Readers have asked how I balance tension with tenderness, especially in stories like When Hope Began or next year’s Waldon Springs Christmas novella.
So here’s a peek at my process:
🎄 Step 1: Identify the emotional wound
What pain is the character carrying?
How is the holiday season making it unavoidable?
🎄 Step 2: Layer in the ticking clock
Christmas deadlines. Flight arrivals. A missing child.
Time increases pressure.
🎄 Step 3: Add the found-family warmth
Beacon Security shines brightest here: loyalty, courage, unconditional support.
🎄 Step 4: Let the setting do emotional work
Lights, winter air, familiar traditions.
They soften even the hardest edges.
🎄 Step 5: End with hope
Always. Every time.
If you’re a writer working on your own holiday story or just love seeing how the emotional threads come together, I hope this gave you some inspiration.
Mission logged.
Coffee consumed and Hope restored. ☕🕯️
Until the next cup,
🤎
Remember, you can get your copy of When Hope Began now over on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited! It’s also coming very soon to paperback.