Into the Fire

If you’re going to compose a novel, it is imperative that you know you must write it. I’ve heard reasons for writing novels as farfetched as doing it on a dare. Well . . . most of us aren’t quite so whimsical about something that requires a certain skill level and a genuine commitment.

Commitment . . . Now there’s a topic in itself, huh? How many years has it taken you to write your first novel? Or has it just been a matter of months? Most of you know it took me 8 and ½ years to finish my first saga, the 744 page comprehensive novel about horse racing (Hope Of Glory). However, when I finished typing that story, transferring it from the thick notebooks of longhand composition to the computer screen, I began to write its sequel. When it seemed the sequel would be as large as its predecessor, I stopped and wrote my next three in one year. And each one of them is between 140-170,000 words. Obviously I didn’t have a clue they were required to be between 80-100,000 words to have the best shot at being considered for today’s trends in Christian publishing. Oh well . . .

So, about it being imperative that you know you are to write . . . I’m a believer in “gut feelings” because I know the Holy Spirit often speaks to me with those deep stirrings and inclinations. There are certain things a person must know inside him/herself to proceed. Writing is one of them. Now this doesn’t have to mean that you’ve been doing it all your life, but it very likely does include a history of words on paper. And when I’m talking about writing a novel, I don’t mean articles, blog posts, webzine features, memoirs, or non-fiction books. I’m talking about the desire and fortitude it takes to make up a story and deliver it from your inspiration to the paper or screen from start to finish—whether it’s sequentially, randomly, or herky jerky. Regardless of how you do it, you create characters, a plot, a series of events, dialogues, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and you use all the tools of the trade to do it. Within that story are your heart, soul, voice, and style. No matter how rough around the edges your first effort might be, it emerges from that imperative drive within you to complete the novel.

Does this “imperative” serve as the marker for eventual publication? No. Does this imperative mean you will experience “success”? It all depends on your definition of success. What this imperative truly means is that the inspiration to write is God-ordained, and you must be obedient to Him and to it. Some work willingly within this medium, eager to transpose their thoughts to words, but others fight the urges and waylay their talents pursuing other things ahead of or instead of writing. There are always interesting histories involved.

Does this mean that all writers know and understand this imperative? No. Some writers are determined to write regardless of what God has called them to do. Since many writers have no relationship with Jesus Christ, they often call their inspirations “muses” and credit themselves or others with their abilities to tell stories. I’m convinced some writers perceive their talent to exceed its real value because of the appeal of some of their work. Some might choose to dwell on the unfairness of such things, but a Christian can rest in the sovereignty of a wise God who directs the paths of those who love and choose to follow Him. But many don’t rest in that knowledge.

When you grasp “the one imperative”, you will find that elusive rest which accompanies being smack dab in the middle of God’s perfect will. It can’t be manufactured, and it isn’t always a nice downhill slope to get there, but it’s accessible because God has a plan, and He intends to clue you in one or two steps at a time—His choice, not yours. Getting to that place of contentment in the writing game means you take that one imperative and you embrace its obstacles, steady your fears and doubts, pursue God’s urgings, and never give in to the nagging definitions of what the publishing industry deems “successful”. It isn’t about them, and it really isn’t about you in the sense of what you’ve created. It’s about the Lord working through you at every level and producing what He desires in you, around you, from you, and finally for you. So really, that one imperative is all about yielding to the One who matters most, and that simply put isn’t you.

Father, help me to be faithful to what you ask of me. Your desires are all that truly matter. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please pray for the Kristy Dykes’ family.*