Into the Fire

I finally figured it out! Ever do that? Have an epiphany where suddenly the door to understanding swings wide open, and you really see that thing that’s been skittering around in your head just beyond the reach of enlightenment? Well, here is mine.

I figured out I don’t like the formula. Get this: I don’t like the FORMULA for writing a novel. How can I object to the recent novels I’ve read when they strictly adhere to the formula?! Totally not fair of me. These authors have mastered the craft of writing the novel. For the most part (of the books I’ve read), it has NOT been the writing. I’m not going to tear down writers here. It has been the FORMULA.

I’m sorry for the redundant emphasis, but you have no idea what a personal revelation this is for me. The interesting and sad part of this understanding is it’s not going to do me a whole lot of good because the powers-that-be pretty much insist that writing a novel adhere to this formula. Read Donald Maass’s book (Writing the Breakout Novel), Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages, and umpteen others on the subject by serious and acclaimed authors who give you absolute, solid, and worthwhile instruction on how to write for the market utilizing the best techniques of the craft. And those who write well and have either learned to do it or have come by it naturally (gifted by the One and Only), should “succeed” and many have.

So, where does that leave me? In the hands of my Savior, for sure. (No better place to be, although sometimes, maybe often, undefined in practial terms. “You walk by faith, not by sight.”) My novels do not adhere strictly to the formula. They’re throwbacks–and more likely to most editors, and perhaps all publishers: throwouts. They start slowly and build. They’re about ordinary people who experience extraordinary occasions because of what or how or when or why the Lord intervenes in their lives. They’re about characters who are devoted to God or have never even considered Him. They’re about physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles in the past, present, or future. People have rapturous moments and devastating failures. You know them, or you are them. They are us. But it takes time to visit their lives. Too much time. Too many words. They do not adhere to the formula for success.

Editors are trained by and believe in The Formula. They have to. It’s what writing a novel is all about. Novels are supposed to be written a certain way. They see the word count on my work and start “ka-chinging” the cost of taking the time to read and edit a probable waste of their valuable time and effort to get that thing to adhere to the formula and, say, “Hey, it’s too much work.” Who does this wordy broad think she is anyway? Trying to buck the system like that. What a no-name, non-credentialed, piece of work this lady is, huh? Yeah, that’s me. Low. Agents, the same response.

But now I know why. I guess I write fiction epics. Maybe if I start calling them by a different name, it’ll reduce expectations–like they aren’t below the bar enough for new authors. I wrote five complete novels before I knew there was a desired word count of 80-100,000 words. My shortest book is 140,000+ words. The longest one is self-published, and I won’t tell you how many words that thing is. (Some of you might have serious health issues, and I don’t want anyone collapsing without attention. )

Anyway, I figured it out at least. It’s all in the formula. I don’t meet it. I don’t care for it, not because it’s unreasonable or a bad idea. After all, it’s tried and true. Can’t argue with success. I object to it because it doesn’t fit me. I find it potentially boring and predictable, and I don’t think anyone can honestly argue with that. I apologize that the one-size-fits-all isn’t one I can wear. It’s my loss anyway, not anyone else’s in this business. God will do with the stories he’s given to me to write what He will do, and I’m just grateful He allowed me the joy and experience of writing them all. Some of the readers of these novels have actually been blessed and ministered to–all praise to Him. You know not one of them complained about their lengths?

God, I’m yours. I want to be so yours, there’s no place left for me. Be my inspiration for all my words and let them honor you and illuminate you to their readers. Let YOU shine forth in the hugeness of who you are. The Great I AM. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.