Into the Fire

We hear a lot about the passion of writing, the problems of writing, the perceptions of writing, and the peculiarities of writing and writers.

I'm driven by passion. All out. If it doesn't interest me, and I can't manufacture a passion for something, it's useless for me to attempt it. I had enough of that in school. So it's logical for me to tell you I can't write without being passionately involved in the characters and story. Won't go anywhere with words for very long if the passion falls away.

We're often advised to "bleed onto the page". However – and the word "however" demonstrates this perfectly – in all that bleeding, we must put a tourniquet on it if we approach certain elements of reality (see yesterday's post). I guess this is to avoid a hemorrhage of truth. The disclaimers of how we must write pervade the bleeding instruction.

This can become a "problem" of writing. Expressing the passion of writing in any genre can involve severity. Or innuendo. Or topics. That offend. Do these topics warrant elimination or can they be expressed with honesty and the integrity that comes from meaningful and thoughtful writing? If you haven't read The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson, you have missed out on the epitome of sensitivity, beauty in both writing and story. The book is exceptional in every sense of the word. Handling startling situations with intensity and tenderness. Amazing. Passionate. Beautiful. And definitely will be a problem for some.

The perceptions of writing are as varied as the books that provide them. Generally speaking, a reader will perceive the intent of the writer by the story. But perception with some Christian readers goes way beyond the intent. Sometimes the writer is accused of providing "tempting" material, "stumbling blocks" for readers. This perception is limited to the individual reader's interpretation/perception of the writer's intention in telling the story. And this perception is so often wrong. This perception takes a very narrow view of the writing world and Christianity as it's applied to the reader's point of view and singular life, and the reader contrives a judgment which can be incorrect and condemning. Many writers have received Amazon reviews and personal emails from these disgruntled readers who've set themselves up as judges and juries of what's holy and what's profane based solely on their perceptions of the biblical.

The peculiarities of writers and their writing are endless. Anecdotes about those of us who write novels could fill volumes. Being "peculiar" isn't necessarily a bad thing as is noted in some translations of the Bible. Christians are called a peculiar people and this can be starkly apparent in our writing voices, styles, and stories. We're as diverse as a bunch of people can be, coming from all walks of life and family structures. Being called out of the world or raised up in the church. We're from different denominations, but if we know and love Jesus, we're Christian writers. Or for those who insist: writers who are Christians. See what I mean?

So the peculiar task, job, effort, desire to write involves a multitude of personality types from the scholarly to the street literary. We labor over words and plots and POVs. We try to create something that will move people one way or another. Hopefully we don't disturb them to the point that they attack us on Amazon or elsewhere. They don't have to like our stuff, but we hope they'll be kind in their distaste.

The Right Write is what truly works for you, Writer. Write your heart out. Bleed, weep, laugh into hysteria. Be who God has called you to be with words on the page. Don't flinch! Do it for Him.

Thank you Lord of Heaven and Earth. Bless your writers, Father. In the Name of Jesus through the Holy Spirit's anointing.