Indelible - Marnie Pohlmann

How faith feeds my writing. How writing feeds my faith. 

Thinking of this month's theme, I realized both faith and writing are indelibly imprinted on every area of my life. I process life through my writing. I better understand my faith by writing. Faith directs my life decisions, and faith leaves its fingerprints all over my writing, even when I am not trying to write for a Christian audience. 

So I have to wonder, could I convincingly write a character who holds different beliefs than me? Or would my worldview still show like smudges on glass? I don't want to write characters who are stereotypical. I want to write, and read, characters who are real, diverse people who act on what they believe. 

I have heard the best way to tell a counterfeit bill from the real thing is by knowing the real deal. I believe I can succeed in writing about other worldviews in my characters by knowing my own beliefs.  When I know how deeply my own faith influences my daily decisions, I am better able to see what decisions would be made based on different thoughts. 

For example, this might be something as simple as taking out the garbage. Do they recycle? Or compost? If my own beliefs can influence what I do with garbage, another's belief system would likely be involved in their choice, too. 

The post I originally wrote to explore this theme shows how both faith and writing are more than skin-deep in me, but I decided it was a post better suited to my personal blog instead of this Inscribe Writer's blog. If you want to read about how indelibly writing and faith colour my life, read my post on my home blog, Phosphorescent.

I am also interested in your thoughts on how you feel your writing can show other beliefs than your own. What research do you do to understand another's viewpoint? Comment on this post to discuss how you write to break down stereotypes and make your characters come alive.

Marnie writes from northern British Columbia, where she lives, works, and ministers with her husband. 

Collective Numbers by Marnie Pohlmann

I am eight of nine. Or perhaps that should be nine of 11. Or maybe I can best describe myself as just one of many or one of the collective.  Yes, I am a Trekkie (a fan of the Star Trek television series and movies).

Marnie's sibling collective

I was raised in a large family. My two sisters are the eldest, then came five boys, then me, and my younger brother. We also had two foster brothers who lived with us for most of my years at home, and many other foster children who came and went. Sometimes, when Mom wanted me, she called out the whole list of names before getting to mine.

There are other numbers society applies to me as well. One in 9 Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer (2010 estimate). One in three girls in Canada who were sexually abused as a child.

Not all statistics are discouraging. 35 years of marriage is a good number, as uncommon as that is becoming in today’s world.

Being a nameless number is my comfort zone. I like being part of a crowd, yet invisible. I can observe life, participate when I feel confident, or fade into the background as needed for safety. And I love extended time by myself, playing or reading or imagining. When I need encouragement, though, my brothers and sisters are always there for me.

As a writer, enjoying alone time to work with words is a must and being a silent observer is very helpful. The writer in me also feels the need to be part of a larger crowd; a collective who understand my quirky ideas, give me feedback, and encourage me to keep on with perseverance.  I have a small writing family in Peace Region Christian Writers. We meet monthly to share our projects, try new skills, and cheer for one another.

I have found a writing collective at Inscribe. Membership allows me to be part of an extended writing group, yet remain as invisible as I please. I love the Yahoo list serve, where I can lurk in the shadows while benefiting from the conversations. This is a closed group not because it is elite, but so it is safe for our sensitive egos. My favourite part may be the monthly Word Challenge, where I can try various writing forms. The feedback received is amazing, yet all entries remain anonymous unless one actually wins. We are not in competition, but are growing together, much like a family does.

Assimilation into Inscribe has given me courage to venture out to meet the flesh and blood writers (not cyborgs!) at the Fall Conference or a WorDshop. I have dared to send pieces for publication. Recently I bravely started writing my own blog, Phosphorescent. Once again, I’m blessed by encouragement from my writer friends as well as non-writing friends and family.

Peace Community Church, Taylor, BC

In the eternal family of God, I also become one of many. I belong to a small local church family, one of 43% of Canadian church-goers who attend a church of 75 or less. This eternal family encourage me to grow in, practice, and share my relationship with God. I am also welcomed in the larger crowd of witnesses throughout the world and eternity. God designed His Kingdom to include as many as would follow Him.

These statistics in my life do not define me, but they have formed me. The collective numbers allow me to walk alongside others who also relate to these situations. I am a better individual for being one of many.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb 12:1-3 NIV)


*breast cancer ribbon - CCO Public Domain, Pixabay.com
  all other photos by MarniePohlmann

Marnie Pohlmann worships and writes in northern British Columbia. She ministers with her Pastor husband and works as support to our Canadian heroes in red serge. She leads a local Christian writing group, fights breast cancer, and wears a red shirt.

Read Marnie's blog at Phosphorescent