Into the Fire

***Okay. Mini-rant coming. If you're easily offended, best leave. You've been warned.***

Some published authors often struggle with pride. Only they don't see it. First novel releases and boom! They're now in the elitist crowd – recognized by agents, publishers, insiders, other authors. They've "made it". And they have. Kudos to each one of them. Perhaps they'll be successful and write bestsellers. Cool! Maybe in some people's eyes this accomplishment affords them the "right" to now coin clichés and give instructions about how to write, how to get published, and all the rest of it.

I don't think so. I think writers can contribute the most to the writing community by honestly admitting what's worked for them. Writing fiction is a unique experience. Creative writing courses, Masters in writing, the gamut of ordinary or professional instruction do not a writer make. I'm tired of hearing the lists of what's acceptable and necessary to sell manuscripts and following that books. Because I've read too many novels which don't pass my inspections. Following instruction does not guarantee a superb story well told or the promise of a contract.

I know teaching is necessary for writers. Most writers start somewhere learning the craft. Hopefully early in school. Their ambitions might be postponed until later in life, but the desire to write is either blatant or hides from them until the time is right to explore the avenue of making words into stories. Understanding the process uses many forms. Once the grammar issues are resolved, some learn more from the actual reading of novels than from the reading of writing instruction manuals.

Knowing the ability and opportunity comes from God's heart – or perhaps I should say: remembering this – presides over it all. This is often overlooked or under-mentioned when pontificating on what "works" in writing.

To be continued . . .

Father, we are the beneficiary of all that you have. How can we forget or ignore that? Apart from you we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.