The objectives of storytelling in novel form range from the simplest desire to entertain to the driven compulsion to touch the soul. Neither is particularly different in the ultimate product lending itself to significance. The multiple meanings of significance can be the determiner of how a novel matters to those who decide its value.
Is the novel significant because its sales number in the multiple thousands or even the millions? Is the novel significant because its reviews on Amazon rate five stars from the hundreds of folks who go there to express their opinions of books? Is the novel significant because of word quality and lovely prose, unique characters and plot twists, moral fiber, conscience clinching, or supernatural revelation? What qualifies your favorite novel(s) to be classified as significant?
Would you break the significance down to categories such as the value a particular novel has for yourself? Or would you only include that novel as significant if it matters to many? Or how about that novel which matters to many, has great sales, and touches scores of people, but you don’t like it or consider it important?
Is negative significance equal to positive significance in your mind?
As a writer, what do you consider a novel should achieve to be rendered significant? Are you pursuing The Great American Novel in your writing efforts?
If one person laughs when he’s supposed to, cries as a result of your words, exclaims that your work touched his life for the better, is that enough to make it significant?
Significance . . . does it matter?
Father, you give us significance. You alone. Yet we often hunger for recognition and affirmation. You make us significant. Apart from you we can do nothing. Help us to always remember and apply that fact. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
Leave a comment