Weaving Spiritual Themes Into Your Story by Gayla K. Hiss

Gayle K. Hiss

One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Daniel. Not only was the prophet Daniel gifted with the ability to interpret dreams, he was given a number of amazing prophecies concerning the future. He also had three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (aka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), who refused to worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, which landed them in the fiery furnace to die. As I wrote WILDFIRE, the third book in my Peril in the Park series, the tale of these three brave young men repeatedly came to mind until I saw its connection to the story I was writing. By weaving this theme of the fiery furnace into my story, it added spiritual and emotional depth to the plight of my characters as they experienced their own fiery furnace. It also helped me hone in on the underlying message of my story—that Jesus Christ is with us in the fire.

Perhaps you have a passage, parable, or prophecy of specific interest in the Bible. There are several ways you can incorporate it into your story: You could make the theme an explicit part of the plot, with a storyline built around it, but the characters and situation fictionalized. Shakespeare was a master at taking historical events and adapting them for plays. The same principle could be applied for adapting a Biblical theme to a fictional novel, for example, a prodigal son story set in contemporary or futuristic times.

Another method for incorporating a spiritual theme is more subtle. You could make the characters and story very different from the theme, but what is going on emotionally with the characters is connected to it somehow. This is similar to what I did in my story. When my characters are faced with their own fiery furnace, on an emotional level they are relating back to the story from the book of Daniel. Of course, the theme needs to be hinted at throughout the story to reveal its underlying message, allowing the reader to make the connection.

An even subtler approach is to hint at the theme at the beginning of the story, for instance, a character could quote a proverb in passing. The theme isn’t mentioned again until near the end, at which point the reader realizes that the adage at the beginning had been illustrated by the story.

I’ve only touched on a few ways to weave a spiritual theme into your story. Choosing a theme can simply be a matter of focusing on a Biblical subject that interests you and has relevance to your characters or plot. Sometimes the Biblical theme will suddenly jump off the pages as you write your story. When that happens, it’s a gift—so go with it. A spiritual theme skillfully woven into a story can profoundly impact your readers, and the most inspirational stories are those that are truly “inspired”. 

About the Author

About Gayla K. Hiss
Gayla’s writing journey began with her hobby painting landscapes. In her imagination, characters and scenes came to life as she painted beautiful natural settings. Her inspiring novels combine her love for the great outdoors with romance, suspense, and mystery. Gayla and her husband often tour the country in their RV, visiting many state and national parks. She enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling, and lives in the Pacific Northwest. She’s excited to announce the August release of WILDFIRE, book 3 in her Peril in the Park series, which can be purchased on Amazon at https://amzn.to/2KhK7Ec. Visit www.gaylakhiss.com to learn more, and connect with her on Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

Wildfire

Will Rachael and Dylan escape the fire’s fury, or perish in the flames?

Wildfire by Gayla K. Hiss

Sparks fly when wildfire researcher Rachael Woodston clashes with firefighter Dylan Veracruz in Rocky Mountain National Park. The June fire season has just begun, yet a long-standing drought has already turned the national park into a tinderbox. Rachael’s computer data indicates the fire Dylan’s crew is fighting is about to accelerate, but he doesn’t believe her—until the fire suddenly gets out of control and they have to evacuate.

Suspecting arson, Rachael and Dylan join forces in search of answers and soon discover that chasing fires isn’t all they have in common—they’re both survivors who’ve tragically lost loved ones. However, their difference of opinion about faith keeps them at arm’s length, despite a growing attraction. As the danger escalates, Rachael and Dylan soon find themselves in a firestorm they cannot escape. All seems lost until Rachael has a profound encounter that restores her faith and gives her hope. The close call also fuels her determination to stop the fiend behind the flames.
But can she and Dylan solve the mystery and extinguish their enemy before disaster strikes again?

Finding Your Voice by Tanya Agler

When I’m driving my youngest children to school or wherever, I like to play the standards of yesteryear. I’m introducing Cupcake and Chunk to the silky voices of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Doris Day, and I love throwing in some Satchmo for good measure. There’s nothing like Louis Armstrong’s trumpet playing to brighten up my day. Decades later, their voices are each distinct and unique, and I can tell immediately whether Bing is crooning, Frank is extolling the virtues of New York, or Doris is serenading the troops who were taking a “Sentimental Journey.” As I was listening to “Swingin’ on a Star” the other day, I started to think how writers develop their own voices, something unique that differentiates their styles from others. 

Theme. Even today, the name Doris Day often brings up two famous songs of the twentieth century, “Que Sera Sera” and “Sentimental Journey.” Both are sung in a fashion to bring reminders of home to boys and men, who are searching for their way home. (“Que Sera Sera” was used effectively in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much and “Sentimental Journey” was a huge hit during World War II.) The theme of finding a way back to family is familiar in many novels. Coming home is also a recurring theme in my writing, and I try to use my voice to evoke images of home, from baked goods to holidays. When a writer is wondering how to establish his or her voice and his or her brand, recurring themes are often a great place to start.

Setting. Going into detail about the book’s setting can often make it seem as though the setting is an additional character in the book and help your voice stand out. Dynamic settings can add a dimension to a writer’s voice and keep the reader turning the page. The Alaskan wilderness or a Kentucky cave can lend a suspenseful air. The murmur of the waves on the shore can provide a backdrop for a women’s fiction novel or a reunion romance. All of these details are one more way a writer can strengthen his or her voice.

Dialogue. Ensuring your characters sound like themselves and not like other characters can help your writing. I’ve heard other singers perform “It’s a Wonderful World,” but when Louis Armstrong sings it, I stop what I’m doing and listen. It’s a beautiful song and his inflection and slightly scratchy voice bring out the best in the lyrics and melody. So too, your teenager should sound like a teenager and not like your heroine’s grandmother. By infusing your characters with attitude and giving them their voice, you also grow your voice.

In a way, some songs are sheer poetry. Some writers have melodious voices and their prose reads like poetry. Others take you on a wild roller coaster of a ride. The best part is there’s room for all our voices out there. Think about your favorite song and why the singer who vocalized the lyrics made that tune something special. Then think about your writing. There’s something special in your words as well, and your voice helps shape their meaning.

What’s your favorite song or genre of music? Do you see any of the themes in those reflected in your writing?

Tanya Agler lives in an Atlanta suburb with her husband, four children, a Basset Hound, and a rabbit. She loved the University of Georgia so much she stayed there for seven years, ultimately earning her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Juris Doctor degree but trading those in for blue jeans and a laptop. A write-at-home mom, Tanya is a member of RWA and is the current President of Georgia Romance writers. A 2017 Unpublished Contemporary Category Maggie winner and Unpublished Contemporary Gateway to the Best winner, she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency.

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