My Writing Process (And Why I’m Surprised, God has given me this blessing).
By Daniel J.York
I never expected to become a writer.
If you had told me years ago that I would one day write Christian allegory, stories that point to Christ through fiction, I would have laughed.
But God has a way of using unexpected people to shine His truth.
And that’s really where my writing process begins: with grace, not talent.
1. I Didn’t Think I Could Write, But God Gave Me a Story
I never set out to be an author.
I simply had ideas stirring in my heart, themes of truth, courage, and spiritual warfare, and the love of God. I imagined characters long before I started this project. I felt the weight of the world we live in: confused, noisy, full of self-made truth.
And something in me kept saying:
Write a story that reflects the real battle underneath it all.
I wrote because I felt I must, I could not be quiet, I simply had to write.
Not because I thought I was good at it.
2. I do Use Tools, but I Am the Author
I want to be completely honest and open.
I use AI tools sometimes to help with phrasing, structure, or clarity, grammar, spelling and syntax. Not to replace my voice, but to support it. Writers have always used tools, dictionaries, editors, thesauruses, writing software. AI is simply another tool God has allowed in our time.
But the story is mine.
The themes are mine.
The theology is biblically centred.
The world is from my creative imagination.
The characters are created are me.
Without God giving me a the gift and desire to be creative, the story would not exist.
And I revise every line until it reflects my voice and honours God.
AI is not in my mind and without me the story does no exist. I made the story up.
It does not create my characters.
It does not decide my themes.
It helps me express what God is already putting on my heart.
3. My Process Is Simple, But Honest
My writing process isn’t flashy or complicated. It looks like this:
- I begin with a biblical truth burning inside me.
- I ask, “How can I show this truth in a story?”
- Characters. Conflicts.
- I write scenes, adjust them, cut them, reshape them.
- I test every idea: Does this honour God? I revise again and again until I can feel the message clearly.
Sometimes it’s messy.
Sometimes I feel unqualified.
But God uses broken people to write beautiful things.
4. I Write for God, Not for Approval
This is the anchor of everything I write:
I write for God, not for applause, not for fame, not for validation.
If people like what I write, that’s a blessing and I hope my blesses the reader.
If they do not like my book, I will still write
My goal is obedience, not popularity.
Every project begins with the same prayer:
“Lord, make this story faithful, and use it however You want. Your will be done"
5. God Uses Stories, Even Fictional Ones
The Bible is full of narrative:
parables, poetry, imagery, prophecy, metaphor, characters who reveal truth.
God teaches through story.
So when I write allegory, I’m not replacing Scripture I’m echoing it. I’m creating fictional worlds that help us see real spiritual truths with fresh eyes.
Because sometimes story opens the heart faster than statement.
6. Why I Keep Writing
I keep writing because:
- Truth matters.
- Jesus matters.
- Hope matters.
- The Gospel matters.
And if even one person draws closer to God, sees truth more clearly, or feels encouraged in their walk because of something I wrote, then every hour of writing is worth it.
I write to point to the One who never changes.
I write because truth deserves to shine.
I write because God took someone who “never thought he could write”
and made him a storyteller.
Thank You for Walking This Journey With Me
If you read my books, my blogs, or anything I post thank you.
If you pray for my writing, please do, thank you.
If you simply support what I’m doing, thank you.
My prayer is simple:
“May every story I write glorify God.”
And may it encourage you to use whatever gift God gave you, no matter how unqualified you feel, for His glory.
Written by
Daniel J. York
