The art of fiction and poetry writing is often misunderstood. This is an issue because storytelling is an essential way we communicate complex or difficult realities. Jesus was a storyteller—he used parables to speak truth about ourselves, the world, and God. There are some things that are hard for humans to understand, and fiction can help us grapple with those in an accessible way.
My writers’ group operates with this in mind: Since God has gifted us in storytelling, we are intentional about our writing from the brainstorming process to the final draft.
In 2022, my fiction writing professor at Gonzaga recommended starting a writers’ group for accountability and feedback. Lydia Kinne, Claire Booth, and I talked about doing this for a year, and we finally made it a reality in the fall of 2023. Emmaline Rose and Jess Corriel—two women who have been a part of the Doxa college ministry—sometimes join our meetings.
Some of the main benefits of a creative group are accountability, encouragement, motivation, and vulnerability.
“It’s really nice to have a group check in on you and how you’re doing with your writing,” said Claire. “Even though it’s an incredible skill and a gift, it takes work.”
She also noted that vulnerability is part of the writing process. “A surprise that I learned as we kept meeting is that writing is very vulnerable…but when you have a group that’s willing to provide feedback and to encourage you, there’s just kind of a piece of you that opens up when you write that not a lot of people can see.”
I have found this to be true. Writing is a vulnerable process, so it is important to have people you feel comfortable sharing your work with.
Lydia echoed Claire’s sentiments about accountability. “Our writers group gives me a lot of motivation to keep writing and accountability, because we will ask each other what we’ve been working on,” she said. “It’s also so encouraging to know that I have people who care about my writing and who give me positive feedback…I learned so much from listening to [Liv and Claire’s] writing, because both have different ideas and stuff, and it just challenges me to continue being faithful with the gifts that God has given me.”
This is another important aspect of writing: using it for God’s purposes.
Recalling a talk Lydia gave at the 2023 Doxa retreat, Claire said, “I think the reminder that God has given us this ability of creativity—and no matter how we use it, even if we’re not writing explicitly faith-based material—that’s a gift from God, and we’re glorifying Him when we use it.”
Lydia referenced a recent episode of the “Read-Aloud Revival” podcast, where guest John Hendrix says, “And this is what Tolkien basically convinced Lewis of when he was an atheist, was that myth and fairy tales are the highest form of human art, because they say things about the human condition that can be said in no other way.”
When Claire said, “There is something about fiction that can illuminate truths,” I agreed. Fiction can help make Scripture more accessible. If there is a story burning inside of you it is your duty to share it, write it out, and revise it until it says exactly what it is meant to say.
As members have moved, the group now meets monthly via video chat. While Lydia prefers in-person meetings, she said, “I’m so grateful that it’s able to keep us connected and that we can still share writing because I don’t know what I would do without my writers’ group.”
“For me, it’s been so grounding,” says Claire, who moved away last winter. “When you move somewhere and everything is new, it’s good to know that this isn’t just a community where we get together and our only commonality is writing—we have a shared faith.”
Writing together at Manito Park is one of our favorite memories. Claire said that “it felt like we were in a story ourselves.” The beauty of the lilacs and manicured Kentucky bluegrass inspired our short fiction writing exercise that day and reminded us that God is a God of creation and artistry.
God is a storyteller. He created stories and gave us the ability to craft and share them for His glory. If there is a story burning inside of you, share your creative gifts with the world, even if that “world” ends up being your circle of friends or church family. Pull in some of your other creative friends and make a group of your own!
Olivia is a recent graduate of Gonzaga University and loves writing of all sorts. She is involved with Faith's Doxa college ministry.
View Resources by Olivia Sandvik
Imagine a famed tightrope walker who stunned the crowds at the circus with his balancing dexterity. He invited all to come watch him walk the tightrope across a huge waterfall. They applauded with wild cheering as he skillfully crossed. He...
