Why Write?

By Debby Giusti

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a time leading up to Easter and the joyous celebration of Christ’s resurrection. During the next forty-plus days, many Christians will focus their minds and hearts on Christ and the love He preached. In doing so, some will practice acts of self-sacrifice, others will spend more time in prayer and scripture study, while still others will find new ways to reach out to those in need. No matter which path or paths are taken, the end result is a return to the basic gospel message.

Just as Christians use Lent to return to the basics and ensure they’re living in accord with the gospel, so too should writers take time on a regular basis to reassess their work and the reasons they write.

Financial gain motivates some writers. Single mom Iris Johansen scribbled stories longhand as she waited in the car while her children attended their after-school activities. She had a full-time job but needed additional income to support her family, and that financial need pushed her to produce. Once her first book sold, Iris kept up a steady pace, publishing four to six category romances each year, until she broke into single title and eventually hit bestseller status.

Journalist Terry Kay took a year off from the newspaper where he worked to write fiction. As the end of his self-imposed deadline approached without a saleable manuscript to show for his efforts, Terry’s supportive wife suggested he get away on his own for a few days. Checking into a local motel, Terry wrote the beginning of a story that attracted an editor’s attention and eventually sold. His debut, The Year the Lights Came On, was published in 1976. Considered a leading Southern voice in literature, Kay says he is one of approximately 300 authors in the U.S. who support themselves with their writing so financial remuneration continues to be an important reason for why he writes.

Some write because they have a story that needs to be told. Margaret Mitchell comes to mind. Although she wrote only one book, Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind attracted worldwide attention and continues to live on as a classic. Harper Lee also achieved acclaim for her only novel. To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, won the Pulitzer Price for Fiction and is still studied in high school literature classes throughout the United States.

Writing can be the stepping stone to success that comes from a different direction. A friend of mine—stuck in a dead end position—longed to quit her day job. She published three category romances and seemed to have a good writing career ahead of her. Then a new position opened up in her company. She applied, landed the job and stopped writing. Her main aim had been to find a satisfying job. Once she achieved that goal, she no longer needed to write.

Another friend, a wonderfully talented writer, stopped writing when her husband retired and they moved to Florida. Her days are now filled with ventures that include her husband and their new coastal lifestyle. Writing was a stopgap for her until her husband retired.

Julia Cameron talks about “shadow artists,” who work in jobs associated with a certain art form, such as publicists or editors or agents who work with authors. Often their careers encompass both the art and the “shadow” industry, with the art serving as a springboard to the real work they are called to do.

Those of you who were at ACFW last year may remember Debbie Macomber’s moving story of growing up with dyslexia. Ridiculed for her learning disability, she was told by many people, including teachers, that she would never read or write. Of course, Debbie proved them wrong and admits her desire to do so motivated her to publish.

For Christians, writing can be a ministry. The Lord has gifted them with talents they want to use for good and to build up the kingdom of God. Targeting Christian publishers allows them to explore the basic fundamentals of faith and proclaim the Good News through their writing.

At the beginning of my writing journey, I focused on the phrase “to touch readers’ hearts” as the steam that propelled my writing engine. Over the last few years, I’ve come to realize the pain many people carry and believe that, in order for my stories to resonate with readers, I need to create characters who struggle as well. The misconceived perceptions my characters hold onto concerning their past pain--whether physical or emotional--must be significant and inhibit them from accepting love from others and from God. When, in the course of the story, my hero or heroine triumphs over adversity, my readers—hopefully--realize God is more powerful than any conditions with which they may struggle in their own daily lives.

In addition to spiritual themes of God's unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness, I’m also including universal truths such as how power corrupts and man’s inhumanity to man. Because of my concern for our country in these difficult times, I sometimes touch on world problems, couched in a fictional tale where good always triumphs over evil.

I’ll continue to evaluate my writing in the years ahead to ensure I’m on the path I’ve been called to walk. What about your writing journey? Do you know what motivates you to work long hours, face rejection and yet still write? If so, I hope you’ll share those reasons with us today.

Anyone who includes his or her email address along with a comment will be entered into a drawing for a copy of my February release, Killer Headline.

Need prayer or want to join the Cross My Heart Prayer Team? Stop by my new prayer blog: http://www.crossmyheartprayerteam.blogspot.com/.

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/