The Power of Story, Part I: Why I Believe in Story by Annette M. Irby

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island books with bookmarks and pen*

A woman stood chatting with me about fiction during one of my book signings. The Bible bookstore was stocked with gifts, Bibles, cards, journals, and of course, books. My stack of novels decorated the table. Her husband joined her. Where she had been kind and wore a generous smile, this man brooded. He wore a scowl, and he glared at me and the pile of books as if he might catch something by proximity. His wife and I were discussing story and she glanced at her husband, almost afraid, and said, “I used to read a lot. Now, my husband doesn’t want me to read fiction anymore.”

The man’s scowl deepened. 

“One of the reasons I write fiction,” I answered her, “is because Jesus used story to bring the truth to people. It’s a powerful tool—all those parables.”

The man kept glancing between me and the books on the table. I have no idea what he was thinking. Maybe he'd decided all Christian fiction was useless. Perhaps he thought romance wasn't something God condoned, as if God didn't invent it and doesn't live in an unending romance with His people. Finally, the man urged his wife away, but not before I saw what he carried—a box of gospel tracts. 

Hmm... 

Jesus didn’t carry tracts around. There are many, many ways to share the good news.

Jesus didn’t scowl at friendly people making wholesome conversation about uplifting works.

Jesus didn’t tell people not to read. He never denounced story. In fact, all of time is His story, which I’ve heard explained is the reason we label the past “history.” 

In his parables, Jesus used stories to touch people, nudge them to lower their guards, and teach them truths. People could relate with relationships in His parables, like the prodigal son parable. Parents likely related to the father who worried and waited for his son to return. Sinners might relate to the desperation and regrets of the lost prodigal. Saints might relate to the older brother and how he felt excluded while, motivated by bitterness and harassed by jealousy, he set himself up as judge.

Story changes lives, and Jesus demonstrated this in His parables. That’s why I believe in their power, that and I've seen this play out in my own life. As for that frightened and controlling man? Jesus probably has a story that can help him.

Write on, friends.

Come back next week for part two as I discuss the power of themes in story.

Your turn: Have you ever watched story change someone? Has story ever changed your life?

~~~~

FL on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington by Annette M. Irby

Releases 5/1/18 from Mountain Brook Ink. Kindle Unlimited members can read the first two books in the Washington Island Romance series for free. Print version available now! The Kindle version is also free if you buy the print version.

Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out.

Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago. 

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past?

~~~~~

Annette M. Irby**

Annette M. Irby has been writing since her teen years when she sat pounding out stories on a vintage typewriter just for fun. Since then, she’s joined Christian writing groups and launched blogs so she could share the joy of writing. She likes to say she’s addicted to color as flowers and seascapes inspire her. In her off hours, she enjoys gardening, photography, and music. She lives with her husband and family in the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more here on her Seriously Write Page.

Links to connect with Annette:

Website: www.AnnetteIrby.com

Twitter: @AnnetteMIrby

Facebook Reader Friends Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/252272708574760

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annette-m-irby or @AnnetteMIrby

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/annette_m_irby.com   

Book Review Blog: www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com

* Photo of books tack credit: Annette M. Irby

** Author Photo credit: Sarah Irby at Irby Photos

The Power of Story, Part I by Annette M. Irby

open book coming to life*

There’s a new series on TV. If I named it, I’m sure many of you have heard of it and/or watched every single episode. ;) The story centers around a family and is a drama, so though there are funny moments, the characters’ struggles are heartfelt and sometimes, intense. This series gets to viewers’ hearts. Anyone who has suffered disappointments, betrayal, loss, grief, pain will relate, perhaps especially folks older than thirty-five. The writing doesn’t withhold “punches,” as it were. From everything I’ve heard, the episodes make viewers cry, make viewers feel. Deeply. You don’t know you’re being affected until it hits you. Then, you’re sobbing. Undone. The storytellers have accessed a deep part of you—buried hurts, memories. Fears. Stuff you thought was dealt with. And it takes you by surprise. The heaviness could be depressing, except the depicted seasons (perhaps) are well behind you. You survived.

Let’s explore a few of the ways story is powerful:

Story impacts us. We find we aren’t alone.   

 

Story changes us. We learn how to cope or that we can hold on to hope. 

Story gains access. Story gets past the walls and gates of our minds and hearts and enters the inner chambers—our private thoughts and feelings. And because story has the power to do that, it changes us.

Story moves us, emotionally and/or motivationally. Sometimes we are motivated to act based on a story we’ve seen or read.

Story convicts us. Jesus’s parables did this.

Story guides us. Morals from kids’ storybooks can guide us as adults, help us make decisions and/or see the people around us through a moral lens.  

Interrupted stories can anger us. How do you feel about these three words: To Be Continued…

Stories make us think. Ever read a novel that presented a situation contrary to your morals, but you long for the characters to do the immoral thing—like kill someone out of revenge? Or take the romance to the next level?—simply because you’re caught up in the story? (I’m not talking anything beyond PG here, but you get the idea.) Why do those thoughts cross our minds? What motivates that?

When you’re watching such a show or reading such a novel, do you analyze your thoughts? As writers, we should, I think. Because we can use those lessons for good.

The prophet Nathan did this. He told King David a story that made David feel anger toward an injustice, made him relate, motivated him toward justice—to want a certain outcome. All from the power of story. And when the story’s façade was removed, and the core revealed, David saw himself in the story. Then, conviction could do its work. Story was a tool in the prophet’s hands, or voice, in this case.

Jesus used story (parables) to reach hearts and teach lessons and help people understand His ways. Story is a tool. Next time, I'll share some cautions around using story as a tool. See you the first Monday in March with Part II. 

Your turn.

Until then, share your thoughts. Why do you think we enjoy stories more when they move us (emotionally or motivationally)? Have you read or watched any very moving stories lately? What do you think it is about those storytellers’ techniques that makes their stories affect us the way they do? Let’s learn from each other. 

~~~~~ 

Husband Material by Annette M. Irby

Wyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner, Lara Farr. Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it. Can Wyatt rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove he is good husband material?

~~~~~

Annette M. Irby

Annette M. Irby is a freelance editor and Christian fiction author who dabbles in gardening and photography. She has completely fallen in love with her grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family and husband of over twenty-five years. You can learn more about Annette by visiting her website or her page here on Seriously Write. 

*photo credit: the awesomely creative people at Pixabay