Loving Our Neighbors as Writers

 

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    A writer’s job is often lonely work. Sitting behind a computer, typing and retyping sentences, we forget that people will one day read our words. A face will gaze at a screen, a booklet, or a novel that contains our words. This is not an empty face – one that symbolizes the crowds – but the face of a person. Someone who has opinions, dreams, questions, and emotions.

    A real person, not a theory, will read and process the stories we create or the articles we craft.

    For this reason, a writer’s work has a relational component. The words we weave together touch the lives of people. We can easily forget this in the wild flurry of creativity. All we see is the raw creation in our hands as we sit alone and are blinded to any marks of darkness or ill intent.

    Emily Byrd Starr experiences this in Emily Climbs when she writes a mocking obituary poem about old Peter DeGeer to spite her Aunt Elizabeth. In sheer delight at her creation, she takes the poem to her teacher, Mr. Carpenter, and proudly presents it to him. She soon realizes her mistake when he asks her if such writing is worthwhile. 

    As he told her, “There is a place for satire – there are gangrenes that can only be burned out – but leave the burning to the great geniuses. It’s better to heal than hurt. We failures know that … Be merciful to the failures, Emily. Satirize wickedness if you must – but pity weakness” (Montgomery 25). She had not only created hateful, mocking words about a man who had recently died but had also hurt her friend who already felt like a failure.       

    To not consider the impact of our words, and to use them to wound instead of to heal, shows we do not care about others. We do not love our neighbor.

    During my MFA degree program, I studied under a professor who reminds me somewhat of Mr. Carpenter from the Emily of New Moon series. He had a way of helping students see reality and truth, just as Emily's teacher did. His classes introduced me to authors who could paint scenes that transformed ordinary moments into something magical, but also writers who used their craft to create stories that left me shaking my head, wondering why anyone would want to make something so vulgar and ugly. In his lectures, he taught literature and the craft of writing while drawing the students back into a biblical framework for writing. He often asked jarring questions – ones that awakened us to the reality that we have an audience of living, breathing humans. What we write will affect them, just as I was affected by the stories of the authors he assigned us to read. 

    “How can you love your neighbor through your writing?” He asked in multiple of his lectures.

    Loving our readers, as our Savior wants, means writing the best we can with clarity and preciseness. However, loving our readers also means much more. As I pondered this instruction, I knew it also meant thinking of my tone and intent in a piece. Do I come across as sarcastic, angry, or condescending in my writing? Am I fair in my presentation of arguments, or am I tilting my paper in favor of the position I favor? Is the story I am writing something beautiful, true, and good? Not that I am ignoring the harsh realities in life or the brokenness in the world. Rather, I should write with the knowledge that my writing can influence people for good or evil. Will I point them toward the light or push them farther into the darkness?

    Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that creativity and writing are excluded from questions of morality. What people fill their eyes, ears, and minds influences their actions. Although readers have free will and choose to read the things they do, writers carry a responsibility. If what we have written wounds someone, or leads them to stumble into sin, then our Lord will hold us accountable on the day of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). He will tell us that we had not loved our neighbor – or Him for that matter – when we chose to stuff books and articles with words of hate, bitterness, or vulgarity.

    A writer’s job is a responsibility. We must choose what to do with the keypad or pen that sits in front of us. Will we write with a love for others, directing them to the Light? Or will we allow darkness to creep out of our hearts and onto the page to infect more people? 

    I pray that each of us will choose love. 

“If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love” (Amy Carmichael, If, 15). 

Sources

Carmichael, Amy. If. CLC Publications, 2018.

Montgomery, L. M. Emily Climbs. Virago, 2014.

Further Reading

• Practicing discernment in what we choose to read is important. Randy Alcorn has an excellent blog post about this, called “What You Read Builds Who You Are,” and provides insights worth considering.
• Katelyn J. Dixon shares her thoughts on the power of words in this beautifully written essay, “The Given Word” on Renovaré.
• As we write, or speak, to others, we are wise to pray and ask for the Lord’s help. We are dependent on Him in all areas of life. In “The Writer’s Prayer,” Dan Balow provides some written prayers we can use to get started. Consider also reading St. Thomas Aquinas’ “A Prayer Before Study.”
• In a previous blog post, “The Power of Words,” I wrote about the impact that writing and words can have on our lives. Often, the art we create can influence people in ways we do not expect.  
• One of the stories I read in a class taught by the professor I mentioned in this post inspired a New Year’s essay centered around Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych. Living with an eternal mindset is important for us all, including writers.   

My Adventures as a Writer – What I’ve Learned About Research

 

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Although students often feel intimidated by research when writing papers and major projects, research can lead to interesting discoveries. This is true whether someone gathers information for a fiction novel or an article. The method of research will be different: One topic might require observing a sword fight or riding a horse, while the other involves searching through databases and flipping through books. Either way, the process can be an adventure.   

As a writer for a Christian website, I regularly engage in research on various topics including the Bible, Christian history, apologetic issues, and practical advice for everyday Christian living. Writing about a wide range of topics involves different research techniques at times, but I use a few basic skills to get me started. In this blog post, I am going to share some of the basics about researching and writing for Christian websites.

How do I know what I need to research?

Knowing what to research often depends on the website and editor you are writing for. I have written for Got Questions and currently write for a variety of sites on Salem Web Network, including Christianity.com. The editors typically assign specific article topics in the form of questions or allow me to pick from a list of topics. For these types of articles, the research required is already focused, although I still try to craft a main thesis for the article.

However, there are times when the assigned or chosen topic is not entirely clear. At this point, I usually do one of two things. I contact the editor I am working with to ask for clarification about the topic. Or I try to narrow down the topic myself, deciding on which angle I could take when writing the article.

An example of this was when I was assigned an article topic about why Christians say that everything happens for a reason. In doing preliminary research, I realized that the website I was writing for already had an article on this topic, which prompted me to send an email to the editor. She narrowed down the topic for me by saying she wanted an article that focused on how this common phrase, “everything happens for a reason,” is misleading and unhelpful when someone is grieving the loss of a loved one. A simple email for clarification helped me to narrow down my research topic.

Another important note is that freelance writers are usually required to pitch their articles. Freelancers need to keep in mind the purpose and scope of a website before pitching an article and engaging in research. To start, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the website and reading any guidelines about what the editors want and are expecting from writers.

Where do I find sources?

When writing about biblical and theological topics, I regularly use websites, books, and journal articles that I trust.

The main source I use is the Bible. Keeping a print Bible next to me on the table when I write is helpful, especially if I have specific verses in mind. Online Bible websites are also valuable sources for quickly copying and pasting verses into the article I’m writing, such as Bible Gateway and Bible Hub. Seeing multiple versions of Scripture is important as well since it helps me better understand the language of the passage.

Other sources I use to find information include:

• Bible commentaries (both in print and online)
• Online Greek and Hebrew concordances
• Scholarly journals and databases (such as Galaxie)
• Theology books
• Church history books and encyclopedias
• Christian websites

    Using these sources regularly enables me to find information quickly and efficiently when writing articles.

How do I know if a source is credible and appropriate for my project?

If I know the focus of my topic and have done preliminary research, then assessing the credibility and appropriateness of sources is easier. When thinking about credibility, we need to ask questions such as:

• Who wrote this? Are they knowledgeable about this topic?
• How old is this source? Is it outdated or current? Even if it is an older source, is the content still relevant?
• Is this source presenting misleading information?

Evaluating the appropriateness of a source includes remembering the topic and thesis of an article as well as considering the audience and purpose for writing. If I am writing about a deep theological discussion, such as the debate about limited and unlimited atonement, then quoting popular devotional writers might not be appropriate for my article.

In contrast, if I am writing to encourage people who are grieving, then listing apologetic arguments about suffering from leading scholars is not the best option. My audience will not appreciate an academic approach to a personally difficult experience.

How do I incorporate sources into my writing?

I have found that many editors expect writers to synthesize the information they researched in their own words. If specific quotes are used, these are usually given attribution through a hyperlink.

Depending on the editor or website, though, there might be specific guidelines for citing sources. Some might prefer Chicago, AP, MLA, or an abbreviated form of a style. Christian websites and publications may require a knowledge of The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, which is the standard style for the Christian publishing industry.  

If in doubt about citing a source, it is best to contact the editor and/or check any guidelines they provide.

Any resource recommendations?

I have found the following sources helpful when writing about biblical topics:

• Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie – If you plan to write regularly about the Bible and theology, then I highly recommend this source. It is a helpful guide in understanding key doctrines in Scripture.
• NET Bible – This is a wonderful source for delving into specific verses or passages. Not only can you read the Bible fully online, but you also have access to commentary, notes, and the original biblical languages. 
• Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church by E. A. Livingstone – I suggest this source since it contains short, informative entries about theology and church history. It provides an overview of a topic and is a great starting place when doing preliminary research.
• The Bible Knowledge Commentary edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck – An indispensable source for researching specific verses and passages, as well as understanding context and background. The Old Testament and New Testament versions are always on a shelf near where I write.

Having a reliable set of books and websites is important for writers. The more readily available the resources are, the quicker you can begin your research on a topic. Although the search will likely lead to other sources, the journey is much easier with a list of websites or a stack of books.

And that is when the adventure begins – learning from research, crafting words, moving around parts, and editing a piece for publication.

Music and Story - How Music Can Help Writers Create

 

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Writers have routines that help them get into the flow of writing. For some, this involves a simple act such as making a cup of coffee or tea. Other writers, though, may struggle to get into the headspace needed to write, especially if they are trying to squeeze in a thirty-minute writing session in between other commitments. Having an established workspace helps, but individuals can continue to struggle at times.

This has happened to me numerous times. I sit down to write, but distractions arise, or I must push myself to type out the words. At these moments, music has helped me focus and write.

Although each writer should establish a routine that works for them, playing background instrumental music is a beneficial choice to maintain focus and encourage creativity throughout the writing process. In the prewriting stages, certain music enables writers to imagine and visualize the scenes of their story. Then, as the music establishes the tone and mood of the scene, an individual can more easily write the scene based on what they visualize.

For example, during a screenwriting class, I needed to write visually since screenplays are intended to be produced as films. To prepare for the writing sessions, I played fantasy music to get me into the headspace of the story. After spending time imagining the scenes, I found myself in a better position to work on the screenplay. The fantasy music also encouraged me to stay focused on the tone and mood of the story as I wrote.  

Not Just for Fiction Writers

Lest people conclude that music is only for creative writers who are penning novels or screenplays, playing instrumental music in the background can assist writers with any form or genre. I completed a great deal of my academic writing for classes and assignments while listening to the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach. Also, instrumental worship music is often playing as I draft articles. The rhythm, speed, and tone of the various songs make me feel relaxed, which allows me to focus and work.

Recommendations for Writing with Music

    When sitting down for a writing session, not just any music will do. Some individuals may appreciate songs with lyrics, but I have found that instrumental music promotes greater focus because lyrics can distract. Another aspect to keep in mind is the mood the music evokes. Does the sound make you feel what you want to convey in the scene you are writing? Upbeat, cheery music is not the best choice if you are drafting an intense conversation between characters or creating an emotionally moving scene after the protagonist experiences the death of a loved one. Thinking about how the music affects your writing and how it can assist you in setting the mood and tone are vital details to consider.

    Here are a few recommendations of music for writing based on my experience while working on my novel-in-progress and writing articles.

• For the writer of fantasy or speculative fiction – Blue Turtle has a YouTube channel that showcases original art animation and music perfect for writing fantasy. A few of the videos change things up with piano and lo-fi music, but overall, it is an excellent choice to listen to as you draft a fantasy novel or short story.  As a bonus, the animation is superb and follows the adventures of a young mage named Ithya. 
• For the writer seeking focus – Some of the most helpful music that I have encountered while working on a variety of projects is classical music. HALIDONMUSIC offers numerous videos and playlists that are excellent choices for any writer. I have found their “Classical Music for Reading,” to be inspiring, thought-provoking, and helpful when I experience writer’s block.
• For the writer of biblical topics, Christian growth articles, or devotionals – A variety of playlists and videos exist that include instrumental worship music. Some consist of hymns while others are comprised of contemporary Christian music. Either way, the music can encourage you to praise God as you write and remember the reason you are writing. Two YouTube channels that I recommend for Christian writers are Josh Snodgrass and Dan Musselman. Their music can also be found on other platforms, such as Spotify.

The Connection Between Music and Story

We should not be surprised at how songs and writing overlap. As I mentioned in the introduction post to this blog series, story has always been interwoven with music since songs were used throughout history to convey tales and the important deeds of individuals. Today, music continues to inspire stories by igniting the imagination of writers.    

Now that we have seen how music inspires stories, the next post will investigate how literature has inspired music.   

The Power of Words

 

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Have you ever read a section from a book, a line from poetry, or heard a lyric in a song that spoke to your heart?

I have experienced this on numerous occasions, but most recently two examples stand out. In November of 2022, Benjamin William Hastings released his self-titled album, which I eagerly awaited. On the day it was released, I listened to his music as I ate lunch. While I was listening, a particular song caught me off guard and touched a sensitive place in my life. Hastings’ thoughtfully crafted words unexpectedly moved me to tears as I sat there finishing the last bites of my meal. With a few words, the song “Boy on the Moon” captures the feeling of grief over the loss of loved ones. His music expressed the sadness I have often felt about the death of my mother but also pointed me to the goodness of God. Words have power.

My other example comes from a few weeks after this experience when I studied the poetry of Anne Bradstreet in my class, Studies in World Literatures. As a Puritan, Bradstreet filled her poetry with profound thoughts about her relationship with the Lord and her eternal hope. As I read “In Reference to Her Children, 23 June 1659,” I was greatly affected by the love she had for her children and what she wanted them to remember when she died. Although Bradstreet knew she was growing older, she wrote, “My age I will not once lament / But sing, my time so near is spent, / And from the top bough take my flight / Into a country beyond sight / Where old ones instantly grow young / And there with seraphims set song” (507). The end of her days was drawing near, but she had steadfast hope.

Her reminder of the beautiful “country beyond sight” encouraged me by reminding me that death is not the end. The grief and pain of loss do not have the last word in my life. In Jesus, I will live even though I die (John 11:25). And then I will be home. Even now, despite hardships and suffering, I can find joy in looking forward to eternity. Words have power.

Scripture reminds us of the impact of our words. We have the ability and choice to speak words of encouragement to others. This is significant news for writers since the words we write can positively impact the life of another person. However, all people have opportunities to build others up with their words. We never know when the things we say or write will touch a grieving hard or encourage a disappointed person.

However, the Bible tells us that our words have the power of both life and death (Prov. 18:21). Because of the sinfulness of humankind, too often our words hurt others. As James reminds us in his epistle, “no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8, NIV). When we speak thoughtlessly, we cause damage to others, often in ways we do not expect. The comparison between our tongue and a spark of fire is fitting, considering the overwhelming destruction our words can cause, just as a spark starts a forest fire (James 3:5).

We never know how a single statement or aptly spoken message may touch another person. Just as Benjamin William Hastings and Anne Bradstreet were able to speak to my heart, our words can impact others. Throughout each day, we have numerous opportunities to speak life or death to others. May we choose to use our words to build others up and point them to Christ.  

Words have power. How will you use them?

Works Cited

Bradstreet, Anne. “Selections by Anne Bradstreet.” Familiar Strangers. Edited by Mark Ray Schmidt. Macmillan, 2020, p. 507.

The Bible. New International Version. Bible Hub, 2022.

Resources for Further Thought

If you want to listen to “Boy on the Moon” by Benjamin William Hastings, you can find the song here.

Also, I highly recommend “In Reference to Her Children, 23 June 1659” by Anne Bradstreet. You can read her other poetry here.  

Furthermore, you can read more about the impact of writing in one of my earlier blog posts.