JUST DO IT

As Christians we learn to be giving people.With some it comes naturally but others of us, over a period of time, learn how blessed it is to give of ourselves.

That's what we need to do as writers.

GIVE of OURSELVES.

That requires honesty. Especially if we are writing not only to entertain, but also to encourage, to inspire and to guide our readers into identifying with our characters.

Why is that so necessary? Hah, I'm sure we've all felt at times, while reading some novel, we just don't want to keep reading. Because the characters are not real...but plastic. The plot may be clever, but if we couldn't care less about the main character, it's hard going. Ah, but if the author has brought out some very real character traits, it makes us curious to find out how they are going to overcome and eventually reach their goal.  If we can identify with them we truly care because we see their struggles, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We wonder how it could possibly have a happy ending if one thing after another makes their journey so rugged.

Now this is where we need to draw on our own life's experience. We need to write in frustration, anger, disappointment, impetuosity and vulnerability. ADD  generosity,  strength, kindness, likeability and always hope. We are a mix aren't we? We all have our ups and downers. So must they. To be real, that is. AND never forget the ever present Temptation. Our characters aren't going to be perfect, well, not if they're human. So you see where we have to dig deep into our own failings and triumphs, even if it evokes a lot of soul searching. I have reawakened things in my own life while writing in my character. Hmm, I have recognised ME and my sometimes wrong reactions.

As Christian writers its our privilege to be able to ask the Lord to guide us in everything we do. Most of all to show that we are real people with real problems with a faith in a real Lord who is able to keep us from falling. Why not use our writing skills to weave this faith into our characters lives?

Write out your best attributes. Wow, aren't you a nice person? Now honestly tally up your not-so-nice failings. Uh-oh,  could one of your characters be like that? Better still, best and worst make for a fascinating character for you to create.   And as they say ... just do it!

Rita's last two novels follow the lives of twins separated at birth who have lived different lives. Like many young women today, they each have to overcome hurdles to find their true love


The Tie that Binds:
A young woman with an unknown past, an unclear present and an uncertain future.
Yet everything can change in a heartbeat.

A Parcel of Promises:
He is an aristocrat. She is in service. Will they dare cross that invisible line? Conventions are strong and as their love grows they struggle to find equal footing.


See   www.ritastellapress.com  to read excerpts from her latest published novels. Ebooks will be available in February.