Your Questions: Answered! (2)

Another installment of “Your Questions: Answered!” send us your writing questions with the subject line “Question for the Panel” and we will publish our answers here!

Question:

 

 

I have a question. How do you identify a theme in your novel? This is something I’ve always struggled with.

– Ashley

 

Answer:

 

Dear Ashley,

Here are a series of questions you can ask yourself which should help identify the theme in your novel.

• Your novel is built on a foundation; the theme. If you could narrow your novel down to one little statement of truth, which you believe, what would it be?
• What is the main lesson your hero needs to learn? 
• What are common problems in your novel? Do they point to a theme?
• Could you describe your novel with any cliché or adage, if so, what would it be?
• What are the common character flaws and/or dreams in your novel?

I hope this helps you. Good luck with your novel!

– Haley Long

 

Question:

I have a question about how much I should share my books and poetry. I’m a Christian, and I chiefly write for self-reflection and to examine social issues; but I am apprehensive about letting acquaintances read my work because it might negatively change their perception of who I am. I’ve written about depression, self-harm, child soldiers, and many other issues that make for heavy subject material. Should I just stop writing about these things? Or should I make a pen-name so people don’t know it is me writing? I’m not sure what to do.

– Hosanna

 

Answer:

 

Hello Hosanna, 

There is nothing wrong with writing for self-reflection and keeping those writings to yourself. Writing only for ourselves can yield many benefits. 

To answer your question about whether or not you should be writing on the topics of depression, self-harm, child soldiers, etc., I don’t know your specific circumstances, so I don’t want to say “yes” or “no” concerning your unique example. However, generally speaking, I don’t think it is wrong for Christians to write on these topics, especially considering they could be called epidemics in our culture. How we write about them is important, though.

I know quite a few Christians who glorify such things as self-harm or depression, or try to defend these actions.I don’t think this honors God. We should pouring hope and healing into our stories, and showing the better life in Christ, not elevating depression and self-inflicted harm, as these are the domains of Satan, not Christ.

But there are many people who struggle with these vices, among other things, and I think it is important for Christians to write on these topics, and to offer hope to those who are trapped, rather than merely trying to justify the darkness.

Concerning your question on whether or not you should use a pen-name, there are good and bad reasons to use one.

Fear is always a poor motivation, and we should never make a decision based on fear. If your opinions or beliefs are controversial, I think you should be willing to defend your position. We should not fear the opinions of others. Jesus said quite a few things that led to others forming negative opinions of Him. In fact, Jesus hurt some people’s feelings so bad they killed Him! Our goal as Christians should be to please God, not to please man. Our concern should be with how God will judge our writing, not how other people will judge it. 

Additionally, if you are writing material that you are ashamed of, you are probably better off changing your content, rather than your name. But if you are not ashamed of your writing, and you believe it to be honoring to God, then I personally think you should stand for your beliefs. 

Again, I don’t know your unique circumstances, and this is my mere opinion. 

I hope this helps! Keep writing for Christ!

– Reagan Ramm