Holy Spirit Scribes Part 2

This is a new series that might eventually end up as a book. We'll see. Many people have a desire to write a book. And many of them should. Some, not so much. This series will answer some questions for those determined to do so as well as those who should focus elsewhere...

Section One: Who Are You?

What Is Christian Writing?
The Christian author lives by a simple set of codes that are gained by their
relationship with Jesus. These codes become a part of us and guide us. As a
“Holy Spirit Scribe” what we write is meant to, ultimately, glorify God. One of
the struggles a person will run into is the foundation of their authorship.
Where do you write from?

One simple understanding is that what you pen (write) doesn’t have to be with
God as the focus because you are writing from His heart anyway. You are one of
God's writers, so He is in everything you create.

For instance, one of my first books was a fantasy. A man and his family stumbled
into an alternate universe. This story was not focused on the Person of God.
Though He had several parts in it.

Let’s say for a minute I work at a store as a cashier. The store is a typical grocery store. I spend my eight hours scanning foods and other items, taking money, being polite, keeping my station presentable and so on. It’s my job. It has very little to do with God directly. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t right there in the center of it. My every word may not be a prayer, but my life is reflective of Christ as I live and do my job representing Him. He is in everything because He is in me.

So understand, you may not be writing directly about God, but He is glorified by using you in a bigger scheme. Long term can be used to grasp what He has planned. For instance, years down the road you find yourself at a bookstore signing books and God opens a door to tell someone about Jesus. Someone who is a fan of your books.

Now, there is one extremely important aspect to this. And it can be a problem. Remember, as a Christian everything we do is effected and touched by our God. Or it should be anyway. The principles that you write with will be the reflection of Christ that people see. So if your books have significant compromise within them, this is the witness you will be presenting to your reader.

This might sound like a great responsibility. Guess what? It is! That said, you cannot write with a boulder hanging over your head. Simply understand that whether you write novels, factual, biographies, or teaching books, you must keep a standard that shows the goodness of Christ at all times.

These standards will:
1.      Not compromise the Persons of the Trinity
2.      Not conflict with Scriptural Truths
3.      Not display immoral circumstances

The easiest way to ensure the consistency is to avoid any resemblance of worldly thinking. The problem that many run into is thinking, “Well, then there is nothing left”. Which is hogwash.

The world thrives on the things that reflect the things of the devil. If you need to go there, then you can probably stop reading at this point because you have missed it. There is no place for cursing, sex or sexual innuendos, garish horror, or anything that might glorify evil. There are no “bad boys”, no prostitutes with a heart of gold, and no need to sexualize a person’s description.

But don’t take this list and become frustrated. One of the hallmarks of a good author will be the ability to set a scene and bring solid dialogue without a cheesy use of words that distract the reader from the point being made. If this is difficult for you, then it is quite possible that your source material is from the wrong place.

Much of how we think and proceed in our own writing is based upon what we read and seek out. For instance, if your narrative takes place in the dark or middle ages, watching television programs like “Game of Thrones” is not what you should be getting ideas from.

In places where your characters are fighting to the death, there are plenty of ways to describe it without trying to top Stephen King.

Which brings up the topic of genre. We will go into more discussion on that topic later in the book.

At this point, it becomes imperative that you ask yourself, “Who am I as a writer?”

As we’ve discussed, you are a Christian. That is the first and most important part of you as a writer. In fact, you are a member of God’s Kingdom before you are anything else. Husband, wife, daughter, sister, brother, son, driver, police officer, cashier, pastor, musician, etc. It doesn’t matter. You are a Child of God before everything else. And He will always be your first and most important priority. And the struggle you are having (if you are having a struggle about anything to do with you as a writer) is not solved by any method above. It will be solved one way: More of God. Your number one source will be communication with the “Key Author”. That being the God that created adventure. Pray and read the Bible daily. This should be the foundation that you draw most from.

One simple truth you need to absorb: You are not a writer, you are a Christian writer and that makes all the difference. God will always be your most important Reader. If you think for just a second that He might not like what you are writing, then don’t write it!

With that foundation, write on.