Holey, Wholly, Holy by Sharon Heagy

 

English is a difficult language to learn, particularly when it comes to homophones. Those sneaky words that sound the same but are entirely different in composition and meaning. Holey, wholly, holy.

Sometimes my socks become holey. Or my jeans, which, now that they are worn out at the knees, I can sell online for megabucks as they are in vogue. Items are created with holes like donuts, inner tubes and macaroni….and jeans. Creatures of all kinds live in holes, like burrowing owls, gophers and beetles. In the KJV of the Bible Jesus tells us that foxes have holes.[i]

Pins, awls, nails, shovels and backhoes all produce holes of varying size. Raindrops bouncing on a lake appear to be drilling thousands of tiny holes into the surface. It’s like the entire lake is being perforated. 

And sometimes holes appear unexpectedly. Leaving a north Saskatchewan lake where we have often gone fishing left heart holes. The towering evergreens whispering in the wind, the earthy smell of moss and the haunting call of the loon brought on overwhelming emotions, and I wept. Memories of bygone days washed over me. Memories of when our sons were young and warm summer days were shared at lakes and beaches with dear family members long since gone. The ache for those loved ones opened heart holes. Yet the recollection of those treasured times also warmly filled the wounds and brought comfort like hot tea and warm compote.   

As writers our stories often have holes that need filling before the reader can view the entire scene that we have in our heads. Finding that perfect turn of phrase will give the reader an ‘aha’ moment and clear up the foggiest writing. 

When we are wholly committed to our work, we will find that phrase. 

Wholly, entirely, without reservation. Are we ever utterly surrendered to anything? Perhaps for a time. Sometimes I feel like I am in the zone of wholly committed but then I get distracted. Whether it be with writing or daily duties or in my relationship with God. Maybe being wholly committed and focused is a goal like Paul talks about in Philippians, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me….”[ii] Straining towards anything takes effort as does learning from past mistakes and letting go of them. Being wholly committed is a learning process.

Can you be wholly committed to holiness? I find I have complete lack of understanding of what it is to be holy. Merriam-Webster and Oxford talk about being consecrated to God or sacred, divine or worthy of complete devotion and trust. Set apart. My sense is these definitions miss the mark. Peter wrote, “just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do: for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’.”[iii]  How do you do that? Be holy. Once in a while I think I have a sliver of knowledge about what it is to be holy but all that shard does is expose my unholiness. My thoughts and actions betray me and I know I am not holy. Holiness is entirely the business of the One who is holy. Only a holy God can produce holiness. Not that we shouldn’t strive to be holy, to pursue God and allow him to transform us but ultimately there is nothing in our power to make us holy other than submission, wholly submission, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Only God can transform us and make us holy. And a blessed by product of His hand is the transformation of the words He has asked us to write. To make them sacred. To make them holy.

Have you any experience with holiness, fellow travellers? Please share. Perhaps my sliver will become large enough to let in more light. 

 

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[i] Matthew 8:20 KJV

[ii] Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

[iii] 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV

Honesty in Writing by Steph Beth Nickel

But I’m writing fiction. It isn’t true. So, how can it be honest?

I’m writing a memoir but can’t remember every detail. How can I write it honestly?

How vulnerable do I have to be on the page to be considered honest?

 

We can be honest in our writing—even if we’re not writing objective journalistic pieces.

 

What makes fiction honest?

There’s much truth to be found in fiction—even fiction that is set in a fantasy world or in space.

How many times have you felt connected to a character that is very different from yourself? Maybe you see your less-than-desirable traits in them or feel as if you would respond as they do. And hopefully, you recognize yourself in their emotional journey—maybe even in their personal growth.

Real. Believable. Authentic. Whether the reviewer is referring to the characters and/or the storyline, these are adjectives many (most?) of us want to hear applied to our own writing or to the novels we choose to read.

There is a lot of honesty in well-written fiction. We must remember honesty isn’t always synonymous with factual.

 

How can a memoir be honest—even if some of the facts have been lost over time?

While working on Paralympian Deb Willows’ first memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, we did our best to relay situations and dialogue as they happened.

Of course, none of us can remember our conversations verbatim—especially those that occurred years ago. However, if the conversation reflects the speaker’s voice and is something they would have said in that particular circumstance, it can still be considered honest.

When writing memoir, it’s important to stay in the memoirist’s POV. In this way, the author relays events as they remember them—even though others may remember the same events differently.

When is a memoir dishonest? When the author deliberately slants the story to deliberately lead readers to a conclusion that is not true.

 

Just how much of ourselves should we share?

It’s important to open our hearts and share elements of ourselves on the page. At its core, this is where our author voice comes from. Whether we’re writing fiction or nonfiction, each of us has a unique way of expressing ourselves. This is often what draws our readers back to our work time and time again.

But just how vulnerable do we have to be as writers to be labelled honest?

Whether on the page or in our dealings with others online, we have the right to decide how much of our personal life to share.

In my mind, honesty in writing includes integrity and authenticity. Are we proud to say, “I wrote that” or would we be embarrassed if someone found out?

Even in the fiction we write, do we see ourselves in our work? Are we expressing our worldview, whether overtly or as the underlying current? Is our work superficial or have we dug deep to make it real?

When writing nonfiction, does our voice ring through loud and clear?

 

How do you remain honest in your writing—even when your work is not strictly factual?

Steph Beth Nickel is an editor, writer, and author. She is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. Steph is currently working on her coauthor's second memoir. Much has happened since Steph and Paralympian Deb Willows wrote Deb's first memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances. Steph has a YA speculative fiction novel, hopefully, the first in a series; a devotional book on the gospel of John; and  the first in what she is tentatively calling the Hard Choices Series swirling around in her brain.

HOME by Joylene M Bailey

 

 

~~~~~

Home is an important place to me. The word Home conjures up feelings of safety, sanctuary, comfort, and freedom. I suppose someone psychologically inclined might say those feelings stem from the home in which I grew up. They'd be right. As long as I can remember, my home has been my sanctuary.

When challenged to Go Big or Go Home, I'll pick home every time.

The Cowboy and I have now lived in our new home in the country for fifteen months. We built it prayerfully and purposefully: Built for us, with others in mind has been the motto since the beginning. We've seen over 200 people come through our door, and for every single one my prayer and desire has been that they would find welcome, comfort, sanctuary. That they would feel at home.

It's only recently that I've come to the realization that my writing seems to be built on that theme as well. My characters are finding their way home in one way or another. My blog welcomes readers to feel at home.

I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. My writing reflects who 

I am.

A week ago, in the days following my godly mom-in-law's final home-going, I was intrigued to learn that she had never wanted to discover her spiritual gifts. Yet, everyone else knew what they were because they were so evident. They were part of who she was. And others were blessed by them.

In a small way, I connect that idea to my writing. Yes, there is a place for purposeful, goal-centred writing. But I believe my best work comes out of who God created me to be, and right now that seems to be someone who wants to bring her readers Home.

~~~~~

Feature photo by StockSnap from Pixabay.

Joy and The Cowboy love welcoming guests to their country home in northerly Alberta, where the coffee's always on (now that the new coffee maker has arrived) and there's always an extra chair for one more. Find more Joy-infused writing at Scraps of Joy. 

H is for Hero Maker ~ by Bob Jones

 

Not all heroes wear capes. But true heroes make heroes.

Hero makers have existed since the beginning of time. Moses was one. Elijah was one. So was Jesus. They put the spotlight on others. Only recently did the appellation "hero maker," popularized by Dave Ferguson, become a part of Christian vernacular. 

HERO MAKERS

Hero Makers live in the shadows, often nameless but faithfully embracing the role of supporting character. They don’t seek to be the central figure in the main plot. Instead, their main plot is to make heroes.

Think of Barnabas. He's one of my favourite New Testament leaders. He never wrote a book. He never led a movement. He never planted a church. Paul we know but who was Barnabas? But he was the hero maker to Paul. He was an encourager. The scales had barely fallen from Paul’s eyes before Barnabas had taken him to the apostles and vouched for him. Later, he took Paul to the Antioch church, ultimately setting him up for planting churches that would advance the gospel and change the world. 

"He (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. ²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people." Acts 11:24-26

Barnabas was the mentor who creates heroes that ultimately become hero makers. 

MENTORS AND BUDDIES

Everyone who posts on this blog are hero makers. Many of your posts contain links to shine on other writers. You are my mentors. I thrive through your posts and your comments when I post. 

Valerie Ronald posted in July about raising up the next generation of writers. She championed her creative writing teacher Miss Burgoyne and referred to Ruth, Tracy and Bobbi for their influence on a young writer, Joshua Heath. In 2020, Marnie Pohlmann tells of the spotlight shone on her by Tracy, Marcia Laycock, Ruth, and others that encouraged her love of writing. In 2015 Sandi Somers wrote how Catherine Marshall lit the fire in her creative spirit.

Alan Anderson, ever the encourager wrote, "...please persevere as you write and send your words into the world. The world needs us. Be open to God placing you in someone’s life as a mentor and see the world change."

Inscribe offers a mentoring program through writing groups and writing "buddies." Buddies meet at least once a month to talk about their writing goals, barriers, and other related topics. Writing buddies offer encouragement to persevere.

In 2016 myself and a friend started a writers group for Inscribe at North Pointe Church. What a supportive experience. For three years we met monthly, put each other in the spotlight, read our short stories, and offered written affiirmations. Hero makers all.

Who are you shining a spotlight on and turning into a hero? Thank you in advance for commenting.

I'd be honoured if you read my weekly posts at REVwords and even more if you would provide a guest post for my readers. 

Please email me if that interests you. bob.pb.jones@gmail.com