Write for a Reason
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!
Episodes
56 episodes since 2021
Conflicts in Stories
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 w...
August 08, 2024
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15:28
Some Guidelines for Writing Christian Fantasy for Kids
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 witchcr...
July 24, 2024
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6:30
Where Do You Find Inspiration?
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!
June 20, 2024
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26:02
How Often Should You Write?
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 does...
April 17, 2024
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7:13
Pinpoint Your Target Audience
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 gr...
April 04, 2024
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5:48
Showing Not Telling - Some Ideas to Help You
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!
March 04, 2024
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6:22
Keeping on Track and Getting Your Story Done
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.
January 17, 2024
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8:11
3 Common Mistakes with Dialogue
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! :-)
December 15, 2023
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3:48
Surprises and Twists
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 encourageme...
November 10, 2023
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4:13
The Best Way to Approach Descriptions
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 encoura...
October 05, 2023
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4:48
Tips on Chapter Endings
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; d...
September 22, 2023
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5:53
Flexing Your Writing Muscles
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 podcas...
February 21, 2023
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5:27
Essential Ingredients for Author Websites (the why and the how, made simple, with guest Sonja Anderson).
Do you have an author website? Do you wish you did?Twenty years ago, this wouldn’t have been a thing, but these days every author needs to have a website of some description.Would you like to know exactly what you need to...
January 30, 2023
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25:45
Rooting for the Underdog
We all love to root for the underdog, don't we? In this week's episode of the Write for a Reason podcast we talk about several different ways you can make your readers feel so angry for your protagonist, because of what they are being put throu...
December 05, 2022
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5:03
What Is Your Protagonist Wearing?
Hi, Janet here. Today I have a fun writing assignment for you!Listen to the podcast, then bust out your writing journal and get writing... Have fun!Every blessing,JanetP.S. Would you like to join our Writers ...
November 17, 2022
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4:29
Adding Colour to Your Stories
Just a quick writing tip today, to help your improve your writing.Janet Wilson talks about adding colour to your stories...Enjoy!If you'd like more free writing tips, or would like help with your story, hop on over to th...
November 13, 2022
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2:30
11 Issues Readers Have with Novels
Hi! In this episode of the Write for a Reason podcast (for Christians who write novels for children and teens) we look at 11 different things readers hate about novels. It's surprisingly easy to fall into these traps... so get listening and m...
October 25, 2022
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14:14
How to Write and Obtain the Best Book Reviews - Interview with Brenda Daniels
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 encourageme...
October 03, 2022
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28:05
Chapter Structure - it's More Important than You Think!
In this episode of the Write for a Reason podcast, I talk to author Jubilee Lipsey about the structure of chapters. That may sound like a bit of a dry topic, but actually there's so much more to it than meets the eye. It’s fascinating, and I’m ...
August 31, 2022
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24:51
5 Positive Ways We Can Handle Rejection as Writers
Today I interview Sharon Tedford, who is here to talk to us about the whole big issue of rejection. Sharon is an English writer, living in Dallas (I know, listen to the podcast for how that happened!). She’s a talented creative wri...
August 26, 2022
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27:01
Five Simple Steps to Getting Your Book Published on Kindle - Interview with Christopher Benner
Are you thinking about publishing your book on kindle?Today on the Write for a Reason podcast I’m delighted to welcome Christopher Benner, author of The Dragons of Ederstill. This is Christopher’s first book, and is for young adul...
August 09, 2022
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26:05
Bringing Out Deep Emotions
The better we can express deep emotions in our characters, the more we will engage our readers.Here's an exercise for you to do that you need never show to anyone, to help you get your emotions out into words. It will help you with your ...
August 01, 2022
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6:45
Do You Ever Feel Like Giving Up Writing, Because It's Just Too Hard?
Hi folks,I have another podcast for you! This one is from Pam Daunton, who recently had her first novel, The Dove Stone, published. (Congratulations, Pam!)You will be inspired by her writing journey. She st...
July 22, 2022
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20:28
Should I Edit an Old Manuscript or Start a New One?
The idea of talking about this came from one of our Write for a Reason students. She asked me this excellent question: "My question concerns what target I should set myself in my writing. I know I've made some progress over the last few ...
July 06, 2022
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8:54
Making the Most of Your Childhood Memories
Thanks for coming over! I think you will enjoy this episode - it's more than a creative writing tip - there's an exercise for you to do... and I get real about some of my own childhood memories!So, a generally excellent piece of advic...
July 01, 2022
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7:03