How did they do it?
Steinbeck, Hemingway, Austen -- they didn't have Google!
I write historical fiction and faction at present (although my new release will be contemporary humor), and I thank the dear Good Lord each day that I don't have to wade through piles of books at the library anymore to do my research as I did in "the old days."
Want to know who the most notorious criminals were in 1923?
Google it.
What did they wear in 1823?
Pinterest.
Need a unique character to spice things up?
Listology. (You're welcome.)
Another great resource for research is used books. The Internet is even useful in helping me acquire these. Amazon usually sells used copies of books right beside the new ones!
It's an amazing time to be a writer and I'm grateful to be living in this time.
But it's also one of the most important times to be a writer. I'm conscious of a spirit of disbelief as never before on earth. "Oh, God!" I cry, "Teach me Truth so I can write Truth!"
 |
| Tolstoy--Source: Wikipedia Commons |
I write historical fiction and faction at present (although my new release will be contemporary humor), and I thank the dear Good Lord each day that I don't have to wade through piles of books at the library anymore to do my research as I did in "the old days."
Want to know who the most notorious criminals were in 1923?
Google it.
What did they wear in 1823?
Pinterest.
Need a unique character to spice things up?
Listology. (You're welcome.)
Another great resource for research is used books. The Internet is even useful in helping me acquire these. Amazon usually sells used copies of books right beside the new ones!
It's an amazing time to be a writer and I'm grateful to be living in this time.
But it's also one of the most important times to be a writer. I'm conscious of a spirit of disbelief as never before on earth. "Oh, God!" I cry, "Teach me Truth so I can write Truth!"
"For this cause also
thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God
which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it
is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe" (1 Thess. 2:13).
The only way to know the Truth is to know His Words. Just think: God used 40 writers to teach us the Truth. What if they'd decided not to write on the day God inspired them?
"Sorry, Lord, but one of my harp strings broke. Can't work on that Psalm. I need perfect conditions, you know. Maybe tomorrow."
Someone needs to read what God has given you to write.
Put your procrastinating self in that chair and do it.
After all, you have more than Google, Pinterest or Listology.
You have the Precious Holy Spirit.
And last time I checked, He'd written a book or two Himself.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" John 14:26.
Karla Akins is author of the best-selling Jacques Cartier (that went #1 on Amazon in its category), O Canada! Her Story and
Sacagawea. Her debut novel The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots is due out in 2013. When she's not writing she dreams of riding her motorcycle
through the
Smoky Mountains.
Excellent post, Karla.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Davalyn! Happy writing!
DeleteKarla, way to go--this encouragement never gets outdated- Thanks!
DeleteGail Kittleson
Aww, thanks, Gail! :-) God's Word is always profitable!
DeleteKarla, got ramped up with your post! Funny and good. Thank you for making my day. Loved the 'harp string broken.' Blessings ahead for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked that harp. :-) Blessing to you, too, dear sister!
DeleteGreat reminders, Karla. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Beth!
DeleteEXCELLENT post, Karla. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think of a verse that I've been praying for myself daily: "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." 1 Cor. 14:3 (NKJV). I desire daily to edify, exhort, and comfort verbally. The same is true with my writing.
One proofreading note -- did you deliberately use the word "faction" in the first line? To me, it didn't fit, but just my opinion. (I know -- this one wasn't very comforting.)
Have a blessed day.
Jeff
Thanks for reading, Jeff.
DeleteYes, "faction" is a word for non-fiction novels (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-fiction_novel). For example, my biography of Sacagawea is written in novel form, with her as the narrator. Since she didn't keep a journal and we only have the accounts of Lewis and Clark's and the Corp's eyewitness accounts of her, I had to do a lot of embellishing to make her story come alive to young readers.
I actually learned the word from Dr. Hensley and was thrilled to have a word for some of the books I've written. :-)
I love that scripture you posted. Yummy stuff to feed on!
Yes, such a great time just to be alive!!!! Let alone be blessed to be a writer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Linda, and yes! We live in exciting times, the times the prophets longed to see!
DeleteGreat post, humorous, interesting, and thought provoking. Enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Caroline. How nice of you to comment. :-)
Deletesuper post, Karla. Thanks for the listology.
ReplyDeleteI love listolgy! :-) There's nothing new under the sun, you know? :-) Enjoy!
DeleteGreat post, Karla (and I love the humor).
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Jessica! :-)
Delete