The Written Word...

[melinky]

For those who write, either for personal or professional purposes, how does your Christianity affect the way you write? Do you find it difficult to be creative while maintaining your personal beliefs? Do you find it necessary for your writing to reflect your faith?

[Soulfyre]

Believe it or not, I am considering writing a book. I am not, at this point, much at creative writing, and will probably write something pertaining to the Christian life. So of course my Christian beliefs will have everything to do with what I write.

I would like to see responsed from those in journalism or creative writing, however, to better understand you one's Christian beliefs affect the journalistic profession, or one's ability to write creatively.

Matthew (soulfyre)

[fairbank]

I also have a book outlined, but am struggling with adding flesh to the bones. It is about a particular activity I enjoy greatly, and it will be unique in its particular industry.

Here is the odd thing. I write two sermons/week, and have done so for about a dozen years now, but I can not seem to get my creative writing in gear. I did a great deal of that when I was in my late teens and early twenties, when I was a depressed atheist. I believe the spiritual floundering and the depression caused me to require an outlet in order to survive, a void fulfilled in my writing.

Any thoughts? Sometimes pastors need pastoring.

[melinky]

I have been part of a La Femme Nikita role-playing game since late 1999. I had never done any creative writing in my life but I found that I enjoyed it and spent many happy hours writing "missions" for my characters. The problems started with a little niggling in the back of my head because I knew that I was putting my characters into situations that weren't very Christian. As time has passed, it has become increasingly more difficult to write.

I think that I saw the light while I was writing some fan-fiction of the actual La Femme Nikita characters. The character in question is Nikita, a generally good person who has been put into the world of anti-terrorism. This is the description of the show that was in the opening credits:

"I was falsely accused of a hideous crime and sentenced to life in prison. One night, I was taken from my cell to a place called Section One, the most covert, anti-terrorist group on the planet. Their ends are just, but their means are ruthless. If I don't play by their rules, I die."

In the fan-fiction I was writing, I had Nikita in a church and I really wanted her to feel God's presence, but I knew that a religious Nikita would never be accepted by the online community, so I never finished the story. I've since decided that it's time for me to move on and I've come up with an idea for a swan song for my characters to write them out of the game. Now I just have to find the time to write it.

So I guess I'm saying that my Christian beliefs have made it difficult, if not impossible to write secular material. The problem is, I haven't felt particularly driven to write anything Christian, although I am beginning to write in my blog more frequently. Perhaps I'll get there one day.

Eric, as for the block you seem to be having on your book, I can tell you that there are times the words flow out of me like water, and other times I can barely put together a cohesive sentance. I simply have to find the right time. If you're looking for a suggestion, I'd say not to fight it. Try different times of day. I actually think I do my best writing when I'm tired and I'm typing with my eyes either closed, or partially closed. I think it's something to do with letting down my guard and allowing my emotions to move through the keyboard instead of holding them in for fear someone might see. Of course, I realize that this is not a good time for everyone, but you might find a particular time of day works best for you.

I look forward to one day possibly writing with God's blessing. It is something that I am feeling more and more compelled to do, once again. I simply need the time.

Melinda