Of all things . . .

 

I suppose the reasons for writing novels run the gamut of thought-provoking imaginations. Oh sure, most of us have mimicked the common quote, "I write because I can't not write." Ted Dekker told the crowd at the booksigning yesterday that he writes to explore. Mary DeMuth declared she writes fiction because she's "mad" at all the injustice she sees so she wants to expose it.

Some of us write because it seems we always have. Writing has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember accompanying our childhood adventures and capturing our teen and 20's angst. If we're serious it follows us into maturity and sticks with us as we age. We grow, it grows along with us. Writing is like an appendage we use for certain types of work.

Other writers realize the urge later in their lives but tackle it with a passion they couldn't have known until they began to put those words in their souls on the pages of story. It hooks them like a drug bringing both euphoria and desperation.

Writers seem to crave definition. It travels with their trade and demands discovery. Why do writers write? Define it for yourself and define it for those who wonder why. What is that thing that compels you to transfer words to paper or screen and ache to make those words stronger, lovelier, more descriptive, grittier, carry more depth and gaze into the souls of both the beautiful and the horrendously ugly and perverse? Can you define it? Not sufficiently.

It's all tangled up with callings, and talents, and ordinations. It's twisted by motives and goals and schemes and directives. It's toughened by rejections and critics and efforts which so often seem wasted.

Stripped down, why do you write stories?

 

Father, only you give us true definitions, the ones that satisfy the soul. Thank you for the words. May we do them justice for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Comments

[BK Jackson]

At it's core, it comes down to exploration for me, and trying to make sense of God's ways, even though He tells me His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts higher than mine. We are free...but we're not. When I look around me, I see a lot of people fumbling around trying to figure out God's plan for their life. I'm one of them. I'm no mind reader, but I pray and study His word, and still I feel like I don't understand half the time. And I think I'm far from alone on that.

As a result, there are a lot of people fumbling and stumbling through life, taking a wrong turn here, making a catastrophic decision there. I wonder, "Maybe if I write enough stories, it will be a way to know God more deeply. And maybe not fumble so much."

Which is why I think some of my books are less "religious" than others--sometimes you feel far from God and you can't hide it in your writing.

[BK Jackson]

P.S. Justice figures very strongly in most of my stories too.

[Nicole]

You're right, B, there's a lot of fumbling around going on in Christians' lives. Sometimes it comes down to that contentment thing. I've worked jobs I hated because I had to, and I cried to the Lord literally, but I told Him I'd do it anyway because I was there for a reason. It seemed he'd always move me then. I see those who have a divine purpose in what they're doing even if it's staying at home, but they feel useless and like they've never known what they're "supposed" to be doing. I know the frustration because I've been there, but I also know God doesn't ignore us, and that there's always a reason for where we are.

Justice is a worthwhile reason and inspiration to write for sure. As is exploration.

[Brenda Anderson]

So many reasons to write, Nicole ...

I'm one who writes because I've always written. My husband knew I was going to be a novel writer long before I made the effort. I just put it off because I believed writing books would be a waste of time (or I thought others would see it that way--I still do, for that matter, but now I don't care what they think).

As a very quiet person, one who struggles to be heard, I've discovered that people "listen" when I write. That's a powerful motivator.

I write to see situations from a new angle. I write to understand people better, especially those who perceive things differently from me. Writing is a great way to vent. I love writing arguments between two or more characters. It's freeing and fun. :) Well, those are my top reasons, I'm sure there are more.

Good question today. It made me think.

[Nicole]

What a great response, Bren. Really.

I'm just single-minded enough for it never to occur to me that it might be a waste of time - until I'm forced to realize the time spent could be deemed a complete failure by some.

Your reasons are important, real, definitely have value.

[dayle]

I write because my genius cannot be contained. Nor should it. I actually don't like to write but I owe it to the world.

I guess my immediate (not only) answer would be to communicate ideas.

[Nicole]

You're one hilarious genius, Dayle. And either of your two mentioned reasons here are worthwhile. ;)