A Question About Writing

[tif]

Hi all,

I have committed my life to God. I'm also a writer. I have been struggling with the idea of writing lately... Some Christians think "writing" means I have to pen my memoir. (I had a miserable childhood and--though I am happy, healthy, and loving God now--I don't want to revisit all that stuff at this point.) Others think "writing" is taking a situation and prayerfully finding God's answer through fiction.

I don't want to be pigeon-holed. I don't know about a lot of you, but when I think "Great Christian Writers," I immediately think Lewis and Tolkien. Neither of them set out to write "Christian literature." They just wanted to write stories. Is there anything really wrong with that? I mean, if it becomes all-consuming, there IS something wrong, but if I'm writing for fun, the way some people watch TV or play video games or go to Starbucks with friends... If writing is something I enjoy doing, is there anything wrong with just writing? I love that quote by Red Skeleton: "If you have a God-given talent, that is God’s gift to you. If you use that talent, that is your gift to God."

There's the separate but just-as-intimidating thought that I'm wasting my time with writing. But I don't really take the time I would be writing and do anything useful; I just take writing time and re-appropriate it as worrying-about-writing time.

I really would like some feedback. Thanks in advance!

PS: I don't write anything like "romantica." Yuk. But I also wonder what people would think of a writer who's antagonist uses profanity... Not a lot, but like, three times in a 80k word MS.

[tif]

Hey all,

It occurs to me that I might have posted in the wrong area, but I can't seem to remove the post. Sorry! If you have input, though, would love to hear it.

[djness]

Well, tolkeins story don't mention Jesus at all.
They don't really contain any profanity either do they?
Alot can be said with language without swearing.

Maybe you can write short stories if that suits you?

[tif]

Well, Tolkien's writing isn't overtly Christian, but it has definite Christian themes. There is, of course, the battle of good versus evil. Then, there's Gandalf's resurection as Gandalf the White. Also, the creation scene at the beginning of The Silmarillion is clearly influenced by Christian beliefs. The firstborn/followers and old/new covenants is an interesting link, too.

And no, short fiction just isn't my think right now.

[Psalm2713]

I don't know anything but this: let God direct you to what He has in plan for you to right, let teh peace of God direct you through this.. :-)
I hope that's helpful .. :-)

[Brandon777]

Of course you don't have to write an autobiography; no one should pressure you to do that when you're uncomfortable with it.

Others think "writing" is taking a situation and prayerfully finding God's answer through fiction.

This is what preachers will do. You're not a preacher are you? Being that you love literature, you should understand that writing is flexible to the writer. The less you're pressured and the more you make your writing your own style, the better you're writing will be anyway. So go ahead and use you're God-given talent as much as you can to glorify the most High.

In a first world country type society there will always be artists, poets and writers. Someone has to do it. Why not you if you like to do it and are good at it? If you make a mistake writing by not selling very much, then you make a mistake. Let yourself make mistakes; that's part of living. There are always risks in life, and I believe this is one worth taking. My mom is a writer and her first book didn't "make it" but she keeps writing without publishing because that's what she likes; it's her hobby now.

I pray you are blessed. :P

[tif]

Thank you, Brandon. I really appreciate your post.

[Tatz]

Originally Posted by tif

Hi all,

I have committed my life to God. I'm also a writer. I have been struggling with the idea of writing lately... Some Christians think "writing" means I have to pen my memoir. (I had a miserable childhood and--though I am happy, healthy, and loving God now--I don't want to revisit all that stuff at this point.) Others think "writing" is taking a situation and prayerfully finding God's answer through fiction.

I don't want to be pigeon-holed. I don't know about a lot of you, but when I think "Great Christian Writers," I immediately think Lewis and Tolkien. Neither of them set out to write "Christian literature." They just wanted to write stories. Is there anything really wrong with that? I mean, if it becomes all-consuming, there IS something wrong, but if I'm writing for fun, the way some people watch TV or play video games or go to Starbucks with friends... If writing is something I enjoy doing, is there anything wrong with just writing? I love that quote by Red Skeleton: "If you have a God-given talent, that is God’s gift to you. If you use that talent, that is your gift to God."

There's the separate but just-as-intimidating thought that I'm wasting my time with writing. But I don't really take the time I would be writing and do anything useful; I just take writing time and re-appropriate it as worrying-about-writing time.

I really would like some feedback. Thanks in advance!

PS: I don't write anything like "romantica." Yuk. But I also wonder what people would think of a writer who's antagonist uses profanity... Not a lot, but like, three times in a 80k word MS.

Hey girl, you are gifted, you can write then go ahead and write. There are great writers with great ideas who never put it in paper and they are now laying in the graves. Now if that is what God has placed in you and you dont use it(consider the parable of the talents - Matthew 25:14-28) what will you tell Him if you failed to use it?
God be glorified in your writing. You are blessed.

[zeroturbulence]

Whatever insipres you, write it! Great writers don't worry about what other people will think. They write whatever they feel the need to express. The day you start worrying about what other people will think of your writing is the day you stop being a great writer and start becoming a watered-down caterer of people's preferences. Are you inspired to write christian material? If so, then do it and if you think a character who uses profanity will make the story better, then do it. I for one will respect you more for staying true to the writer in you rather than giving in to what might offend some people.

[tif]

Zeroturbulance and Tatz: Thank you so much for your encouragement! Your words truly mean more than you can imagine.

[Lyndies]

I'm also a writer, and I've had similar questions about whether or not a character can swear now and then. Personally, I think it says more of you as a writer if you can find ways to avoid cuss words--get creative. And I don't think you have to write "Christian stuff" just as long as what you're writing doesn't take away from God, you know? All good things are from God, and there are lots of good stories that aren't about Him. As long as you use your talent to glorify and honor Him, He will bless it.

[tif]

Lyndies: That's how I've felt.... But you know, sometimes people say certain things about how you should "just write your testimony" or how Christian lit should just be an exploration of biblical principles through fiction or how writing "just fiction" isn't edifying... And I start to wonder if it's okay. Of course, almost all of them aren't writers, so I don't know why I'm giving them so much sway......

[Brandon777]

Lyndies: That's how I've felt.... But you know, sometimes people say certain things about how you should "just write your testimony" or how Christian lit should just be an exploration of biblical principles through fiction or how writing "just fiction" isn't edifying... And I start to wonder if it's okay. Of course, almost all of them aren't writers, so I don't know why I'm giving them so much sway......

I understand where they're coming from--being that I went to Bible College. Don't worry, the passage they got that from (Ephesians 4:29) is nothing to keep you from writing as a Christian writer. I happen to know the passage well; here it is: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Now you can answer for yourself if your fictional stories compromise the building up of the church of Christ. It's ridiculous. In case you missed something the word edify means to build up. So the question is not in how much sway you give them, but in how accurate their opinion is based on the fundamentals of how they developed their argument. Happy writing!

[Wonderland]

tif, I think the primary consideration when writing is who are you writing for? If you want to write children's stories, skip the profanity.
If you want to write for young adults, sometimes a bit of "realness" from a Christian author can be refreshing (or even for older adults), but understand that SOME people will become terribly offended. Are you ok with offending people?
If you are writing for yourself, go nuts. I have started a book that's terribly profane and sometimes quite explicit (fiction, but based on real life experiences)--but that piece is for me and maybe a few people close to me--someday--if I choose to share it.

Bottom line--choose your words to best connect with your audience. If you aren't trying to connect with anyone, write what you want! You can always edit it later if you want to.

[tif]

Thanks, everyone. This has really helped me a lot! I'm starting to feel okay about "just writing" again... You know, some people say that the most miserable creature on earth is a writer who isn't writing... I think, tho, there is one more miserable: A Christian who's angry, bitter and resentful at God.

But being a non-writing writer does suck.

[Brandon777]

there is one more miserable: A Christian who's angry, bitter and resentful at God.

I agree. There's nothing worse; I've been there and I'm glad I had good friends to help me out of it through a diligent scouring of the Bible.