Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Illinois Office
We watch movies to be entertained, to learn something, and to see a captivating story. Who doesn’t love a good story? Yet, I don’t know about you, but I’ve walked out of a movie theater or stopped watching a DVD more than a few times. It could be a box office hit, but if it doesn’t look like a redemptive character is going to make an appearance, I know the story isn’t going to entertain or edify, and I quickly lose interest.
Going back to the basics for a minute, ask yourself, Why am I writing this my WIP? As a Christian, you know there is a purpose in your being gifted with the ability and passion to write, and that is to communicate some aspect of God’s character and love in a realistic, plausible way to a hope-starved world. Themes of hope, forgiveness, and mercy, or love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control—fruits of the Holy Spirit—woven into your writing that leads to a redemptive conclusion accomplish this purpose.
As you construct your manuscript, do you have a primary theme in mind? Time spent updating yourself on current needs and concerns of your intended audience can help you to identify a theme or themes that will especially resonate. And this knowledge can also enhance the flow of your writing because you’ll know what will connect with your readers and what they need to be shown through your writing.
Do you naturally gravitate to certain themes? Considering a different theme for your next book could recharge your writing juices and result in a fresh new idea. As we all know, publishers are looking for fresh, unique work.
Which of the themes mentioned here flow freely for you? Have you used most or all of them in your writing? What themes have you worked with in which you’ve had difficulty developing to a redemptive conclusion? Do you think it was the theme itself, or that you didn’t know how to make it resonate with your readers? How did you remedy it?
Tanya Cunningham
I agree, if there is not a redemptive concept/character to
a movie or book, I’m out. I love seeing that which was lost
become saved, renewed hope/trust, and true love blossom
out of unexpected circumstances.
Although children are a completely different audience, I do
work in morals and Godly values to my stories. Children
are so pliable and impressionable. Might as well get them
while there young. 🙂 The older and more set in their ways
they are, the harder to reach.
Mary Keeley
Oh, I agree, Tanya. Illustrating Godly values in children’s stories will set a lasting foundation in their hearts and minds. Thanks for writing books like this that we can give to our children and grandchildren!
Kate Barker
It seems that Christian themes are intricately interwoven and overlap. Can you have mercy without forgiveness? Is it possible to have patience without kindness?
Sometimes I start with what I think is a dominant theme, only to find another theme has stepped into first place.
I love restoration as a theme: old buildings and objects, land and broken hearts.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Great topic today, Mary. Like Tanya, I work in the children’s market. What I feel I have been called to write is stories that help children apply Bible stories to their lives. Many of the Bible stories I teach in Sunday school have adults as main characters, so kids need to know how they can apply those lessons to their own lives or see those stories from their POV.
What I hope to create with my current publisher is a line of books that tell these stories from a child’s POV. Little Shepherd was the first. If it is God’s will, more of those I’ve planned will also come to fruition.
Marti Pieper
Even as (so far) a writer of nonfiction, I live, breathe, and write in themes. I’ve noticed in my ghost- and collaborative writing work that I must be careful not to let my own themes (the power of truth to set free, God’s strength perfected in our weakness, etc.) overpower those of the authors I serve. I need to write FOR them the things that matter TO them. And distilling their messages into essentials is part of the work–and fun–of what I do.
However, the struggle not to use personal themes has made me more aware of their existence. It’s also helped me realize that my own writing (as opposed, in this instance, to collaborative work) will carry themes that matter.
I don’t know another way to write.
Mary Keeley
Excellent contributions to the discussion: overlapping Christian themes, translating adult Bible characters and themes to a child’s POV. Thanks for sharing, Kate and Cheryl. Marti, you bring up a good point about recognizing how integral these themes are for Christian writers when you have to restrict the impulse as you ghost write for other authors.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Great point, Marti. I’m working on a ghostwriting project right now, and it worries me that I haven’t captured the author’s voice and instead have added my voice to the story.