Into the Fire

Most of us have experienced condescension. Most of us at some point have experienced at least a modicum of admiration. Either way, if you’re talking to me, please don’t. In writing circles on the web we see so much of both. While I do admire some writers, it’s not for their ability to string words together in creative venues with lovely language or the thrilling ideas generated on pages between covers. No, I admire a devoted walk in Jesus Christ—with all of its failings, struggles, joys, and sorrows.

You hear me rant, complain, mention, ponder, and generally offer comments about writing “rules” and the accepted “norm” or the trends for most of today’s Christian fiction. The worn out instructions for producing “good” writing are plastered all over the websites and blogs of agents, editors, writers and wannabes, and even some publishing house sites—and most of them recommend all the standard books on the craft of writing. If a person’s interest, gifting, talent, and skill is writing, it’s fairly safe to say the individual will pursue the investment in the “how to” usages of grammar and the basic rules of creating whatever it is they write—be it essays, journalistic investigation, magazine articles, narrative non-fiction, memoirs, short stories, or fiction. If they choose not to learn the basics, chances are their interests in writing are more self-serving with no professional intent.

Having said that, when I express my self-termed “rebellion” against the current model which has in many cases produced formulaic writing in regards to structure and style, I don’t need someone talking down to me about the “values” of the rules themselves. I have learned the rules. I know the rules. I don’t use them at all times, and they are simply “guidelines” (Thank you, Captain Barbossa), not religious doctrine.

I write novels. You might not like the way I write them, and that’s okay. I’ve written seven of them. Hip, hip, hooray. Not a huge deal compared to some. Kind of a big deal when viewed by others. I would love it if you enjoyed my stories and appreciated my writing. In fact, I’d be thrilled. But I don’t profess to be an “artist”. And I know I have a specific type of audience. I don’t deserve admiration for my accomplishments, but I need affirmation as much as the next person. I don’t write solely for me. I write because the Lord has put it on my heart to do so and supplied the stories, and because of all the things in this world I have to give to Him, it’s all of so little value. Writing is my offering to Him, done in obedience to His leading and instruction.

While I respect the professionals in the publishing industry, they are not gods to me. They are learned, intelligent individuals, business people engaged in a very subjective industry which either thrives or fails on how well they guess what will inspire people to buy their books. That pretty much sums it all up for me.

I don’t know anyone who appreciates condescending attitudes directed at them, and neither do I. In the same way I don’t need anyone laying undue praises on me either—not that they do. Let’s just treat each other as equals and forget credentials and qualifications—since the credit for any of those goes directly to the Lord anyway.

Father, you are no respecter of persons. What a relief. I could never measure up—it means so much to know I don’t have to be compared to someone else and found wanting. All I can do is put all my hopes in you and listen for your voice and heed your instruction. That’s all I want to do anyway. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*