A True Hero (by JoAnn Durgin)

One of my favorite books of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Published in 1960, it became a popular and enduring novel in American literature, winning the esteemed Pulitzer Prize. Although the book deals with tough issues such as rape and racial inequality, it also has endearing warmth and humor—two things I always incorporate in my own books. But the primary reason I love this great novel? The lead character, Atticus Finch, is a sigh-worthy hero in every sense of the word. 

A widower, Atticus patterned moral strength and deep integrity to his two children, Jem and Scout. As opposed to some of the tough modern day heroes in books, Atticus was a gentleman who wore three-piece suits, preferred to walk instead of drive, used his mind instead of his fists, and loved to read books, especially with his children. In his kids, Atticus fostered a sense of empathy, tolerance, respect and fair-mindedness. According to some accounts, Atticus is probably best remembered as an exemplary father.

As an avid reader of Christian romance, both historical and contemporary, I adore a hero who loves children. I’m talking about a man who does more than nod, smile and pat a child on the head. I’m referring to a man who really listens when a child speaks, a man who values their opinions and treats them with respect and honor instead of merely dismissing them.

The Bible has many verses about children and admonitions for men concerning raising children, and here are two of my personal favorites (ESV version):

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
~Proverbs 29:18

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ~Ephesians 6:4

I’ve decided to incorporate my admiration of Atticus Finch and my love of To Kill A Mockingbird into my current manuscript, Prelude, a short novel prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series. This is actually considered a historical piece since the setting is 1962 and my hero (Sam Lewis, the father of the core character in my series and his namesake) is an Air Force pilot returning home from the Vietnam War. I’m having a great time doing the research. Although it can be read as a stand alone novel, this book will hopefully entertain as well as enlighten the faithful readers of my series as to some of the family history and highlight certain characteristics and qualities of both men. The heroine in Prelude (Sarah, mother of Sam Lewis) is reading To Kill A Mockingbird, and one way she bonds with the returning war hero is by discussing the book’s finer points.  

Have you ever included one of your favorite books, movies, etc. into your novels? If so (or if you plan on doing so in the future), I’d love to hear. Please share!

Blessings, friends.

~JoAnn Durgin
Matthew 5:16

 

A few of my favorite things… about writing

I thought I wind down 2014 by talking about four of my favorite things about writing:

1.       Closeness

2.       Freedom

3.       Research

      4.       Sharing

My absolute, number one, most favorite thing about writing is how close it brings me to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It sounds strange but in a way, writing is an act of worship for me. There are times when it almost feels like He’s sitting beside me, and in those times my writing shows it.

Being creative with THE Creator is mind blowing, isn’t it? And the idea that He also wants to be creative with me is almost too much to take in. But the fact remains that God did not withhold even His son to make a way for us to have a relationship. Don’t even think He hasn’t done that for you, too, because He has. He has given the gift of Himself to all of us, all of us who will turn away from sin and receive Him instead.

So, yeah, writing is one of the ways I connect with God. No matter how I try, I cannot separate my spiritual journey from my journey as a writer. They are so intricately woven together they can’t be considered two different things.  One feeds off the other and vice versa.

I have around nine or so stories bouncing around in my head at any given time, and half of them were inspired by scripture and/or while I was at church worshipping or listening to a sermon. Of course, my listening pretty much stops until I can find a piece of paper to write down what just popped into my head.

Once I actually caught myself shushing my pastor during service because his incessant talking was interrupting my train of thought.  I know. I’m terrible. But I get so inspired in God’s presence, and if I don’t write it down I forget. Our youngest daughter has autism and I’m constantly shushing her during service so as far as anyone around us was concerned, things were just status quo, unless, of course, they read this blog entry.

The Book of James, chapter 4, verse 8a says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” It is clearly to my advantage, and to future readers of my stories, that I draw near to God when I settle down to write. It is also my preference for I am fully aware that I do nothing very well without Him. But with Him, all things are possible.

Humbly submitted by H.T. Lord
All images are from graphicstock.com