Into the Fire

Some things cannot be concealed in our writing. One of those things is when it's not who we are, it won't ring true. I'm not saying that a story written to please or satisfy an editor or publisher won't sell. I'm not saying it won't have appeal or that it won't observe the technicalities and techniques of writing novels. What I am saying is if we write a book to please others, including a particular audience, but we produce something that isn't us, we will know it even if no one else catches on.

Passion can't be borrowed and adorned like a piece of clothing. It can't be conjured like a wicked spell. It doesn't come naturally to all writers or people, but putting words on a page to create a story needs to pull that passion lever and inspire our devotion and excitement to create a story that surpasses who we are in the everyday and soar to who we will always be in the fictional arena of make believe. If a story doesn't invoke that kind of passion in us, why should we expect it to stimulate a reader looking for an authentic experience?

Granted: even passion does not insure adoration, sales, pubicity, or noticeable increases in attention or recognition, but it insures that we can give readers the result of something that compelled us to write it. We can stand up with it and for it and we can offer disclaimers for those who will not like it but still say with conviction we love this story. Regardless of flaws or perceived flaws, in spite of doing whatever we chose to do, the opposite of what we've been told to do, and suppressing our fears, we can sing to ourselves in our best Frank Sinatra imitation, "I did it my way." Meaning: I listened to the Lord and this is the result.

I refused the "acceptable norm". I suspended all focus on what is "common in publishing". I ignored all the "typical no-nos". And I can say with quiet confidence: I had to do it this way. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage to be who I am.

When it's not you, you'll know. Even if no one else does.   

Father, we need to be who you designed us to be. We need to do what you've ordained for us to do. We need to see your plans before ours and act accordingly. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.