I make my living with words. Whether’s it’s teaching graduate classes at a Big Ten university or writing, words are my livelihood.
I’ve had a love affair with words since I learned to read. I still vividly remember being a first grader and told I couldn’t read a book because it was at a sixth grade level. Guess which book became my favorite of that year, and I still remember that story about the little Israelite girl who told Naaman to go to Israel to be healed. So inspired to see how a young girl could effect the world around her.
Then as an 8 year old the small Christian school
I attended had each student write in a journal each week. I still have that journal — it is filled with short stories — many of Toad and Frog. Any guesses what books I was reading then? But those early stories lead to a lifestyle of writing in journals. Some years it was short diary entries: today I did this. Other years it was free verse. Then I got a computer and started writing short stories and trying my hand at novels.
Those early experiences led to a certain romance with words.
There’s magic to finding the right word. The word that perfectly conveys an emotion or person.
Maybe you’ve felt it. You’ve read a line in a book that made you stop and reread it because of its beauty. Its perfectness. It resonates.
Or there’s a character that you think about days, weeks, and months after you close the book. You are effected and changed by their fictional journey on the page.
This is why Jesus used stories. When we use stories our brains engage with information on a different level. I read an article last week that mentioned studies that have been done that show that the hearer of a story’s brain will change to match that of the storyteller. You see and experience what the author wants. With Christian fiction you have the added element of the faith journey. Of being challenged or encourage in your journey as you experience the character’s own journey.
Jesus, as our Creator, understood how our brains work. As I reread Mark with my kids, I’m noticing again how many times Jesus told a story, a parable to convey great truth.
That’s why words are a writer’s lifeblood. If I want to tell story’s of lasting significance, then I must share them with carefully ordered and constructed words.
Do you love words?
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I do love words. As a children’s ministry director in my church, I too, have noticed not only how many stories Jesus told, but how many “object lessons” God uses through-out the Bible, the “Word” of God. So writing is definitely a reflection of His creative nature and a gift to be appreciated. Nice post!
The object lessons help us all remember his truths.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
God chose to give us Humself in the Wrirren Word, and that is the best example we have of why being a scribe is a high calling! Love your words of love!
Thank you! May Hod bless your scribing for Him!
Yes, Cara, I love words! As I was writing yesterday (on my novel, yay!), one word for a particular sentence popped in my head, and I thought, “No… that isn’t right yet.” So I thought about it for a minute or so, whispering a prayer for the correct term–the one that would most beautifully convey the meaning needed–and wouldn’t you know God provided the perfect one. Such a great, wonderful thing to have Him guiding my mind like that, leading me to just the right word at precisely the right time.
Thanks for another wonderful article!
Andrea
Love that moment when writing become such a close partnership with him. Bless your writing.
Thanks, Cara! Same to you, my friend.
By the time I finish writing a novel (like I’ve just done), I feel like I’m all out of words. I spend the next few weeks reading and reading and reading until I’m filled up again. Great post, Cara.
I do that, too. And I read while I’m writing to be reminded what I’m writing for – a finished project.
I love what you shared today. I am not a writer and do not aspire to be. I am, however, a reader. My love of reading began at an early age as did yours. I have shared that love all my life with my children, with my students, and now as Book Club leader at my church. I love my retirement because on days like today, I can bundle up on the sofa and read to my hearts content. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Thanks, Pat. Reading is a wonderful past time. Sounds like you love words as much as I do.