In this episode of Created to Write, host Michelle Dennis Evans explores one of the most debated topics in the writing world: pantser vs plotter. Are you someone who carefully outlines every chapter, or do you prefer to write freely and let the story unfold?

More importantly, how does your God-given creativity shape the way you write?

Whether you are a Christian writer, aspiring author, or creative storyteller, this episode will help you discover your natural writing style while learning to partner with God in the process. Michelle shares her personal journey of struggling with rigid, school-style plotting and how she learned to trust the way God designed her mind to create.

If you have ever felt stuck on a blank page, overwhelmed by writing a book, or unsure how to finish your manuscript, this episode will encourage you to release perfectionism, let go of pressure, and write from a place of faith instead of fear.

In this powerful episode of Created to Write, Christian writer and ultra-marathon runner Stephanie Walters shares how faith, endurance, and vulnerability shape both her life and her writing. As an award-winning memoirist and copy editor, Stephanie understands that writing isn’t just about craft - it’s about surrender.

From running ultra-marathons to navigating the long road of completing her first book, she reveals how creating with God transforms pressure into purpose. Stephanie opens up about the journey of over-editing, perfectionism, and learning to embrace grace over performance.

If you’re a Christian writer longing to create with impact, influence through authenticity, and write from a place of faith rather than fear, this episode will encourage you to start before you feel ready. Because you can’t edit a blank page, but you can invite God into every word.

Website: www.stephaniewalters.com.auBook Link: www.amazon.com.au/Its-Not-Sprint-Endurance-Marathon/dp/1763772047/Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephwalterswritesFacebook: www.facebook.com/stephwalterswrites

In this insightful episode, Jo-Anne Berthelsen, a prolific Christian writer and author of 11 books, shares her powerful journey of answering God’s call later in life. Although she dreamed of writing as a child, it wasn’t until her late 50s, while journaling by the Mediterranean Sea, that she sensed God clearly say it was time to “go home and start writing.” That moment of divine permission launched a 20-year writing career spanning seven novels and four non-fiction books rooted in faith-based writing and centred on God’s love and grace.

Jo-Anne reflects on the spiritual discipline of creating with God, learning to silence self-doubt and the “enemy’s voice” by focusing instead on obedience and God’s delight in her work. She speaks candidly about writing with purpose, staying faithful to her message despite criticism about the strong Christian themes in her books.

She also highlights the vital role of community for Christian authors - from the encouragement of Omega Writers to the dedicated prayer team that has supported her through decades of writing and public speaking.

Her story is a beautiful reminder that it is never too late to step into your calling and become the person God created you to be.

www.jo-anneberthelsen.comwww.joanneberthelsen.wordpress.comwww.facebook.com/joanne.berthelsen

Blank Page No More: Write with God, Not Fear

If you dream of becoming a published author, this episode is your permission slip to finally begin.

In this episode of Created to Write, Michelle Dennis Evans tackles the struggle many writers face: the blank page. Michelle reminds you that your story does not start when everything is perfect. It starts the moment you surrender and put pen to paper.

Break free from overthinking, quiet the inner critic, and partner with God in the creative process. From brain dumping your thoughts to stepping into other creative outlets, you will discover how to unlock clarity, reignite inspiration, and move forward in obedience, not perfection.

This is not about getting it right.
It is about getting it written.

Because your words have purpose.

Former journalist, Belinda Pollard, now writes books, is a book editor, and coach who specialises in writing mainstream crime novels, such as her "Wild Crimes Mysteries" series. Rather than writing traditional Christian fiction, she focuses on writing with purpose by incorporating what she calls grace notes with subtle hints of the Kingdom into stories that tackle difficult real-world issues. She aims to reach readers who are away from the faith and nudge them closer to God through relatable characters and storytelling.

In her journey of creating with God, Belinda has had to unlearn the "lie" of the creative muse, discovering that faith-based writing requires discipline regardless of whether one feels "inspired" or "in the flow". She is a passionate advocate for the Christian author community and founded Grace Writers in 2017 to support those writing for the mainstream. Her current project, Scorched Earth, reflects her commitment to deep research, as she recently spent time in Coober Pedy to authentically capture the experience of living underground for her mystery setting.

Ultimately, Belinda encourages other writers to protect and nourish their unique, God-given voice, believing that every creator is uniquely fashioned to offer a perspective no one else can.

Genre Butterfly, Brave Storyteller: Christian Author Nola Lorraine on Courage, Hope and Community

In this episode of Created to Write, author Nola Lorraine proves that refusing to be boxed into one genre is not a weakness - it's a superpower.

A self-described genre butterfly, Nola moves freely between fiction, poetry, and devotionals, drawing from a deeply personal well. As anadoptee, her own history fuels stories rooted in identity, belonging, andresilience. Her novel Scattered, inspired by the historical plight ofBritish Home Children, reflects a Christian author who takes social justice seriously and brings it to the page with both skill and sensitivity. It's faith-based writing with a conscience.

For any new writer battling isolation, Nola's passionate championing of Christian writing communities is essential listening. Connection, she argues, isn't optional - it's what keeps creators going when the work gets hard.

She also speaks with rare wisdom about the vulnerability required to share personal stories publicly, a courage every beginner writerwill eventually need to find.Beyond her 25-year career as a university academic, Nola is dedicated to creating with God, often following divine leading to shift between projects, such as pausing a novel sequel to release her devotional, Comfort Zone.

Nola is a strong advocate for the Christian author community, emphasising the importance of "finding your tribe" and finding the wisdom and vulnerability necessary to share impactful stories.

Aside from writing, Nola runs The Write Flourish editing business with her husband, Tim.

In this episode of Created to Write, author Michelle Dennis Evans shares the emotional and spiritual challenges of the editing process. As she completes the final book in her Spiralling trilogy, a project ten years in the making, she reflects on the resilience required to move from rough draft to published book.

Michelle opens up about the insecurity many Christian writers face during edits - the inner voices questioning punctuation, ability, and calling. She explores what it truly means to create with God, choosing faith over self-doubt and staying anchored in the purpose behind the story.

This episode also unpacks the balance between humility and conviction - receiving editorial feedback while protecting the heart of the message true to the characters God has entrusted to you.

If you’re a Christian writer navigating the publishing journey, struggling with fear of criticism, or learning to write with purpose, this episode will inspire you to push past the hurdle and polish your story with confidence.

Clean Romance, Real Redemption: Christian Author MarleeBlake's Courageous Writing Journey

In this episode of Created to Write, Marlee Blake shares how childhood bullying and a strict upbringing didn't silence her voice - they shaped it.

Writing became Marlee's safe place early, and that emotional honesty now fuels her clean romance fiction, stories that tackle difficult themes like human trafficking and personal redemption without explicit content.It's faith-based writing with both conviction and compassion, proving that Christian writing can be bold, relevant and wholesome all at once.

Her release, Diamond's Law marks a significant step in her professional journey and a powerful rebuttal to the lie she carried for years, that she wasn't talented enough. For any beginner writer wrestling with the same self-doubt, Marlee's story is a reminder that your gift was givenfor a reason.

She views her storytelling as ministry, and encourages every new writer to do the same because writing with purpose always reaches furtherthan writing for applause.Marlee lives in a multigenerational home in Texas—on purpose—with the love of her life (29 years and counting), two of the most beautiful girls God ever made, and the memory of their sweet son in Heaven.She's been writing poems and short stories since she was 10 and devouring romance novels since she was 15. Marlee believes that, even as Christians, we can have all the swoon and drama, love and redemption—without the smut. Stories that reflect real struggles, lasting hope, and the truth of a God who shows up in the middle of it all. Stories with heart, humor, faith, and a few emotional rollercoasters thrown in for good measure.Because while the story might be fiction, the God Marlee writes about is anything but. And maybe—just maybe—somewhere, someone will see themselves in a page, hold on to hope, and reach for the God who loves them more than they know.

Find Marlee on Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/share/19d6YNrbgK/

Collision with Forever & Always - free - https://dl.bookfunnel.com/yfcnnptbmz

In The Crosshairs - https://a.co/d/62tp5K2

#AuthorInterview #ChristianWriters #FaithAndWriting #KingdomWriters

Maps, Worlds and an Aurealis Award: The Remarkable Creative Life of Christian Author Jeanette O'Hagan

In this episode of Created to Write, Brisbane-based fantasy and sci-fi author Jeanette O'Hagan takes us inside a creative universe that began with childhood maps and has grown into eight published works and counting.

Jeanette's faith-based writing doesn't conform to market categories. Her personal faith and sense of individual worth shape her storytelling organically, weaving meaning into complex, interconnected worlds without feeling forced or formulaic. It's Christian creativity expressed through genre fiction at its most expansive.

A recent Aurealis Award nomination and win marks a significant milestone for one of Australian speculative fiction's most dedicated voices, and well-deserved recognition for an author quietly building something extraordinary.

Her biggest creative challenge? Too many ideas. For any new writer who thinks inspiration is the hard part, Jeanette's perspective is a welcome reframe.

Her encouragement to aspiring authors is warm and direct - embrace the joy, stay open to feedback, and keep building your world.

Meet Jeanette O'Hagan, Fantasy/sci-fi author with 8 published books and Aurealis Award winner. In this episode, she discusses how her love of world-building shaped her career and how Christian faith naturally informs her work. She also has great advise for aspiring writers - to persevere, accept feedback, and write for the joy of it.

Jeanette O'Hagan has spun tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight. She enjoys writing fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs. She has published over forty stories and poems, including the Under the Mountain Series (5 books), Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, and the Akrad's Legacy series and recently won the 2024 Aurealis Award for YA Shorty story category. She is also an avid reader and enjoys tracking down family tree conundrums.

Facebook:   / jeanetteohaganauthorandspeaker  

Website - http://jeanetteohagan.com/

Amazon author link: https://www.amazon.com/Jeanette-OHaga...

Goodreads author link:   / 9833645.jeanette_o_hagan  

Books2Read https://books2read.com/ap/n4XqGn/Jean...

In this episode of the Created to Write podcast, bestselling author Michelle Dennis Evans shares the thrill and challenges of stepping out in faith to finally launch her creation after years of dedication to faith-based writing. She opens up about creating with God, writing with purpose, and trusting His timing throughout the publishing journey.

With her young adult contemporary fiction series, the Spiralling Trilogy — Spiralling Out of Control, Spiralling Out of the Shadow, and the long-awaited Spiralling Solo — now complete, Michelle is preparing for an official book launch celebration. She reflects on author life, the realities of being a Christian in the writing world, building a writing community, and celebrating God’s faithfulness through every chapter.

If you’re a Christian writer, aspiring author, or faith-based creative navigating your own writing and publishing journey, this episode will inspire you to embrace your calling, create with confidence, and take your next step boldly.