Books are powerful instruments to entertain, teach,
learn problem solving strategies and coping mechanisms. As a writer I cannot
underestimate the impact my words can have on readers. Knowing this, I take
being a Christian author very seriously.
Before I began writing the Cries series, Cries of Innocence and Cries of Grace, I began to pray. My
subject matter was hard—abuse, abandonment, and neglect. I was not foreign to
the scope of the issues, having worked with women and children who lived under
oppression and in wretched situations. Writing about evil is serious business.
It’s not for the faint of heart or for those who want to over dramatize the
subject matter.
Every writing session was prayed over. I had prayer
partners praying for me, too. I endorsed pastors, Sunday School teachers, and
avid readers to look over chapters I was struggling with. I wanted the material
to show real-life conflict and demonstrate strategies to biblically maneuver
through trials.
My journey proved to be a tremendous faith builder for
me. The protagonist’s grandmother often said, “You’ve got a lot to learn.” Those
words were the driving force behind the cries of those who wondered where God
was in the struggle. In the middle of their learning, I learned exponentially.
I felt accountable to God and my future readers to deliver a tough message
while continually measuring myself against Scripture.
There were four questions I had written down on an
index card to keep me focused. These questions established my writing each day.
1. Prayer
2. God’s
Truth
3. Stumbling
Blocks to Faith
4. Freedom
Through Believing and Praying
Prayer.
Begin every writing session in prayer. Pray for guidance over difficult scenes.
God’s
truth. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.” (John 8:32 NIV) Stay centered on scriptural truths. When in doubt seek
godly advice. I do this often when I am treading into difficult areas or
situations. It is easy to get trapped within cultural mores and half-truths.
Partner with people who keep you biblically accountable. Your goal is to lead
your readers to higher grounds of understanding.
Stumbling
blocks to faith can be indistinguishable from other forms
of sin. We are desperate in the dark, knowing evil exists, but unable to figure
out how to navigate the murky waters of its lies. Breaking strongholds is
seeing different ways to approach the issues and problems life so generously
delves out. As book characters learn biblical strategies to deal with their
situation, it teaches readers that there are numerous options to break
stumbling blocks in order to have a fuller life in Christ.
Freedom
through believing and praying. We all have moments when
we feel lost, alone, and stranded. Those are times when problems seem too big
to handle. Offering readers Biblical ways to look beyond their crisis, beyond
their limited view, and beyond their understanding offers hope to the hopeless.
If offers the characters the courage to step beyond the dark wall into the
light of God’s saving grace and redemption. Readers are given the opportunity
to internalize coping mechanisms and strategies to grow as they become more and
more aware of God’s presence.
I write with purpose, giving readers a chance to
engage with the story’s multiethnic characters who find the end of the road is
only the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus. What more could an author
demonstrate to readers than the love of the Father and the Truth that continues
to free its victims.
God bless you all,
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