I've gotten many questions about if my book is "Christian" or not. At the point I don't know if it will end up on shelves at Christian bookstores-we will have to see about that. The bottom line is that I'm a Christian, so I'm sure that influence is stretched all across this story.
But there are tough themes in the storyline. betrayal- lust-murder-running away-loneliness-addiction When you add all that to swords, war, skeletons and dragons it makes an interesting mix. All I know is that I am writing this story for me- and I know the ending. And I also know Who's influence is scattered in every chapter.
I have to admit that I have been planted in Psalms since I have started writing the novel. It has given me great ideas and helped to develop some themes that are in the book- love, courage and redemption being a few of them.
And although my characters are not based on any one person- there are pieces of great Christian people in most of them. I'm sure you could relate one of my people to Jacob in the Bible and two others to Cain and Abel. And then there are the people I know....they provide me the most inspiration.
There is a man in our church that has been through a lot in his life. Maybe that's why he comes across the way he does- he has a passion for the lost like you don't see in most people. The first time I watched him speak-I leaned over to Rich and said "He is Darby with skin on." (Darby is a character who goes through some horrible things and makes some bad choices but ends up on the good side and has a heart to lead people to what he has found.) Every time he speaks I watch and listen. Sunday he spoke of how much God loves us and he went down in the pews and spoke so passionately and with such love that I was blown away! I came home and made notes so I wouldn't forget....
One of my main women has bits of many strong Christian women I have known through the years. Women that I've taught with, women that I've had Bible study with, women that have allowed me into their lives. I have taken the pieces and fashioned a character that is original- yet familiar to me.
That's the art of writing. The ability to take things from around you and mold them into something new. Where exactly this novel will end up is in His hands. For now, I am content to keep developing my characters and my story. The rest will fall into place when it's time.
What do you need to place in God's hands today? Know that whatever it is, He will handle it most carefully. It's what He does.
No comments:
Post a Comment