Truth!
The greatest joy I get out of writing Christian Romances is what my stories teach me. I'm forever discovering new truths. Truths about me and my sinful judgemental ways, harboring jealousy, being hot headed, hording stuff. The list could go on. Daily, my stories reveal new truths about me and in turn press me onward to become a better person.
But the truths don't stop with my sad characteristics seeping into the written characters for me to recognize in myself. There's the Biblical truths--the Christian themes--that are weaved through my stories. They get me searching through the Bible to be sure my work is Biblically sound. They have me entering into prayer more frequently so that I may depict His way truthfully within the fictional world I'm crafting.
What about you? What truths have you discovered in your writing journey as of late?
I pray that we all enjoy a wonderful weekend. If family time is on the slate, may it be joyful and warm, and if writing is in the plan, may the words flow like warm molasses all over the page, thick and rich with truth!!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
33 comments:
Eileen!! Gorgeous new profile picture!! I LOVE it!! Is it in your flower garden? Or was that one from the conference that you had taken?
And boy are you right about learning from our writing! I take away so many truths as well as history lessons! I grow so much when I'm researching and writing, which is one of the best things about writing!
Have a great weekend with your family. Mine will be spent with molasses on the page.
Well, you know me, zombies and bacon and banshees. :-)
No seriously, most of my short stories, even though they are fantasy, have the theme of freedom. Gotta have it, man.
Have a great weekend. Mmmmm, molasses.
I needed this today. Cramming for a word count can cloud the real reason for writing. Spreading truth is the best reminder.
Thanks Eileen!
Hi, Jody, that pic is from the conference. Pauline took me to a nearby rose garden for it. Goes with my bright top, doesn't it?
Write on, friend!
Rebecca, freedom is a great theme. We are all trapped in one way or another, but it doesn't have to be that way. Who better to teach us to break free than creative zombies, bacon and banshees. I'm seriously waiting for a novel of yours to come out. Maybe you'll convert me!
Tamika: I know what you mean. When we're running to get the Nano count in, it isn't easy to stop and find how how writing can also initiate change in us. Perhaps through the editing phase more seep in?
I think I definitely need to slow down and allow my writing to teach me things... especially since I don't write 'Christian fiction' per se, so I need to be very careful with what comes out of me and hits the page. I know there are probably plenty of things God can teach me this way, my problem is that life always gets in the way and I scramble to just hit the keys and forget to slow down and listen...
But, as you suggested to Tamika, maybe the editing phase will allow some slow down. Here's hoping!
Oh -- I also wanted to mention, I also love your new profile picture. Very professional! You look beautiful. :)
Cool post, Eileen! I think I discover things about myself when I'm in the revising stage. Sometimes there are themes in my books that I don't even recognize until I'm revising (because I'm a pantser so I don't always see the big picture when I start)
There have been times where I didn't write a powerful scene right away because I felt like I needed to pray about it so that it would be written in a Godly way, if that makes sense?
I think it's awesome that your writing draws you closer to God like that. I hope mine will do the same.
I love your pic too. You look beautiful! :-)
What a wonderful point you make. Thinking back on it, my writing does tell me alot about myself. It shows me what I value. I usually give my character's families major supporting roles, so I can tell family is importnat to me.
But it also highlights my sins like you said. when my Pastor found I write romance, he lifted his brows and said, "Am I going to have to say extra prayers for you, Linda?" Embarrassing, but yes, he probably will.
With my writing, I like to explore questions, what-ifs in life. It is my own truths then, that make it to the page in answer, seeing the situations through my own life's eyes. Happy Weekend to you!
I don't write Christian fiction, but I still weave some basic truths into my writing. I do learn from it.
Lovely photo... :)))
Each idea come from a desire to share a POV that is based in some kind of necessary truth; the essence of love facing fear, hatred, ignorance. I'm firm in that no matter what comes our way, succumbing to love conquering all and not just romantic love, but more often platonic love, is the biggest joy.
With lots of angsty, drama laden plot thrown in for good measure. :)))
Great points, Eileen. There is a saying that teachers learn more than their students. I guess you could also say that writers learn more than their readers. Really, as a writer you are a teacher, too, your medium being the printed page. Good post.
Great points, Eileen. There is a saying that teachers learn more than their students. I guess you could also say that writers learn more than their readers. Really, as a writer you are a teacher, too, your medium being the printed page. Good post.
My posts have revealed that I'm overwhelmed. I just read on Nicole Baart's blog that our busy schedules are often a result of our laziness or our vanity. WoW! After I read it, it really sunk in and made sense. I'm learning God has a good deal of work to do with me yet.
Have a great weekend.
~ Wendy
Eileen, I love this post! One of the best things about making the change from secular to inspirational writing was the messages I get to put in my stories. I love showing how God is in everyone's life no matter how dire their circumstances.
I have something for you on my blog today if you have the chance to stop by. Have a great weekend!
Love the picture! That color pops and you look so beautiful amongst the roses. I love how your work makes you reflective on the lord. FOr NaNo I'm writing Christian YA and it's drawing me closer to the lord as I inspect my own flaws along the way.
Your picture is so pretty! It brightened up my day. Truths in writing? My faith always comes through, but I think my code of ethics meanders into each work too.
Have a wonderful weekend!
You are singing my song! The process as been nearly identical to yours. I am doing the same things as you:
1.Realizing my deficiences,
2.Studying to be accurate and
3.Praying for guidance
If you are like me, our progress is slow but steady. Hang in there!
Hey, Eileen.
First time here. Always glad to discover another writer.
Truths....hmmm.....
I'm discovering that God's glory and truth can be found in a lot of things and that I don't necessarily need to beat my readers over the head with the gospel. His truth is right there in so many other things too.
My stories allow me to see things from a different perspecitive. While my faith influences every aspect of my life, I may write about characters who don't have faith. In fantasy, they may have a completely different view of God. That perspective helps strengthen my own.
This is just the topic I spoke on last weekend at my ladies' group at church. God takes me along the same lesson paths as my characters, and it is only when I'm really listening and learning from Him that I'm able to plumb the depths of my characters' spiritual journeys.
And I LOVE the new picture. So pretty!
Eileen, your top in your new profile pic matches the flowers. How beautiful. You have the greatest smile.
I weaved a lot of prayer and God truths in my MG novel. It's about two girls who are lost in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The families pray. Because you would. The girls talk about Heaven, because you would.
Great post. And thank you for telling me about your dream. I prayed last night that God would show Blue to me in my dream. Him running all around Heaven. I didn't sleep well, and God didn't show me. But I now know that he will, because of your comment. Thanks bunches. It meant the world to me. I too believe Blue is in Heaven smiling right now. Relieved that he can finally breathe and walk and run. Thanks so much! I needed that.
I find I grow as I write and also get my heart pricked in the process as it sometimes is a place where I work out some of my own issues with God:))
I've read once from the writing of one famous author that each writer is a moral philosopher discussing his views and analyzing himself in relation to them through his writing. You are exemplifying this truth when you talked of how you discover something about yourself and your relationship with God with each piece you write. As for me, writing is both an exciting and sad journey because I get to see those dark corners in my head up close, which I am never able to do in any other activity. I guess this is the miracle God has bestowed upon writing: the chance to examine one's self in depth and impart this to others.
Hi Eileen -
Woohoo! Your word count is moving up!
Great post. Enjoy the weekend.
Blessings,
Susan :)
LOVE the new pic!
So true. It's funny how fiction can speak SO much truth into my life. In both the books I've read and the books I write. Like you, I find myself praying that I might shine Truth in my novels.
What I find as I am writing is that I rarely plan what comes from the mind of a character. Their wisdom (or lack of) often surprises me and I have to pause. I like to think I am raising them right...the characters, but sometimes.... :)
Hey, Eileen! I love how our stories influence what we learn--and vice versa! I've been learning a lot about faith these past few years, so this is a HUGE element in the work I'm editing right now. Just reading it reminds me of some of the things God has taught me. So cool!
Have a great weekend!
I find that I want to be more like some of my characters. Maybe I'm writing the characters I hope to be someday. Great post.
Its true that I learn from my characters. In fact, I have to look around every so often to see who is looking over my shoulder.
~ Just Joany
Red Wagon Flights
Stunning picture, Eileen. Kudos to the photographer for capturing your inner and outer beauty.
Your post is right on. I've learned a great deal about myself and other people since I began writing my stories. I'm more aware of what's going on around me, which is a good thing for this homebody. Leaving my comfort zone stretches me, just as I stretch my characters.
I'd be interested in hearing some of the positive things you've learned about yourself through your writing.
Eileen:
Last weekend I heard a Christian writer say if we wanted to write devotional material, we had to have a strong devotional life. She also said one specific devo mag wanted writings on unfamiliar passages. She suggested we read the Old Testament prophets. I spent this week reading the minor prophets looking for some verse or phrase that spoke to me. And I found at least three. He is so good!
Wow, this is just the coolest blog!!!! Love the way you get to the heart of the matter!
My new WIP delves into Christian and secular themes of sacrifice. Makes me wonder what would I REALLY give for the Savior??!!
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