Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Theme Gives Christian Fiction Its Power

From Edie: Eva Marie Everson shares how theme gives Christian fiction its emotional and spiritual power—and discover practical ways to weave truth, purpose, and faith naturally into your storytelling.

Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Theme Gives Christian Fiction Its Power

by Eva Marie Everson @EversonAuthor

You’ve heard it time and again, that question prospective agents and/or editors ask. Namely, what is the theme of your work?

Perhaps you are unsure what theme, in literary terms, is. 

In nonfiction, theme is the opinion of the author expressed on the subject. In fiction, theme is the main idea, stated directly or indirectly and is expressed

• Through the actions and attitudes of the characters.
• Through the thoughts of the characters via deep POV.
• Through the conversations between the characters.
• Through the experiences of the main character.
• Through the narrative (what is happening in between).

Here’s a Theme for Ya

The theme of my novel, Miss Beth Bettencourt (Kregel, May 2026), is, straight up, forgiveness. The importance of it, yes, but even more. Unforgiveness separates us from God. As a Christian, I don’t want anything to separate me from God. I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir here. 

You’ve heard the old saying, “Unforgiveness is the poison you pay for someone else but drink yourself.” Although the original author of this line appears debatable, its truth is indisputable. 

Here’s another undeniable fact: sometimes you don’t know the effects of unforgiveness until it’s too late. My fictional character, Beth, has lived nearly a decade in unrecognized unforgiveness. She carries on, daily, as though she is fine. She has a kindergarten. She loves her “children.” She has friends. Her mother. Her father. A life. But she has lost half of herself because the person she cannot forgive is her identical twin, Elise, a woman who ran off with Beth’s one true love. 

And then, Elise dies. Offering forgiveness with reconciliation has become impossible. Now, with the news of Elise’s death, emotions Beth kept at bay have come to the surface and must be dealt with.

Enter an “angel” in the form of a man recently released from the US Army. He not only will relay how he feels about forgiveness but also how I, as the author, feel about it. This is because I wove the theme of my work like a thread into the fabric of the story.

This is How We Tell Our Truths

I’ve heard it said that works of fiction are only lies. I’ve also heard it argued that Jesus taught using story. And, of course, story is fiction.

When we add theme (in the case of Miss Beth Bettencourt, forgiveness) to a story idea, we slip from mere storytellers to writers on a mission—to spread truth to our readers. To offer a message that will draw them closer to God in their journey with Him. 

This places us, whether we like it or not, in the role of a teacher (James 3:1). Through theme, we teach our readers a truth, something our heart yearns to share. We must keep this in mind because the responsibility is heavy. We must take it as seriously as if we write academic theological tomes. 

Are you a fiction or a nonfiction writer? Do you think about the theme of your work? Do you take the message seriously or as a matter of fact?

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Dipping the Quill Deeper: How Theme Gives Christian Fiction Its Power from @EversonAuthor on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Eva Marie Everson’s newest novel, Miss Beth Bettencourt, releases May 12, 2026 from Kregel Publication. Eva Marie is the CEO of Word Weavers International, the Director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and the Director of The Selah & The Foundation Awards for Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.