Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office, IL
Life is surely moving at a fast pace. Can you remember a time when changes in the world around us were taking place as fast as they are now? Not to mention in our own lives. Yes, we can credit technology as the main culprit. I don’t know about you, but on a personal level, I have to admit the variety of products and services offered to me everywhere I turn tempts me to keep up with the latest styles and conveniences. On national and global levels . . . well, there are changes daily, it seems.
This general acceleration of change means new trends evolve more quickly too. It’s hard to keep up with them. But it also means there is no shortage of things to write about.
If life stayed the same for an extended time, we’d run out of fresh things to write about. Life would be bland. We certainly don’t have to deal with bland in these times. Persecution of Christians in the Middle East, starving orphans of HIV parents in Africa, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, biblical illiteracy in the church, the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure, the changing political climate, iPads, iPods, and whatever will replace them in a couple of years—so much is happening that affects our thinking, which in turn prompts a shift in trends. It’s impossible to be immune.
The good news is that publishers have to keep up with this ever-evolving change too! They’re always looking for fresh and relevant ideas. The creative challenge—and privilege—is to address a current issue that works within your genre and that encourages faith and hope in Christ.
Celebrate the opportunities to exercise your creativity with the myriad of fresh material about which you can write. There is something for everyone at the change buffet. You are uniquely gifted for this purpose and for these times.
What specific trend or issue are you incorporating into your WIP?
Kate Barker
Mary,
I appreciate your enthusiasm in celebrating change as an opportunity for writers. Along with all the technology and global upsets, there are the myriad of social issues which have changed in the last several decades. Using these subjects enrich a story and can point to the need for faith and hope in Christ.
In one of my stories, the rural setting becomes an issue in trying to use the latest technology. In another, a natural disaster sparks a shift in attitude.
In this world we are surrounded by shifting/sinking sand,(change) but because of Christ we can sing:
“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.”
Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter.
Cynthia Herron
Since I write heartfelt, homespun, (contemporary)Christian romance, I incorporate matters of faith in all of my stories. I find it fascinating (and encouraging) that Baby Boomers’ children are “getting it” and then acting upon it! Purity and the sanctity of marriage are suddenly cool. Today’s generation is teaching Mom and Dad a thing or two. This is one of the trends I’m using.
Thank You, Mary, for your insightful posts this week!
Melissa K Norris
I see people wanting to simplify and rediscovering the arts of our forefathers. Gardening, canning, raising your own chickens, (we do chickens and beef), are becoming the new “in” thing. My family has always done these things, but more and more are wanting to do it also. This works great for my historicals, but I’m working on a romantic suspsense where my heroine moves to a tiny mountain town from the city.
Caroline
In most of my articles and projects, the focus centers on relying on Him who is unchanging in the middle of all of our change. As His children, we have to lean on Him for guidance in applying the Word to our changing times.
Thank you for the positive spin on all of the posts this week, Mary! Blessed Easter!
Larry Carney
Grace itself is the ultimate form of change; to go from a creature of mud and clay with a soul stained with darkness to being a vessle of the living God….that is what I like to focus on. Not just the need for redemption in my characters, or showing the splendor of Creation versus the daily struggle of a Fallen world. Specifically, what I am focusing on is how grace transforms the interpersonal relationships of the characters; for there are certain things they can no longer abide by, other things they may now seek that they did not before, and the goals they yearned for have been altered by their struggle to understand grace and to act with it.
Specifically….what does one do, when they have spent their life and career in the pursuit of a type of knowledge which no longer seems relevant to the world around them; when it is no longer suitable for addressing the brokeness of their life, estrangement from their family and colleagues, and the gratification of their own ego?
In a world where careers are becoming ever more specialized, and the pursuit of worldly knowledge has become its own religion, what happens when one becomes obsolete and incapable of effecting change in the world or their own life? That is a question for this current age which hopefully the WIP addresses.
Lance Albury
In the spiritual thread of my WIP, I present the plan of salvation in a way that rebuts the current trend of universalism, as well as the not-so-current trend of faith plus works.
LeAnne Hardy
I am reworking a manuscript about HIV in Africa. In trying to make it relevant to Americans as well as Africans I find an emerging theme of how easy it is to ignore the pain in someone else’s life. Today of all days, I am reminded that Christ didn’t ignore our pain.
Cheryl Malandrinos
A wonderful way to end the week. While modern issues don’t find their way into my historical fiction, I try to deal with the issues that are evergreen: tragedy, loss, faith that God can see you through, and clashes between younger and older generations.
Mary Keeley
So true. As Christians we are anchored to the One who is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever. Have a humbly grateful Good Friday and a blessed Resurrection Sunday.
Lenore Buth
I think the dizzying rate of change makes it more important that what we write is solid. My WIP, a book for moms, emphasizes developing inner strength within each family member, which, of course, rests on faith in God.
Easter JOY to you and your family, too, Mary.