My Writing Focus 2025
Readers, I need YOU!
Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025: Thank You, Readers!
2024 was an incredible year, and I owe so much of that to you, my readers. My audience more than quadrupled over the year, and I am deeply grateful for all my new subscribers, including a few paying ones. Substack has been an amazing platform, giving me the opportunity to connect with like-minded people and share my passion for literature, worldview thinking, and biblical discernment.
2024 in Review
At the start of 2024, I laid out a tentative plan to publish at least two articles per month. My focus areas were exploring worldview thinking, philosophy, and the preconceptions that shape how we as Christians approach the Bible and our lives. I also planned to delve into specific novels and movies, which I did to some extent but not as much as I had hoped.
Additionally, I considered creating an adult class or ebook, but after a few months of research, I decided to prioritize my novel—a modernized, magical realism-inspired reimagining of a classic fairy tale. I know, shocking.
Though my stated goal was to publish by-weekly, my internal goal was to publish weekly, although I didn’t quite meet that goal consistently. However, I’m pleased with the progress I made and the engagement from my readers. Your encouragement and feedback have been invaluable.
Goals for 2025
For 2025, my goal is weekly articles. Every Friday, I hope to have something for you. While not every piece will be as in-depth, my aim is to offer consistent, thought-provoking content that helps you grow in biblical discernment, appreciate literature more deeply, and engage meaningfully with stories.
I currently don’t have any material behind a paywall, and I don’t plan to unless I can develop something more substantial, like a course or a resourceful book. Till I can finish my novel, that specific goal will be on the back burner.
I’ve also started posting regularly in Substack’s Notes section—a social media-like space where I feel I can truly connect with my audience. While I haven’t done much on traditional social media, Notes has been a valuable platform for sharing thoughts and ideas.
How You Can Help:
As I plan articles for 2025, I’d love to hear from you! Here are some areas where I think I can offer value, but your feedback will help me tailor my content to your needs:
1. Biblical Discernment Through Literature
I’ll continue exploring how stories—both classical and biblical—can shape our understanding of truth. My aim is always to make complex ideas practical and accessible for daily life.
2. Reviews and Discussions
I’ll share thoughts on books and movies, with an emphasis on applying biblical discernment to the greater cultural conversation. The aim is not merely to provide a review or book club-style discussion but to consistently steer our thoughts toward practical, biblical discernment within the broader conversation. For example, I have an article on Wicked coming out next Friday. While I focus on classics, I’m open to modern blockbusters and popular stories too. Feel free to send me recommendations!
3. Parenting as Storytellers
Occasionally, I’ve written about parenting and raising children as “story people.” If there’s interest in more articles on this topic, let me know.
4. Exploring Jane Austen’s Works
My recent article on Austen was a hit; it made me wonder if I have some Austin lovers who might like to see more articles exploring her work. My previous blog revolved almost entirely around Austen, so I’d happily go there if there’s demand.
5. Writing for Writers
While I hope my content will always appeal to storytellers, I’ve considered a more technical series on writing. My hesitation is that I want my content to remain broadly applicable, but if there’s enough interest, I’d love to explore this niche.
Share Your Thoughts
Your input is invaluable. Comment on this article or reply to the email with your suggestions, ideas, or areas where you’d like to see more focus. While I can’t promise to cover everything, I’ll do my best to respond to popular interests.
Writing these articles has been a joy, and knowing they resonate with you means the world to me. Even if no one read them, I’d still be having fun. But the fact that you’re here, engaging and growing alongside me, makes this journey even more rewarding.
Thank you for being part of this adventure. Here’s to an exciting 2025!
This reader is excited for every topic and type of content you listed! I’ve really appreciated your insights on Biblical discernment, how modern philosophies can warp our worldview without our knowing it, fairy tales, current films and TV shows, and Jane Austen. I would love to hear your thoughts on:
- Other much-loved plays and musicals like Wicked (for instance, why are so many people wildly in love with “Peter Pan”)?
- Edwardian classics like Winnie the Pooh, The Secret Garden, The Wind in the Willows, or Anne of Green Gables
- Fairy tales, fairy tales, fairy tales . . .
- Fairy tale adaptations, reimaginings, and retellings, including ones outside of the Disney empire such as Studio Ghibli’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” (ok, that’s fantasy, but has fairy tales elements)
Hope your novel project goes well!
Everything you’re doing has blessed me and my eldest daughter. I really can’t see any deficiencies as I’ve followed some of your recommended Substack follows, yours seems the most consise, but very effective as others are in their bigger scaled writings. Also, personally, your work has helped me along this journey of reenchantment, though it started with having to read stories with my children, your work as it stands, has been such a blessing. May the Lord bless you with more subscribers, there are so many out there that need to be exposed to your work