Minimizing the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Creative Projects

If you scroll through any social media website, you will likely come across material produced by artificial intelligence (AI). AI use has risen in recent years as technology has advanced, and its use has raised serious concerns.

There are different forms of AI. People use AI for all sorts of things, both in their personal life and at work. Some AI is helpful and increases productivity in a person’s industry. Other AI, however, replaces human creativity and hurts the writing and publishing industries.

While AI has its practical uses, extreme caution should be taken to make sure it does not replace human creativity. In the publishing industry, some publishers use and encourage AI use. This should be discouraged to the greatest extent possible.

The Types of AI

The types of AI available to the public are in two general groups: generative and non-generative. These two forms have crucial differences that change its acceptable uses and purposes. All AI relies on the users to write prompts to produce the desired product. There are nuances within these categories, but these are the basic categories.

Non-generative AI is traditional AI that uses computer programming to analyze already-existing information. Nothing new is created with general AI. This is especially helpful in industries with a lot of data or dense information that needs to be sorted. This was the first type of artificial intelligence that has steadily grown over time.

Generative AI is the form of artificial intelligence that creates new material. Whether text, images, videos, or anything else a computer can create, generative AI produces new content. Before generative AI, this all has to be created by the human mind. Now, anyone can enter a prompt to produce anything. However, this lacks the creative touch that a human would provide.

Computer Programs Cannot Replace Human Creativity

Human creativity is at the core of all media. Your favorite movies, books, theater, podcasts, and even clothes were planned, created, and produced by real humans. Countless hours were spent perfecting all of these, making it as close to the creator’s vision as possible. AI would certainly produce content with less of a human spark than anything else. Sometimes, even flaws or shortcomings are endearing and showcase humanity.

When you use generative AI to create text for publication, are you actually the author of the book? You are the one with the idea and who created the AI prompt, so it is your product. However, your creative role was at the barest minimum. Often, authors develop their creativity through practicing their art. You may think you want to write one thing before shifting as you write. With AI, there is no room for evolving creativity. What you enter in the prompt is what the computer program produces.

While generative AI use is up to personal discretion, some consumers do not appreciate it. AI content is not always immediately recognizable, but sometimes it is. Some people find obviously AI-produced content offputting and immediately recognizable. This can also be called “AI slop,” which refers to ugly, artistic-less content created by AI. AI has become more refined over the years, but it rarely can completely be disguised as human produced. It can even produce content that is confusing, misleading, not visually appealing, or flat-out wrong. You can only guarantee something has your individual human touch when you are in complete control of the final product.

The Minimal Role of AI in Publishing and Writing

Generative AI should rarely, if ever, be used in writing or publishing. If you decide to use AI in writing, try to limit it to basic guidance or outlines. It should not replace your actual writing. Always review anything you get from AI generators because it is not perfect.

Publishers are responsible to lead the charge and promote human-created content. Publishers must control and keep an eye on all AI use in their books. No publisher wants to be known to release subpar “AI slop.” Generative AI needs extreme scrutiny, but non-generative AI also needs to be monitored. It can be useful for basic copy editing, but it should never be the only source of editing.

Cloverly Christian highlights human creativity from the very start of the publishing process. You are responsible for writing your book, but once you submit it, we make sure people lead the charge. Your manuscript will be read, approved, and edited by a human. Your cover art and illustrations will be created by hand. Even our marketing materials will be guided by a human touch.

No part of your book is finalized without your approval. Cloverly Christian will make sure your book is the book you have always imagined.

Using Criticism to Improve Your Writing

When you set out to write a book, you typically have a clear path of what you want to write. When you finish writing, whether a first draft or published book, you will rightfully be proud of your work. That is the most important thing, but sometimes, others do not see your book as you intended.

Whether it’s a misinterpretation of your themes, dislike of the genre, or any other discontent, you will receive criticism. It is a matter of when, not if. As an author, you should be prepared to embrace any criticism you receive and never let it deter you. If you are open, the criticism you receive can help all aspects of your writing and understanding of literature.

Listening to Friends and Family

Your friends and family should be the most trusted people in your life. Getting their feedback on any of your creative endeavors is crucial. Embrace their feedback the most, even their more negative thoughts. If they are truly dependable people in your life, you should always make them feel like they can express themselves.

The feedback you receive from those close to you will be some of the most valuable across your writing journey. Their honesty will be the most reliable criticism you will receive. While your writing will always belong to you, knowing how others close to you see it opens your eyes. No matter what, you will always have final say on your writing.

Accepting criticism is a skill that can be trained. Those who are unable to accept criticism can learn to embrace feedback. Listening when someone close to you is comfortable enough to give you honest feedback is a great thing. It shows stability and confidence in your own abilities.

Seeing Your Writing in a New Light

Nobody knows your writing better than you. After all the time you spend planning, writing, and editing your work, it becomes like second nature to you. You may think there is nothing left for you to learn from your book, but that is not necessarily true.

Hearing negative feedback can make you reevaluate your own choices. It can allow you to go back into your work with a different perspective. Looking for what others took away from your writing is crucial to fully understanding your book. You may learn that what you wanted to convey did not effectively end up on the page.

Finessing Your Writing

While your writing will always come down to your personal preference, you can use feedback to tweak it. For works still in the drafting or editing phases, you can directly edit your current manuscript. These suggestions are just that, suggestions, but they can show you what parts of your book might be unclear.

For already-published works, the benefits of embracing criticism are slightly different (unless you are publishing a new edition). Instead of editing that specific piece of work, you can adjust aspects of your writing style for future writing. Always be true to yourself, but do not be afraid of shifting to better reflect your intentions. These changes can even be applied between genres and types of writing. You always want to write so that your readers understand your book and its message.

Understanding the Writing Process

The process of writing and publishing a book is not easy. It takes courage, confidence, and perseverance to cross the finish line. That makes it understandably difficult to receive any form of criticism. But at the end of the day, it makes you a more well-rounded writer. Getting a big-picture view of all aspects of the industry puts the criticism you receive into perspective. It also can increase the respect you have for other authors and gauge your future criticism.

Ultimately, just because someone criticized your work does not mean you are a bad writer. Art is subjective. No two people will have the same opinions on everything. Do not let someone’s opinion of your work devalue your confidence as an author. Always write in ways that preserve your artistic integrity.

How Literature Can Build Your Mental Health and Relationship with God

Books are an outlet for both creative and religious expression. There are countless genres and types of books for everybody, but they all share some common threads. The wide realm of literature can enhance and promote mental health for all readers.

Thinking about what draws you to a given book or genre, the role of books in mental health is clear. Some books are designed for the express purpose of promoting mental health, while others do so without meaning to. Any book can be read at the end of a long day to decompress and achieve this goal.

This benefit of reading is not only anecdotal, it is scientifically proven. Studies have been conducted to determine the effect of reading on one’s mental health and brain activity. The results affirmed that reading has positive effects on the brain and provides mental ease. Reading can even be used in therapy and counseling, through bibliotherapy, to guide healing and support.

This article will discuss the various parts of one’s mental health and well-being that reading improves.

Relieving the Day’s Stress

One of the most classic purposes of reading is to end one’s day on a relaxing note. Your day can be full of long hours of work, stress at home, or personal strife, but reading can help. You can read after work or before bed to get your mind off your day. This uses your brain in a different way than most people do in their day job.

This stress relief can come from any source. You may choose to read religious devotionals and guides to strengthen your relationship with God. For many people, that is the biggest form of stress relief and comfort. Any book can achieve both these aims, but religious oriented books are a natural fit.

Other forms of nonfiction can serve a similar purpose. By reading about someone’s true-life story and overcoming the odds, it can provide a sense of calm. Seeing other people succeed can be inspiring and stress relieving in its own right.

In other genres, comfort can come from anywhere. Some people prefer to relieve their stress by reading awe-inspiring fantasy and sci-fi that takes readers to faraway lands. Others like to read aspirational romance that they can strive to find in their lives. People can even read anxiety-inducing thrillers to distract the reader from their stressful lives.

Reading as Life Guidance

Anyone’s mental health can be improved by reading a self-help guide or other resource designed for this purpose. These are some of the most straightforward ways in which reading can boost one’s mental health and self worth. This form of personal growth is individual to each person, and different people may get different takeaways from any book.

Any interested reader can find a self-help resource for their individual needs. There are countless books out there for these purposes, and all of them offer their unique guidance. This provides a clear step towards boosting one’s mental health.

Seeing Life’s Bigger Picture

Literature of all kinds introduces readers to new worlds and ideas that can put their lives in perspective. There are seemingly infinite other lives out there to explore in all types of books. Seeing other people’s struggles and perseverance can help your own mental health journey. Whether it is by finding a new aspiration or seeing novel ways to overcome hardships, reading is awe-inspiring.

Reinforcing Social Skills and Cultural Awareness

Reading as many books as possible does a lot of work to build social skills. Though maybe not the intended result, reading about social dynamics can strengthen any reader’s social prowess. While this is mostly true for novels or stories with literature, other books can promote overall changes in thinking.

Books can also transport readers to cultures previously unbeknownst to them. Learning about new cultures and ways of living makes readers have stronger social interactions with people of those cultures. It is always best to read about as wide of a range of cultures and perspectives as possible.

Inspiring Your Own Writing

Writing can be its own type of mental health care, and reading books can inspire you to write your own. It is so powerful to read something and be inspired to share your own thoughts and ideas with the world. Sharing your worldview is another way to increase the perspectives available in the book market. Doing this might even improve other’s mental health and inspire them to write.

Understanding What ISBNs Are and What They Bring to Your Book

Every book’s content, format, structure, themes, ideas, and personality are unique. Some books may seem similar to others, even closely sharing titles, but they are each different. To best tell books apart, each one is assigned an International Standard Book Number, or an ISBN. All books available in libraries and sold at major retailers have a unique ISBN to identify it. 

When someone scans or searches a specific book’s ISBN, they get a wealth of information about the book. This includes the book’s title, author, edition, binding, publisher, and publishing date, which is everything needed to find it.

These numbers are 13 digits long and are assigned to every book, specifically each version of the book published. The numbers have a specific format based on the publishing location, language, publisher, and specific book. It is important for authors to understand what an ISBN is to best engage in the publishing process.

Elements of an ISBN

As previously stated, ISBNs are 13 digits long. Before 2007, however, they were 10 digits long. The increase in length is attributed to the consistent increase in published books.

To look at a sample of an ISBN, take any book near you. The ISBN is usually located on the back right next to the barcode. Do not confuse the ISBN with the barcode number; they are separate but similar identifiers. ISBNs consist of five parts, often separated by hyphens. Together, these form the 13-digit ISBN.

Prefix

The prefix of the ISBN is the first three numbers at the beginning. When the length expanded from 10 to 13, the prefix was added to distinguish the old codes from the new inventory. The prefix is almost always 978 or 979, with 978 representing the older codes and 979 the newer ones.

Registration Group

The registration group of the ISBN comes from the country of origin and language of the book. This is often based on the location of the author or publisher, but does not represent copyright or intellectual property. This part of the ISBN ranges from one to five digits.

Books published in English in America are usually in group 1 or 2. Some countries (often smaller ones) or languages have one registration group, while others can have multiple. For example, Chile only has one group (956), while Iran has three (600, 622, and 964).

Registrant Element

The registrant element of an ISBN represents the publisher or imprint releasing a given book. It is consistent between all publications from the publisher. Depending on the size of the publisher and their catalog, this can be one to seven digits long. The registrant code for all of Cloverly’s books is 89743.

Publication Element

The next digits of the ISBN are the publication element. This is the part that individualizes your book from all others. Books from your country, published by your publisher, are usually the same up to this point. This can be up to six digits long, and each edition of your book has a unique publication element.

Check Digit

The last digit in any ISBN is the check digit. This acts as an error check in the ISBN and is specifically calculated from the numbers in the ISBN. Authors do not typically have to worry about calculating the check digit.

Getting an ISBN

If you are self-publishing your book, you can purchase as many ISBNs as you need. As discussed, every edition of your book needs a unique ISBN — paperback, hardcover, eBook, audiobook.

While the Library of Congress uses ISBNs to catalog their books, they are not the entity that assigns them. Bowker Publishing Services is the company that is used for selling and assigning ISBNs. They sell single ISBNs as well as bulk sales. Every country has their own providers for this, but Bowker is the one for the United States.

However, as a publisher, Cloverly Christian provides the ISBNs for each and every book we publish. Instead of bogging you in the weeds of publishing technicalities, you can focus on your book. No matter how many editions of your book we are publishing, each will get their own ISBN.

Common Elements to Include in St. Patrick’s Day Books

St. Patrick’s Day is a day of joy and celebration of all things Irish. Often, St. Patrick’s Day is seen as a festive day for festivities, but there is a deeper meaning to it. Going to a parade, drinking some beer, and embracing the color green are fun, but the day’s roots are religious. St. Patrick was a real man, and March 17 is the day to honor his life and teachings.

You can write a book that incorporates as many or as few elements of St. Patrick’s Day as you want. You can focus on the religious background of the day, or write a feel-good picture book for young readers. People all around the world celebrate Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day, and literature can reflect that. No matter what, make sure you book highlights the meaning of this day to represent Irish culture.

Who is St. Patrick?

The man who would later become St. Patrick was born in fifth-century Britain. He is most widely recognized for being a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland. He was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church, as he lived before that was common. However, he quickly became regarded as the patron saint of Ireland for his role in spreading Christianity.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s feast day, meaning many Christian denominations celebrate his work on that day. The level of devotion and celebration to St. Patrick varies regionally, culturally, and denominationally. Some places focus on St. Patrick’s Day’s fun, while others use it for religious devotion based on the real saint.

What is the folklore of St. Patrick’s Day?

Much modern-day appreciation for St. Patrick comes from folklore about his life and work, much of which is fantastical. When St. Patrick brought the Word of God to Ireland, it is said all the snakes in Ireland disappeared. This is likely not literally true, but used to explain Ireland’s lack of native snake species. Nevertheless, this is a story with powerful allegorical meaning.

Further, St. Patrick is responsible for the association of St. Patrick’s Day, Irish culture, and luck with shamrocks. Shamrocks typically are three-leafed clovers, representing the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ireland is full of shamrocks, and it is speculated that St. Patrick used them to explain religion to locals.

Another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is the leprechaun, a mischievous fairy-like creature with green clothes and red hair. These creatures from folklore have been synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. In modern folklore, leprechauns are said to hide pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

Much of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day combines religious symbolism with secular festivities. There are often parades, parties, and festivals to have fun, celebrate Irish culture, and wear green. Many people who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world do so to embrace Irish culture. Nevertheless, much of the symbolism of the day is rooted in Christianity.

Why write a St. Patrick’s Day book?

St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it is still widely observed. What makes the day unique from other holidays is that there is a unique green color palette associated with it. Not to mention, Irish folklore has specific imagery that is not often used other times of year. Further, due to the religious background of the real-life saint, you can write a book that highlights this connection.

St. Patrick’s Day books can be for any audience, whether specifically about the day or focused on Irish culture. St. Patrick’s Day is a whimsical day, and books about it that really play into that.

Picture books and others for young readers often emphasize the color green. It is probably the day’s most unifying marker. Irish folklore is very mystical and can be fun to adapt for children’s stories of all lengths and genres.

Books for adults are often less juvenile, but there can still be a level of whimsy in any book. Any genre can incorporate Irish culture and folklore without needing to be specifically about St. Patrick’s Day. For example, you can write a fantasy novel with a new twist on common folklore. Or, you can write a romance about two people falling in love with an Irish twist.

Finally, you can write a nonfiction book that showcases the Christian roots of the holiday. Alternatively, you can write about the man himself, St. Patrick, or other Irish Christian figures. There are so many aspects of St. Patrick’s Day to write about for any genre or theme.

Ensuring Biblical Accuracy in Christian Literature

Christian readers are always on the lookout for new faith-based books to read. Whether fiction stories with strong values or spiritual guides, there is a whole literary world out there. Ultimately, people look to books to reinforce different parts of their faith. However, it is of utmost importance that all references to Scripture are accurate and truly reflective of His word.

No matter what shape your biblical reference takes in your book, always ensure it is accurate. If you write a book that misrepresents the Scripture, readers will not be able to trust your opinions. Of course, much of Scripture is open to interpretation — that is why there are so many new books analyzing it.

Each book, chapter, and verse of the Bible is sacred. Here at Cloverly Christian, we want you to have the tools necessary to express your faith through your writing. This article briefly outlines some issues surrounding ensuring biblical accuracy in all types of Christian books.

Authors’ Backgrounds and Personal Faith

Your book is always your book. No matter what topic or topics it covers, you know best what goes into your story. As such, you are always in control of the biblical content you decide to write about. You can share specific parables or quotes, or you can use it as a basis for another story.

Your unwavering Christian faith and background with His word guides your writing from the first page. Only you know what to include in your book. That is a fantastic place to start when it comes to ensuring biblical accuracy.

When referring to Scripture or any other faith-based text, the first step is to read and understand it. You cannot write about something without reading and digesting the material. From there, your interpretation of the text can form the basis of your own book. Commenting on and dissecting religious teachings is the basis of Christian literature.

Everyone practices their faith differently. That includes individual interpretations of the Bible. Writing your book using guidance from Scripture creates a conversation with the reader that strengthens their own faith. However, always make sure your interpretations are based in His word to create as strong of an argument as possible.

Citations and Bible Translations

Whenever you quote any material, you must cite and attribute the quote to its source. That goes for the Bible as with every other book. Having accurate citations allows readers to efficiently see where you got your information. Also, you may be citing material that is protected under domestic or international copyright. It is especially important to properly cite this material to avoid any potential legal trouble.

At Cloverly Christian, our standard style guide for editing is the Chicago Manual of Style, or CMS. The CMS is long and has rules for every element of grammar, style, and citations. Throughout the editing process, our editors use the CMS for accuracy and consistency in our catalogue of books.

The Bible has a unique citation format from other books and resources. The format used by the CMS is also slightly different than others. The most important elements to include are the book, chapter, and verse of what you are quoting. Since there are multiple translations and versions of the Bible, you also should include which one you are using.

For example, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee” (Psalms 39:7, KJV). This quote is from the King James Version of Psalms, chapter 39, verse 7.

Using a uniform citation style will keep your book coherent and easy to read. Do not let stylistic aspects of your book distract readers from your deeply faithful material.

Cloverly Christian Review Process

As a deeply devoted Christian publisher, Cloverly Christian has high expectations for all its authors. We trust that you are well-versed in all of the Bible’s teachings and messages. Therefore, we maintain high standards of accuracy for each and every book we publish.

Before agreeing to publish your book, it must go through a thorough review process. Besides just meeting general publishing norms, our review process will ensure your work accurately highlights His teachings. Any work that does not meet our standards of morality and faithfulness could be rejected.

The goal of Christian publishing is to share Christian thoughts with all readers. Fellow Christians will be able to dig deeper into their faith, while non-Christians can explore a new way of thinking. These meaningful conversations are key to successful Christian publishing.

Cloverly’s publication standards are reflected in the importance of biblical accuracy. Without a high degree of biblical accuracy, your work will not be taken seriously as a piece of Christian literature.

How to Amplify a Wide-Array of Christian Voices in the Publishing Industry

When people are reading, across genres, they gravitate towards books that resonate with them. There are many different reasons that books attract their audiences. One big reason is the representation and diversity they offer. People can read all kinds of books written by different authors, but seeing themselves boosts engagement with the material.

It is left to publishing companies to push and advocate for a wide-range of voices in their rosters. Authors can write, but if there is no publisher there to release the book, their perspective will not be shared. In particular, the Christian publishing industry relies on diverse voices to achieve success.

How Christian Books Are Diverse

Diversity comes when people from different backgrounds share themselves with the world. In the media, this can come from writing books or movies, preaching the gospel, or otherwise sharing their story. Representation can come from different cultures, ethnicities, races, genders, or religious denominations, all of which have their larger purpose.

Across the spectrum, Christian books truly come in all shapes and sizes. From novels following virtuous characters to spiritual guides to empowering memoirs, faith-based literature is full of diverse voices. No two people practice their faith in the same exact way. That is why as many Christians should get to express their faith as possible.

For children’s books, highly representative books can foster a fundamental love of reading. They can latch onto stories that they can relate to and understand at a base level. As readers grow, their library also expands with age. Continued diversity and representation throughout one’s life as a reader continues to encourage engagement with literature.

Diversity does not just mean a book is about a diverse group of people. Sure, that is one meaning, but it also refers to the bigger picture. The people that are given platforms to tell their stories should come from a variety of backgrounds. Hearing the same voices and perspectives over and over again is repetitive for everybody.

Authors tell different stories because they come from diverse backgrounds that inform their writing. Different backgrounds and life stories make writing richer and more complex. In addition to sharing with similar readers, it also allows other groups to gain different perspectives.

Advocating for Representation

There are innumerable reasons to advocate for increased representation in the Christian publishing industry. At its base level, a variety of voices allows more readers to feel seen in the media. This increases involvement in reading Christian literature, while also encouraging more people to share their own thoughts.

There are some groups, depending on the area of the world and time in history, that have been more underrepresented. No matter who needs more platforming, there are ways to advocate for more voices in the literary world. The more life experiences and unique backgrounds that are shared with the world, the better.

Members of groups who are historically underrepresented often have alienating upbringings. They may not feel like their background has been properly showcased throughout their lives. More representation and diversity in all types of books balances that inequity. When there is a wide-range of viewpoints available, more people can be included.

The Role of a Publisher

Publishers are the biggest roadblock new authors face in the publishing world. Often, traditional publishers will have barriers to entry that make releasing new books difficult. Individual publishers can platform new writers from a variety of backgrounds, encompassing viewpoints from all groups. Even without purposely increasing representation, more books inherently boosts diversity of viewpoints.

Here at Cloverly Christian, we understand the importance of a variety of viewpoints. It is what strengthens all of our readers’ and authors’ faiths. We empower all of our writers to share their voice with the world without compromising their integrity. Literature that is not accessible to the masses is not successful at increasing representation and diversity.

How writing and publishing your book promotes spiritual growth

Everyone experiences and practices their faith differently. Your relationship with God is completely unique. Through this faithful relationship, you are in a unique position to share your truth with others. That is where Christian book publishing comes into play.

There is such a wide array of voices in the Christian publishing industry. These books range genres, across fiction and non-fiction, and each shares the author’s specific point of view. Writing and publishing a Christian book is an unparalleled opportunity to add your voice to the pantheon of faith-based books.

What to Include in Your Book

Your Christian book can take whatever shape you are envisioning. You can even publish a book with Cloverly Christian that is not explicitly about your Christian faith. The most important thing to do is keep your Christian values at the forefront of your entire book. What you decide to include in your book depends on what kind of book you are writing.

Some of the most directly faith-based Christian books to write are prayer guides, devotionals, and Bible studies. These are nonfiction books that are directly designed to promote spiritual thinking. In these books, you can discuss various aspects of the Bible, your faith, and direct readers in prayer.

You could also write a memoir or autobiography about your own journey with Christ. Sharing your story is a personal endeavor that can inspire others to follow your journey or embark on their own. Your autobiography can take whatever form you wish and cover years of your life or one specific incident.

Another option is writing a fictional story with overt religious themes. This can take form across genres, telling a story like any other with plot and characters with strong Christian values. The ultimate goal is to promote the virtues of Christianity while telling an entertaining story. The characters do not have to be perfect, so long as you craft an overall faithful text.

How Does Writing Grow Your Faith?

The Bible itself says quite a bit about writing. “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this” (Revelation 1:19, ESV). Using His word as a starting point, you can strengthen your relationship with God.

No two authors experience writing in the same way. Your writing process will be individualized to your needs as an author. You can use this journey as a way to explore your identity as a writer and as a Christian.

When you write a Christian book, whether fiction or nonfiction, you are using your God-given creativity. Your creative mind is a muscle, and writing flexes that muscle. Through writing, you can explore different avenues of your faith, unlocking new possibilities and realizations.

What Will Audiences Gain from Your Book?

Just as writing strengthens your faith, readers who read your book will get to explore their relationship with God. The type of book you write will inform what messages and morals your readers will take away. The stronger you explore Christianity in your text, the more use the readers will get from it.  Your book can provide thought-provoking questions, comforting faith-based tales, and inspirational journeys.

Having your book on shelves of Christian bookstores around the world adds an exciting new voice in the industry. Readers cannot get the information in your head unless you write and publish it. You will dictate what path your book will take to promote Christian values.

Why Publish Your Faith-Based Book with Cloverly Christian?

Books that promote spiritual growth are the backbone of the Christian publishing industry. There is no one set way to write a Christian book, and our roster of authors reflect that. Here at Cloverly Christian, we will review any kind of manuscripts from Christian authors. As long as the book is well-written and within the parameters of living and espousing Christian values, your book could be published with us.

Our team works endlessly to share God’s word with audiences around the world. We ensure our books conform to the highest of moral standards to nurture spiritual growth for our authors and readers. There is no one way to be a Christian author, but no matter what, it will be spiritually rewarding.

An Overview of the Methods and Purposes of Creating a Storyboard

When writing your book, your number one priority should be creating a well-structured story. Even in nonfiction memoirs, autobiographies, or devotionals, your book should be plotted out with care and diligence. To do this, create a storyboard throughout your writing process to guide you through it.

Effective storyboards can come in all shapes and sizes, customized to your specific project. Whether creating a storyboard before you begin writing or after your first draft, you should fully embrace the process.

Storyboard Overview

A storyboard is exactly what it sounds like: a board with your story on it. This process is not limited to book writing; it is often used across the entertainment industry. This practice allows you to visualize your story from top to bottom. Often, a storyboard is created by hand and on physical paper. Conversely, you might be able to do it on your computer. The general principles are the same either way.

The most important part of a storyboard is separating each individual component. If crafting it by hand, this likely means having a stockpile of index cards or Post-it notes handy. You would then write the individual elements on the cards. These pieces of paper are then arranged to project the flow of your book from start to finish. Once this map is created, you will see the important elements of your story in front of you. You can then reorganize, add to, or take away from it as needed.

Storyboarding is most useful for organizing the racing thoughts in one’s head. You might have a general direction for your book, but putting it on paper will help structure it for you. You will be able to clear the thoughts from your mind and build the story from there.

Plot, Characters, and Drawings

As mentioned, your index card or sticky notes contain the elements of your book. But what are those elements? Three of the most common elements to include are plot beats, characters, and illustrations to guide your visualization. Your storyboard can feature whatever elements you see fit, but here are some common ones.

Plot

Almost every storyboard is going to include significant parts of your book’s plot. This is the crux of a storyboard at its most basic level. You want to see how your story moves from beginning to end, with all the conflict in between. You cannot truly gauge the flow of your story until you see it laid out in front of you.

Once you can visualize your story, you can adjust it as needed. This can take the form of rearranging elements, filling in gaps, or removing extraneous details. You can also see where conflict is needed to add stakes to your story. Your vision guides the entire process.

Characters

Strongly written characters are the backbone of fiction storytelling. Without engaging characters, readers can be left in the dust. When creating a storyboard, include cards for each of your main characters. On them, you should detail as much relevant information about the character as possible: their motivations, background, relevant character arcs, relationships to other characters, etc.

Seeing your characters stripped down to their basic parts can guide you in developing them further. From there, you can see which need more characterization to feel like real people. You can also see if you have too many characters crowding the story, or conversely, too few. The ultimate goal is to create a balanced story filled with realistic characters.

Drawings

Another common element of storyboarding are illustrations. This is obvious for books that will actually include pictures, but it can be used otherwise as well. For picture books, even if you have a separate illustrator, your pictures can direct the entire process. Your words have to match the illustrations.

Having a visual representation of action or scenes can guide your writing in unexpected ways. You cannot control how readers will visualize your story, but you can use your images to influence your writing. You want your audience to see the story as you do.

Nonfiction Storyboarding

Storyboarding for nonfiction books follows a similar logic as for fiction books. It is all about structuring the flow of your book and any important elements in it. Instead of characters, you can include prominent figures you want to quote or reference. You can also include prayers or quotes from Scripture that are spiritual influences in a given segment.

For devotionals and other spiritual guides, you can use a storyboard to create a cohesive vision. This can allow your entries and sections flow into one another naturally. You never want your reader to feel confused by the direction your book is taking.

Three-Act Structure

Most, but notably not all, stories follow a three-act structure. This is not limited to books; movies almost always contain three acts, even if you don’t notice. Simply, these are known as the beginning, middle, and end. Each “act” has a larger purpose in the story. But, the text is not necessarily divided into sections. 

Act One: Beginning

Opening your book with a compelling introduction sets the scene for the rest of your book. Usually about a quarter of your book could be considered the first act. In this section, you will introduce your main characters and their motivations, set up the plot, and set the action in motion.

Act Two: Middle and Climax

The middle of your story will take up the bulk of your pages and contain more action. This is where your characters go on their journey, even if not a literal one. It can be an emotional journey, so long as they experience events that allow them to grow.

This will all build to the climax of your entire story, which usually comes towards the end of act two. If you think of an action movie, the climax is the big battle at the end. Of course, other genres have different climaxes, but it should be something the entire story is building towards. This is the largest segment of your story and can be more than half of the overall length.

Act Three: Ending

A strong ending sticks with viewers. This is your final impression to leave the audience with, so make it a good one. You are the only one who knows how your story should end, but make sure it is a satisfying conclusion. You do not want the third act of your book to be too long — the bulk of the action is over. But, you can still have an open ending that leaves room for more stories in your book’s universe.

Post-Writing Storyboarding

You know your writing style better than anyone else. Some authors with a looser writing style find storyboarding more helpful after completing a draft of their book. This serves a different purpose than doing so before you begin writing.

Where earlier storyboarding guides the writing process, later storyboarding helps with revisions and editing. The process and methods of creating a storyboard after finishing a draft are the same as outlined above. You will still physically map out the elements of your book to visualize it. Once you do this based on your writing, you will be able to see areas of improvement. Maybe you notice a plot hole. Maybe you notice an underdeveloped character. From there, you can make adjustments to incorporate into your text while editing.

Individualize Your Storyboard

No matter how and when you use it, creating a storyboard can help make your book more cohesive. There are no hard rules to follow, and you guide your storyboarding as you see fit. There is no “right” kind of storyboarding, just make sure it helps you on your writing journey.

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