Into the Fire

As you know if you read the multiple blogs and websites of the professionals—agents, editors, publishers, and authors—you will inevitably hear a chorus of the rules of writing, thoughts on “voice”, criticisms of POV shifts, insistent demands for conflict and more conflict, and reasons for just about everything to do with the mechanics of writing and publishing today. Just last week the ongoing argument about using profanity, cussing, swearing, bad language, etc. in CBA novels surfaced on Rachelle Gardner’s blog via a question to her regarding this repeatedly discussed topic.

Those writers who seriously pursue the craft but remain unpublished tackle all these subjects as well, and I’m guessing it’s about an 80/20 split as to the ones who strictly adhere to the opinions of the professionals regarding these subjects—80 % in favor of them, the 20% being somewhat, practically, or diametrically opposed to strict adherence to them. When the goal is publication at all costs, it doesn’t bode well to argue much about anything.

Some call it being teachable. And I won’t argue with that. What I will argue with is the mantra of instructions repeated endlessly about writing novels. While instruction is irrefutably necessary, basic grammar skills had better be learned in school and preferably way before college. Those new to writing a book—and, as usual, we’re talking fiction here—have an available tool necessary to all present, past, and future authors: reading. And I’m not talking about instruction manuals or books written by marketing gurus. I’m talking about the vast number of novels awaiting all ages, types, and appetites for readers who want to graduate to novel writers. The teaching offered by published fiction is invaluable. The writer who chooses to read within their genre, outside their genre, and who has experience with “the classics” of yesteryear—those writers/readers will have savored the spicy tastes of styles and conflicting voices and the innumerable ways to tell stories with the written word.

As all of you writers know, writing novels is personal. Solitary. Time consuming. It can be emotional and it can be stoic, but it’s always an experience. Some outline, some sit at their favorite location(s), some use a pen or pencil and paper or pad, and probably nowadays most use a computer keyboard, but those who are too confined by the restrictions of outlines and things of that organizational nature, let the words fly free once they’re situated wherever and with whatever they need to create. Some write the entire story without interference to that first draft, others edit as they go, and some do a mixture of both. At the time of creation, if you’re bound by what you cannot do, you will not be free to do what you can.

Few of us can write our “masterpieces” without revisions. Once we finish a novel, the gamut of emotions probably zooms from relief to panic and everything in between. The step-away time must follow. Give it some time to exist as it is. When you return to it, best done after reading a “good” book, those things which are less than sterling can be eliminated or enhanced. Without having a strong background in diverse literature, it’s difficult to accurately assess interesting writing. And the Lord knows how varied our preferences are. We must write what we enjoy. We must write who we are. And we must write how we are gifted to write.

It’s a given to express we are not perfect, and that goes for our writing as well. It’s innocuous to compare ourselves to others. God in his liberty and total lack of prejudice has created us to be ever conforming to His Son however He is given permission to do. We are His creation, but He allows us to be who we are in our raw forms to choose whether or not we want to be the best we can be—which can only happen when we yield these sin-saturated selves to His loving designer’s hands.

Writing is a gift, a privilege, an honor really. But no moreso than other skills or human kindnesses directed and perfected through Him. It’s simply what we do—honorable because He called us to do it, not because we can do it.

Determining what a professional desires from an author is a journey, and for new authors it is often filled with trepidation and an aim to please. For a true writer, it is a time of reflection and decision. We must identify who the Lord has fashioned us to be—what size, color, texture is this jar of clay? It takes some time and effort to determine this, a lot of writing hours, but we surface somewhere in the midst of words and worry, frustration and trust, fear and resolve. And we find ourselves as writers. When we do, we are released from those binding chains which masquerade as rules but really are only guidelines, and we are grateful to our Lord for guiding us through the maze safely, allowing us our own voice in the never ending winsomeness of words.

It’s not that we become un-teachable. It’s that we become secure in who we have been structured, fashioned, and worked over to be. There must be that place of peace that only Jesus can provide. And in His instruction we must remain teachable.

Father, once again I thank you for allowing me to create with the written word. You give the inspiration and I record what you have given me. I can do nothing apart from you, nothing of worth or value, nothing to take me into eternity with something to offer. Thank you, precious Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember Kristy Dykes and her family during this season of sorrow and joy.*