Into the Fire

Hearing their voices, seeing their expressions, knowing their thoughts, the voyeur watches . . . It's an author thing. 

Dragging my feet, not wanting this story to end, to have to say goodbye to these characters . . . It's an author thing.

Mental occupation by scenes, actions, conversations – creating them anywhere, anytime . . . It's an author thing. 

Writing that opening to the final words, the journey takes time . . . It's an author thing. 

Lord, thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Playing to your strengths . . . (originally posted on 11/19/12) 

Physical strength varies even within people who are the same size. Some smaller people have remarkable strength while some large people show limited physical capability. All kinds of physiques can train to gain strengths, but each individual possesses different talents which aren't always visible in physical demonstrations.

I'm only 5' 4". When I was young and working at the racetrack, I developed some decent strength for my size and weight. Handling Thoroughbreds and tugging on hay and straw bales force you to get tough. You push yourself to do what you couldn't do before you gained the experience and reps.

When writing, you have to play to your strengths as you develop ways to compensate for your natural weaknesses. I've been told and I tend to agree that my writing strengths show up in character development and dialogue. No wonder I don't write complex plots, huh? Not to say I can't improve on my natural strengths but good to know I at least have been complimented on them.

I don't have a formula for the weight lifting exercises involved in perfecting your writing strengths, and I tend to shun the instructions that guarantee or suggest a slam dunk approach. All I can offer is keep working out. Read and write – the best exercises for improving your strengths.

Father, whatever strengths I might have I owe to you. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The beauty of the night and the comfort of the solitude. Can you hear the quiet? Does the silence still your soul or does it make you anxious? What does your heartbeat say? Whose voice do you want to hear the most? What do you have to speak out loud? 

Father, your voice is the most important one, but sometimes I can't hear you. It's me, not you. Holy Spirit, always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Lots of well-known and good songs here. If you're a lyric-person, someone took some time with these. Good group back in the day. 

Father, thank you for the beauty of music. May all those who make music know from whom their inspiration and talent comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

From my novel, Chapter 29, Seeing . . . 

REPERCUSSIONS 

I haven't written in this journal since we made peace so many years ago. You sent me thoughts and visions and burdens to pray for people I didn't know. You're aware of all the times I've felt so weird. How alone.

     And now I wonder if I'm not rescinding on your plan for me. My desires jumble my brain. My conduct leans more heavily toward pleasing my body. The girl you sent into my life proves both a worthy opponent and an inspiration to cling to you for every word of instruction. And like you do sometimes, you remain quiet or you interject challenge, and I feel like I'm flat off my game. Somehow love got involved. I remembered the attraction, and you know I welcomed it because it restored my manhood–reminded me that I can still feel at all. I thought it was all the flesh–the craving so powerful. And so unsatisfied. But it's more.

     She doesn't know you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, I can watch you working. Patient. Kind. I know the line, Lord. To cross it would be like slipping into a noose. The repercussions fatal for me. I can't risk it. Please, Lord God, save her. 

Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you for every inspiration, word, novel. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent —

     the Lord detests them both.

Proverbs 17:15 (NIV) 

Out of all the wonderful novels I've read and loved, these four hold the distinction of having been read at least twice. Unforgotten was read three times if I remember correctly. The Masterpiece holds the record of at least 10 times. Seriously. I loved it every time I read it. Three magnificent Christian authors. Four great novels.  

Father, please continue to bless these authors and their work. Beautiful books, perfect inspiration. Thank you for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Back in time . . . springtime on the University of Washington campus. A long time ago. 

Father, lost then but you rescued me much later. I regret those lost days but you didn't waste them. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

                                         Beautiful autumn. 

Opening lines I've wanted to write for a future novel: 

     I was born on the first day of fall.

     In retrospect I suppose it predisposed me to moments of melancholy. 

Father, thank you for it all. Only you can take a life and make it worthwhile. Only you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

A fabulous band with severe dysfunction that still managed to put out hit after hit. This is just one of them. 

Father, only you know hearts. Only you save. We're all desperate for you – whether we know it or not. Thank you, Jesus, for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.