Into the Fire

I’ve been reading too much lately. Motoring through books. There were two I had to read because of particular authors having a fairly high place on my favorites list. But these latest books were not my favorites of theirs. Surprisingly, both authors chose to use somewhat annoying characters for their primary focus. While I don’t mind characters having annoying traits to flesh them out, there are certain personalities and viewpoints I find so unlikable that they tend to detract from the redemptive power of the story.

But then I never do anything halfway. Yes, that can be a good thing, but with me it can just as easily be a bad thing. Writing for this blog has served its purpose for personal therapy and instead has become an excuse to neglect my barely begun novel which continues to swirl around in my thoughts, silently urging me to get them down before they disappear and with them go any hopes of completion of a work I’m looking forward to writing. How is that? If I’m looking forward to it, why not just do it? Get it underway and quit messing around.

Although I’ve been conscious of the swift passage of time for a lot of years now—like a jet streaking toward the sound barrier—I was reminded again today of it being September ’07. I haven’t written one book this year. I’ve written the equivalent of two no doubt on this silly blog, but then maybe I needed a break. Maybe I had to work out the process of realizing how I write, what I write, and what that means in terms of being published or not. And work it all out, I did.

I don’t fit the current publishing trends, demands. I write sagas. I break the rules for getting published. Start slow, build. Use more adverbs. Tell and show—but probably tell more than preferred at certain points. There’s a lot of life goin’ on in the pages of my stories, but it isn’t breakneck action, high drama, or stunning heroic overthetop kind of life.

It took some time to figure it all out, and I’m convinced writing down the frustrations and challenges helped me see it differently. Helped me see who I am as a writer—like it or not. It’s been good for me.

But now I need to get to that novel. I think the changing of the season as fall sneaks up on me a little early this year is a good reminder to hunker down, get ready for the new season of television drama, football, and late night dates in the dark with words. Sounds cool. I’m ready.

Father, take me to the place of your inspiration and bless me with the story you want me to tell. Give me the words as I’m reminded of your words to me: “If you pick up the pen, I’ll give you the words.” Thank you, precious Lord. I need you and am desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.