From Survival to Story: Carol-Ann Fletcher's CourageousJourney into Faith-Based Writing

In this episode of Created to Write, Tasmanian author and domestic violence advocate Carol-Ann Fletcher delivers one of the most courageous conversations we've had on the show.

Carol-Ann's path into faith-based writing was forged throughpersonal pain. Her history with abusive relationships and the healing she found through faith and recovery ministries became the foundation for a writing mission focused entirely on helping Christian women feel less alone in their struggles.

Her first published work appeared in a divorce recoveryworkbook, proof that every writer starts somewhere, and that somewhere can matter enormously to the right reader. She also shares how her neurodiversity shapes her unique writing process, a refreshing reminder that there is no single right way to write.

For anyone new to writing but sitting on a story that couldchange someone's life, Carol-Ann's message is simple: lean into your faith and seize every opportunity to share it.

About Carol-Ann... I am a follower of Christ who is a lived experience domestic violence advocate and speaker who lives in Tasmania. I am also an online Celebrate Recovery (CR) Australia Zoom Host/Zoom Tech open share leader and step study leader. CR is a Christ-centred ministry based on the Beatitudes of the Bible that is for any issue or struggle. (https://www.celebraterecovery.org.au/home).

I am also a short story author who had my short story published by Christian author, Tracie Miles. My dream is to learn how to write blogs, books and children's books, while learning how to monetise at the same time.

In this episode of Created to Write, host Michelle Dennis Evans invites authors to bring their spiritual life into their creative process. She once laughed at herself mid-worship, realizing she'd assumed praying about her characters was too trivial to matter. Now she argues the opposite - inviting God into your writing isn't a meaningless add-on, it's a meaningful pursuit, especially given literature's power to shape readers for generations. She encourages writers to ask for guidance on plot developments and character arcs, showing how this practice brings both clarity and renewed joy to the work. Faith, she insists, should permeate every part of a writer's life, not just the page.

This episode is a call to persist in your calling as a writer, lean into supernatural inspiration, and enjoy the journey with your creator.

From Journals to Jesus: Katherine Morton's Spirit-Led Journey into Christian Writing

In this episode of Created to Write, Christian author Katherine Morton shares a writing origin story that will resonate with every writer who discovered their calling quietly, in the margins of everyday life.

What began as journaling for stress relief gradually revealed itself as something much bigger: a divine calling to create spiritual literature that moves readers beyond religious ritual into a genuine, personal relationship with Christ. It's faith-based writing with a clear and urgent mission.

Katherine's author process is unhurried and Spirit-led. She considers a project finished only when she experiences a deep internal peace, a standard that prioritises divine direction over deadlines. For any new writer wrestling with when to release their work, her approach offers both wisdom and reassurance.

She also delivers refreshingly straight-talking professional advice, warning aspiring authors about the growing threat of AI-generated content and predatory vanity publishers. Her recommended solution is practical and accessible: self-publishing through Amazon KDP as a secure, cost-effective path to sharing your message with the world.

Resilience, discernment, and a willingness to be led. Katherine Morton's story is a quiet masterclass in all three.

Katherine Morton is an author, writer and teacher. She specialises in non-fiction writing and has recently taken to YouTube to share her wisdom and educate learners spiritually. Katherine's Books ...

Religions vs Relationship https://a.co/d/06ogNtqiSpiritual Warfare: What It Is & How to Fight It https://a.co/d/4BoUb0n

Devoted to Jesus https://a.co/d/eb2MpzS

The Land of Faemorae: Carrie's Journey to The Rainbow Kingdom https://a.co/d/ez8HBX0

YouTube channel where she features her books: https://youtube.com/@dawningofacomeback?si=DPCVwuKa0NyESF7n

From Maths Teacher to Self-Published Author: Ruth Embry's Unconventional Writing Journey In this episode of Createdto Write, Michelle sits down with Ruth Embry, whose path into Christian writing began not with a grand plan but with short weekly reflections for her local church.

From that quiet beginning, Ruth grew into a self-published Christian author with her own professional imprint, Voice in the Dark, navigating the practicalities of independent publishing through Ingram Spark with a mathematician's methodical determination.

She's candid about the real struggles: maintaining a writing routine without external deadlines, resisting social distractions, and pushing through the insecurities that shadow every new writer. Her solution is refreshingly straightforward - prioritise the work and find people who will hold you to it.

At the heart of Ruth's writing is a passion for inner healing and spiritual growth, themes that shape her current and future projects. Her advice to aspiring authors? Start journaling and find a mentor who believes in your story before you do.

Ruth Embery lives in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges on the edge of Melbourne, Victoria/Australia, empty nesting with her husband, Martin. Once upon a time, she was a secondary teacher (in maths and science), and also has a background in psychology. Ruth’s core passion is to see people transformed by the power of God’s love and this underpins the various hats she wears. From writing to publishing, to supporting people on their journey of being set free from the pain and wounds of the past through inner healing, she loves to see the Kingdom of God manifested here on earth as it is in heaven. Over the past few years, Ruth has realised that she can express her creativity through multiple media, which has led to her taking up painting as well as creating spaces and books where others can connect with God through images in addition to words. You can find out more about Ruth at www.ruthembery.com and more about her publishing house (Voice in the Dark Publishing) and events at www.voiceinthedark.org

Stuck in an endless edit loop? Battling self-doubt every time you sit down to write?

In this episode, Michelle Dennis Evans breaks down 10 essential principles every aspiring writer needs to conquer the blank page. Drawing from her own journey as a published author, she shares honest reflections and practical strategies for navigating the emotional and practical hurdles of the writing life.

You'll learn why consistency beats perfectionism, how to build a writing routine that actually lasts, and why writing with purpose is ultimately an act of service, a way of creating with God.

If you're figuring out how to start writing or just need encouragement to keep going, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Created to Write, author Jeff Maxim shares how a real-world discovery of a Cold War facility sparked a debut novel and a writing life he never saw coming.

His middle-grade novel Smoke and Mirrors is the kind of story only a curious mind could conjure, but Jeff is refreshingly honest about what it took to get there. He underestimated the technical discipline of Christian writing early on, and he's candid about the gap between being a passionate reader and becoming a skilled author. That honesty alone is worth the listen for any aspiring author and beginner writer at the start of their journey.

His advice is practical and consistent - join writing communities, attend conferences, seek feedback, and never mistake enthusiasm for craft. For anyone new to writing, his framework treats the creative journey as a long-term marathon demanding patience, education and constant refinement.

He also makes a strong case for embracing the business side of publishing because writing with purpose means getting your story into the world, and that requires more than a great manuscript.

Jeff Maxim writes for readers who are imaginative, a little silly, and always ready for adventure. A lifelong book lover, he believes the best stories are more than words on a page - they're friends you keep forever. Jeff lives with his wife and family in a southern U.S. town his GPS refused to pronounce correctly, and takes frequent trips to Middle-Earth and worlds beyond. Author Website - https://jeff-maxim.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeffmaxim5/https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Mirrors-Jeff-Maxim/dp/1637972709/Publisher Website (End Game Press) - https://www.endgamepress.com/store/p/smokeandmirrors

In this episode of Created to Write, author Jacquelane Cox shares a refreshingly honest look at what it means to pursue Christian writing as a divine calling rather than just acareer.

Her first traditional publishing success came from a spontaneous conference pitch, a reminder to every Christian writer that preparation and opportunity have a habit ofcolliding when you least expect it.

Jacquelane views her stories as a way to reflect God's love, crafting wholesome, redemptive narratives that leave readers with hope. She also speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, pointing to faith and community as the antidote to the isolation and self-doubt that plague so many Christian authors.

Her advice to aspiring writers is simple: write consistently, build your people, and trust the calling.

After a brief incognito phase involving two uni degrees and a secret stash of hidden manuscripts, Jacquelane Cox finally traded her professional cap for motherhood and storylines! She is the voice behind the middle-grade/early YA relatable reads Runaway and Smarty-pants, and the author of the romance novella The Colours of Orange (a modern women’s fic, with a dash of romance inspired by the story of Ruth and Naomi). She also authored the heartfelt picture book Remember When, inspired by her grandmothers and the power of love that outlasts memory. Catch her sharing life snippets and the occasional meme between chapters.

jacquelanecox.com

FB: / jacquelanecox

IG: @jacquelanecox

In this special 50th episode, host Michelle Dennis Evans celebrates fifty episodes of Created to Write and the vibrant community that has grown around it.

From nervous first-time authors to seasoned novelists, the show has featured some of the most generous voices in Christian writing. Guests have shared lifelong dreams, wholesome fiction across every genre, personal testimonies, family stories, and the deep motivations that keep writers creating—even when self-doubt creeps in.

More than a podcast, Created to Write has become a true community: a place where beginners find courage, experienced authors find connection, and everyone is reminded that writing with purpose is never a small thing.

To mark this milestone, Michelle asks one simple favor: share the podcast with someone who needs it, and leave honest reviews for the books of authors you admire. Small acts of generosity that strengthen the entire community.

Fifty episodes. Countless stories. And so much more to come.

https://michelledennisevans.com/