Keeping Up With the Jones'

Yes, I'm a Jones, but frankly, there's not a heck of a lot to keep up with when it comes to my treasures.

I have a home, yes, but I don't have a new boat or lots of money (I'm an author after all) or even money on hand for a slew of vacations. Quite frankly, I'm a pretty basic girl--at least when it comes to stuff.

But just ask me about books and that's another story.

A girl can't have too many books.

I have my own published books of course, and then there's the fantastic stuff written by C.S. Lewis, and Max Lucado. I love children's books of all kinds, especially "Where the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak and keep my bookshelves full of books on Egypt and France; two places I hope to travel sometime in my lifetime.

I also love movies, but I have only one bookshelf of those. Yes, I have five bookshelves of books and am getting to the place where I'm in need of more.

So if you need to keep up with me, buy some books. Heck by my books :) and enjoy all of the mystery, fun, and inspiration only books can provide (unless, of course, you're also a great movie watcher).

Until next time.

Kathryn 

P.S. My second audio, The Feast: A Parable of the Ring has just been released! Get it here!

Writing the Spiritual Novel

Considering writing a spiritual novel?

When I think of a spiritual novel, I am thinking of a novel chuck full of inspiration and motivation. If you consider the works of C.S. Lewis you will also understand what I mean.

Who is the Lion but Christ?
Who is the White Witch but Satan?
What is truly happening at the stone table? The Crucifixion.

If you're interested in writing a spiritual novel, you're not alone, and that's a good thing. There is still much good in the world and authors the world over are discovering ways to share what they know is true.

When I sat down to write Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones I had in mind a short book that told a story about someone overcoming an obstacle. At the same time I wanted to use scripture and the five stones that David gathered before he met up with Goliath.

Writing a spiritual novel is kind of like reading the scriptures or praying or having that contemplative moment. You take your knowledge and experience in the spiritual realm and apply it to the story you're writing. This writing cannot be hurried. As in the story above, you must Listen, Trust, have some Optimism that God will help you, keep going with Tenacity and always retain that Constancy needed with God to get you through.

Is that easy?

Nope.

Photo by Mike Cogh, courtesy of Flickr

But I'd like to think that writing the spiritual novel is made that much easier as long as we are willing to tune in.

Year ago I heard the story of an old fashioned radio. This radio had a dial that had to be turned to the right or to the left to find the exact station. If the radio station wasn't on the exact spot, the dial not in its correct spot, static resulted.

I'd like to compare this story to writing the spiritual novel. If you're feeling a bit of static, if you're feeling as if the story isn't coming along as it should, or it feels rough or wrong, it probably is. Tune in. In your own personal life you probably know how to do that.

What you Write is Usually What you Read

Good news!

What you write is usually what you read.

Why is that good news?

Think about it. If you enjoy writing fantasy, then you're usually reading fantasy. You learn about plot, setting, characterization and more by reading fantasy. You see the style of the writer, you learn what he/she does to  make a fantasy chapter work.

You also see what doesn't work.

Photo by Sarah Sphar, courtesy of Flickr

I have an awful time when I read a book with too many characters. And I guess this can happen in any book, but fantasy novels seem to grasp the concept of multiple characters fairly easily. Think of Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and you'll see multiple characters. Though the authors handle the concept well, not every writer can, or should. But it's a good idea to read such authors because they give us a good example of how to make each character unique, how to scatter the characters throughout the novel so that the reader doesn't forget who a character is, even giving us a map or two so we can see the world in which all of  the character's live.

If you prefer books by C.S. Lewis in the non-fiction category, like I do, you may find yourself writing books like, "Conquering your Goliaths--A Parable of the Five Stones," like me; especially if you like C.S. Lewis' fiction too.

My new book, released Jan. 23, 2012

If you're not reading what you like to write, get on it! There really is a purpose in reading what you want to write; not all of it is necessarily--fun. Sometimes, when I'm reading an especially good book, I go back over paragraphing, vivid imagery used, and so on. I look for what the author does that I can incorporate into my own writing, using my own voice, of course.

Great lessons can be learned from the authors we love, and we need to take their words into consideration, not only for the pure enjoyment of the read, but for our own benefit--as an author.

Quotable Quotes for Writers

Do you have a selection of your favorite quotes from your top fellow writers?

Photo by: brewbooks, courtesy of Flickr

What I love about writers, especially if the writer has an inspirational heart, is what they can teach me--not just about plot, characterization or theme, but what I learn about the power of words. A word gains power as it is used just right, when you feel it in beneath your skin and all the way into your heart.

Words that have meaning for me as a writer and as a person, are words that make me think well beyond the reading of them. I am awe-struck and want to change another piece of myself just for reading them. I want to take action.

You may love C.S. Lewis like I do but may not have read "Weight of Glory" though you've probably heard of "The Screwtape Letters." As in all Lewis literature such as the ever common but not so common "Mere Christianity," there is something profound to hear.

"Conceal from the patient the true end of Humility. Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a low opinion) of his own talents and character" (From The Screwtape Letters).

"Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him (God); and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you" (From Weight of Glory).

"When will I ever learn to accept what is given instead of always yearning for more? My lavish expectations too often tarnish my blessings" (From A Year by the Sea, by Joan Anderson).

"God sometimes speaks in whispers, so we will move closer to hear" (Firstlight, by Sue Monk Kidd).

Photo by Burtoo, courtesy of Flickr

And finally,

"When the heart is flooded with love there is no room in it for fear, for doubt, for hesitation. And it is this lack of fear that makes for the dance. When each partner loves so completely that he has forgotten to ask himself whether or not he is loved in return; when he only knows that he loves and is moving to its music--then, and then only, are two people able to dance perfectly in tune to the same rhythm" (Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh).

Today you may want to gather your own favorite quotes and have them readily available to read when you need a bit of uplift or guided direction. As a writer we may or may not believe in our own gifts, our own talents to write, but we usually forget who gave them to us in the first place.