I know I have mentioned my next door neighbor, Mr. Anderson, before. About three weeks ago, after he and my husband returned home from Bible study, he handed me an old French novel circa 1860 I believe. He said, "I want you to read this." Okay, I thought, here is this 85 year old man asking me to read a novel. I will say yes, even if is a form of mild torture like Shakespeare (as an English Lit major, I can call Shakespeare torture!). "Sure Bob", I replied, "I will read it."
"Wonderful," he smiled, "Then I want you to write your own novel with all the same characteristics."
"Huh?" Now I am quite certain I didn't say that out loud, however, I am certain that my look must have said the exact same thing. Instead I said, "What exactly do you mean?"
"Read the novel, study the theme. I want to see a novel set in contemporary America with the same themes as this book. I have read everything you have written to this point. I know you can do this." Wow, pretty confident of him considering none, not one piece, of my work has been fiction.
Though I still wanted to say "Huh?", my brain finally kicked in enough to realize that right in front of me sat a highly respected man in our community of great talent. An artist, a writer, and a beloved friend to my husband and I. I have already spoke of how I know God placed him five steps away from our barn for a purpose. Now I see even more of that purpose. He means to push me. Lord knows I need pushed.
Naturally he doesn't want me to use the same storyline. But this week I will go to his house and spend a great deal of time discussing what themes he wants to see in my novel. I finished the book and it was quite good, not even a mild form of torture. I know what themes I saw, I just want his take on it as well. I am thrilled to see that one of the main themes was hope and another kindness..two of my favorite topics!
I am a little out of sorts because I am going to have to get a job that fits around the kids school schedule. I guess I will have to turn into one of those writers who wants it so badly that she stays up to write all hours of the night after hubby and I put the kids to bed. (You are laughing right now if you know I am usually in bed by 8:30 with very little exception..in my defense I did find out today I am extremely anemic, like one step away from blood transfusion anemic, so that explains a lot, now maybe I won't be so tired since I will be taking 650 mg of iron per day) I thought God was going to provide a way for me to stay home and write full time. I guess I was wrong, but let me not go down that road or this post will turn into a big ol' pity party and a bit of my bitterness may shine through. I have not worked in 8 years..8 years this month actually. Wow! I can't even believe that as I type it. I just spent the last seven weeks daydreaming of how happy we would be as hubby worked his dream job and I stayed home and wrote full time! Time for plan B, which includes my working. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13,14 / KJV
At any rate, I won't let Mr. Anderson down..I think too much of him and so appreciate the faith he has in my "talent" (his words, not mine).
So, anyone have any clues on how to begin a novel? :) :) :)
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PS..On a completely different note, I am praying about teaching a ladies Bible study, so my dear sisters out there who always pray so faithfully for me, let me know what you think of ME teaching a Bible study and know, by both the novel and the Bible study leader thing, I am TOTALLY stepping out in faith in both areas. Maybe next hubby will start teaching his monthly Bible study as well! For now, all those guys want from us is for me to make the next men's bible study breakfast for 12 men. Yikes! I ADORE cooking, but breakfast is not my high point..any good casserole type breakfast recipes would be appreciated!
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