"Who's That Knocking at My Door?"

I recently completed the process of rewriting and revising what I hope will be my debut novel. Since beginning this project over ten months ago with a blank computer screen, I've learned some interesting lessons about creativity and the writing process. Thus, my first Novice Novelist Novel Note (4N), highlighting characters.

Characters Who Don't Go Away More than one character that I created for a specific story purpose has stayed around, popping up periodically to create mischief or solve a sticky-wicket-plot-knot (more on that in a future 4N). The first character who refused to leave has become an integral part of the entire storyline. I've been amazed by his evil ways, but if I'd tried to rein him in, or to shove him out the door, important elements of the story would have gone with him. I figured it was best to just let him keep surprising me with his dastardly deeds.

Characters Who Steal the Show At the end of one chapter I sent my critiquing partners, I wrote a note: "Is it just me, or did Major Bennett completely upstage Marie [the protagonist]?" He most certainly did, but he also added humor and lightness in the midst of tragedy. Best of all, he invited his wife and parents to join in the fun and, also unexpectedly, his actions moved the story forward.

Characters Who Show Up at the Last Minute Since my first tentative beginnings of this story, I knew I needed two specific characters to perform one specific function. But even though I thought and thought (and thought some more) about them -- nothing! Every effort to give them motivation failed. Then, during the last couple of weeks before my deadline, there they were, waiting in the wings to do what they had to do. Yes, they're shy and unassuming, but integral to the story nonetheless. The point here is that these two couldn't be forced, only welcomed at the right time.

As you're creating characters for your story, check to see who's knocking at your novel's door. Whether they hang out longer than you expected, steal the show, or come late to the party, welcome them with open arms.

Book Review: Kabul24

The SNI Eight. Two men and six women who responded to a God-call to serve the oppressed people of Afghanistan in the years of turmoil leading up to and entering the twenty-first century. A few weeks before the infamous 9/11 attacks, these godly people, the director and staff of Shelter Now International, were arrested on trumped-up charges, imprisoned in medieval-like conditions, and denied basic rights that many of us take for granted.

Kabul24, by Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson, tells the story of these people’s incredible faith despite their fears and hardships. Their genuine love and compassion for the Afghani people also shines through in their consistent prayer that no one, friend or foe, die so that they can be freed.

Two contrasting threads are woven throughout the narrative: the cruelty and wrath of tyrannical judges and wardens with the kindness, hospitality, and courage of Afghani “angels.” The daring rescue demonstrates God’s providence and His timing in amazing ways.

The genuine, authentic love of the Shelter Now staff is demonstrated in the hostages’ forgiveness of their Taliban captors and the willingness of several to return to this war-ravaged country and assist in its rebuilding.

This is an intriguing story of faith, courage, and answered prayer in the face of unspeakable horror that also shines an intriguing light upon a strange and foreign culture.

Tears

Our nest has been empty about a month now -- devoid of the children that we brought into this world. Last week, I found myself growing misty-eyed as I drove to a friend's house. My thoughts were consumed with the pain of saying good-bye.

But not to our youngest.

Oh, no! The tears weren't being shed for Nate, but for a collection of characters who've been with me for the past several weeks. The inhabitants of my novel, now completed, now over. I hated saying good-bye to them.

God's timing has been so gracious. The moment I got home from our taking-Nate-to-college-trip, I became a hermit. I promised an interested publisher that my novel would be completed at the end-of-September and I intended to do everything possible to keep that promise.

So instead of wandering through a house that suddenly seems to be too big for two or sobbing over the adorable baby photos of our now-grown children, I was tied to my laptop and chair. Without the distractions of a kid who thinks lunch is at 11:00 -- even if he just ate breakfast at nine -- and the responsibilities of a home school mom, the story I wanted to write came to life beneath my fingers.

Nate's been gone a month now. The novel is completed and in the publisher's inbox.

And I'm content, at least for awhile, to just enjoy these quiet moments of reflection and accomplishment.

Novice Novelist Novel Note - Debut!

Yesterday morning at about 10:30 a.m., I did it! I emailed my completed manuscript, tentatively titled Twirl, to an interested publisher. Through the writing journey, I learned important lessons about the creative process, especially as it relates to theme, character, and plot. I am amazed at the motifs and symbolism within the story, the surprising dialog that came from the characters, and the unexpected plot twists.

The more I got into the story, the more I felt like it was an already existing entity -- all I was doing was figuring out the pieces, discerning what really had happened to these fictitious people, and recording it for others.

In the next few weeks, I'm going to share the concepts I discovered as I actually completed a novel -- the ideas that excited me the most through the process.

I hope you'll enjoy reading this novice novelist's novel notes!

Fearless by Max Lucado

I read once that we’re born with two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Everything else that scares us, keeps us up at nights, and gives us ulcers are fears that we pick up along the way on this journey called life. In Fearless, Max Lucado tackles some of these fears with contemporary anecdotes, Old and New Testament examples, and Scriptural principles. As he writes, “Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will” (page 74).

Similar pithy lines can be found in every chapter. Name the fear keeping you up at night, read the appropriate chapter, and you’re sure to find an easy-to-memorize quote or two. One of my favorites comes from the chapter called, “I’m Sinking Fast: Fear of Overwhelming Challenges”: “Storms prompt us to take unprecedented journeys” (page 71). Lucado goes on to explain that we can’t choose whether or not storms will come, but we can choose to stay focused on the Stormwalker (page 72).

Other chapters address such common fears as worries about our children, money, health, and death. Lucado focuses attention on familiar Bible stories, opening them up to additional insights that are encouraging and motivational.

The most compelling chapter comes near the end of the book, “The One Healthy Terror: Fear of God Getting Out of My Box.” Lucado’s retelling of the Transfiguration had me reaching for my Bible, closing his book to utter spontaneous prayers, and re-reading certain paragraphs. When we fall on our faces before the transfigured Christ, “the hand of the carpenter extends through the tongue of towering fire and touches us. ‘Arise, and do not be afraid’ (Matt. 17:7)” (page 171).

That’s the only fear I want controlling my life.