I wrote a novel in less than a month. That includes revising and editing. It still needs some polish here and there. It needs formatted, and probably an expert looking it over with a fine-tooth comb. But the novel is complete.
How, you ask? How can you write a full novel in this amount of time? It must be terrible!
Actually, it’s quite good. The first beta readers are giving the best feedback I’ve ever received.
So how did I accomplish this? Systems, and tools. That’s how.
First and foremost, I used Brad Pauquette’s Novel Matrix for plotting, world building, and casting. Then I used the Human NEXUS for developing the characters that I cast into the archetype roles. Then I turned to ChatGPT for idea generation, a supply of details for enrichment, immediate feedback on the structure of the chapters and pacing, and sometimes for assistance in planning individual chapters and their micro-structure. A few times, I had ChatGPT check the chapters for Story Grid structure, but I know that well enough that more often than not, it wasn’t needed. For enrichment details, I turned to Jack M. Bickham’s book Setting, and gave ChatGPT a list of priorities for sensory details to suggest.
I learned valuable lessons from each of these systems. When utilized properly in conjunction with each other, they formed a powerful engine for generating this novel. It was like driving a car as opposed to pedaling a bicycle.
The most powerful thing I learned from Story Grid is that stories require the main character to move the plot through the choices they make. How the characters make their choices, how they filter the world they operate in—that creates conflict, as described in the Novel Matrix. What role will those characters play in the story around the main character? That also comes from the Novel Matrix.
So how does the character filter their choices, and which way will they lean? That is where the Human NEXUS comes into play.
📚 Writing Biblical Fiction That Resonates
The novel is Biblical fiction. I’ve read some books claiming to be Biblical fiction that try to turn what’s recorded in the Bible into narratives easier for modern audiences to relate to. But they are flat. The characters have no motivation other than God made them do some things. This isn’t something most people can relate to at all.
Because God did not create us humans as subservient automatons. These narratives try to insert the emotions and thoughts the characters might have had while serving God. But they still are not relatable. The character’s only choice is serving God. And they make that choice repeatedly—or suffer for not making that choice. That is not a very entertaining story.
When I read fiction—even Biblical fiction—I do it to be entertained, not to be preached at. If I want to be preached at, I’ll go to church. If I pick up a novel or watch a movie, preaching at me is one sure way to get me to put it down and never pick up another story from you.
🧠 How the Human NEXUS Applies to Biblical Fiction
Because God is the one who hard-wired our brains to think the way they do according to the Human NEXUS, we can also apply these traits, strengths, and weaknesses to Biblical characters.
Let’s examine.
I believe David was at least partly a Driver. He was bold. He was enthusiastic. He leaped into danger, trusting that God would see him through to success. Others were intimidated by him quite often, whether he meant to be intimidating or not.
I believe Moses was part Solutionary, part Influencer. He had the charisma needed to inspire others during hardship. He could read the needs of the people. At the same time, he could figure out how to organize the crowds in a way that one leader wasn’t overwhelmed. In the negative, he hesitated when he thought he might bring the wrong solution, giving excuses to God like he couldn’t speak right. He deconstructed, including the time he struck the rock for water instead of speaking to it.
I believe Joseph was a Stabilizer and Solutionary. He could gather every detail necessary for figuring out how to store seven years’ worth of grain for an entire nation and beyond. But he withheld information, not telling his brothers where he was once he was released from prison, not even telling them when they knelt before him as Zaphnath Paaneah to buy grain. He deconstructed their reason for coming by accusing them of being spies. He deconstructed their reason for leaving Benjamin behind by keeping one of their own to force them to bring the youngest son.
Biblical fiction, just like every other form of fiction, must have characters that the audience relates to. Therefore, Biblical fiction must have characters that face dilemmas and choices beyond serving God or not. The Human NEXUS helps you craft this in your fiction.
🔨The Tools
I had Story Grid first. Then I had Jack Bickham’s priorities for sensory details. Then I had Brad Pauquette’s Novel Matrix. And still, with all these powerful tools, I struggled to write—until I learned to utilize the Human NEXUS, and large language model AI in the process.
🎯 Want Characters That Actually Connect with Readers?
Whether you’re writing Biblical fiction, historical drama, or fantasy, the key to writing characters that resonate is motivation. Clear, grounded, realistic motivation.
If you want to understand what motivates your characters—and yourself—start by taking the free Human NEXUS profile test:
🔗 Learn Your Profile
💬 Use code ROlson10off for a discount on the full version
Don’t settle for flat fiction. Write characters who think, choose, and live like real people. That’s where good stories fundamentally connect with your reader.
