In this thoughtful conference session, Edwina Kiernan, award-winning author of Christian historical fiction, explores how faith can shape a story from the inside out—guiding character, conflict, and transformation rather than appearing as something added on top.

Drawing from her own experience writing fiction grounded in Christian belief, Edwina shows how stories become more powerful when truth is revealed through action, sacrifice, and emotional consequence instead of simply being stated in dialogue. She offers a practical framework for creating authentic arcs of belief, surrender, and restoration that feel earned on the page.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build faith into the structure of your story rather than treating it as an add-on

• Avoid scenes that feel preachy, forced, or disconnected from the emotional arc

• Show belief through action and consequence instead of exposition alone

• Create meaningful transformation that comes with cost, sacrifice, and surrender

• Use a clear story rhythm of desire, distortion, pressure, crisis, surrender, and restoration

• Diagnose weak stakes, shallow character change, or unsatisfying endings

• Write faith authentically in historical fiction and other character-driven stories

Edwina also reflects on her own calling as a writer and the importance of crafting stories that offer hope, redemption, and spiritual depth—making this session valuable both for explicitly Christian authors and for any writer interested in how belief shapes character and narrative.

Perfect for writers of Christian fiction, historical fiction, and emotionally resonant character-driven stories, this replay offers practical insight into writing with conviction, authenticity, and lasting emotional impact.