Yes, you read the title right. But what research? We’re not writing historical fiction or scifi. We just need to set a cozy mystery in a cute small town with tons of ugly secrets. Create a likable amateur detective with a quirky sidekick. Throw in an unlikable victim, shifty suspects, and an even more unlikable villain, and the cozy mystery practically writes itself.
Well, not quite.
Here is my whole post on why I find conducting research critical for my cozy mystery series, Rae Riley Mysteries.
Very pleased to introduce a new author to you. I met B. Anne Stevens online last winter when she approached me to endorse her YA Christian mystery, The Rabbit’s Foot, the first novel in a series featuring teen sleuth Ella Strawberry. That book will come out in 2026. I was very happy that she is another author writing Christian mysteries for teens because we are a rare breed, like long-haired iguanas, in the YA Christian field. So happy to have you here, B. Anne explainsthe call for Christian fiction.
God put everything into writing. Think about that. From Genesis to Revelation, He used people like you and me to communicate His plan of salvation for all humankind. Today, God still calls writers from all walks (and genres) to share their faith through the written word.
When I tell people I’m writing Christian fiction for girls, I get similar reactions: “We need that so much!” Moms tell me they struggle to find acceptable reading material for their girls from authors they trust. I first saw a need for Christian fiction for young women when I worked with students at a small private college. There was already an obsession with the paranormal, vampires, and zombies. Then in 2011, a controversial book released. It had graphic, deviant adult themes that launched a previously discreet genre, if you will, right up to the surface of mainstream society. The talk about this book caught like wildfire through campus, not just among students but staff too! I was perplexed by this generation’s insatiable consumerism for fantastical, dystopian, supernatural, and yes, dark, storytelling. A question persisted: “Where are the alternatives?” Can Christian fiction ever compete with the secular market?
Critics say the Bible and fiction don’t mix, and people don’t read fiction to be preached at. True. I know that feeling when there’s a great story line that suddenly jumps the track with an ill-placed scripture verse or a distracting piece of dialogue that’s better suited for a fire-and-brimstone pulpit sermon. It’s a turn off. Is it possible to write exciting stories and present the Gospel without pushing an “agenda” onto the reader? I believe it is.
You see, those secular themes described above all create an enticing experience. The story delivers a thrilling ride, leaving the reader wanting more. As modern authors of faith-based fiction, we have to think about the experience we offer. We must captivate our readers without jerking them out of the story for the sake of our agenda. Our writing has to keep the page turning, and we must expertly weave Christianity into the narrative so seamlessly that there is spiritual growth as a result. We have to deliver the thrill and the life-changing experience. It’s a tall order, but with a lot of practice, and even more prayer, it can be done.
Years went by. Life happened. So did the pandemic. The tug remained. In 2022, I took the plunge and joined a writer’s group through American Christian Fiction Writers. My life had new meaning, and I was convinced of my own call to write. I began devoting my time to learning the industry and studying the craft of fiction. At the end of 2024, I received a book contract for my first YA mystery/suspense novel for girls.
The time has never been better for Christian fiction authors. Research shows both traditional and Indie authors are enjoying a growing and diverse market in Christian fiction across all genres. We need more authors to write more compelling, faith-filled books. How do I know? Moms tell me. The bestseller lists tell me. Our society tells me. God uses writers to bring light to the darkness.
How do you know if you’re called to write Christian fiction? If it’s on your mind, maybe you’re called. Just as God used ordinary people to write the scriptures, he may use your story to reach that person who won’t ever step foot in church. Be bold. Be daring. Pray. Answer the call and be confident that God will take your words where He wants them to go.
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B. Anne Stevens writes Young Adult Christian fiction for girls. Through fun and innovative fiction, B. Anne hopes to empower readers to grow in God and know their worth in Christ. B. Anne’s debut novel, The Rabbit’s Foot: The Tales of Ella Strawberry Book I, won the ACFW Genesis award and is contracted for publication through Ambassador International. B. Anne lives in the St. Louis area. B. Anne can be found at @bannestevens.com, Facebook, Instagram, and her blog.
Another new YA author to introduce to you. Annika Klanderud hasn’t published a novel yet, but she has published short stories and articles, and her unpublished YA novels have won national awards. She’s here today to share “3 Things I Learned from Reading Quality YA”. Welcome, Annika!
I recently read the first chapter of three very different young adult (YA) novels (The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron—Dystopian; I MUST BETRAY YOU by Ruta Sepetys—Historical; and THERE YOU’LL FIND ME by Jenny B. Jones—Contemporary). Each opening chapter was totally gripping and drew me in right away. So, it was no surprise that I found they all shared three craft elements that must be included in every YA novel to pull the reader in.
The experience reminded me of how the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 3:4, assured Christians that “. . . when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” In Paul’s case, he was encouraging Christians to read the Scriptures in order to perfect their spiritual understanding. As far as YA fiction goes, I encourage authors to read quality YA in order to perfect the craft of writing fiction for teens.
Whether chapter one was about a teenager hiding from authorities on the wall of her city, a boy in school in Romania trying to get up the courage to talk to a girl, or a teenage girl sitting beside a celebrity on an airplane, every opening chapter grounded me, the reader, in time and place. I could taste the dust in the air, smell the sweat from the crowds surrounding the main character, and I felt like falling asleep along with the main character in the dimly lit airplane cabin.
Of course, no YA novel is complete without a healthy dose of teenage angst. But what I found in the first chapters of each of these novels was that the normal teen drama of testing authorities, crushing on a girl, and battling the emotional struggle of losing a family member too soon were all just small transitions. Soon each main character would learn that things can get much harder. Little did each main character know that a much bigger problem was just around the corner.
But to my delight, as the reader, I found that each main character was open and honest about their internal struggles. What they were passionate about. What scared and worried them. Okay, so maybe they weren’t completely honest with the other characters in the story. But they were honest with me, the reader. On every page they poured out their hearts. Always honest and raw with the reader. Never fake with me. It was as if they trusted me with their deepest secrets. What more could a reader ask for?
Each one of these authors proved that it is possible to transport a reader to a specific time and place, introduce a seemingly real problem, and convince the reader that a fictional character has just as much heart and emotion as a real live human being. I never would’ve believed it if I hadn’t experienced it myself by reading books like these. I guess it’s true what they say, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.”
There’s just something about an old house . . . Whether it inspires memories, fond or sad, or generates questions about the people who lived there, the things that might have happened within its walls, there’s just something about an old house that makes us pause and wonder, think, remember.
Join eleven authors as they explore the theme of “This Old House,” and invite you into the worlds of their imaginations. Whether it’s a mystery, a fantasy quest, a touch of romance, a scary story, a fond look back over the years, a touch of nostalgia or even heartache, there’s something here to satisfy every taste. Join the ACFW Ohio chapter in celebrating young writers, with the four top writers in our first scholarship writing competition featured in these pages. Students from Christian schools across the state were invited to send us their idea of “This Old House.” We think you’ll be pleased by what they created.
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Annika’s MG novel, I Lived Through a Wind Chill Advisory, won the 2024 Cascade Christian Writers Contest. Her YA novel, Red Rock, was the Cascade Christian Writers Contest winner in 2022. And her YA novel, Qualify, was a runner up in 2024. Over forty of her articles have appeared in numerous publications such as Keys for Kids.
In addition to seeking traditional publication for her novels, she is passionate about revolutionizing the Christian publishing industry. She has worked with numerous Christian authors to start a book fair in the state of Oregon, facilitate critique groups, and host events like the Author Spotlight and book clubs. Visit her on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and her website. When she is not wrestling with words for her novels, you can find her in the utility room battling her twelve children’s mountain of laundry.
So glad to introduce a new author to you, Miriam Thor. She writes both YA and contemporary romance. She’s wearing her YA author hat today, writing about the appealof writing YA Christian fiction.You can connect with Miriam with the links in her bio at the end of her post. The floor is yours, Miriam!
Every one of us was a teenager at one point. Chances are…it wasn’t pretty, at least not all of the time. Being a teenager means being caught in the middle, not truly a child anymore but still not an adult. For many of us, our teenage years were when we started to figure out who we were and who we wanted to be. We began charting our own course, rather than simply following the one laid out for us.
One of the best parts of reading and writing YA fiction is the chance to explore that dynamic time in a character’s life. Teenage protagonists have so much room for character development, to the point that it would feel almost unnatural for them not to change or grow significantly by the end of the story. As an author, I enjoy taking a character through that journey, telling the story of who my character is at the beginning and how they’ve changed by the end.
In my contemporary YA novel, the main character, Ally Griffin, begins the story as a high school freshman searching for a talent that will help her stand out and praying that God will help her find it. She believes finding it will make her life so much better, and for a short time, she thinks it does. Then, her cousin’s accident turns her life upside down. As Ally deals with the aftermath and all the changes it brings to her family, she realizes that she had her priorities in the wrong place. This helps her grow as a character, getting much closer to the woman she will one day become, the woman God wants her to be.
As much as I have enjoyed reading general market YA fiction over the years, I write YA Christian fiction because I want my characters’ growth to be rooted in their faith in God. As a Christian, I believe it’s important that when we grow as people, we do it with the Lord, learning to trust Him and His timing, following His will. Ultimately, that’s the message I want readers to take away from all of my books.
In my own Christian walk, my teenage years were when I truly started learning to depend on God, even when things were difficult, and to seek His will for my life. During those years, I read a lot of amazing books with inspiring protagonists, but very few of them were Christian fiction. I wish there would have been more books available about characters who were growing in their faith the way I was. It would have helped me as I walked with God through the ups and downs of my teenage years.
I am grateful that the YA Christian fiction market has expanded since then and that I have been blessed with the opportunity to add to it. Teenagers, and many adults, now enjoy the dynamic character development entwined with faith that can be found in YA Christian fiction.
During her freshman year of high school, Ally Griffin is determined to find her thing, a talent that will let her gain praise and recognition. Her cousins, Billy and James, have found theirs in sports and music, but Ally has yet to discover something that will make people cheer just for her.
At her best friend’s suggestion, Ally tries ballet. When that doesn’t turn out the way she hopes, she signs up to sing in the school talent show. Thanks to support from James, Ally’s performance goes well, and she thinks she has found her thing at last.
But when James gets into an accident, Ally’s whole world is turned upside down. As she tries to be there for her cousin, Ally wrestles with why God allows bad things to happen and whether she should keep doing her thing at all.
Miriam Thor started writing in second grade and never stopped. Her first (unpublished) book was an illustrated picture book about seals that is probably still on her mom’s shelf. Currently, Miriam lives in Alabama with her husband and six adorable cats. Her published works include Listening to the Rain, A Kringle Family Christmas, and a number of short stories. You can learn more about her by visiting her website, miriamthor.com. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and TikTok.
So happy to have YA author Melissa Knight back! As a romance author, she’s the perfect writer to give advice for writing clean and sweet romance. The stage is yours, Melissa!
As a romance writer, a Valentine’s Day mentality is always on my mind! As a Christian YA romance writer, however, must passion be scaled down or sanitized to the point where love seems bland or blah?
It depends on your definition of romance, of course. There are plenty of suggestive scenes in both adult and YA books that depict the steamy, physical side of mutual attraction. Is that romance? How about the longing looks, the deep, dreamy sighs, the stars-in-her-eyes forgiveness of the big red flags signaling trouble ahead- is that true love?
In my YA world, I strive to keep the romantic interactions clean and sweet. I don’t go beyond holding hands, hugs and a few light kisses. My audience knows what’s out there, however. They hear their friends talk about going much farther than that, in their relationships. Perhaps they’ve made those choices themselves, with no regrets, and scorn a point of view teaching about sexual purity and waiting until marriage. How on earth am I going to engage, and hopefully influence, those readers?
The answer goes back to my original question, I think. What is romance, really? What moves a relationship from “I like you” to “I love you”? One we want to last forever?
As a Christian, I ponder the gold standard of what true love looks like, and go from there.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
There are a bunch of verbs and actions in that passage! Protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres! Is patient and kind! Is not proud or selfish! Wow, what young girl wouldn’t want a guy like that? This passage is also a writer’s dream, because it outlines one of our cardinal rules:
SHOW, DON’T TELL
Love isn’t just words, it’s action. So what does that look like, when writing a Christian romance that will intrigue even non-Christian teens?
I try to focus on all those verbs we just read. Yes, the female main character will notice the way the guy looks, the sound of his voice, his roguish smile, the spark in his eyes, the way he gives her butterflies with a single look. There may be teasing or tension in their conversations. They may have shared interests or projects to move the relationships along. But what will make them last, beyond a surface attraction? What will make the reader want to claim the guy as her book boyfriend?
Personalities influence actions, of course. The arrogant guy is gentle with the girl, when she is upset. The popular guy is kind to the girl’s younger sisters, becoming their friends and treating them with respect. These aren’t unusual actions, but that’s kind of the point. Though flawed, perhaps with pasts riddled with mistakes, the young men show kindness, forgiveness and protectiveness. It’s part of who they are, revealing their hearts to the young women through their everyday decisions, not in some showy one-off display of showering the girl with candy and flowers, or eloquent flattery.
That is the kind of guy every girl should expect. The kind of boyfriend we want our teenage daughters to dream of!
Romance is surely one of the simplest, yet most complex subjects to capture in words. Perhaps the Creator of romance intends it that way, always a work in progress.
If there’s a formula to great relationships, will Casey ever figure it out?
Lots of life changes mean much stress when Casey moves to a new town and high school, complete with a new stepfather and stepbrothers. Add broken friendships and a possible new romance to the mix, and the potential for things to go horribly wrong- or amazingly right- is yet to be decided!
And then there are the hard questions- is the faith in God that I used to have as a child still there? What does God really want from me?
I have spent most of my adult years surrounded by kids of all ages, having taught in public schools at almost every grade level. I did some writing “on the side” through the years, publishing articles and short stories in various magazines and publications for children and teens. I kept collecting ideas and writing down what I hoped were cool scenes and characters.
Our teens deserve clean books that not only entertain but provide clarity in a chaotic culture. My aim is to write fiction that is real, relatable and attracts young adults to Christ!
I live with my husband in the heart of oil country, west Texas, have two amazing adult children, and am looking forward to adding a son-in-law in the not-too-distant future!
