 |
| Melinda V. Inman |
What’s
a Writer to Do?
Writers have an enormous responsibility. Our task is
incredibly serious. Here at Seriously Write, the very name of this gathering of
Christian writers declares that we are aware of the seriousness of the task to
which God has called us. At this point in our nation’s history, it’s crucial
that we fulfill our calling.
Our society has reached a crux. We’ve departed from common
decency, the willingness to listen to others, and the ability to keep the truly
important matters ahead of the trivial. National discourse has fractured.
Arguments rage on social media. On news programs, hosts and guests speak over
one another. No one appears to be truly listening to other viewpoints. No one
seeks reconciliation. We seem to have lost our empathy and our compassion.
In 1839 Edward Bulwer-Lytton, a fellow novelist and
playwright, wrote these words: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” So, with
our mighty keyboards, how can Christian writers inspire change?
First listen. To be
relevant, it’s imperative that we listen to what’s being said and recognize the
heart attitudes and core convictions behind the words. Both the words and the
emotions must be heard and acknowledged. We must be “quick to hear, slow to
speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Seek
out biblical truth. We need to know what God says about the issues
facing our nation. For instance, when dealing with racism we can all agree. In
the New Testament we clearly see the eradication of any division based on race.
Men and women, black and white and brown, are all equal human beings in Christ.
As another example, we can also agree to care for victims of
catastrophe. We see the story of the Good Samaritan. We are clearly called upon
to do whatever we can to help those in need. Do we know and are we applying
what God instructed? In addition, do we also strive to find the biblical truth
and application on more complicated matters?
Write biblical
truth. Once we’ve determined the truth, we must write. To whom
would God have us write? What has He laid on our hearts? Which areas does the
Lord call us personally to address as writers? We cannot possibly solve all of
these problems singlehandedly. That’s the job of the Prince of Peace. But each
writer must determine what issues God would have him/her address. Where is He calling
you, specifically? We will not all be led to the same issues.
Write
with grace. In areas that are murky or disputable, it is
essential that more than one perspective be acknowledged. Writers enable others
to see both sides. The same is true during conflict. We must write with grace
in the public forum, aware that another equally committed Christian writer may
take an opposing view. Can we reason together? We can, if our written words are
always “full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer
everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Winsome words written with graciousness are
powerful.
Weave
biblical truth into our stories. The truths we weave into our
fiction are even more powerful. Here we’re able to show all the emotion of more
than one perspective, to show the end results of certain behaviors carried to
their destructive ends, to demonstrate harm as well as good. Story and deep POV
are our strongest tools. Constantly, we work on our craft in order to do this
well to the glory of God.
Live our
beliefs. We’re often on the outside edge, visionaries who are able
to see more than one viewpoint, ones called to speak and to act outside the
norm, truth tellers. We will often be lonely, like the biblical prophets of
old. Rely on Jesus, the One misunderstood and judged, crucified, dead, and
risen. He will give us the strength and the wisdom to answer as we should.
Manhood
arrived prematurely. At the tender age of fifteen, Prentis lost both his father
and his confidence that God loved him. He grew up fast after that day,
abandoning his education to take on the responsibility and hardship of
supporting his mother and siblings.
Now, in
Prentis’s twenties, Avery reenters his life. A Sunday School teacher with a
passion for learning and theology, she is intelligent with a captivating
spirit. Prentis finds her irresistible. The audacity of attempting to court
such a woman in no way weakens his resolve. He’s determined to win her heart.
But male competition, vicious gossip, Avery’s unspoken fears, and the ruin of
his livelihood hinder his efforts. How can Prentis win her? And if he does, how
will they overcome their differences, the hard life on the Oklahoma plains, and
a world at war?
Set in
1913-1916, No Longer Alone is based on a true story.
Raised on the Oklahoma plains in a storytelling family,
Melinda now spins tales from her writer's cave in the Midwest. Her fiction
illustrates our human story, wrestling with our brokenness and the storms that
wreak havoc in our lives. Find her at MelindaInman.com.
Connections:
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/melindavinman/
