Here are a few of my favorite book characters:
Mitch Rapp/Vince Flynn
Lance Michelli/Kristen Heitzmann
The Bug Man/Tim Downs
Will Hatfield/Chris Fabry
Patrick Bowers/Steven James
Roland March/J. Mark Bertrand
Ray Quinn/Mark Mynheir
Raleigh Harmon/Sibella Giorello
Rese Barrett/Kristen Heitzmann
Father, thank you for the gifted writers who do your bidding in stories. Please meet their needs, supply their inspiration, and bless their lives as they're lived for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Few authors consider writing their stories with grit or "gutting it out", but I've heard enough of them express panic when deadlines are approaching and words are hiding in obscure places.
The grit, the down and dirty writing because you have to produce, isn't the prettier side of the novel life. It's the pressure point. Stories can start off with a flourish. Characters pop up with unique qualities and gradually expose hidden stories of their own. They develop on the page almost faster than words can be typed or written. Plot points zing through the brain and bring smiles. Perhaps the ending expresses its desire, and things are on a roll.
Until . . . they're not. The story freeze-frames. Ceases like the flame when the trigger on a lighter is released. Darkness.
Much like "the show", the story must go on. Responsibilities to finish flash furiously. Pressure pulses. Excuses dart through the mind.
Grit-writing. Making that story happen. Some people can do it. Others crumble with the strain. I've heard some authors say the middle of the story always gives them grief. Others it's the beginning, and still others it's the end.
I've had the satisfaction of experiencing all forms of writing a novel – except having to do it. I've written three novels in a year right after finishing one that took me 8 and 1/2 years (my first). Started another, stopped it just before completing it even though I knew the ending. Wrote another one before going back to the one I stopped and finally finished it. And I've lolly-gagged with four of them. Not even wanting to write any more words and then getting bursts of creativity. The gamut of writing novels.
I have no advice for you – other than to do as the Lord asks of you. Ultimately that's all any of us can do. And it's really all that matters.
Father, help me to do as you ask. That's all that matters to me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Turn from evil and do good;
then you will always live securely.
For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
Psalm 37:27-29 (NIV)
DIARIES OF DESOLATION
Who would think that there was anything left to write . . . to love . . . no life . . . no heart . . . no soul . . . only the drink can soothe the ache . . . but it's never gone . . . not really . . . the only thing that's ever there . . . alone . . . on earth . . . what's the point?
From Joey Parr in . . . The Famous One
Lord, the lost cry out and you hear their words, but more than that you see their hearts. Save them, Lord. Help them see who you truly are. The real savior of the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Some people perform well under pressure and others fall completely apart. Back in high school when I had term projects, I was one of the students who stayed up until 4 AM the night/morning before the project was due to start and finish it. Remember in my day, we did a lot of work in long hand. No computers. Some reports were typed but many were handwritten. We're talkin' bibliographies, etcetera. Under pressure. Got it done.
I find I often wait until the last minute to do important things in my life. Not always but enough to recognize I must need the extra pressure to dedicate my best focus to a project. I can do things either way – by preparing in advance or doing a little at a time – but I've taken myself to the edge many times along the road of my life to accomplish goals set in advance but adhered to late. I got good grades on my projects in school which only reinforced my tendencies to dally or procrastinate.
I remember the process and trials of writing that first monster novel. It took off, and I wrote furiously for days. Life intervened and there would be short breaks, then long breaks. Months turned into years and, yes, I wondered if I'd ever finish what I'd set out to do in obedience to the Lord. Fear took its place in the journey, and doubt tagged along like a lame dog. Eight and a half years later, Hope Of Glory (yes, the o in of was capitalized on purpose) was completed. Long hand. In multiple notebooks with other notebooks listing names of horses and races. Done. Relief in so many ways. A story within a story in getting it written. Prayers answered. A word from the Lord which I put on my business card because it still keeps me engaged in this writing gig: "If you pick up the pen, I'll give you the words."
The pressure of finishing that "assignment" – or offering - to the Lord kept its vigil, never releasing me from its stare even when those long months of no writing prevailed.
I also feel the pressure mounting to finish the work of the three novels I've begun. But knowing myself, I'm thinking it hasn't cranked up to the point where I'll abandon all other things stealing my attention – or seducing it – to do what I "should" be doing. I think with me it's that "should" word that keeps me rebellious until "should" becomes necessary for a kind of personal victory blending with a real purpose.
I think it's that purpose thing failing me at the moment.
How do you do under pressure?
Lord, I need your push and those words you promise. I'll designate time on this keyboard if you'll help me find that missing discipline I need. It all comes from you. Help me to not be irresponsible with what you've given me to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I don't envy authors adhering to deadlines. Having to make words come to life when our brains shriek "I'm done!" When creativity lies sleeping and the "Do Not Disturb" sign is posted on the doorknob of our mind. How can you write when you can't think of anything to say?
A story needs continuity and a fresh burst of words. All kinds of advice is given to break the drought in inventing those wonderful paragraphs that lead to chapters of incredible prose. Just write *%#! we're told. Something will miraculously morph into something redeemable, valuable, if you just keep at it. "It" might work for some – and must work for others – but I confess it doesn't work for me.
I've had to learn to wait on the Lord and to conquer my lack of discipline. Those two items are the only contributors to my writing history.
What do you do when you're forced to write . . . and no words show up?
Father, I'm desperate for you, for your inspiration, for your words to my pen. Thank you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
It's "Rango"!
"Head"line Oxy-moron:
Doctors say: The clot is in her head.
The United States will go over the "fiscal cliff".
God, only you can save us. Only you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Are you goal-oriented? Resolution prone? Does making a list of hopeful accomplishments help you to achieve them?
I'm not. Days melt away to nights. Each day inspires or decays objectives. I do need purpose, but if I set a goal, it means there's an automatic time stamp on getting it done. Maybe it's because, according to the bible, "Each day has enough trouble of its own" that I don't tend to be specific about what is to be done and when. Of course certain items must be done, accomplished, and I'm rarely without a plan, but it's vague and not bound by time constraints.
"Easy for you to say," says the author who must meet deadlines and strives to fulfill many requirements.
"Yes, it is, and I'm grateful for this life and the little corner of it I fill with God's mysterious instructions to me. His plans can also be vague, I've found, so I'm just trying to follow his lead."
So. Such is my life. No real measurable goals for the "new year". Other than to be obedient to whatever it is God has for me to do today. And sometimes that's no easy task, but it's a vital one.
Father, that's what I want to do. Obey you. Help me to be able to hear your instructions and to always follow your lead. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The Lord delights in the way of man
whose steps he has made firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
Psalm 37:23-26 (NIV)
A common problem for writers and readers is the back up of books to be read. I'm so there right now. December was a very slow month for me. I dragged myself through one novel and now have several tapping at my subconscious reminding me that reviews are due in January. Usually I can close one novel, create a review, and move right along to the next. Not so recently and I have no idea why.
The last book I read with fervency was The Last Man by Vince Flynn. If you've ever read his novels, you know why it was no problem to dash through that story wishing I could slow it down because of the long wait for the next one.
Well, there are reviews coming in January. Let's hope I can do some steady reading starting now, and that any one of the coming TBR novels will inspire me to get back to my own writing. It's been too long . . .
Father, my schedule is in your hands, but I also need perseverance. I'm asking for your supply. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
