Purpose-Driven Fiction -- God's Calling on Our Pens

by Guest blogger Cathy Gohlke 

           

Memorable characters, meaningful plots, sharp dialogue, and strong takeaways make for books that last—books that raise the bar, bring hope, change lives, books that drive us deeper into the heart of God.

Remember that special novel, the one you’ve long loved, that has become a part of you? As a writer, don’t you long to write a story that moves readers in the ways that novel moved you?

Worthy goal . . . but how do we achieve that? How do we identify the steps required to get there? How do we begin?

            I believe the answer lies in the power of five questions—questions that must be broken down, questions only we, as individual writers, can answer. Our answers will be as unique as our DNA. 

            Let’s explore them together. As we go, answer each one as quickly and honestly as you’re able. This is not the time to second-guess responses. There are no right or wrong answers, only your answers.

1. What is the deep need in the church or the world that God has uniquely burned into my heart?

A refugee's journey...

   Is there a cause or issue that stirs my heart, that keeps me awake at night, that repeatedly enters my prayers and quiet time with God?

   What in the news makes me “pound the table and weep”? 

   What grieves me that also grieves the heart of God? 

   Is my heartbreak aimed more toward the church or the world? (This will help you decide whether you’re writing a novel for the unchurched, for seekers, or for the church.)

   What moves me and inspires me to greater heights? 

   What gives me unbounded joy—makes my heart sing?

2. How has God uniquely equipped or prepared me to address this need?

My beautiful granddaughter...

   When did I first feel drawn to this issue? At what stage of my life? Does that timing coincide with the life stage of one of my characters—particularly the main character, mentor, or narrator?

   What opportunities has God given me to learn about or experience this issue further?

   How have those opportunities prepared me emotionally or spiritually?

   What insights have they given me?

   Can I identify strengths or weaknesses in myself, my current family or family of origin, or my family’s history that give me insight into my story’s characters, their conflicts, their arcs, or story events?

   Do I know real-life heroes, heroines, or villains whose qualities help flesh out the characters of my story?

   What personal or professional connections do I have or know to assist in my research?

   Have my travels helped define my setting? How?

   What lessons has God used in my life to change me and/or to bless others?

   Can I trace God’s preparations in my life by year or decade? (See Lucinda Secrest McDowell’s excellent book Role of a Lifetime: Your Part in God’s Story to help with this.)

3. So far, so good. But what genre do I write in? 
   What genre most naturally lends itself to the need I wish to portray, or to the story I have in mind?

   Is my story confined to a time period, a culture, or historical or current local or world events?

   What kind of stories do I love most? What do I read? What do I want to write? 

   What were my favorite books and who were my favorite authors growing up? Now?

   What about those stories most appeals to me?

   Am I willing/able to do the research those stories or time periods require?

   If not able to travel for research, how can I obtain needed information?

4. Which comes first, need or story?

   Which did God place first on my heart? On my mind?

   If you thought first of the need, ask in what time period, what culture, among what type of characters this need would best be played out and/or what time period you feel best able to write with authenticity.

      *I identify the need/concern and find a place in history where similar circumstances played out. For instance, in my new release, Until We Find Home, I looked for a point in history that would reflect today’s refugee crisis, especially for children. WWII, the displacement of persons throughout Europe during the Holocaust, and the Kinderstransport provided the perfect crucial time period. England, a country under siege but not occupied, and its beautiful Lake District, provided an ideal setting.

      *Very often our deep desires or personal inclinations provide the answer to this question. 

      *If the answer is “historical,” research to find a time period, circumstances, or set of events in which the story might take place. 

      *If the answer is “current day,” explore current events, causes, organizations, politics, or whatever is pertinent to your need to help you decide when and where to set your story.  *Consider the research needed, but don’t let that daunt you. Ask for help when needed. Most organizations or people in specialized occupations are glad to answer questions.

   If you thought first of the story, ask how your characters would confront this need in the context of your plot, given their time period, circumstances, and relationships.

Ask what would help them grow, change their course of action, repent, surrender, or whatever they need to do to allow redemption to take place. 

5. How can I motivate without preaching?

   What is the premise of my story?

   What is the “aha moment” when the protagonist realizes what he/she needs to do to resolve the conflict and take action?

      *By writing a story that illustrates change and growth, the message will become apparent. 

      *Allow the reader to draw conclusions without spelling everything out for them.

      *Don’t contrive unrealistic plots or manipulate characters to do things out of character in order to accomplish your goal.

Consider: Jesus told parables, stories that illustrated lessons. He did not moralize because the hearers could draw their own obvious conclusions . . . and so will ours.

Ponder this:

Know that as we step out and step up for the writing the Lord has called us to do, we will have trouble. We have an enemy that does not want us to succeed, and Jesus promised, “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

We have not overcome the world—He has. We cannot do this alone. Daily, amid every joy and every pain, we are free to surrender our lives and writing to Him, to ask for His direction, the assurance of His love and encouragement, and to receive those gifts.

It’s not likely that we will have the things we need ahead of time. I’ve rarely known God to be early, but He’s never, ever late. He will meet us in our need, sometimes in the midst of our desperate need, as strength in our weakness. Through the hard things of life He teaches us total dependence on Him. In that total dependence we find sweet peace, sweet relief, sweet release, and resulting creativity. 

There is no greater thrill for a writer than to co-create with our Creator. It is exuberant, unbounded joy. The world, and even many Christian non-writers, may think we’re crazy, but we carry an ever-blooming “secret garden” in our hearts. 

As frustrated as we might become with our writing—and there are times when we all get there—it is impossible to imagine a life without this intriguing journey. 

If you are called to write, it is part of who God created you to be. It is precious and life-giving to fulfill our own unique purpose by writing purposefully (Psalm 20:4).

Encourage—and allow yourself to be encouraged by—other faith-filled writers.  Know that we are all in this together—pen warriors for the Kingdom of Heaven!

What issue has God continued to bring to your attention? Can you imagine portraying that through fiction? Chat with Cathy today... please.... :) and your name will be tucked into the drawing for this beautiful pairing.... Cathy, thank you so much for being with us in Seekerville today!

Three-time Christy and two-time Carol and INSPY Award–winning author Cathy Gohlke writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, divide their time between northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their grown children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks.