Into the Fire

Then Job replied to the Lord: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42:1-6 (NIV)

A recent comment on a blog I visited suggested authors couldn’t know if God had given them their stories.

Writers who blog often recite the rules of writing novels, quoting the authors who’ve penned them from their very well known and well read instruction books. Most writers present their favorites and quote liberally from their sources.

Depending upon the personalities and hard-wiring of different writers, one can learn the benefits of outlining or flying by the seat of the pants when writing stories.

Successful authors offer instructional posts for beginners and “post-grad” work for veterans. They cite their experiences—good and bad—along the journey to publication, and they often give advice for conduct at conferences.

Multiple professional blogs show sample query letters and book proposals or list those things to include in either which would impress them.

Such is the world of writing books.

Stripped down, these are my thoughts on writing fiction. A real writer must know grammar and the structure of the English language. A real writer must choose to dissect, diagnose, or discover by osmosis how a story is written (my method of choice). A real writer immerses him/herself in fiction, absorbing the beauty of different writing styles and voices. A real writer will listen to and study the rules of writing and discern which ones work for him/her, discarding those that don’t fit his/her voice or style, including eliminating “proper” grammar for stylish variations. Some writers need to perform or receive extreme analyses while others feel stymied and suffocated by intense examination and/or instruction.

Beyond these things, what is there? The passion for writing is provided to us by a creative God who gifts people with various talents to use for His glory. We derive our ability to be inspired from the Lord of heaven and earth, the One who gives every good and perfect gift. I can know where my stories come from because without the Lord I have zero abilities to forge ideas. I can’t speak for other writers, yet I recognize the Lord’s hand upon their work.

That’s the stripped down, bare naked analysis—at least how I see it.

Lord, thank you for giving me stories. When I write them well, it’s because of your touch on them. I know when you ask me to do something, and I pray I would always be obedient to what you have for me to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I’m married to a tender-hearted macho man who spent 30 years in the world fine-tuning his bad boy image. Jesus wrestled hard for him, and the result is a dashing and passionate Christian man. Don’t think it’s been all bells and whistles for us. We packed a lot of baggage into our marriage, and it’s taken us many years to sort out the contents of those well worn suitcases.

My husband came from a broken home, and I came from a stable wonderful home with two loving parents who were only separated when the Lord took my mom home at the early age of 62 years. My husband had some makeshift Catholic background, and my dad was Catholic, my mom Methodist. I always believed in God but didn’t know Jesus. Both of my parents were Christians when they died, and my husband led his mom to Jesus on her deathbed over the telephone before we scrambled to get to her before she died. We didn’t make it. Years later before his step-dad died, they spoke about Jesus on the telephone.

This might seem unrelated, but yesterday’s topic regarding sexual issues in Christian fiction and the reactions to this topic by various readers pertain directly to each of our backgrounds. What teachings, experiences, either good or horrific, contribute to our attitudes toward sex?

God wired me for romance. At a very young age, kindergarten as a matter of fact, I loved boys. Chased a little guy named Dev around the playground at school. I think I might’ve kissed him! Poor guy.

Seriously, though, I love reading good romance that smacks of the real dynamic and chemistry between a male and female. Not graphic descriptions of sexual situations, but passionate episodes between characters which make demands on their sexual decisions. This is real romance for me—the operative word being “real”.

I don’t like silliness or sappy. I don’t read “lits” even though those novels always address serious issues. The human dynamic makes the world go ‘round. This relationship is my focus and when done well, it can capture almost anyone’s heart. Well, maybe not Mike’s. Just kidding, Mike.

Kristen made the excellent and obvious point about people not suddenly becoming sexual beings on their wedding nights. Indeed. Dayle wondered if some people felt the invasion of their bedroom privacy threatened by sexual issues in novels. Who knows?

There can be no denying the fact that God created sex. In its purest form in the Garden it was good. Perfect. We aren’t there anymore, and all kinds of people struggle with their views and practices regarding sexual issues. I can’t begin to speak to most of them.

What I can do is tell the stories God has assigned to me. The contrast between the world’s view of relationship, romance, love, and sex to God’s view is huge and merits exposure. I’ve been on both sides of this contrast. I know my limits.

What are your limits concerning the portrayals of real romance?  

Father, if we submit to you and desire to know your thoughts on difficult issues, you help us. You expect our obedience once we decipher your will. Give us a willing heart. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The stipulations for and against sexual references in publishing cover the extremes. From pornographic to erotica to nary a mention of a single sexual reference—all three might be present in certain literature from different publishing houses. From sordid to chaste—it’s all available under the broad label of romance.

But do tell me this: how can a novel entertain “romance” without the implication of sexual attraction? Sexual attraction is what fuels romance. Otherwise, a relationship is composed of friendship. Because of the common worldview of sexual attraction, romance is hustled along to intercourse. So rather than experiencing true romance, people immerse themselves in sexual attraction and action instead.

Many men balk at being called “romantic”. Many more men balk at having to be romantic. They associate it with a metrosexual, dumbed down version of a virile man, and they resent the performance-based ideals of romanticism.

My husband often tells me I’m a die-hard romantic (which of course I am) and then apologizes for not “being more romantic”. The thing is: I think he’s romantic in his own way, and it’s more than enough for me. I think romanticism is a matter of the heart. It appears in sexual attraction, carries over into relationship, and is sustained in real love. And it’s not the same for everyone—nor should it be.

I marvel at the romance novels which leave out the physical enticements of sexual attraction. A writer doesn’t have to portray graphic sexuality to imply the heat of attraction between characters. Try as I might to understand, I’m confused why this romantic attraction is off limits to certain readers—as if it’s toxic.

Any thoughts?

Father, you gave woman to man and the physical oneness to share their love. You have an order and respect for this just as you do in the operation of your entire universe. Forgive us for marring what you ordained as good and right. Help us all to view love, romance, and sex through your perfect eyes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)

I have a tender heart that is easily bruised and broken. I can cry over a commercial, a card, a gift, a story, an animal, or when certain men cry, I wilt into tears. I cry over rejection, and I cry over praise. It stings for days if I’m the recipient of unkind words or misunderstood. I weep in prayer and often in worship.

So . . . it might seem incongruent to you when I admit to watching all the CSIs, Bones, Criminal Minds and the like. However, I never watch horror films. I’ve read a few of CBA’s current offerings that touch on horror by Ted Dekker, Travis Thrasher, Mike Dellosso, and Steven James even though they’re categorized in the thriller genre—which they are.

I’m not into sci-fi, vampires, werewolves, zombies, or fantasy figures and their landscapes.

I write contemporary fiction and rarely read historical fiction and even more rarely read non-fiction.

Who should determine what I prefer? No offense intended here because I’m trying to make an important point in the world of writing and reading. The answer to my question is quite succinctly: certainly not you. What I write or what I read becomes a matter for the Lord and me. He’s far more capable to issue a valid warning to me than you are. Yes, I can choose not to listen, not to heed His caution, but that still makes it between Him and me. The ultimate result of our exchange produced in my writing or reading is purposeful.

I write for adults who desire to read contemporary Christian fiction. I don’t write for those who enjoy Prairie Romance or the Amish/Mennonite categories of fiction. That’s not to say those genres don’t have a lot to offer their readers. What it does say is my audience is not geared to the majority of those readers’ tastes and preferences.

Too many readers desire to enforce their preferences and standards on other readers and writers. They send harsh emails or letters to authors and publishers without considering that any other opinions matter, ignoring or passing judgment on the authors’ relationship with Jesus Christ. I can’t tell you how wrong I think this is. One of the most beautiful aspects of walking with Jesus is the fact that it’s an individual relationship. He takes us along at our own pace, and the Spirit reveals the heart of every matter in our lives. It isn’t our job or our duty to point out what we perceive as the failures of an individual we don’t even know.

Does this mean we shouldn’t or “can’t” be offended by novels we read—or stop reading? No. You’re entitled to your opinion, but your opinion is not entitled to determine someone else’s opinion.

Once again this brings us back to reviews. I tell you why I love, like, or dislike a novel when I choose to review them. You don’t have to agree. You can tell me why you feel the opposite of how I feel, but don’t think your opinion is more valid than my own. It’s either “neither” or “both” are important. They’re no more than opinions based on personal preferences—we both merit an opinion.

Admit what you like and what you don’t. It’s okay if done respectfully. There are reasons we’re different, and God chooses how to use those differences for His glory, not our own.

Simply, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.