Into the Fire

If you want to know how to write a novel, there are innumerable manuals to teach you the basic formula. Then when you feel comfortable with what you’ve learned, you can read even more manual type books such as the revered “Breakout” novel books/workbooks by Donald Maass. And you’ll be better for having read them. For as far as they go.

While a person can learn to write, if the talent for writing is there, it’s a God-given thing, ordained by Him, for Him, and should, as such, be dedicated to Him. That does not imply the writing should be in “devotional” or non-fiction “inspirational” form. It simply means that if the Lord has called you to write, then that product of your gifting should be between you and Him, an offering of what He has asked you to do.

I’m of the opinion that while everyone can be taught to string words together into sentences to produce paragraphs, essays, articles, even term papers, the ability and urge to write a novel is a compelling purposeful desire which cannot be denied and must be fulfilled. We’re not talking publication in this instance—we’re talking constructing a complete work of fiction: beginning, middle, end of story.

And from that opinion or viewpoint, I don’t think you can teach or learn the precise manner for effectively creating a novel. My feelings are that it is innate or for the politically correct crowd: organic. That being said, formulaic novels are written all the time.

Defining it as such (being innate) doesn’t elevate it or the person who creates these stories to any special level of importance or expertise. When God gives something such as a talent, while we might admire and respect the person who has whatever it takes to accomplish a certain thing, ultimately we must understand that the Creator has equipped that individual to make this thing happen and He has sustained the person to follow the inevitable course to completion. We can be commended for our obedience to such a task, but beyond that the real accolades go directly to the One who really makes it happen.

A person might fight something he is called to do, but somewhere deep inside he realizes the fight is futile. He must decide whether or not to proceed down the path chosen for him or to seek and pursue a different course which will chafe and rub on him no matter how successful he is at what he’s chosen. There are fill-in jobs and types of activities, but the relentless desire to write a novel will not be denied. This doesn’t suggest it must result in full time work, but no doubt it will require time and effort and the persistence to get it as good as the individual creating it can do. It doesn’t assure publication and monetary payment for this effort either. The satisfaction ultimately comes in completing what one is called to do.

I have read material by those who felt they wanted to write a novel. Some wrote well with minor corrections of plot points and some fine tuning in their grammatical skills. Talent was evident. Others had some minor successes in paragraphs but had no gift for extended storytelling or even basic grammar skills. If agents and editors receive multiple submissions like this second example, it’s no wonder they endlessly repeat the “rules of writing” on their professional sites.

The point is as a writer you can take in unlimited instruction from professionals ranging from how to write to where to write to what formula works best for writing, and all of it has merit, but none of it might apply directly to you. The fact is if you’re a bona fide writer who God has called to pen a novel, you will struggle through that first one or breeze through it without hindrance, and no one can tell you exactly how it’s going to be for you—yet it will surely resemble someone else’s journey.

Somehow you will find a way to write that thing called a novel, and you will not be satisfied until you do. If you think it’s great, and it stinks, I don’t know what to tell you. You need to test drive it with people who are strong readers. Get some honest input.

I’m not much for critique groups as such, but others swear by their value. I think the testing ground should be someone who can recognize a good story, someone you trust, and someone who hasn’t elevated themselves to professional reviewer looking for flaws in your work. This can be a relative if they maintain some “street-cred” with novels, or it can be friends with the same qualification, but you need input before you submit it to any professional—be it a freelance editor or an agent. The one thing you must have acquired is an understanding of the rules because if you don’t “get” them, you’ll break them in ignorance, and somehow when you do that without knowing it, it shows.

Learn the craft. Read profusely. Write with passion. Don’t give up if the Lord has given you writing to do. Check your motives—look into your heart. Stay close to the One who gives the gift and inspiration and give Him all the glory as you experience the journey of writing that thing called a novel.

Father, you are the impetus for all creation, whether we give you your rightful due or not. I pray, God, that you would continue to give me inspiration and determination to do this thing called writing a novel. I want to do it in allegiance to your call for your glory. It has no value outside of you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes and her family.*