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note to self: i’ll be there for you, always

written june 6, 2021. Photo by Kristine Cinate on Unsplash I have always looked for myself in other people. I think the idea was that they would somehow hold the pieces of me that I felt were missing. That maybe, if I wrapped my identity up in theirs enough, we would somehow make a whole person. It's not healthy to live like this, but I did it anyway — burning through relationships and searching for something I couldn't quite name. It was never enough, not to be myself, but it was never enough to latch my identity to other people, either. I got close, several times — I thought I had reached the pinnacle of self discovery. I thought I had completed myself. But in the end, relying on other people to help build yourself is never a viable way to do things. It's only recently that I've started to become comfortable with the idea of being enough, as I am, on my own. Several years ago, in this same position, I would have searched for another person to attach my identity onto,

ink rain


I've always thought that the world doesn't need more Christian books. What the world does need is writers who are Christians. And I've held this opinion for a long time, but admittedly have been a bit intimidated to post it. However, I would like to draw attention to my dear friend Mirriam's post here. Not only is she a lovely person, but she also managed to single-handedly sum up every problem I've found with Christian fiction. If you're confused as to what I mean, I would highly suggest reading Mirriam's post as a preface to mine, because it really helps define what I've always believed.


A while ago I wrote the post you are about to read. I was hesitant to post it, but I find that it fits in very well with what Mirriam had to say. This is a call to writers who want to write real, authentic stories that may not be "Christian", but are written deeply and from the heart. This post is also from my heart. It's very honest and open, which is why I was hesitant to post it—but if there's anything I want this blog to be, I want it to be real. So this is my soap box, if you will.



One night as I was laying in bed, I had a sudden burst of excitement as I thought about all the fellow young writers I know. Writers who love Jesus, who have a passion for the written word and want to change the world with it.

And then I realized, that is exactly what we're going to do. We're going to change how people think, but subtly. We will hand out sheafs of paper with a gentle disclaimer: "This is the world the way I see it."

And that's why I'm so excited. Every person I've connected with through the internet, every person who reads this blog... everyone has a story. They have a mind. They have a heart. And this, the pursuit of the written word, is part of their story. The words bottled up in your brain are nothing short of genius.

Words are important. Words have power. Words are beautiful. Words are dark. Words can be anything you want them to be and more. As soon as they are out of our hands they sprout wings and plunge into someone else's mind, exploding with colors and ideas and thoughts and curiosity. Plumes of red, green, yellow, light blue. Your words may mean something totally different to another person.

And that is both the joy and the curse of writing.

Words matter. You matter. You have a story inside of you and it needs to be told. I swear to you, someone in this world needs your words. They need the words trapped deep inside your soul.



The world needs you, my dear.
The world is calling.
Will you answer them?


So come on. Grab your sword (or your pen, whichever you prefer). I've just got this picture in my mind of all of us on a hill, geared up for battle, and then charging down while screaming at the top of our lungs. (Though our writing isn't so much aggressive as it is passionate. That is what I picture.)

This is our battle cry. This is our calling, my friends. To write of love and peace and justice. To write of hurt and bitterness and pain. To write that there is always hope, even when it is darkest.

This is our legacy.

Are you with me?

“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
 Steve Jobs

“Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.”
— Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium


Comments

  1. I LOVED this (and not just because it was so very flattering to myself). I loved what you had to say afterwards, I may even print it out and put it in my folder of articles from blogs that I love. YOU'RE AWESOME.

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    1. Aww, thank you, Mirriam-dear! Printed out? That is truly an honor. It seriously makes me feel very flattered. Thank you! SO ARE YOU.

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  2. I JUST came over here after reading Mirriam's post. And wow, did it encourage me! And then I stopped by here and read your post -- and wow, it's just an inspiring day in the blog-world! :D I totally agree with this stance on "Christian writers" and "writers who are Christians". Well worded! And such an excellent post.

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    1. Oh, thank you, Cait! Your comment made me smile. :D Indeed, it has been an inspiring day in the blog-world! Thank you so much!

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  3. I've always thought that words have so much power in them. It's so cool being a writer, but it's also kind of scary. Because writers change the way people think about things, and I don't want to make people think about something wrongly. Which is why being a Christian who writes is so much better than anything else. Because God's principals are always right.

    I'll stop my waffling there. Really good post. Very, very, very true. :)

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    1. Indeed, it is scary. O.o I'm glad God is my partner in this writing business. ;) I only hope I can do the written word justice and write something amazing that does change the way people think.

      Thank you!

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  4. Oh, yes.

    I'm a bit tired right now, so my writing isn't at its keenest, but yes. I agree wholeheartedly.

    Can I join your battle-charge? :)

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    1. Ah, that's okay. {hug} OF COURSE YOU MAY! Let's do this. B-)

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  5. How true. I really liked this post. I'm new to this blog, but I like it already.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Molly! I hope you like it here. :) I'm glad you've taken the time to stop by. Lovely to meet you! ♥

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  6. Oh, wonderful! Words do have power, and can change so many lives. I always feel it is important to tell whatever story lies within your heart, no matter what others think of the idea. More often than not, stories from the heart are the best that can be told, and they *will* change the lives of others!

    www.notebookfromtheheart.blogspot.com

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    1. Indeed! Telling the stories that live in your heart -- I like that, and it's so true. Especially the part about stories from the heart changing the lives of others. That's some really great writing advice, and I completely agree. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I think I can say that I am a Chrsitian writer - and though my story may be set in another place, with different Gods, the values are those I learned from Christianity (in all the forms I've experienced it).

    I'll join your battle charge - You'll find me in the back, ready to bandage the wounded so they can grain hope and start all over again. That's where I like to be, smiling at watching those I encourage take flight (or fight) he he. :}

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    1. Ah, that last paragraph made me smile. ♥ That's also where I like to be... and what you said was very inspiring. Thank you for sharing those thoughts!

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    2. I know what you mean. Often in Christian fiction we end up with a message that we could get from reading the Bible, or a sermon, or a Christian friend, or a non-fiction Christian book. It's just a bit stupid when it's wrapped up with some weak story...

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    3. Yes, exactly -- reading a weak story is extremely irritating. In order to truly reach the world, the stories have to be good. That's the first step in writing life-changing fiction, I think.

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  8. Oh, I love this! I'm with you. And like Keaghan said, can I join your battle-charge? ;)

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    1. O'course! Come right along. ;) We need people of intelligence on this sort of mission... quest... thing.

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  9. This was fantastic and encouraged me greatly! You've gotten me wanting to charge down that hill with you, pen in hand of course, and make words that change the world.

    Words are SO powerful, as you said. I've always had a passion to write stories of encouraging, truth, love--all those things God puts in our hearts. This post only made that passion stronger.

    Your words right here, right now, were very powerful themselves.

    Thank you for your encouraging words! ^_^

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    1. Aw, thank you -- and consequently, your comment managed to encourage me as well.

      Oh, I am very glad I could help. *blush* Indeed, writing this post made my passion stronger too.

      Thank you tons! Your words were quite encouraging, inspiring, and reminded me that I don't need to write a novel to inspire people, I can do so right here. (Which, I'll admit, is quite intimidating. O_o)

      Now come on! Let's go charge down that hill!

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  10. *grabs sword, trips over it, and ends up tangled in her cape*
    Gah! I knew I should have ordered a Small, curse it! I'll catch you up in a moment ... blast it, where did I leave my dragon?

    As for Christian writers, I agree - I'm a very liberal Christian, I must say, and thus I say that any sort of faith is fine by me. And you are right - it's a passion, it's a commitment, and it's all the more fun when we do it together!

    Now ... can someone help me up? I can't remember which leg is which...

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    1. *restrains a smile* Gah, those pesky capes. Trip over them all the time, I do.

      Perhaps our dragons have run off together, as I can't find mine either.

      *reaches down, helps you up* There you are. Perhaps we should go save the world now?

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  11. I kinda loved this post. :3

    I'm a Christian Science-Fiction writer. Many people have said that my stories sometimes do not entirely have Christian themes in every single word.
    But the fact is, atheists and other such people are going to read our stories and if they see that it's all about one subject they hate, they'll run.
    So that's why I use different Characters, X-Creatures, Aliens, things that they like. But not only do they love them, I love them as well!

    Writing is my life. :) I've loved every second of it ever since I was little. And it is a very powerful thing, and it CAN change someone's life.
    I do sometimes put scriptures that go with the chapter's theme inside my story, Virtus Fabula, so they are still getting a biblical message. Although I do have God and his Angels as part of the characters. ;)

    I think it's time Christians stop changing the way they think and write to fit in with the rest of the world, though. We need to say, "This is who I am, this is what I write, this is who I believe in, so accept it."

    Again, lovely post! ^_^
    God Bless,
    Sarah Demens

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