A Challenge, and a torch to bear...
Thunder in the Attic
In the past few weeks, there's been one thing that's really been bothering me. It has to do with the quality of Christian literature in general, but it applies just as much to Christian spec-fic as to any other Christian genre.
It troubles me that there are so many good writers out there, and so many Christian writers out there, and so few good Christian writers. What's up with that?! Where are the modern Tolkiens and Lewises? Where are the Christian J. K. Rowlings?
The short answer is: right here. Every one of us is Christian; regardless of denomination, we all love God and want Him to use us to accomplish His work in the world. And every one of us is a writer. We all know the power of the pen, whether for good or for evil. It's one thing to see the problem and to decry it; it's quite another for us to shoulder our pencils and set to work making it right, but that's precisely what the very existence of this logue challenges us to do.
If we want to change Christian spec-fic (which Phy at DKA eloquently refers to as Speculative Thology), we have to be first of all commited Christians, dedicated to deepening our walk with the Lord, and second, commited writers, dedicated to constantly improving our craft.
So here's the challenge I have for you: first of all, spend time growing closer to God. This applies to myself probably more than any of you; it's easy to let personal devotion time slide in the face of so many Very Important Responsibilities. But how can we do God's will if we don't know what it is? Never underestimate the importance of growing closer to God.
Second, make a commitment to bettering your craft. There are a hundred million different resources for writers out there, some of them free, some of them not; browse any bookstore, and you'll find oodles of books on writing in all its forms. Read them, if they strike your fancy; join a critique group (Critters is good, but demanding; personal critique groups can be set up for free at TSR's forums*) if you have the time. But above all, never forget that the best way to improve your writing is simply to write. Set aside time to write every day, and write with the idea in mind of bettering yourself.
That's my challenge to us, as the Quillbearers. Good Christian books are put out by good Christian writers, and the burden is left to us to do exactly that.
*Actually, I think I'll go ahead and set up just such a critique group for us over there, if there's interest; I've already got one group that I'm leading, so I have a good idea of the ropes of it. They have some nice tools over there.
In the past few weeks, there's been one thing that's really been bothering me. It has to do with the quality of Christian literature in general, but it applies just as much to Christian spec-fic as to any other Christian genre.
It troubles me that there are so many good writers out there, and so many Christian writers out there, and so few good Christian writers. What's up with that?! Where are the modern Tolkiens and Lewises? Where are the Christian J. K. Rowlings?
The short answer is: right here. Every one of us is Christian; regardless of denomination, we all love God and want Him to use us to accomplish His work in the world. And every one of us is a writer. We all know the power of the pen, whether for good or for evil. It's one thing to see the problem and to decry it; it's quite another for us to shoulder our pencils and set to work making it right, but that's precisely what the very existence of this logue challenges us to do.
If we want to change Christian spec-fic (which Phy at DKA eloquently refers to as Speculative Thology), we have to be first of all commited Christians, dedicated to deepening our walk with the Lord, and second, commited writers, dedicated to constantly improving our craft.
So here's the challenge I have for you: first of all, spend time growing closer to God. This applies to myself probably more than any of you; it's easy to let personal devotion time slide in the face of so many Very Important Responsibilities. But how can we do God's will if we don't know what it is? Never underestimate the importance of growing closer to God.
Second, make a commitment to bettering your craft. There are a hundred million different resources for writers out there, some of them free, some of them not; browse any bookstore, and you'll find oodles of books on writing in all its forms. Read them, if they strike your fancy; join a critique group (Critters is good, but demanding; personal critique groups can be set up for free at TSR's forums*) if you have the time. But above all, never forget that the best way to improve your writing is simply to write. Set aside time to write every day, and write with the idea in mind of bettering yourself.
That's my challenge to us, as the Quillbearers. Good Christian books are put out by good Christian writers, and the burden is left to us to do exactly that.
*Actually, I think I'll go ahead and set up just such a critique group for us over there, if there's interest; I've already got one group that I'm leading, so I have a good idea of the ropes of it. They have some nice tools over there.
posted by Keesa | 12:25 PM
2 Comments:
Beautiful!
As Gen said, Keesa, you have an awesome gift for wording things in the perfect way.
And you are right. For example, Tolkien's work is full of beautiful spiritual imagery, and has a spiritual reality. But it doesn't preach, or try to preach, and it is in no way an allegory. Tolkien wasn't necessarily trying to send a moral message - but his faith, his love for Christ, was so deep and such a part of him that it was simply THERE.
People should be able to see God in all we do, especially in writing. We love writing. And when we truly love God as we ought, all other loves include Him as well. How can we help but show who we are in writing? So we must become the best we can be.
:blushes: Thanks, Tobie.
Here's one of my favorite Bible verses, that I think applies to us as writers:
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an ensample of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12, KJV
We are called to excellence--regardless of our age!
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