I highlighted the middle of my story and
clicked cut. I could not relate to what the girl was going through. I wanted
answers for my own problems. So I
asked myself, “What kind of novels would help me right now?”
The more I work with refugees and
immigrants, the more I turn to historical fiction to understand how various
people groups survived drought and storm, genocide and hatred; to discover what
resources they leaned on for endurance. The more the media proclaims the
wonders of euthanasia, the more I search for stories that give me enough
courage and wisdom to face this national deception. The more I struggle with a wayward child, the
more I need to read novels that help me navigate these
mysterious waters. And the more I wonder why I married a guy that is completely
opposite – he
was sure that I would love to drive truck and haul grain while I was sure that I
would love to drive a Dodge charger and haul clothes home from The Bay; he was sure that I would enjoy Rogue One, and I was sure that I would enjoy the popcorn – the more
I need to read stories of how married couples achieve harmony in their
relationships. I read stories to discover truth and to see where I fit into the
big picture.
While novels must never replace God’s Word
as the source of truth, stories – whether in book or movie form – embody the potential to teach truth. And they enrapture me! I take courage from the characters. Liesel (The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak)
showed me how to use stories to face down fear. Bella Rossi reminds me not to
take life too seriously (Janice Thompson); Brock and Bodie Thoene’s characters
have taught me that in the sweep of history, even in the holocaust, there can be deep joy, romance, humour, and
the very real presence of God; and Leslie challenged me in my relationship
with my husband in the Only Best Place (Carolyne Aarsen). After walking with these
characters, I feel stronger and more hopeful. I can fly again.
So I’m going back to that story with the
empty middle. I see a girl
strapping on her shield and I hear the scrape of her sword against a stone. She
reminds me of myself. She is whispering about her child and praying for
her. She is silent about something else, but I can see it in her eyes – she is
struggling with depression as she deals with the deception in our media, our laws, and how it is affecting our schools. She is even laughing a little – wait – her husband has asked her to
another movie night. I wonder what it is this time. She turns and nods; she is waiting for me to take her on a journey. It might start out with
a bang, but get deep and discouraging in the middle. There will be some deep cuts and revisions, but at the end I see a changed girl. She has
broken through the enemy line and is standing on the mountain. She is free.
I will write her story; and I will discover
how to live.
3 comments:
Thanks, Pam, for this enjoyable and insightful piece. Yes, it is interesting how our own creative writing teaches us and we learn about life and gain insight into our own lives from the characters and situations we create. ~~+~~
So well written and so much fun. Love your take on life - fictional or otherwise, popcorn girl! You made me laugh out loud and cry inside as I nodded throughout this post. Nicely said and what a wonderful story you will write as you discover 'how to live'. Well done! :)
Excellent post. Truly enjoyable. Can't wait until you write your story.
Blessings
Janis
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