I watched Facing the Giants yesterday. It happened to be a Sunday. It happened to be the same day that I saw a huge write-up in my local paper about a nearby author who has found success as a Christian novelist.
It just so happens that I have been plotting a Christian novel in my head, but placed it second (maybe even third) in my queue of novels I intend to write. It just so happens that I have felt undeniably drawn to the Christian writer’s market for about two years now.
But I’ve been scared. I’ve worried that I am not grounded in biblical interpretation and understanding enough to write a “real” Christian novel. I’ve worried that I wouldn’t be able to achieve enough success to write full time as a Christian writer. I’ve worried that I would not be able to write anything but Christian works if I walked down that path.
But I realized that I’m not facing my giants. I am letting them hold me down. I forgot that it isn’t about me. I didn’t realize I was making it about me.
Therefore, today, I will begin the research and plotting of “Heaven Sent Us” instead of what I had intended to work on next. I plan to have it done before the year is out. No easy feat, but with God, anything is possible.
[tags]writing, novels, Christian, Christian novels, providence, God’s call, purpose, goals[/tags]
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Don’t let doubts or your own non-grounding of biblical interpretation stop you. Use it as a learning experience to increase your background.
At one point in my own writing career, I used my lack of writing classes and experience as an excuse to not try a novel or play. Then, one day I banged out a play, won a prize, and voila! I’m a playwright. I’ve adopted the same strategy with my novel. I’ve had great luck with first efforts on everything else I’ve done, so I’m counting on that same success with my first book. (Of course, this means miserable failure for my second book, but I’m not worrying about that yet.)
Phillip Gulley started out as a theological writer, and has become more of a mainstream writer over the years. It’s possible to break out of your niche and into another one.
Thanks for the good words Erik. I didn’t realize I had come across as so down on my self. Generally I am not like that, but wow, guess I was having one of those moments of doubt.
Way to go Chad. Very proud of you in your journey through life. I’m not the best example to follow, but hey, admitting you have room for growth is probably the first step in the right direction. I look forward to hearing about this new project as it develops and surely buying a few copies when it comes out. Did having children and watching them see the wonder of the world have anything to do with this new idea????
Actually, watching Daphne and Stella has helped me better understand the basis. It’s amazing how perception changes when you look through a different lens.
Hi there,
I wanted to let you know that creators of Facing the Giants have just finished a new film that will be out in theaters this fall called, Fireproof.
Visit http://www.fireproofthemovie.com to see a teaser site. We’ll have a full site up in a few weeks.
If you would like future updates to this movie (if you liked Facing the Giants, you’ll love this movie) I would be happy to add you to our list.
I am part of the PR team promoting the film.
Thank you,
Monique