Into the Fire

Oh so many. We’ve covered the escapism, entertainment, and evangelism topics. But what about reading fiction? Why is it that some people think it’s a waste of their time to indulge in a novel? I admit I’ve never understood that.

The old but accurate expression of “Truth is stranger than fiction” tells a tale in itself. Another frequently expressed notion: “You couldn’t write this stuff—no one would believe it” makes clear that certain elements of fiction must come across as “truthful” and/or “believable”. Even in fantasy or sci-fi or speculative fiction, the aspects of the story which allow the reader to indulge in the experience must somehow resonate from a place of basic truth to be acceptable or in an odd way “plausible”.

Fiction composes experiences in all kinds of circumstances. Good fiction engages the emotions and the senses, eliciting responses whether strong or mild, and escorts the reader into areas of laughter, sorrow, requirements of change, personal growth, anger, disdain, or intense reactions to character(s), plot, or situations. The readers either identify with the story or wish they could. Nostalgia, regret, memories tagged—all these things can come from stories.

Investing in a novel can speak to the heart or remind us of how it might have been if . . . and only the reader can decide if that’s a good or bad thing.

The primary reason to read fiction is that when it’s good, it’s a mirror of life. Representative of those things which make life real, hard, worthwhile, or wasted. Stories present motivation or declare depravity. They show life as it is, as it can be, how it should be, what it’s meant to be, or what it should never be. A vital purpose or a joyful endeavor, a deep dive or a light swim, some fiction enriches our lives.

For me, fiction represents a picture of life itself, captured in word pictures, told in styles and voices of real people. Strangers become soul-mates through those written words.

Fiction’s a journey that should be taken.

Father, be present in our writing, be the inspiration for it, and be the glory in it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.