Here's something that everyone reading this will admit to (and if they don't, I'm thinking we'll need some form of a Writers Anonymous group to fix that):
Writers are weird.
We make characters do horrible things and enjoy it. Fictional or not, these people die, suffer, are scared, beaten, bruised and fallen and we thrive on the emotion of it. Or, we force these characters into the most embarrassing situations ever known to man just for a laugh and what do we do? We revel in it.
We are a strange bunch.
We cry over these fictional characters. We ache for these people who, whether we'll admit it or not, sometimes seem more real to us than they probably should. We know their likes, their dislikes, their biographical histories. We know more about them than we probably know about some of our closest friends.
And when someone reads our work and cries or laughs as well?
Well. That is the jackpot, my friends. Who cares if they buy the book, we want our readers to be gripped by those emotions that we poured into that story!
Some of the sweetest times in my life - like when my husband proposed - I turned and wrote all those wonderful feelings into a scene. Some of the hardest times in my life - like when my sister was hospitalized and later when my grandfather died - I sat down and poured those heartbroken emotions into a scene.
Writers feel.
So, embrace the weirdness, my fellow writing friends. God has given you a unique perspective on life. Don't take it for granted, but instead use it to glorify God in your writing. Have you been struggling through an illness or someone you love is sick? Write through it and pray that maybe someone else will be comforted in knowing that they are not alone. Have you had the best week of your life? Scribble it down - someone else out there needs a pick-me-up and you making them laugh might just be a God-send.
Copy this verse and paste it above your writing desk: "My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens." - 1 Peter 5:12b NLT
So, let's be weird with a purpose. Who's with me? :)
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Oo, I really like that verse Erynn, I definitely need to write that down somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks Erynn! I'm so with you girl. I think we should seal the deal with some Oreos =)
ReplyDeleteRobyn - It's such a great verse! I absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteBetsy - Definitely! I'll go grab some Oreos right now! :)
I laughed when I read this post! I've always wondered if maybe there was something wrong with me because I enjoy bringing my characters the the depths of despair. Bringing them out is also something I do, but it's not as fun. :) It's nice to know I am not entirely alone.
ReplyDeleteI love the verse! I'm going to post it on my desk by my computer :-). It's a great verse for those of us who write non-fiction, too. I don't write fiction, but my daughter does. I feel as if I'm living in her stories sometimes with the amount that she talks about her characters!
ReplyDelete~ Bethany L.
I'm definitely with you!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, and a great verse. I'm definitely going to post that one above my workspace.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I made your chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe on Saturday. YUM! :o) It's definitely a keeper!
I just read this today and I love it! It's so true. Writers are weird. I like it. :) And that verse is excellent.
ReplyDelete