for you to do, that will help you get to know your characters better.
Try this in your writers' groups as well as on your own!
Hear you again soon,
Janet
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)The Changed Character
Send us Fan MailWith your theme and message in mind, how will your protagonist, and any other characters, change during the course of your story? How will they be different at the end, than they were at the …
Notes de l’épisode
With your theme and message in mind, how will your protagonist, and any other characters, change during the course of your story?
How will they be different at the end, than they were at the beginning?
How will you show the difference?Listen to the podcast and get some tips!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Improving the Pace of Your Story
Send us Fan MailKeeping up the pace in our stories is essential, if we want to hold our readers' attention.This is even more true today than it was a few years ago!So how can we do this?Here are some fun …
Notes de l’épisode
Keeping up the pace in our stories is essential, if we want to hold our readers' attention.
This is even more true today than it was a few years ago!
So how can we do this?
Here are some fun creative writing tips, to help your story zip along at a great pace!Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Your Writing Mission Statement
Send us Fan MailThis may sound like a daft question, but knowing who you want to write for, and why, is an important foundation for our writing.We can have what we think is a brilliant idea for a story, but …
Notes de l’épisode
This may sound like a daft question, but knowing who you want to write for, and why, is an important foundation for our writing.
We can have what we think is a brilliant idea for a story, but will it resonate with our target audience?
This episode will help you narrow down your target audience and get your mission statement sorted... resulting in clarity - and that's a wonderful thing!Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Different Voices for Different Characters
Send us Fan MailToday I have a little tip for you, on writing dialogue. Someone was asking me recently about what mistakes I see most often in dialogue, and one of them is that their characters all sound too …
Notes de l’épisode
Today I have a little tip for you, on writing dialogue. Someone was asking me recently about what mistakes I see most often in dialogue, and one of them is that their characters all sound too similar.
The way people speak will denote their character. A bold person, for example, will speak boldly. A timid person will use completely different words, and express them in a different way. The bold person will be direct. The timid person may beat about the bush, go red, fumble and look at the ground. The bold person might fold their arms, stand their ground, and look you in the eye.
So show how your characters are feeling, and their personality, in your dialogue, by their actions as well as their words.Listen to the episode and you might glean a few tips for your own characters, and their dialogue.
Until next time, be blessed!
JanetLike to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Leaving a Legacy with Your Writing
Send us Fan MailWe are leaving a legacy with our writing, whether we are thinking about it or not. So why not be intentional? Listen to this episode and be inspired to change lives with your stories. Support …
Notes de l’épisode
We are leaving a legacy with our writing, whether we are thinking about it or not. So why not be intentional? Listen to this episode and be inspired to change lives with your stories.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Conflicts in Stories
Send us Fan MailWe may avoid conflicts in real life, but in our stories we should embrace them as our best friends, because without conflicts we do not have a story!In this pocast episode we get deeper into …
Notes de l’épisode
We may avoid conflicts in real life, but in our stories we should embrace them as our best friends, because without conflicts we do not have a story!
In this pocast episode we get deeper into conflicts, so grab your writing journal and get ready to take your story to the next level.
Oh, and there are a couple of exercised for you to do!
Enjoy!Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Some Guidelines for Writing Christian Fantasy for Kids
Send us Fan MailHi, Janet Wilson here.The issue with writing fantasy, and how we deal with it as Christians, came up in one of our Writers for a Reason Unite meetings recently.One of our members had been …
Notes de l’épisode
Hi, Janet Wilson here.
The issue with writing fantasy, and how we deal with it as Christians, came up in one of our Writers for a Reason Unite meetings recently.
One of our members had been reading a children’s book, where witchcraft, magic and spells were included in the story. As Christian writers, we’re not going to be including any of these things, of course… but what about fantasy? What about where a character is taken ‘as if by magic’ to another time and place, for example?Where do we draw the line?
Here are some guidelines – feel free to disagree! But let's at least think about these things.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Where Do You Find Inspiration?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Janet looks at the whole subject of inspiration. Sometimes we have to go out looking for inspiration... it doesn't always come when we want it... here's how, and …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode, Janet looks at the whole subject of inspiration.
Sometimes we have to go out looking for inspiration... it doesn't always come when we want it... here's how, and why.
Enjoy!Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)How Often Should You Write?
Send us Fan MailWhat writing times work best for you?How often should you write?The advice write every day is excellent advice!But not for everyone can stick to that, and it can be counter-productive to attempt …
Notes de l’épisode
What writing times work best for you?
How often should you write?
The advice write every day is excellent advice!
But not for everyone can stick to that, and it can be counter-productive to attempt something that doesn’t work with your current lifestyle. It’s depressing to feel you have failed, and totally unnecessary!
Listen to the episode for practical advice for fitting in your writing time with your own personal circumstances... and still get your story done. :-)Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Pinpoint Your Target Audience
Send us Fan MailAsking who you want to write for and why may sound like a really daft question, but when you think about it, it's absolutely foundational to writing a successful story. Listen to this …
Notes de l’épisode
Asking who you want to write for and why may sound like a really daft question, but when you think about it, it's absolutely foundational to writing a successful story.
Listen to this episode and see if you agree!
Oh, and grab your writing journal and a pen, because there's a writing exercise for you. :-)Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Showing Not Telling - Some Ideas to Help You
Send us Fan MailShow not tell is an essential part of creative writing.We all know we need to show not tell, but how exactly do we do that?Here are some ideas to help you.Enjoy - and let me know what you …
Notes de l’épisode
Show not tell is an essential part of creative writing.
We all know we need to show not tell, but how exactly do we do that?
Here are some ideas to help you.
Enjoy - and let me know what you think!Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Keeping on Track and Getting Your Story Done
Send us Fan MailStarting a story is great - finishing is even better! In this episode Janet gives 7 tips to help you keep on track and get your story done.Support the showLike to do my free writing course …
Notes de l’épisode
Starting a story is great - finishing is even better! In this episode Janet gives 7 tips to help you keep on track and get your story done.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)3 Common Mistakes with Dialogue
Send us Fan MailDialogue isn't like real speech - it takes a lot of work!Check you aren't making these three common mistakes with dialogue...And if you find this episode helpful, subscribe to the …
Notes de l’épisode
Dialogue isn't like real speech - it takes a lot of work!
Check you aren't making these three common mistakes with dialogue...
And if you find this episode helpful, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review.
Thank you! :-)Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Surprises and Twists
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing …
Notes de l’épisode
Welcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing stories for kids and teens, stay tuned for encouragement, creative writing tips and actionable strategies you can implement immediately to become a better writer, and get your books out into the world.
Today we’re going to be looking at surprises and twists!
These can deepen the emotional impact of your story, which, of course, is a great thing.
Enjoy, then get adding those surprises...
If you’d like lots more free creative writing tips,hop on over to write-for-a-reason.com, where you will find lots more resources and encouragement to help you write excellent, relevant, fun novels and get them into your readers’ hands.
If you haven’t yet done my free course, Gripping Beginnings, you can sign up and start immediately. This will help you grip your readers from the very first page of your story.
Don't put it off – today is a gift to use wisely! Only you can write your book, and if you have been called to write, someone's waiting for it.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)The Best Way to Approach Descriptions
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing …
Notes de l’épisode
Welcome to the Write for a Reason podcast. My name is Janet Wilson; I'm a publisher of Christian fiction for young people with Dernier Publishing. If you are a Christian, and new to writing stories for kids and teens, stay tuned for encouragement, creative writing tips and actionable strategies you can implement immediately to become a better writer, and get your books out into the world.
The best way to approach descriptions
When setting a scene, it's good to begin with a description of the general panorama before getting to the details. For example, if we have a scene in our novel where our characters are on a beach, we should begin our description with the sky, the cliffs behind, and any background noises and smells (e.g. the salty smell of the sea, the cry of the seagulls).
Once our readers have the big picture in their mind, it's time to bring them in a bit closer; people laughing and splashing in the waves, children building sandcastles, a boy throwing a stick for his dog . . .
Finally we need to zoom right in to show the details of our character and the action that takes place in this scene.
If we go straight to our characters and their actions without first giving a broad picture of the scene, readers might have to revise their mental picture, and that's annoying!
If you’d like lots more free creative writing tips,hop on over to write-for-a-reason.com, where you will find lots more resources and encouragement to help you write excellent, relevant, fun novels and get them into your readers’ hands.
If you haven’t yet done my free course, Gripping Beginnings, you can sign up and start immediately. This will help you grip your readers from the very first page of your story.
Don't put it off – today is a gift to use wisely! Only you can write your book, and if you have been called to write, someone's waiting for it.
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Tips on Chapter Endings
Send us Fan MailChapters cut your story up into manageable chunks, but there are so many brilliant ways of ending them. The aim is to keep your readers turning the pages because they just have to know what …
Notes de l’épisode
Chapters cut your story up into manageable chunks, but there are so many brilliant ways of ending them. The aim is to keep your readers turning the pages because they just have to know what happens next (even after lights out; did you do that? :-)). Even the most desperate of readers may have to break off at some point, and that's usually at a chapter break, so you want to make sure your readers can't wait to get back into the action.
Of course you need a gripping plot and excellent, relevant characters, but the way you set out your chapter endings could make all the difference to your novel's success.
What you really don’t want is a reader to put down your book in the middle, then not pick it up again, because they’re not curious what happens next!So today we will look at some excellent ways to finish your chapters. Some of these you will know intuitively, but some you may not have thought about... come on in and see!
Like to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)Flexing Your Writing Muscles
Send us Fan MailIf you're here, you're writing for a very important reason! Writing Christian books for children is so important.Even so, there can be days, weeks or even months when you just …
Notes de l’épisode
If you're here, you're writing for a very important reason! Writing Christian books for children is so important.
Even so, there can be days, weeks or even months when you just don't seem to be able to get round to write...
In this podcast episode I give you some ideas on how to get writing fit again!
And if you'd like to join the Write for a Reason Zoom training that I mention, click here to find out more and book your place.
Hope to see you there!
Every blessing,
JanetLike to do my free writing course, Gripping Beginnings?
Or perhaps you would like to join our membership group, for support while you write your novel?
Click on this link to find out more.
Oh, and do leave a review on your podcast app - it really does help a lot. Thank you! :-)
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