Why I write the way I do, and what you can expect from my stories
Readers sometimes ask why my books feel different — simple yet deep, imaginative yet biblical, cinematic yet easy to read. So I thought I would take a moment to explain the heart behind my writing style, and why allegory has become the clearest way for me to communicate truth.
This is not an academic breakdown or a defence of the genre.
This is simply my approach, shaped by Scripture, prayer, and a desire to point people to Christ.
1. I want my allegory to be seen — not hidden
Some allegories bury their meaning beneath layers of obscurity.
Mine do not.
I write stories where the themes are intentional, where the symbols are clear, and where readers can recognise biblical truth woven through the narrative. Not because I underestimate readers — but because the gospel itself is meant to be revealed, not concealed.
Jesus told parables that were simple enough for a child to grasp, yet deep enough to change a life.
That is the kind of clarity I aim for.
2. I write with simplicity — not because the truth is shallow, but because it is profound
Simple does not mean light.
Simple means focused.
I want my books to be:
- easy to read
- accessible
- understandable to teenagers and adults alike
- uncluttered by excessive detail
But within that simplicity, I want depth — the kind of depth that stays with someone long after the final page.
Truth should be clear, not complicated.
3. My stories are biblical at their core
Everything I write flows from Scripture.
Not perfect interpretations, not theological arguments — but biblical truth expressed through story.
Themes you will always find in my books:
- love
- truth
- grace
- mercy
- humility
- spiritual warfare
- the cost of pride
- the beauty of sacrifice
- the reality of sin
- the hope found in Christ alone
Even in fictional worlds, I want the heartbeat to be unmistakably biblical.
4. I aim for a cinematic style
I love scenes that feel vivid — like something the reader can see.
My writing often includes:
- strong atmosphere
- sharp visuals
- emotional tension
- clear actions
- dramatic settings
This isn’t to make the story flashy — it’s to help the reader step into the world, feel what the characters feel, and experience truth with their imagination and their heart.
5. My stories are character-driven, not concept-driven
Even in allegory, people matter most.
I write characters who:
- struggle
- fear
- hope
- argue
- grow
- hurt
- fail
- rise again
Because spiritual truth is best understood when it becomes personal.
Readers follow characters before they follow ideas — and my aim is to let the lessons emerge naturally from the people living the story.
6. My books contain tension and conflict — because truth is forged in struggle
A good allegory should not be soft or sentimental.
It should carry weight.
My stories often explore:
- temptation
- inner battles
- lies we believe
- pain we carry
- the cost of loving others
- the consequences of division
- the need for courage
These are not abstract themes — they are real struggles Christians face today.
I want readers to feel the tension, not avoid it.
7. I give lessons subtly — without preaching
My goal is not to lecture.
Instead, I want the story itself to teach.
I want the actions, conversations, and choices of the characters to carry the truth.
If a reader finishes one of my books and says:
“I didn’t feel preached at. I felt invited into something real,”
then I have done my job.
Why all of this matters
Because in a world full of noise, confusion, and spiritual darkness, allegory can remind us of the eternal truths we forget. It can shape the imagination, reach the heart, and bring clarity where life has brought fog.
I write allegory because God has used stories to shape me — and I want to pass that gift on.
My hope is simple:
That my stories point people, quietly but clearly, back to the One who never changes.
If even one reader finishes a book feeling encouraged, challenged, or comforted by truth, then every word has been worth writing.
To Christ be the glory — in every chapter, in every world, and in every story He allows me to write.
—Daniel J.York