A Guest Post by Dieta Scheidecker

A Guest Post

By Dieta Scheidecker

In the fall of 2023, something started stirring. I kept reading about the fire of God. Scripture was jumping out at me, creating a dialogue that kept getting longer and longer.

Then one day, Isaiah 35:8 came to life. A Highway of Holiness.

I saw a vision of a road with deep ditches on either side. I saw forks in the road where it split into smaller paths. I saw it winding through prairies, forests, and mountains. Then I saw a girl walking on the road. Sometimes alone, sometimes with others, not all of them friends. Some would come and go, others never to return. And finally, I saw that only the main road went to a magnificent, light-filled castle. All the other little offshoots wandered away to nothing.

This vision haunted me. A deep yearning to do something with it burned inside me. One night, the words of a friend set it afire. “Just write it. It doesn’t matter where you begin. Just start, the rest will come.”

The next day, The Fire and The Serpent series was born.

Isaiah 35:8 was the catalyst for the story, but Holy Spirit is the true author. I had concepts from scripture and knew the main character would be tied to me personally. As for how the storyline worked out, that was a total surprise.

God challenged me on a lot of the ideas. Or I should say, I challenged Him! “Lord, this will offend people.

Is this how You want to be portrayed? Are You sure this is where it’s supposed to go? Does this even make sense?”

Then the hidden layer under the main story began to emerge, and it became two stories in one. The surface story about a girl struggling with identity. The deeper layer about the Trinity and the age-old battle between good and evil.

What started as a narrative turned into a journey. Not just for the characters, but for me. I became the main character. Her insecurities, doubts, and fears were mine as well. And through a crazy trek in a world one layer away from ours, I began to heal and let go.

This story was never about building a fantasy world or writing an interesting tale. It was about wrestling with Truth, discovering identity in Christ, and letting go of offense.

It was an invitation to surrender my doubts and let God speak in ways I could not—through His fire.

The Fire and The Serpent- Book One: Sojourners

2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Finalist Awards (Christian/Religious Fiction & Spiritual Fiction)
2025 Readers’ Favorite Finalist Award (Christian Fiction)

 
“Ahhh, my dear girl,” the creature croons. “I have been waiting for one such as you. How fascinating that my adversary has chosen someone so… insignificant. Who would have thought…”

An invitation to travel a path many have chosen to abandon…
A calling hidden in the weakest vessel….
An enchanting enemy with a wicked agenda…
A king who isn’t all he appears to be…

The path before Kenna is one few choose to follow. Darkness is seeping into the hearts and minds of the people, whispering lies and twisting the truth. Nothing is as it seems. To follow the Path of the King is to risk everything she thought she knew—about the world and about herself. This journey is more than a test of strength; it’s a test of identity. Kenna thought she knew who she was, but it was all a lie.

Purchase Links:
https://amzn.to/3YULVba(print & ebook)
https://bookshop.org/shop/Dieta (print only) 

https://books2read.com/u/4Xpgoe (ebook only)

About Dieta: 

Dieta Scheidecker is a Wisconsin-based author, worship leader, and songwriter. Inspired by stories that stir the soul and challenge the mind, she brings a reflective voice to fantasy adventure and speculative fiction. Her award-winning debut novel, SOJOURNERS, launched her THE FIRE AND THE SERPENT series, which explores spiritual truth through allegory, suspense, and action. Her short story IN THE BETWEEN offers a powerful glimpse into the emotional and redemptive themes that shape her work.

Dieta is also the founder of Spoken Flame Company, a Christian-based coaching,and editing service dedicated to helping authors bring their stories to light.
When she’s not writing, reading, or creating music, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors—hiking rugged trails, camping off-grid, or chasing mountain views out West, always searching for the next spark of inspiration.

Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.spokenflamecompany.com/authorpage
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietaScheideckerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietascheideckerauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DietaScheideckerAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55249664.Dieta_Scheidecker
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/dietascheidecker

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Dieta Scheidecker

Notebook and Fountain Pen: Pixabay/Pexels

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Mark David Pullen!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Mark David Pullen

I love meeting new-to-me authors, don't you? Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a few minutes getting to know Mark David Pullen!

1.What inspired you to write this story?

Believe it or not, I was inspired to write this story because I got bored reading my son to sleep. There are only so many board books you can read as an adult before they start to wear you out. I wanted to write something that would be equally engaging for the person reading the story and the person they were reading it to. And so, I gifted my son with this story.

2. How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

Because I wrote it for my son, I thought it would be fun to make him and my two nephews the main characters. They were relatively easy to develop because I had a lot to work with and all the resources necessary to develop their traits and characteristics.

3.What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?

I did a lot of research! Even though I write Sci-Fi/Fantasy and fast-paced Action/Adventure, I researched everything to make it as authentic as possible. I wanted to write about a giant prehistoric frog, and I had no idea they actually existed. They’re called Beelzebufo!

4. Describe your journey to becoming an author.

My journey to publication is a God story. All my life, I’ve been a daydreamer, and that has gotten me into trouble. I got bored reading my son to sleep and thought, “Why not write him a story?” So, I daydreamed one up. I am a trade worker, not even close to a writer at the time, but I sat down and wrote him the story anyway. It was an inspiring experience, and I felt the tug on my heart to finish it and write more.

I wrote the whole thing in about a month and fell in love with writing. It was a whopping 30 pages in a looseleaf binder. I didn’t even have a laptop at the time. I wrote it entirely on my iPhone with a Bluetooth keyboard.

I gave it to my son for Christmas, and the following spring, my wife sent me away via Zoom to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference for Father's Day. Remember, I’m not a writer, but this was a fantastic gift and experience. She even arranged three appointments for me: two with agents seeking work and one with an acquisitions editor for a company I’d never heard of.

Neither agent was interested in my work, and I missed my appointment with the editor, a man named

Terry. Too bad, but I’m not even a writer. I wrote one thing, one time, so what was I to expect? Certainly not for Terry to have an open time slot and ask to meet with me, which is what happened. So we meet. I should have mentioned Terry, and the agents only got the first page of my story to judge whether they were interested in it. Not the front and back, the front of the first page only. Terry loved it and asked for the rest. I could not believe it. He asked for the rest and said he would be in touch.

I sent him the rest of the story, the other 29 pages, and I waited. Terry reached out shortly after that, telling me it was too short and way below the industry standard for word count and content. But he encouraged me to keep working on it and stay in touch. Too bad, but it happens.

Life continues, and a few months later, my phone rings from an unknown number. I answer by mistake instead of hitting the ignore button. But I answer, and it’s Terry. He asks how the writing is going, and I tell him I’m working on it here and there. But I still have real-life obligations, and writing is a hobby, so I work on it when I have time. Terry then explains that his company publishes two books in my categories a year and that he had hoped one would be mine, but time was running out. So I got to work. I bought a laptop, got to work, and finished my story. A month later, during the week of Christmas, Terry called and told me my writing contract was in the mail.

5. If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series?

My book is part of a series. I did not intend it to be, but it is. Once I sat down to write, the ideas and stories kept coming. The second book in the series just hit shelves this September! (Freedom Through the Narrow Gate: The Oasis Chronicles)

6.Why do you write in this genre?

I write in this genre because it’s what interests me. That makes it easy.

7. What advice do you have for fledgling writers?

My advice to fledgling writers is to attend a writer's conference. This is not only for the networking opportunities but also for the coursework and materials that will help you grow in the craft and prepare you to be a small business owner because, as an author, your book is your business.

8. What is your favorite childhood book?

My favorite childhood book is “Mrs. Frisby And The Rats of Nimh.” I love any story with talking animals, especially mice and rats. A little fun tidbit for you is that the second book in my series focused only on talking mice and rats.

About the Oasis King

Dylan, Jack, and Tripp are looking for adventure, but when they find an entryway into a magical land, plagued by the malevolent Stranger, the cost of their new, exciting journey might prove to be too much.

While on vacation at their grandmother’s farm, cousins Dylan, Jack, and Tripp learn of a long kept family secret and the power of wishing on a star. The boys are swept away to the Valley of the Oasis—a strange, primal paradise, where monsters and danger lurk around every turn. They find refuge with a lone hunter and his dogs, who have lost track of time and appear trapped in this magical land.

But the hunter and his dogs cannot rest for long. He is pursued by the Stranger, a strange green-skinned being from another time and place who also seeks to escape the Valley of the Oasis. As they narrowly escape the Stranger’s attacks, the boys worry that they, too, are trapped with no way home. Will the hunter protect the boys and send them home in time, before the Stranger closes in once and for all? The Oasis King is the first in a series of an action-adventure tales for younger readers who seek new lands, heart-racing challenges, and unexpected twists.

Find more information about Mark David Pullen at:

Website: www.theoasisking.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/therealoasisking
Instagram: www.instagram.com/markdavidpullen

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sara Watterson

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sara Watterson

LINDA: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your debut fantasy novel This Dreamer. I love biblical retellings! Why did you choose this particular Bible story, and how did you come up with your adaptation?

SARA: Thank you! And thanks for allowing me a space on your blog. The initial ideas for This Dreamer have been churning in my mind since 2011. I don’t remember the exact moment I landed on the story of Joseph, but I knew I wanted a biblical tie-in. After reading one of my favorite secular YA book series, I finally had an aha moment. In it, the author presents four fairytale retellings in four dystopian/sci-fi books. But the fairy stories are intertwined. The characters from one story carry over into the next fulfilling supporting roles in the following books. It’s a clever concept, and I thought, why can’t I do that with a few beloved Bible characters?

My series, The Chronicles of the Marked, begins with Joseph and the coat of many colors in the first book, Queen Esther will follow, and then Samson. The over-arching story tying them together represents heaven as well as Satan’s deception in the world and his eventual dismissal from God’s presence. My protagonist, Evie, is a part of this higher concept, layered over the retelling. It’s very much a Good vs. Evil story.

I also wanted to pen a message for my adopted daughter. I try to convey a message of purpose and belonging. One of my characters is in foster care, as she once was. He wrestles with the question, Why am I here if my birth mom didn’t want me?

LINDA: What is your writing process like, and how much research was necessary for this story?

SARA: Well, there are pantsers and plotters and then there are over plotters. That’s me! I LOVE the

Pixabay/Gidon Pico

outlining process, and I create incredibly detailed outlines before writing a single word of a novel. I read the Joseph story in Genesis many times and sketched a hero’s journey outline for it. Then I added my own characters and elements to mirror that. I also researched miracles and extraordinary powers in the Bible. Every powerful “Gift” in my story can be found in the Bible, with my own flair, of course: Strength, Water-Moving, Prophetic Dreams, etc.

LINDA: What is your favorite aspect of writing?

SARA: Coming up with the story idea and making all the pieces fit together. In other words, OUTLINING! Is that weird?

LINDA: Not at all, but I love to outline too, so I'm a bit biased! LOL. What do you do to prepare for writing? (e.g., do you listen to music, set up in a certain area, etc.)

SARA: I love to write either outside if the weather is nice or in a coffee shop. I don’t always remember, but I try to spend time in prayer before I get started. Then I grab some black coffee and get with it. When in a coffee shop, I often listen to instrumental music. Lately, my favorite has been The Greatest Showman soundtrack piano medley.

LINDA: You’re a teacher, a mom, a writer, and run a website. How do you juggle all your responsibilities?

SARA: It can be exhausting. And to be honest, I struggle to find time in the summer when my kids are home. But my kids are school age, and I only teach a few hours a day from August to May. During those months, I try to be disciplined and use my time wisely.

LINDA: What is one thing you wish you could do?

SARA: I wish I could pound out 2000+ words a day. Even when I have the time, I can’t stay focused for that long. After a few hours, I get restless and have to accept I’m done for the day.

LINDA: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers?

Pixabay/Janeb13

SARA: Stick to it! It takes hard work and may take a very long time, but it’s worth it to finally get your book baby out into the world. Pray before writing. Ask for God’s guidance, and he will help the words flow. And don’t wait until you’re about to launch your book to get serious about researching marking and social media. Start connecting with readers and other authors now. If I could go back, this is something I would do differently.

LINDA: What is your next project?

SARA: When I finish book two of my current series, I’ll be excited to jump back into another series I’ve kept on the back burner. I have a detailed outline (are you surprised?) and a 30,000-word start on a YA sci-fi/fantasy romance.

LINDA: Where can folks find you on the web?

SARA: You can find me on my website, http://www.sarawatterson.com, Instagram: @sarawattersonwrites, and Facebook: @sarawattersonwrites. I recently revamped the aesthetic of my website and Instagram. Check it out!

About This Dreamer:

Evie grows restless observing mortals from the safety of her desk in the Control Room. When a friend offers to smuggle her by portal into the human world, she jumps at the opportunity. Secretly, she also hopes to observe Adan, the human Dreamer. Only a glimpse, she promises herself.

But trouble awaits after her captivating adventure and delayed return. Not only did she take an unsanctioned trip to the ground, but now the boy, the Dreamer, is missing. Worse still, Evie’s director believes she is to blame.

Evidence places Adan in another sector, where Gifted humans are forbidden.

Donning a human body and wielding a golden blade, Evie’s orders are to travel to this uncharted territory, find Adan, and take care of the problem.

As she attempts to keep the human emotions at bay, she discovers this intriguing boy was smuggled here for a reason, and perhaps the culprit—the Deceiver—is a threat to them all.

This YA adventure is an enthralling mix of fantasy, mystery, and romance, a clean fantasy book for teens and tweens inspired by Joseph and his coat of many colors.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3cEWc68