Ever heard the
expression, “The faster I go, the behinder I get?” That’s how I feel sometimes.
I’ll admit in the last year, I’ve started to feel older, physically as well as
in other ways. Granted, my schedule is full and active and I’m still able to
get most of what I’d like accomplished each day. . .except for the one thing I
want to do most. Write. As recently
as three years ago, I could stay up until almost 2:00 a.m. every morning writing
or editing (I could tell time by the old television comedies that kept me
company). Now, I need at least five hours sleep or I can’t function in my
rather demanding, full-time day job. Well, I can function, but certainly not as well as when I have more sleep.
I’m also craving more vegetables, trying to get more exercise and being more
faithful in taking a daily vitamin supplement. I’ve finally started to face the
fact I need to give my body what it needs in order to stay healthy and function
better in all phases of my life,
including my writing.
I’ve also lost a
few friends my age in the past year or so. I’m in my 50s, not my 80s. These
losses have also brought home the hard truth that my life as I know it will one day
cease to exist. Of course, knowing where my future lies in an eternity with the
Lord is an unbelievable comfort, and I can’t even imagine living without that
hope I have in a risen Savior. But I also understand each book I write could
potentially be the last one. I’m not
being morbid, just realistic. Simply put, our written words need to count. Whether it’s in an e-mail, in a
blog post or in a book, we never know what seeds we might plant or how our
characters or stories might impact or affect someone’s life for Christ.
Recently, I’ve
seen something interesting happen with my books. I’ve had a few women on
Goodreads rate my books—with varying results—who’ve never read a Christian book
before. Let me qualify that statement. Women whose favorite books are, well,
decidedly not inspirational in a Christian way and, quite frankly, fall under the
“smut” category. You know the books I mean. At first, I was shocked and
wondered, “How on earth did they find my
books?” One woman said, “Your books were the first Christian books I ever wanted
to read.” Another said, “I wanted to believe a man like the hero in your book
existed.” One more said, “The covers are really pretty and made me want to read
them.”
My first reaction
to one especially low rating from one such reader was to get a little steamed.
But then, as He always does and for which I’m so grateful, the Lord got hold of
me. I searched my heart and He helped me see the truth. Why am I writing? For
myself? For good reviews? What’s my purpose in writing these books? Yes, it’s
my overwhelming passion to write, and I’m blessed to be able to do what I love.
However, I can admit the joy would be drained from me if I couldn’t weave
spiritual truths into my books. What would be the point? To me, they’d be empty
words.
I’ve often heard
it said that if you take the spiritual components out of a romance and it can
stand on its own, then it’s not a Christian
romance. My books would absolutely fall apart without those elements. There are
some who believe you can’t draw readers who aren’t believers to read a
faith-based book. I disagree, in large part because of my own experience as an
author. My books are clearly labeled as Christian romance and the descriptions
also label them as such. Granted, I don’t have non-believers in droves rushing
to buy my books, but they’re not “watered down” in terms of a strong Christian
message. Redemption, grace and forgiveness are huge themes I always touch on in
one way or another in my writing.
The bottom line?
If I’ve touched one reader with a spiritual
truth she might remember somewhere in the pathway of her life, then I’ll have
done my job. The way I look at it, we have a responsibility to share our faith,
as the Lord commands, and what a joy it is!
Blessings,
JoAnn Durgin
Matthew 5:16
Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 19-20
JoAnn i ingoyed this very much, im so glad your you and following the Lords leading, if your books do not touch hearts then thier hearts cant be touched, keep on giving us the kind of books your writing, i for one am always waiting to get the next one. God bless you my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading the blog today and leaving such a sweet comment, Shirley! I cherish your friendship and help in promoting my books. God's blessings to you!
DeleteSo touching, JoAnn! If we didn't include God in our stories, we wouldn't be following God's call, now would we? So glad you mentioned this blog on FB today. I didn't know it was here.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Andrea
Andrea! Thanks so much for stopping by. Hoosier Ink has some fabulous contributors and I hope you'll come visit again soon (and/or subscribe to the blog). Many blessings to you.
DeleteSure thing, JoAnn! As soon as I commented earlier this morning, I subscribed to Hoosier Ink. I'll definitely be back soon.
DeleteIt's all about the story for me, the interrelationships, the personal growth. Love your covers, JoAnn. They're clean and crisp looking.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! Yes, I agree, especially in terms of the personal growth of our characters. One of the big perks of being with a smaller publisher is I have a hand in helping to design my book covers. That's a lot of fun and I enjoy it! Hope you're having a wonderful summer, my friend. Blessings.
DeleteVery well expressed, JoAnn - and I can relate to how you're feeling. Being older doesn't mean I'm any wiser and your words always aid my growth in our Lord. You're fortunate that your writing began at an early age. My creativity for the Lord had been in music and singing to the Lord. When I fell ill and almost lost my life, the healing process was long and I was immobilized for a time. I sat in front of my pc and sensed the Lord telling me to write for His glory. I must have looked pretty stupid when my mouth fell open and I uttered "what?" and "How?" I've taken baby steps and haven't written a novel yet - but hopefully my writing is serving the Lord in other areas. It's friends like you who have been a constant encouragement to me and at nearly 75 I still have a lot of growing to do in the Lord and writing. Thank you, JoAnn, for your kindness, patience and support. You are one the Lord sent as an example. Praise God.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb. My writing began at an early age, but like many writers, I wasn't published until many years later. As you might have "heard" me say elsewhere, I put my passion for writing on hold for several years while I raised our children. Once they were older, it was then that I picked up my writing again and the journey began. There are many, like Martha Rogers, for example, who are published at your age, Barbara. You have many valuable things to say and I know this firsthand. Write it down, please! :) We always have something to learn and ways to grow but I'd love nothing more than to see younger writers learn from that wellspring of wisdom you've gained, my friend. Blessings.
DeleteExcellent post. Thanks for sharing. I feel the same as you. I'm in my 50s and feel that I have to write well as much as I can because time is short! Some people don't understand this. And yes, the faster I go the behinder I get! For sure! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karla. I always enjoy your posts here on Hoosier Ink, as well, and I'm looking forward to the release of your novel! Blessings and I'm praying for you!
DeleteJoAnn, this blog has touched a nerve. June 15th we had a festival, and one of the artists returned the next day to sing at our service. June 22nd, this 43 year old had a fatal heart attack.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit, a couple of weeks ago I thought that my purpose in life was to finish the book and then I'm done. (I'm also in my 50's.) And I'll be honest -- it's a rare day where 60 seconds of news doesn't get me ready to check out of here.
I loved your comments from Good Reads reviews. Sometimes I wonder if I'll see my book published and what kind of response I'll get -- mine is clearly strong Christian.
Thanks again, and may the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you.
Jeff
BTW, we'll probably swing your direction and stop at Southeastern Indiana Campus before heading to Virginia for a prayer conference.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, as always, Jeff. Yes, those Goodreads experiences are interesting. I've found that Goodreads tends to be more "brutal," as some Christian authors have termed it, but I also think it's perhaps more representative of a cross-section of readers. For one thing, they can rate a book without having to post a review (which you probably know). It's been an enlightening experience, and even though I was initially upset by some of it, I'm now incredibly THANKFUL. I'm with a small publisher and I've always said that's right (or "write") where the Lord wants me, and He's making sure my books get into the hands of those who need to read them. That, my friend, is unbelievably satisfying. I'll keep writing them as long as He gives me time here to write them. Many blessings, Jeff (and let me know when you'll be in my area again!).
ReplyDeleteThis was a fave expression of my fourth grade teacher. Real old tough cookie, MANY years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Linda! Blessings.
ReplyDelete