Setting

When I was five years old, my father's job moved us from New York state to the Garlic Capital of California.

My memories of New York live nestled in the sweetest recollections. Learning about the wonder of life in a small town called Poughkeepsie, I ache for the place my heart remembers so well.

Raspberry bushes, fireflies, wandering deer and nature's ice rink. I often wonder how my life would have been different if we'd stayed. I feel a very deep connection to my father's side of the family, sprinkled in Hudson, finding its roots in the Catskills of New York.

Maybe I feel so drawn to the place of my beginnings because I am supposed to write a brand new ending. A journey cut short -- too short, needs a reawakening.

I just learned that my Aunt Olga from Hudson is very sick. If you are reading this, please pray for her. There are so few left on my father's side. She needs to know that this does not need to be the end of her journey ... that Jesus stands ready to take her to her real home.

A tiny raspberry seed of inspiration planted in the pages of this brand new baby novel. In God's perfect timing, may the harvest of memories and make-believe feed many.

Comparison

But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord, you will not be handed over to those who fear you. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 39:17

I bumped myself into the biggest novel killers around yesterday. In fact, this poison arrow has enough ammunition to take down a whole author - dreams and all. But as I learned long ago, recognizing the captor fills this girl with staying power.

Competition. It is fierce in this industry. Everybody working to prove that they have something worthy to say ... that they are somehow important because of this article or that agent. I've fallen prey to this competitive mentality, and doing so has mocked the artist within.

Part of my reason for starting this novel so early is to keep my creativity alive. Getting bogged down with building a portfolio, taking all the right classes and working toward the appearance of success can get tiring. And if I'm not careful, I could very easily jump on the hamster wheel of pride and futility.

So today, I set down the high expectations I place on myself, and I give myself permission to simply be. I stand against the fear that tells me I might make a wrong move.

Hogwash. (How's that for creative?)

I shift over into the place of faith, that has every move I make - covered.

Joy is in there somewhere, ready to share her story with a world caught in the clutches of comparison.

Let go of the lie. Grab hold of the beauty God made in you.

And create.

Genre

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. - John 1:12

With thoughts of starting a novel, one of the first things a writer must do is choose the genre for her budding book. There are dozens to choose from. From magical realism to cyberpunk, courtroom drama to urban fantasy. As I glanced over the list this morning, there was one that jumped off the page at me.

Romance suspense.

There is nothing I like better than a good page turner and since I am such a romantic at heart, what would be a better fit?

My next step is to begin doing research on this particular genre. What has been written? What hasn't been written? How will my story differ from what is out there?

I will want to intertwine the protagonist's crisis of faith, and somehow bring her into a deeper relationship with the Lord by the end of the story.

Here is a small scene that came to mind this morning ...

The tapping rain seemed to put Joy in a trance. Quiet moments created great opportunities for a nap. But she had to stay awake - there was nobody left to keep watch. He would be driving up any minute, and snapping a picture of the two of them would seal the deal.

Sipping on her Caffe' Americano, Joy thought about his last words to her. Deception sent a chill up her spine. How could God have let that happen? Determination blazed through tear-filled eyes. The thought of another victim sent rage through her broken frame.

If God wasn't going to intervene, then she had no choice but to step in.

A New Step ...

The sun rests lazily along the horizon.

I take a step into the deep clear waters of possibility. Just below the surface lie colorful treasures. I let the water dance around bare feet, leaving them planted firmly in the sand.

I scoop up a treasure. Bits of brown and white cling to my fingers as the tiny shell rolls around in my palm. Sunlight catches the iridescent rainbow inside. This decorated piece of artwork once housed a living creature.

Today, only a shell remains.

As I begin this brand new novel, my heart is to reach those readers out there who feel empty, worn-out, tired and torn. My hope is to somehow minister to those who have forgotten their worth ...

as I have struggled with taking hold of mine.

This blog will serve as scratch paper ... so I hope you will forgive the mess. I commit to working on it a bit each day. I don't know the first thing about writing a novel, except that you are supposed to steer clear of cliches'.

But what if your heart feels like an overused expression?

Every new step includes a fresh set of victories and challenges. Possibilities much like the ocean, seem endless. May God in His great wisdom place boundaries in pleasant places.

I'm so glad you decided to join me.

Let the healing begin.