The End is... Somewhere...

     

     I have started writing again, but with a clean slate. The previous plot is obliterated. I have many of the same characters, but I am trying to develop them fully. Right now, all I have is the bare bones of a story. It's exciting and nerve wracking; I can't wait to see where the characters take the story, but I don't have a clue where the end might be.

     Maybe to say, "I'm writing again" is misleading. I have not begun the first draft. But I have given some careful thought to what messages I want to weave into my story. To me, messages are the most important part. Whether writers intend to or not, every story carries messages. Most are subtle. Satan likes to use messages to make people think certain behaviors or beliefs are normal and ok. Jesus also likes to use messages. Look at His parables - every parable has a message that points people to God. So here are some questions I asked myself while I was thinking about the messages in my story:

Why should someone read this book?

Entertainment will be the reason why they pick it up, more often than not. As for those who want to have a break from the junk in the worldly stories, this book will be a safe haven.

What do I want my readers to remember after reading this book? How do I want to encourage my readers toward the straight and narrow path?

I want to make my readers hungry for God. I want to feed them with His Word so that they will develop a craving for it. My characters must be constantly encouraged with the Word, because then my readers will be encouraged. At the end, I want the reader to be well aware that God is loving and trustworthy; whether they truly believe it or not is up to them.  

Like I said, these are the bare bones of the story. I also wrote down some other questions, like:

What is my goal with this book?

What do I want to see happen at the end?

What lessons must be learned along the way?

These are yet unanswered. We'll get there.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? 

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST  

 

Where in the World has Storyteller Been?

     It has been more than a year since I've taken a break from writing to do other things (see post God's Timing). This post will attempt to explain where I have been, what I have been doing, and why I haven't been writing.

     I told some of my "elf" friends in the Underground that I'd been busy "learning how to wield my sword." What I meant by this was that for the past year and a half I have been at the Word of Life Bible Institute receiving biblical training. It was amazing.

     Picture this: a full year of learning about the Bible, surrounded by people who are pursuing God with all their hearts and Bible teachers who are ready to answer your questions. The Word of Life Bible Institute (affectionately, WOLBI) offers classes on nothing but biblical training; no English, math, science, etc. Just the Word of God. Amazing.

     Not only are you being taught the Bible, WOLBI gives you various opportunities to put what you learn into practice. You are sent with your Ministry Team to help out in the local community throughout the year. Then, at the end of your formal training (sometime in June), you serve as a counselor at the kids/teens summer camp. Serving is not for the faint of heart, but it is what God calls us to do, and He certainly provides everything we need to do it. Amazing.

     This past year at WOLBI has been the most challenging year of my life. It has also been the best year of my life. God has changed me through His Word, and that is always a good thing.

     I HIGHLY recommend you consider going to WOLBI, no matter what age you are (I know many couples who were married and had kids when they went). What could be better or more important than studying the very Word of life (Phil. 2:16)?

     If you have yet to graduate, then I also suggest you look into summer camp. It is a week of absolute fun!

     Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Word of Life website link: wol.org

Here is a video about the Bible Institute:

P.S. No, WOLBI did not ask me to write any of this. These are all my true thoughts that I just couldn't wait to share with you!

Question!

If you were chosen to go on a quest in another world, what would your immediate answer be? Comment below! (Feel free to write a short story)

Voyage

     What pictures, thoughts, or memories come to your mind when you hear this song?

     I found this beautiful song yesterday for free at http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/freemusic.php . Been listening to it all day. Enjoy!

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST

Square One… Again

     See this book? It is The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction by Jeff Gerke. I love this book. And I hate this book.
     I love this book as in - if you write Christian fiction, you have to go and buy yourself a copy! Right now! Here is the link: CLICK HERE! Go now, then come back and finish reading this. I don’t care if your summer job didn’t work out and you don't have any money, go and buy this book!!!
     I hate this book as in – it completely destroyed my story. Demolished. Foom, gone. Bye-bye.
     When a friend of mine gave me this book, I never would have guessed it was so destructive. But I read it, and it’s too late now. See, Jeff Gerke showed me that my story is nowhere near finished. Turns out that my plot needs to be re-thought and, more importantly, my characters need to be fleshed out.
     Here I am, thinking my story is as good as I can possibly make it, sending it to authors and looking for agents, when suddenly – WHAM! – I’m nuked by a ferocious, yellow-covered, 300+ page paperback that saves me years of learning lessons the hard way.
     What does that leave me with? Pretty much nuthin’. I have a junk finished-manuscript-turned-rough-draft, a bunch of characters who are little more than display mannequins from a mall, a plot riddled with unoriginal material, and lots of prayers for creativity.
     So, it’s back to square one… again. Back to the majority of dreamers without a completed work. It’s all rather discouraging when I think about it.
     All that said, I am looking forward to seeing what God will do with my story now. I have no doubt that I was supposed to read Jeff Gerke’s book, that it was God’s plan for me to read it at this time. I’m wondering if He will allow me to create another, better, story out of the old ashes, or if He’s preparing me for something else. I’m going to work on it as much as I can this year, but it’s been hard to find time to think much about it. God has given me some good ideas, I just need to talk to Him about it in earnest and figure it out. And then I need to write it.
     Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST
     (Oh, and I don’t really hate the book; it’s amazing. And you still need to buy it.)