Into the Fire

The Notification . . .

This is the introduction to my fourth novel Wounds . . . and Healings. It's a warning of sorts. Some readers can't handle certain topics no matter how they are addressed. Without a notification or fair warning, they might become incensed or offended as they delve into a story. In some of my stories I include a foreword, an explanation, or an introduction if I think one is warranted by the subject matter.

TO THE READERS:

I think it’s necessary in some cases to forewarn my readers about certain topics in a book. This novel is a bit darker read in the beginning because it deals with sexual addiction, sexual misconduct, and sexual misconceptions. It is a victorious story about several people of various ages who find their ways to the healing touch and saving grace of Jesus Christ. The journey is difficult and requires the desire to be diligent along the way, but even more than that it requires a surrender to the Creator of the universe, the One who has a plan for every human being He brings to life.

We can say that in today’s world there is such a huge focus on sex, but we need only travel back to the time of Abraham and his nephew Lot in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the time of Noah, or look at the exploits of David, Solomon, etc. to realize that the corruption of this holy act has been going on since sin entered our world. In Solomon’s own words: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Every perversion of sexual relationships has entangled men and women for a long, long time. But as with all sin, it wasn’t meant to be. We choose our particular addictions, and we also choose to see them for what they are and receive help and counsel, or we ignore them and allow them to destroy us. The only true healing from such things comes from the One who created us and then ultimately saved us. Without Him we are all still lost in sin.

ISAIAH 53:5
. . . the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed. (NIV)

Father, thank you for each story. I know you have a purpose for each of them. May all you have for me be done according to your will. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Radical . . .

Radical is a word with both positive and negative connotations. Those connotations depend upon the reason(s) for being radical, correct?

Well, I’ve decided I appear to be radical. For many reasons, but mostly for the sake of this one-sided discussion, I confess to be radical in my ideas about the publishing industry. Whether or not anyone believes I even deserve an opinion on the subject, I have one. No surprise. I wouldn’t have these opinions if I felt that the Christian publishing industry was meeting its end of the bargain by providing for all of its devoted readers. I’m not talking quantity of books here, and only in the very basic sense am I speaking of quality.

I believe the average reader of fiction, Christian or secular, generally has a favorite genre and some multiple genres where they’ll dabble occasionally. Speaking only of the “average” reader, I guess in my world he/she would be defined as someone who enjoys reading and might recognize poor writing but if they enjoyed the story, it wouldn’t matter to them that they passed through some rough spots. Too many adverbs, passive verbs, and the common show-don’t-tell philosophies permeating the writers’ blogs often don’t cause a ripple in the page turning of the average reader. A well-written, enjoyable novel might be especially appreciated for reasons the average reader might not be able to identify, but that same reader might also savor a novel generally thought to be written with lesser skills because he/she simply was excited by the story.

Writers of novels have to be the worst critics of writing. So many get all wrapped up in the rules and trends and forget the simple joys of a story. Last year there was a fervent discussion about italics of all things generated by an editor from Zondervan over on Chip MacGregor’s blog. Oh so many wannabes and established authors jumped on the bandwagon proclaiming the detestable factors of italics. The most logical opposition to them was Becky Miller’s simple assertion that they were difficult to read. However, if an editor/publisher had any creative desire to use them more effectively in a particular story—just for something DIFFERENT (heaven forbid), the typesetting could feature them in a more readable format. With all the little designs we’re seeing in chapter headings and page numbering, making the italics easier to read shouldn’t prove to be too much of an added expense or take a super effort to produce.

President and CEO Michael Hyatt created a wingding in the industry and on his personal blog (http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwhereisit/) by announcing the rather stunning changes coming to Thomas Nelson Publishing under his direction. Folks in the industry jumped to the pulpit to either rave about Hyatt’s genius or question his sanity, some comments leveling low blows at his tactics.

Most of the people who aspire to write novels visit the sites of professionals and trust their teachings and proclamations as gospel and struggle to write accordingly. Depending upon which trend is embraced, there will be the Anne Lamott or Stephen King devotees, the Donald Maass fans, the Browne and King diehards, etc., until all the writing bases have been covered and magnified as the ultimate best in writing types, styles, formats, and aims for getting published. And even then it is somberly noted, you might not be “good enough”. Geez.

When who you are and how well you can come up with a marketing scheme for your work plays a part in being a “good enough” writer to rank being published, you can assume that having that “great” story isn’t what it’s totally about. It’s also about trend-setting and types of fiction and second-guessing what the reading public wants so you can provide it and make money at it. And there’s nothing wrong with any of it.

What’s wrong with the overall picture is testifying that if a writer perseveres and spit shines and polishes that manuscript with dynamite words and an unbeatable story, they will be published. That somehow each publisher is producing these legendary classics to rock the world of readers for eons to come . . . Do you know there is a “Christy Award” category for “lits”?

My radical repetitious assertion remains. The platitudes are dishonest. The “greatness” is often fleeting and even imaginary. The books which are published come into print based on a committee decision. Trends, marketing, genres—and, yes, likes and dislikes, in other words: opinions—determine the production of a new novel. The posturing about “great” writing, “great” stories . . . it’s all to be expected. It just doesn’t always ring true.

Father, help me to have integrity. Help me to be a dissenting voice only when my reasoning has merit. Give me discernment and help me to avoid hurtful criticism while still pointing out valid problems. Thank you for your grace. I need it. I need you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Reasons to Write

Okay, let me count the reasons. On second thought, never mind.

If you ask a person who’s attempting to write his first novel why he’s doing it, the reason will usually be fairly basic: to get published. If he’s a Christian, it might be tempered with spiritual innuendoes to make it sound more sacrificial or noble or God-geared. And regardless of how it’s expressed, it’s most likely true.

Ask that same writer a year later about it, and if he’s done with the novel, the reason for writing it might still be the same, but if he’s submitted it a time or two and gotten rejections, the tempo of the response has usually changed. Perhaps the understanding of the process has been amplified, and also he may now know a whole bunch more information about the industry than he did when he wrote his first chapter. And if he hasn’t yet finished the novel, he will appreciate the highs and lows of creative endeavors as they play into real life circumstances.

The never-ending conversations about “finding the muse”, “heeding the call”, “the artist versus the hack”, “literary versus younameit”, “ABA versus CBA”, “edgy versus safe”, “great versus not-so-great”, etcetera, etcetera, and etcetera, ad nauseum, will be etched inside his brain as he’s searched the multitudinous sites of agents, authors, publishers, and writers just like himself over the course of time.

Eventually, he will refine his response to the question which addresses the “reasons” for writing. And, perhaps, he will also redefine his primary “reason” for writing. What is it anyway?

To write to be heard? To deliver a message so profound it will move someone to tears and change his heart somehow? To receive enough monetary reward for the hours invested to support oneself for the rest of this life? To gain recognition, fame possibly, some glory? To receive accolades and be interviewed in the media? To bring exceptional humor and wit?

Deep, deep down . . . what is the reason you write?

Will you continue for years without a contract being offered? Will you write when you can’t seem to connect with an agent for representation? Will you keep writing something new if and when you finish your first novel? Will you repeatedly submit that first or second or third manuscript, story, novel, with a mounting array of rejection slips? Will you write on anyway?

Will you write the stories God gives you to write? Or will you write the stories the publisher gives you to write, should you gain a place in “the house”?

Why do you write? When will you write? How will you write? What will you write?

Father, I pray that those who choose to honor you with their writing will keep you in the forefront. I pray that each one who receives the call to write will write in obedience to you regardless of what else is asked of them. I pray their devotion to you would keep them strong throughout the journey involved with writing a novel. Help us all to be faithful in every situation and circumstance. You are really the only One who matters. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

The Greatest Story Ever Told . . .

. . . has been told. We as Christian writers or writers who are Christians—however politically correct you must be in expressing this fact—are really telling derivative tales of this magnificent base story. No matter how fascinating, how lovely, how terrifying and horrid, it cannot match the absolute truth of the greatest story ever told. The Creator revealed the story of Truth, and mankind has either been trying to retell it, or deride or deny it, or imitate it or find another way to complement it since he decided to write things down.

What better way to illustrate all the unusual aspects of the original story than by including them conceptually in fiction? The myriad voices declaring the mysteries and miraculous goings-on in our world, proclaiming the uniqueness of individual perceptions and/or group realizations . . . with the hope of divine anointing upon the writing—at least for some of us.

We can argue back and forth about labeling our work, about reaching the lost—the how-tos and the how-not tos—about what is good writing and what is bad writing, but I submit to you that any work done in obedience to Christ is a work of art. I am not saying that this work is necessarily meant for human consumption, but I am saying that it has outstanding value to our Lord, probably more value than we can conceive of in our human limitations.

He asks so little of many of us. He selects and produces the character needed to do and achieve the very hard things which many of us will never be asked to do. How many of those reading this post will have martyrdom thrust into their lives? How many will be tortured for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Many of us will simply be nudged to speak the Name and Love of Jesus to a neighbor or worldly friend. Others will be given the task of writing a profound novel, a memoir, a non-fiction testimony of horrible trials which ultimately resulted in a triumph of the soul . . .

What has He asked of you? To be faithful? To walk in His Spirit? To be His witness whether in word or deed? To set aside selfish desires and serve Him without reserve? Well . . . yes, all of the above more than likely. Are those easy to accomplish? Certainly not. But then the Cross wasn’t easy either, but He did it so we could change the course of our lives and make them better both now and for eternity.

So, embrace The Greatest Story Ever Told and retell it from your perspective of newfound or well-traveled Truth. There can be no better story told, and if He’s called you to write fiction, you have a leg up on the plot and characters. Life and you and I and so many others will fill the pages in various formats, styles, voices, themes, plots, characters, and wonderful winsome stories . . . based on the truth.

Truly a gift from God.

Father, I want nothing else to do but to serve you in the ways you’ve designed for me to do. Let me prove faithful, and continue to prod me, provoke me, and spur me on to those things you want from me. I am yours. You’re all I’m livin’ for. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Sunday's Offerings

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I commnd you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and your are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.

. . . This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life . . .

Deuteronomy 30:17-20 (NIV)

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Detour IV

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, these are the facts:

Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008

Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500

Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500

Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000

Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

"If you want to know just how effective the mainstream media is, it is amazing how many people who fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever. If any democrat is elected, he/she will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people who fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen."

"Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this, it's easy to check out if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat of Republican. Facts are Facts.

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year

4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program and no other Government program

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' -- you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U S.

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

A: Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country and at age 65 began to receive Social Security payments. The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it.

Then after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!

And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!

CONGRESS GIVES THEMSELVES 100% RETIREMENT FOR ONLY SERVING ONE TERM."

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

Father, this is a difficult election year. You are in charge of this country, this world, and our individual lives. Help us to listen to your voice and cling to your values, our hopes in you. Let us not vote against what you have taught us in your Word which is ultimately our "government". Thank you for direction in you, the only One we can truly count on. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Take a Tour of Winter Haven . . . (Again)

(This is a rerun of my review of Winter Haven, this time for the CFBA tour. If you have yet to experience this unique mystery, it’s a good one.)

“Mousy” and vulnerable accountant Vera Gamble’s eyes are x-raying a computer screen for a few dollars and cents on a Friday afternoon when she receives an unusual telephone call from the police chief of an unknown-to-her island town in Maine. Shortly afterward as she strives for control of her emotional reaction to the call, her handsome boss manipulates her into spending her weekend working to finish the figures on an apparently important account due for presentation on the following Monday, her birthday, not even considering that her first reaction to stay in Texas might be borne out of a rejection to the grief and that he had previously assured her of getting her birthday off.

The story begins with her first person telling of roiling seasickness on a mail boat making its regular excursion out to the island of Winter Haven where her estranged, and absent for 11 years, brother “Siggy” lies in wait of extradition for burial back in Texas. As her fateful trip to the island produces both vomiting and the regurgitation of events leading to the decision to travel for retrieval of her autistic brother’s body, she does the unspeakable just before her arrival to the remarkable but austere island location, allowing her memories to produce a near white-out of sorts in her brain.

She discovers upon arrival and after introductions that her brother is being held in an old fish packing shed, literally packed in ice awaiting departure since Winter Haven has no mortuary. Without actually seeing his corpse she declares the dead person cannot be her brother, realizing the size of the person lying in the shadows of the shed is a young person, and her brother would now be a man in his late twenties. However, before she finally exits this poor excuse for a funeral home, she decides to look directly at the boy to confirm the mistaken identification. To her amazement it is Siggy looking just as he did years ago when he left home spouting prophecy from his autistic dialogue of the Scriptures.

Immediately the reader is plunged into the mystery of Vera and her family, how she has become who she perceives herself to be, and how she blames herself for the ill-fated and untimely death of her brother who looks no different than the precise moment she watched him walk away from home, alone, so many years ago on her birthday.

This is an interesting and utterly intriguing mystery where the features of the island itself are as much individual characters in the story as are the unique and somewhat bizarre folks who inhabit this eerie town. There are suspicious occurrences, freakish townspeople, a sense of life itself being drained out of Winter Haven’s inhabitants while Vera herself is uncertain of what is untrue and what is actually happening both in her head and on the island. Her dark mental adventures, as she simultaneously (along with the man who is “the law”) determines to discover how her brother could not possibly have changed in 11 years, nearly convince the reader Vera is out of her mind or soon will be without some honest and reliable information and assistance.

Athol Dickson, winner of a prestigious Christy Award for his earlier novel River Rising, is known for his lovely layered prose, and this novel is no exception to his rule. A condemning God versus a forgiving and merciful Lord is examined within the pages of this story, and the journey to find who this God really is continues through the supernatural events mixed with imaginary thoughts tied seamlessly to what you hope is a form of reality—all this alongside the search for how Siggy could possibly turn up in Winter Haven, Maine, exactly how he left home in Texas many years ago. There are jolting twists and turns with a satisfying conclusion which the cynics in the crowd of readers who prefer “dark and dreary” will no doubt criticize. I, for one, appreciated the ending and was grateful for it.

Let me give you just a taste of some of this delicious writing from Chapter 15 . . .

“I was the daughter of a healer and the sister of a prophet. I knew some kinds of calculations—the ones that mattered most—would never yield an answer. Sometimes you could add one more complaint to another and multiply by every form of misery there was and divide by all the heartache in the world, and even if you reached infinity, the sum of all your questions would still be met with nothing but an evil whisper, a vacant stare, or else a silence like the taste of lukewarm water, the feel of empty air, a vision of the color white. When it comes to evil, God does not explain.”

Athol captures all the angst and torment of a young woman who has carried both guilt and condemnation for most of her existence, having attempted to bury it all beneath the compulsive obsession of orderly numbers and mathematical equations. When she is rousted from her pedestrian and lifeless cocoon of accounting, all hell breaks loose in her memories and in her life-threatening and life-changing experiences during her tour of Winter Haven.

If you’re a fan of moody mysteries, you’ll enjoy this unique and well-written story.

Father, I pray you would continue to bless Athol, to give him inspiration, more stories to tell, and allow the beauty of language to come forth from his creations. Keep him busy with the work you have for him to do and remind him that every good and perfect gift comes from you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Twisted

Osmosis: any gradual, often unconscious, process of assimilation or absorption that resembles [the previously stated defining of] this diffusion

Some writers think if you even so much as mention the Name of Jesus in a story, you are preaching. Some writers think if you refer specifically to Jesus rather than just God, you are being preachy. Some writers think if you mention God, you are selling a message over story.

Good grief. Like we can hide Him and expect a reader to find Him through our beautiful prose? Just write a story, don’t mention God, but tell it with such amazing language, a remarkable plot, characters who expound such depth, such beauty—or are so sinister—who seem real, and, of course, cannot be classified as a Christian if they are “good”. And from this telling of a truly notable and extraordinary (because of the writing, of course) tale, the reader(s) will recognize God in the pages and . . . what? Turn to Jesus? Osmosis.

God informed us in the first chapter of Romans how He displayed his “invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature” through “what has been made”. Why? “So that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20 NIV). Fair enough? A person looks around this world, sees a perfectly ordered universe operating day in and day out. The sun comes up and the sun goes down. If visible through the clouds, the moon, stars and planets are seen in the night sky in the same formations that have existed for eons. As telescopic abilities increase and space travel expands, inconceivable sizes of previously unknown stars and galaxies become visible to astound their viewers. And it’s all functioning as if it always has.

And you know what? From these few but impressive examples of God’s handiwork, what do many people conclude? It all happened from some big banging of cataclysmic proportions which in turn produced some kind of primal ooze which in turn produced people, transforming over a zillion years of time, of course. Uh huh. Brilliant. And since these individuals who have decided to regard this preposterous theory as truth and perpetuate it by teaching it to children as if it’s fact, to assume that these individuals who will choose to read novels with the aforementioned artfully written stories will then be so astounded by the grace and beauty of words on a page that they will drop to their knees and recognize God as Creator is . . . um, farfetched.

Write Christian novels or don’t. It’s your call. Write what you believe God is telling you to write, and if you need to justify your choices with “God can use a donkey to speak to people”, keep in mind, He only chose the donkey when the prophet refused to listen to His voice. The point here is it’s twisted to assume that just because you write a great story people will “notice” God because of your incredible ability to put words on a page. If you don’t have a message about the Lord to tell, that’s your prerogative, but please don’t try to convince me that because of the greatness of the story, people will turn to or appreciate God. I won’t buy it—the premise or the book.

“. . . faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV) Somehow it has been decided by some writers that to have a Christian message in a story is preaching. In reality when the message of Jesus Christ is an integral part of a meaningful story, nothing could be more “real”. Real life is in Jesus Christ. The journey to discover truth is incomplete if it stops or is detoured before finding Him. There are not many truths. There is one, One. And only One.

Christian writers often forget that their perspective as they evaluate everything from novels to movies to political opinions is viewed through that perspective. Without it the perspective is skewed and likely to see nothing in forms of beauty. Nothing but evolution and all of its fallout. The rights of animals become more valuable than those of infants in the womb. Death becomes a mere formality that precedes rotting in the ground or making one’s way around the regurgitation of life forms. There is no supreme value to good, and evil becomes a preference based on acquired belief systems.

The emptiness of life is portrayed in the pages of secular fiction no matter how glossy the language and how deep the metaphor. A Christian will latch onto any message of hope offered and decide it points to God, which of course it does because without Him there is no hope, but another secular reader will simply see it as a hope in some person, charm, mantra, luck, shaman, or philosophy which can include any and all measures of “religion”.

Yes, God can use whatever He chooses to point people to Himself. When the heart is primed by His Spirit to receive His message, He decides what will best reach an individual. I think it’s presumptuous to assume when we avoid putting Him in our novels so as not to offend the lost by sounding “preachy”, we miss the point—and the opportunity.

Father, let me never fail to include Jesus in my work. Plainly. Openly. Real-ly. You are the Giver of Life. Without Jesus there can be no real life. May it be done according to your will and in the creative ways you have designed. I ask it in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names, the only Name whereby man can be saved.

Word of Mouth

On one hand we have those who believe that “word of mouth” is the best way to “sell” novels (or books in general). If one person likes a story and convinces one other person to buy the book and that person likes it and tells another . . . and so on and so on. In this way blogs and reading/writing web places promote, create buzz, and pass along recommendations in a word of mouth kind of way.

I might be a little skeptical of this theory. The simple reason for my thinking is the amount of time it takes to generate real sales using this method. As you know, I read the three Joe Box mysteries written by John Robinson (Until the Last Dog Dies, When Skylarks Fall, To Skin A Cat). They were old-fashioned style P.I. stories about the contemporary adventures of a 50-ish guy by the name of Joe Box. Joe was likable and skilled, a Viet Nam vet, a new convert to Christianity and, as you might expect, a little rough around the edges. Good stories, a great voice for Joe, reasonable lengths, very entertaining, geared toward men. They went . . . nowhere. Yet everyone who commented on them thoroughly enjoyed the trio of novels.

Another very good author who was contracted with Zondervan for a four novel series (the Homeland Hero Series: Wounded Healer, Warrior’s Heart, Valiant Hope, Standing Strong), a guest here, Donna Fleisher, wrote these books about a friendship between two very different women forged in the Iraqi desert during war, one of them surviving but still struggling with the inner demons of a horrific experience growing up. An editor herself, Donna writes well—interesting dramas with deep insight into her characters, and a strong Christian message which captures the innate difficulties we all face in following Jesus. She is no longer a contracted author.

Neither of these authors was particularly well known. They were once new, not on the high end of the marketing dream teams’ funds. To this day the supposed gurus of CBA marketing haven’t figured out how to market men’s fiction, insisting that men don’t read Christian fiction. I maintain they would if they knew of all the men writing it in this market and where to look for it without appearing to be searching for romances. And for other writers coming onto the marketing scene as unknowns, it’s tough. Have you looked inside any of the larger Christian bookstores lately? There are so many authors with their novels crammed onto shelves “spines out” creating a kind of anonymous presence there if you have no previous knowledge of their work.

Gung-ho authors, agents, editors, and pub boards/teams will advise new authors that they better be willing and able to come up with a marketing strategy to apply to their new book that either enhances or outshines the efforts of the house’s own marketing team. Doesn’t that raise your eyebrows just a bit? The so-called marketing team is getting paid to come up with a viable scheme to sell each and every contracted book—they’re supposed to be the specialized professionals. And yet no matter what some authors do to gain attention for their books, they come up empty, and the sales are disappointing, eventually eliminating them from being contracted.

Let me just say I do think “word of mouth” works, but many times it takes a vicarious route and in the process “time” is of little consequence to those sharing the joys of a good book. It often depends on how many “good” books are in line before it or if another book is in the budget at the time or if the reader really trusts the recommendation. Conversely, “time” is of the essence to publishers. Sales rule. Slow take off means a possible poor performance.

Okay, you knew this was coming . . . Christian authors must trust in the Lord. We do not always realize what God has intended for us. We write because He has ordained it. We get so far as to publish our work, regardless of the varied ways, and . . . what? Not exactly what we—or anyone else—would deem “success”? We question all we’ve done, what we’ve written, how we pursued our dream, the thoughts and prayers which accompanied our vision, and we succumb to disappointment, discouragement, even depression? Why? If we know in our hearts, beyond our self-inflicted doubts, that God has given us this writing thing, then we submit our wills to Him and enjoy the process, whatever it is. Why some have unlimited sales and “success” and we don’t, who can say? If we are faithful to do what God has for us, why should we care? Truly. What business is it of ours what God chooses to do with others’ lives? (John 21:22)

One last thought here. There is this arrogance in today’s publishing world which purports that only the “best” of writing makes it into a published book. I can tell you this is nothing more than a cocky whim. I have read over 200 Christian novels, old and new. There are some exquisite writers and there are some just barely mediocre writers appearing in published books today. The professionals can assert to the throngs that this premise of supremacy in published works is fact, but it is fallible and dishonest. All kinds of writers are published in both the ABA and CBA. If we’re truly in Christ, we know our lives and the writing we produce rest in His hands alone, and in all reality we need to be satisfied with that fact.

And the Word which proceeds from the mouth of God is the only one that gives and speaks and promotes life, encouragement, and truth into our realities.

I thank you for that, God. Let it be that I would accept your design, direction, and affirmation however you choose to give it. Let me never be satisfied with pleasing the flesh. Help me always to pursue what you have for me and nothing else. Yours is the best path, the only path worth following. I’m desperate for you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, speak the Word into my heart and let me have ears to hear and eyes to see your ways alone. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

First times . . .

It has been said there is a first time for everything. Let's hope not. I mean, really. It has been said in all truthfulness that there is nothing new under the sun. But the fun thing is that some things which are new to us as individuals can be a blessing, exhilarating, exciting, or a number of other good things. (No sense in mentioning the other side of the new not-so-great events.)

So one of those firsts for me is a review of The Famous One along with an interview here: http://www.wovenbywords.blogspot.com/. Thank you, Mimi. Very cool.

And one of the other things which is so appreciated about this particular first is that I only knew this lady via the bookshelf website known as Shelfari where people put together all the books they've read or want to read or variations of all things books. So, it was kind of scary and a little risky to offer the book to her knowing that we had some novels in common but certainly not all. Our tastes definitely had their differences.

Another neat thing about this opportunity is that I made a reference to Mimi in a previous post here because she is a self-described "reader", not a person who critiques books from a loftier level than enjoyment. So to be able to provide a person who reads for pleasure and hopefully to find a meaningful experience with just those objectives is a blessing I have prayed for. To touch a heart. Thank you, Jesus. Could not have done it without you.

Also on a related note, a very special friend who I have known for many years--we originally met on the racetrack--called from Kansas where she now lives with her family to tell me how much she loved The Famous One. Told me I was a different kind of writer, definitely not "fluff". (Too true.) Said she shed some tears which is a common theme for those who've read this book. When I asked her what she liked best about the story, her answer surprised me. I hadn't thought of that specific take on it. So awesome how the Lord amplifies things.

God, you are so good to me. I thank you and thank you, but it's never enough. You are so gracious to me. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

(Hope this doesn't sound like I'm blowing my own horn too loudly. I really do.)

Hybrid

I’ve discovered that’s what kind of reader I am: a hybrid. Outside of the genetic definition of a hybrid as well as the automobile industry’s reference to the word in a description of their primarily battery operated vehicles, there is this explanation of the word: something of mixed origin or composition. And, come to think of it, in a way it defines me as a writer as well.

As a reader, I really do enjoy a lot of different styles and voices, but my tastes are quite categorical. As you know, historicals hold no appeal for me. Yet, one of my all time favorite novels is Redeeming Love. I can enjoy the beauty of words literally lilting on a page or the stark darkness of evil transmitted by cold harsh conceptions. I can revel in a lingering pace or gear up for a racing tension. I can like some clipped accounts or really desire full-on descriptive revelations, and I can appreciate the somewhere in betweens, too. A good small dose of humor mixed in with the events as long as it really is funny both in placement and timing serves nicely to relieve or accentuate the tension.

I’m a student of people—motivated to learn what makes them tick. I’ve learned a lot about myself mostly from the Holy Spirit, and it isn’t always pretty. I want to understand the whys and wherefores of people’s conduct, how they are immovable in one area or easily manipulated in another. Their weaknesses, their strengths, their leanings. A writer has to know the inner workings of his characters to make them resonate. That’s why it’s such a risk to feature an unlikable character and build a story around him/her.

Of all the novels I’ve written, I would have to say that my “hybrids” are the first two, Hope Of Glory and The Famous One. Really these two stories are total opposites. However, within the pages of both books a reader will find glimpses of some characters and detailed studies of other characters. The voice is unmistakably me in both stories, but a distinctly different me in the first one in tone and presentation because it’s intentionally written in the language and timbre of the racetrack. In The Famous One after the short prologue, the story begins with an omniscient POV and gradually shifts to third person with very brief first person POVs. And while both novels contain ample doses of romance, the relationship factor between man/woman and God is the ultimate concern. To contrast the stories, in Hope Of Glory the gospel appears almost immediately in a conversation between the retiring racing secretary and his protégé replacement. In The Famous One a reader is well over halfway through the novel before there is any solid reference to the gospel.

What constitutes “good” writing for some is next to abominable to others. I don’t see why that’s so difficult for some to understand. It’s a fact of life. Is someone wrong for liking red over purple? For jeans instead of slacks? I mean, come on. You really can’t get more subjective than books, music, and paintings, can you? I’ll take Dostoevsky over Hemingway any day, but can you like both? Of course you can.

So, I’ve decided I’m a hybrid. A mixture of preferences in composition. Reading and writing.

Father, the desire of my heart is to please you in what I do. To serve you always and foremost. I fail. You forgive. Please help me to persevere and gain ground in you and for you. Let my words reflect you. Let your words be mine. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue your prayers for Kristy Dykes. After a rough few days, she was able to attend church Sunday and spoke to the congregation.*

Sunday's Offerings

" . . . When God raised up His servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Acts 3:26 (NIV)

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Encore: Be My Guest!

It's always a pleasure to feature someone else on this blog, especially my friends who I've never had the pleasure to meet in person yet. Last week I was blessed by the posts of Donna Fleisher, author and freelance editor, and Mark Harbeson, an engineer and working on his first novel. Today Rebecca Luella Miller, AKA Becky, who has all kinds of writing and teaching credits in her resume, not to mention her blog "A Christian Worldview of Fiction", has agreed to share some thoughts about her first endeavor in the publishing industry. As to be expected with Becky, you get honesty and spirituality. Always a treat. So, heeerrrreee's Becky!

I wrote my first novel more than fifteen years ago. With the germ of a story idea, I had decided to write in a similar style to one of my favorite books, Til We Have Faces. In that novel, C. S. Lewis used sparse prose with a journaling feel. One thing I did differently was to write in third person instead of first, purely a personal preference.

With something like three chapters completed, I attended the Biola Writers’ Institute and received a critique and advice from none other than the the co-director of the conference. Two years later I returned with a completed manuscript.

The director of the Writer’s Institute liked how different the story was and offered to take it to a publisher. She was not an agent but would receive something akin to a finder’s fee if they chose to publish it. The company? Crossway, who just happened to be the going publisher at the time, as far as fiction was concerned.

This was a dream. And it happened so easily! But then I waited. Not a bad thing, the Institute director told me. Rejections came quickly. Long waits meant they were seriously considering it. And I guess they did, but in the end I got a letter from her saying that the pub board (I didn’t know what that was at the time) decided to pass. Something about their having a similar project already.

I waited and waited to see what that similar project might be. The only thing close was Frank Peretti’s supernatural suspense. Of course, there was no name for the genre back then. And the only similarity to my work was that it showed the good versus evil struggle, mine through symbolism, his through imaginative depiction of angels and demons.

Well, I was disappointed that Crossway had decided not to pick up my book, but coming so close with my first try gave me a false sense of confidence. I never again found anyone who liked the sparse prose style I’d used.

Over the years, the more I learned about writing, the more I changed my style until I finally abandoned any attempt to convey the story through the feel of journal writing. It had been a wonderful, easy way to get the story down, but now was the time to dig in and actually learn how to write fiction. And so began a long series of rewrites.

In the meantime writing changed, publishers changed, the market changed, the business changed, the technology changed. They say persistence wins out in the end, but I only believe that to be true if God so ordains it.

Those years ago, when Crossway rejected my manuscript, I thought certainly another publisher was waiting eagerly in the wings. My confidence was in the work.

Now I understand, at least in part, the way the publishing business works, and I realize how difficult it is to get a manuscript into print. My confidence, however, is stronger than ever because it resides where it should have all along—in God Who makes a river stop flowing, Who causes the sun to reverse its direction, Who brings victory to an army out-manned 100 to 1.

No obstacle can stand in the way if God wants my work in print. And nothing I can do will bring it about if He doesn’t. My job is to write, to build bridges in the writing community, and to let God do what He will so that He receives glory, no matter what.

Father, I know you have good things planned for Becky. You have given her many talents, and she strives to use them all for your glory. Thank you for her heart after you. Please bless all of her efforts done in obedience to you, and keep her steady on your course. Encourage her along the way so she won't grow weary waiting upon you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Meme Alert

Thanks, xdpaul, for thinking of me. ;)

1. Do you associate reading particular books with the places you read them or events of the time you read them?

No, not usually. I do remember holing up in my bedroom one afternoon when my husband was out of town and starting to read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers at 3:30 and not stopping until 3:30 the next morning. Rare and beautiful novel.

2. Do you remember the books you read or do they fade quickly? Or do you remember some better than others? How about remember details like character names, not just overall plot?

I think I’m one of the few remaining people who complete any novel I start whether I like it or not. I will confess it’s getting harder to do. I can leave non-fiction lying half read for years or maybe forever. If I love a novel, it will mark me somehow. I will remember the characters and the scenes that made me smile or laugh or cry. I like a lot of novels, but a book has to touch me to qualify as being “loved”. Those that I like in varying degrees can fade easily or melt into each other unless I have someone to discuss them with after reading them.

There is a chance if I really don’t like a novel, I will remember it for the succinct reasons I didn’t like it, too.

3. Have you ever forgotten you’ve read/owned a book and borrowed/bought it again?

I did do that once with a particular book in a series, thinking it was the new one. Of course when I read the first few paragraphs, I realized I’d bought a duplicate and felt ridiculous.

This is a mere 3 question meme. So . . . the following people can either answer right here or feel free to do so on their own blogs. Oh—sorry, Mark Harbeson, you’ll have to do yours here. Dayle Arceneaux, Kay Day, and Rebecca Luella Miller. Have at it. It’s easy.

Father, thank you for the blessing of friends in all their variations. Thank you for your friendship and fellowship--unequaled in its glory, benevolence, and blessing. Continue to lead me in friendship. May I bless those around me through your Spirit of love and kindness and truthfulness. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember Kristy Dykes and her family in prayer during this ordeal.*

In Need of . . . My Soul to Keep

Obsessive compulsive dirt and germ-a-phobic psychology professor Dr. Dylan Foster is once again engaged in a crisis where the supernatural impact of previously known demon Peter Terry is in evidence, the unsteady spiritual journey of the heroine manifested in superficial prayers, professions of good and bad luck, and Egyptian trinkets of “protection”. While having more insight into the demonic occurrences in her life situations than the unstable “Christian” leanings she has yet to fully understand, the character of Dylan Foster demonstrates true compassion, the full blown need to love and be loved, and the courageous determination to solve the horrible kidnapping of a friend’s five year old little boy, Nicholas.

The kidnapping takes place at the park where Nicholas and his mother Maria celebrate Dylan’s adorable little pretend niece’s (Christine) birthday party with her mom, Liz. The child is snatched so quickly that no one but the children is able to see the person who also attempts to grab Christine but rejects her for Nicholas.

Christine reveals information about the snatcher which is more far-reaching than just his appearance and suffers near death experiences as a result. Dylan is convinced the demon Peter Terry has engineered the event, and Christine’s ongoing revelations convince Dylan there are other avenues to investigate which the police cannot foresee—nor do they want to.

Mixed in with the ongoing danger and weirdness is the struggle to regain a relationship with Dylan’s former boyfriend David who broke up with her because of the chaos in Dylan’s life, the continuous non-relationship with her father whose young wife is about to have Dylan’s half-sister, and the “review” she must pass to maintain her teaching job.

Melanie Wells has got to be Dylan Foster. No one could know this character as well as she does without at least owning up to being related. The writing is unbelievably clever and crisp when necessary. However, the descriptions of Dylan languishing in piteous bouts vivid with unique metaphors, silent acid retorts, and dialogue which rings true for each character indulges us by letting us experience Dylan’s mind and observations firsthand. I’ve read the first novel in this series, When the Day of Evil Comes, but missed the second one, The Soul Hunter. My Soul to Keep is a triumphal third effort.

If you like unique mysteries with an unsure, vulnerable but defiant heroine with a visionary little girl to keep things compelling and to remind us all there is another element to life which cannot be ignored, this is as entertaining as it gets.

Father, you know Melanie, what grabs her heart and makes her hold on, what moves her to be who she is, and what powers her forward to accomplish what you have designed just for her. I pray her heart would stay attuned to yours and that you would lead her in your ways everlasting. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes in her struggle.*

All in good time . . .

Those of you who “know” me are aware of my two self-published novels. The first one Hope Of Glory was begun in 1993, finished in 2002, published in 2005. My second novel The Famous One was begun late in 2004, finished in 2005, and published in 2008.

My third novel Sweet Release was started in 2005 and finished in 2005. My fourth novel Wounds . . . and Healings was started in 2005 and finished in 2005. My fifth novel Destination was written in 2006. My sixth novel The Fixer was begun in 2006 and finished in 2007. And the seventh novel Breath of Life was written in 2006. I have started the eighth novel, but it is progressing more slowly than I thought it would which is okay at this point.

Recently an individual who shall remain nameless picked up Hope Of Glory after setting it aside some time ago. This person had read somewhere around 200 pages of the 744 page monster when he put it away for a considerable period of time. When he elected to start over with the book, he reread those pages and finished the book. He called to tell me that upon picking up the novel again and reading it through, he experienced a long desired healing. Called it a miracle. Said there was significant weeping involved, but he continued through to the end of the story and, although he didn’t explain the type or circumstances of the healing, let me know without a doubt, he was “healed”.

I’ve been getting some wonderfully positive feedback from those who’ve read The Famous One. And, if you have a copy of the novel and are not feeling positive about it, I’m sorry. Believe it or not, some readers have been truly moved by the story.

All in good time . . . the Lord ministers to and through us if we are willing to receive and pour forth from His supply and bounty. He gives us all we need to do what He assigns to us. If we can control our selfish desires and curb our lusts for fame and fortune, He will accomplish great things in us and through us because of who He is. And although our definitions of “great” and “successful” often clash with His, if we can sustain a willing heart to adhere to His desires for us, we will experience a profound sensation of value to His kingdom.

“He has made all things beautiful in His time . . .” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Living in what we consider “real time” it becomes so difficult to understand the significance of time beyond us. The “I want it now” culture has always existed. It isn’t new to this generation or even to this society. We can’t help ourselves with our greed or yearnings unless we want to make an effort to sacrifice the constant demands of the flesh, spiritually crucifying them. Rising above our wants restricts our self-centered ways and steers us away from conforming to the empty philosophies of a world that is self-serving and as a result self-destructing.

It kind of amazes me when we forget that our successes are a result of the benevolence of a loving God with a purpose so much more divine than we have in mind, so much farther reaching than we can imagine, and so much more worthwhile and multi-dimensional than we can figure it to be. And that the first priority of those successes is spiritual.

Writers, serving the Lord is your highest order and your greatest honor. When the priorities become confused and you find yourself serving man—hence serving yourself—ultimately your writing will be wasted. Christians know that only those things done in obedience to God remain untarnished and eternal. The rest of our “stuff” is so much chaff, burned in a wasted bonfire at the Judgment Seat of Christ. What if that “stuff” outweighs our collection of the “Done in Obedience” stack? The shame of it will be unbearable.

The “glory” of the arts is not in the objects themselves but in the direction taken by the heart immersed in obedience to the God who gives the inspiration for creation. We simply cannot create without Him.

The time to write is when He gives you the story. The time to continue through the hard places is when you determine to follow Him through the deep waters. The time to complete what He has given you to do is when you hear His instruction urging you forward. The time to stop is when He tells you to stop and not before. Listen carefully. Write on. Timing is everything.

Father, you are the Master. We are your servants and yet you call us friends, joint heirs with Jesus. Help us to be willing to serve, loving, and obedient. We’re desperate for you, and we need you to push us, prod us, nudge us, and never give up on us. We know we can count on you. If only you can count on us . . . I continue to ask: please, help me to be the one you want me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

So Many Preferences . . .

Okay. I know it’s happened to you at least as often as it’s happened to me. You decide to read a book someone has recommended to you. Now, granted, this particular person doesn’t necessarily know your tastes in literature, but they’re convinced enough of the appeal of this novel to talk you into reading it. And the result? You wonder how in the heck anyone could like this drivel. Then you slap yourself, remind yourself that someone actually published the book, and the author didn’t have to pay for it themselves. And in reply to the inevitable question from the person who suggested you read the incredible tome, you say, “It’s just not my style, you know? Nothing against the author or the book.” All true.

Because once again you’re faced with the fact that someone with enough clout liked the novel and believed others would too—and that those others would buy enough copies to make it worthwhile to put it on pages between covers.

Now some of you are probably going to take offense to this preference since for some unknown (to me anyway) reason, it’s been in vogue for some time now. Ladies, I don’t care how tan or how shapely you think your legs are, if you’re “dressed up”—and not in a little summertime number—really dressed up in a suit, a dress, etc. and you choose to go without some form of panty hose, I think it’s ugly. Yes, bare legs in a dressed up number look so tacky to me, and I don’t care how stylish or sexy people think it is. Really not attractive.

Wouldn’t you love it if instead of listing the types of genres a particular agent is seeking, they listed instead some clips from their favorite novels? It would be a whole lot easier to determine what kind of writing is going to turn their heads—especially if they quote excerpts from those they’ve had a hand in representing. Because if you’ve had an opportunity to view the kind of writing they prefer, you’ll get a fairly accurate picture of whether or not yours will register on their like-it-meter.

And, ladies, here we go again. The short or clingy shirts, sweaters, etc. which fail to cover your stomach and don’t meet the belt line of your hip-huggers—if you have a roll or two or a bulging waistline: give it up, okay? Not all fashion statements are designed with you in mind. In fact, some fashions aren’t designed with any human being in mind—that’s why only the more anorexic-looking models can wear them. Please. What is more important? Looking attractive or being “in fashion”?

Perhaps you don’t see a connection here. I’m not sure I do either to tell you the truth. But here’s the deal. There are certain types of novels which somehow become “in vogue”. Perhaps one or two of them from the same or different authors sold well, so, much like the Hollywood trends for movies, the publishers decided these particular kinds of novels are what “everyone” wants. Wrong. Not “everyone” wants the same things. Not everyone wants to read a thriller, a romance, chick lit, or historicals. Just like not everyone wants to squeeze their bare feet into high heels to show they can mimic the stars who have personal trainers and dieticians and spas to keep those legs looking A-okay. There are a lot of preferences out there when it comes to readers and to those who pay some attention to fashion—enough to know that not every style is worthy of copying for oneself.

There are no absolutes in writing or in fashion. Some writing and some designs kind of do this singular application motif. It really only fits a small segment of people who are reading or wearing the product. Yet we get a saturation of the styles, and we are limited in finding what best suits our own tastes and preferences, knowing just by the thread of common sense that what we desire is not outlandish or illogical or unattractive or of lesser quality. It’s just different than what’s occupying the market in the greater numbers.

And, let’s face it, in terms of numbers there are very few people involved in setting these trends, deciding what is supposed to work for the buying public. In looking at the book statistics for how many of them actually earn back their advances, those folks making the decisions don’t have grounds for a lot of celebration in the overall picture.

So many preferences . . . no absolutes.

Father, you have created beauty for every beholder. Something to fascinate, captivate, stimulate, and involve all your people. Creation plays a love song for anyone who cares to listen. Thank you for welcoming us into your kingdom of light and glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Sunday's Offerings

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

An Instant Reality

Last night just before midnight there was a huge crash in the two lane road out in front of our property. We have about a sixteenth of a mile of road frontage. There was no mistaking the sound. Vehicles colliding with each other or trees or our worst fear: our horses. I leaped out of bed and ran to the window to find a contorted white pickup truck looking suspiciously like it was in part of our pasture with its long fifth wheel RV hanging dislodged and unattached over the bed of the truck. At first look, that's all I could see.

My husband had been sound asleep but woke up when I jumped out of bed. He slogged to the window instructing me to call 911 which I did. There were several cars stopped around the wreck which ultimately involved another car. My son hustled down the stairs, incredulity etched on his expression because of the loudness of the impact. They were soon out there in the pasture making sure our horses were safe and seeing if they could assist anyone since what we could see looked bad.

As it turned out, it was tragic. Two fatalities. Both my husband and son viewed one dead young man in our pasture who had been launched from the now invisible passenger side of a silver Honda. The people in the pickup were bruised and shaken but not injured enough to have to stay in their totaled pickup truck which had come to its final resting place against a tree on our property. The RV was the least damaged.

Apparently the two 20-something men were speeding up the slight hill and lost control of the car causing the pickup to T-bone their car and somehow the car ended up near the rear of the RV smashed inside our pasture. The accident analysts were there for the rest of the night.

The emergency responders arrived quickly, so if the two people in the car hadn't been dead from the impact, they would've been rushed to the hospital. But . . . they were. They were speeding at an excessive speed one minute and dead the next.

The finality of death. The certainty of eternity. The sorrow of losing someone. The questions of why. The foolishness of brazenly tempting the challenges of life. The pain of not only hurting yourself but others. The instant reality that follows an action.

Dear God, please be with those who will need healing from this accident. Please minister as only you can do in events like this. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Encore: Be My Guest!

Many of you know that due to unfortunate circumstances, the clever wit and humor of Mark Harbeson is now absent from the blogosphere. Mark has been my friend for over a year now, and I've featured an excerpt from his first novel Samaritan in the "Saturday Sample" portion of this blog plus another guest post some time ago he titled "On the Outside Looking In".

I've invited him back to tackle the topic of writing that first novel, so heeerrrreee's Mark!

THE LIFE OF A FIRST-TIME AUTHOR

I thought I’d figured it all out. I was going to write a novel. And not just any novel—a Christian novel. And not just any Christian novel—the best Christian novel ever.

What can I say? I’ve always been very humble. I’m proud of my humility.

The seeds of this idea had been sown early on. Whenever I’d been asked to do creative writing in school, I’d always done well and had been encouraged to do more by my teachers. As I grew up, the ideas for stories never stopped coming. The passion for making these ideas come to life was there. I read fiction by the truckload, and when I began to dabble in Christian fiction for the first time, that’s when the Eureka moment hit: I can do this! It was also when my naïve arrogance was in full bloom: I could write way better than this!

Ahem. Five years later I have completed 21 chapters. I don’t know how that compares to published authors, but I’m going to guess that they’re not exactly quaking in their boots. As I’ve worked through this process, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: writing a novel is hard work.

The ideas were just that: ideas. Individual scenes, or interesting characters, or cool plot twists. But they still needed to be tied together into something whole. I had to spend time just connecting the dots in my head in order to make the story work. I’m a planner—I need to know where I’m going and what’s going to happen when I get there. No seat-of-the-pants writing for me.

In the meantime, life intruded. I have a full-time job since apparently 21 chapters of an unfinished novel will not put dinner on the table. This job involves occasional night meetings on top of the usual 8-hour days. I also teach a college course part-time. I’m married and have three kids aged 6, 4, and 2. Not impressed? Let’s see you try writing a gripping, thrilling chapter when your daughter wants you to watch her new dance she just invented, your son is using you as a jungle gym and your other son is wiping his snot on your shirt. My wife has informed me that she would, in fact, occasionally like to see me and spend time with me in conversation as opposed to listening to monosyllabic grunts from the figure hunched over the computer. I’m also supposed to spend time each day reading the Bible and in prayer, spending time with the Lord of creation (I must confess, this does not always happen—to my shame). Then there’s the cholesterol—or more precisely, the fact that too much of it is coursing through my arteries. This means I need to take time exercising each day, trying to lose the spare tire. The lawn isn’t going to mow itself. And of course, I want to have some fun in my life so there are the evenings spent with friends, playing golf, watching movies, TV…where does all the time go?

So, half of the battle in getting this novel done is with myself. Finding the time is difficult, and finding the self-discipline to write instead of goofing off is not easy either.

The other half of the battle is the daunting task of getting published. When I started writing, I also started researching the publishing field. I was shocked to learn that I couldn’t just drop off my manuscript, sit back and wait for the royalty checks. Instead, here’s what I learned:

1. It’s extremely difficult to get published without an agent.

2. It’s extremely difficult to find an agent if you haven’t been previously published. (Circular logic at its finest)

3. It’s just about impossible for a newbie to get published until he/she starts attending conferences, making contacts, putting together a solid query/proposal, and is able to show how he/she will successfully market his/her book in spite of the fact that he/she is completely unknown to the world and has never taken a marketing course.

4. Unfortunately, these cold hard truths have a cold hard logic to them because a publisher has to be convinced to spend a great deal of money in order to realize your dream as an author.

This is unnerving to an introvert like me just thinking about it, but first things first. No sense in worrying about this stuff when I haven’t even finished the book yet. So, now that I have a free moment, I’ll bid you farewell and get cracking on the next chapter.

Whoops, can’t do it now. My son just flushed a banana down the toilet.

Sigh…

Father, you know I love Mark. And so do you. Deeply. Please give him the opportunities to write, to do what you have for him to do, to remind him of the importance of obedience and self-discipline. Encourage him with your direction and mercy and bless him with your presence. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please keep praying for Kristy Dykes.*