Tag: Evergreen

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Portraying Characters When Your Worldviews Clash

Portraying Characters When Your Worldviews Clash

Posted on by R.M. Archer

As authors, we want our stories to reflect the values that we believe in. We want to write with integrity, discouraging those things we believe to be wrong and championing those things we believe to be right. But our characters don’t always believe the same things we do (nor should they; we write stories, not sermons!), which can lead to a tricky balancing act: being true to the characters and their stories without compromising what we believe or endorsing behavior we believe to be wrong. How do you handle that tension? Here are some tips.

This question was originally brought up by an email subscriber. Thanks to Joshua for the question!

There are two things I try to show in my writing when characters are Continue reading “Portraying Characters When Your Worldviews Clash” →

How to Avoid 5 Common Worldbuilding Pitfalls

How to Avoid 5 Common Worldbuilding Pitfalls

Posted on by R.M. Archer

Like any element of storytelling, worldbuilding has the potential to greatly elevate the quality of a project. But, also like any element of storytelling, it can be easy to fall into common pitfalls and fail to tap into the full potential of your worldbuilding. Today I’m addressing some common pitfalls that authors can fall into when it comes to worldbuilding, and how to avoid them.

*This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk. Purchases made through these links earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Under-Valuing the World

One pitfall I see fairly often is that authors don’t value worldbuilding in the first place. They see their world as Continue reading “How to Avoid 5 Common Worldbuilding Pitfalls” →

What Does it Mean to “Read with Discernment”?

What Does it Mean to “Read with Discernment”?

Posted on by R.M. Archer

If you’re a Christian reader, you may have heard the term “reading with discernment” tossed around, or something like it. Read carefully. Choose your books wisely. And this is good advice. The problem is… it’s vague. What does it mean to read with discernment?

Ultimately, I think reading with discernment will lead to different readers choosing different books. There is no one-size-fits-all result when it comes to reading with discernment. But there are a few principles to keep in mind as you consider what reading with discernment means for you and how you can choose your reads wisely.

Expose the Works of Darkness

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Eph. 5:11, NKJV

The world is broken, and fiction Continue reading “What Does it Mean to “Read with Discernment”?” →

4 Tips for Revisiting Goals

4 Tips for Revisiting Goals

Posted on by R.M. Archer

I’m back! At least, I’m easing into being back. And as we near the final portion of the year, it seems an appropriate time to discuss how to effectively revisit and renew progress on the goals we set at the beginning of the year. Pull out those goals you set for this year, brush the dust off if you need to, and let’s get started!

Assess Progress

The first step to a productive Continue reading “4 Tips for Revisiting Goals” →

5 Benefits of Worldbuilding Challenges

5 Benefits of Worldbuilding Challenges

Posted on by R.M. Archer

In my last post before beginning my hiatus, I wanted to share something that would be relevant over the summer, so I’ve decided to talk about worldbuilding challenges–like World Anvil’s upcoming Summer Camp challenge.

Didn’t know I was going on hiatus? Want to get an exclusive email series over the summer while I’m gone? Sign up here for all the summer fun!

*This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk. Purchases made through these links earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I’ve participated in various worldbuilding challenges over the years–mostly World Anvil‘s* various events and the worldbuilding week of my own Preptober Prompts event–and they’re always a lot of fun! In my case, they make an already enjoyable part of the process even more fun, but I believe that worldbuilding challenges have benefits even for those who aren’t so naturally disposed to enjoy worldbuilding, and today I want to talk about some of the benefits I’ve seen from such challenges!

Worldbuilding Challenges Stretch Your Skills

Some worldbuilding challenges–like World Anvil’s Summer Camp–encourage Continue reading “5 Benefits of Worldbuilding Challenges” →