BEGINNING I became a religious writer to cope with my loss of faith. Instead of proselytising devout truths, I turned to storytelling—writing what might be called fanfiction infused with myth and magical realism. This narrative approach serves as a bridge: it helps me reconcile the cognitive dissonance of remaining actively engaged with religious communities, even as my personal beliefs shift. It allows me to explore and express my thoughts, drawing on my knowledge of the faith, while still feeling rooted in the community that raised me. The difference is, I now see religion primarily as story—rich, meaningful, but fictional—whereas my community continues to live it as absolute truth. The key shift is that I’ve gained a measure of power over the narrative. As my readership grows, I’m seen not as a defector but as someone who uplifts and inspires through literature. In a way, instead of crafting a powerful fiction that garners a cult following, I start with a “cult” and steelman th...