One of the goals of this blog is for it to be a space where we writers can share our inspirations and ideas. Lately, my mind has been on fire with an idea or concept for a story. I’d like to share it.
Two weeks ago I began reading Chaim Potok’s The Chosen to my sister, Christa. I had read it the week before and knew that she would love it just as she had loved My Name is Asher Lev. Though it isn’t as artistically crafted, it is just as moving. After I finished that second reading I had an epiphany.
Since I entered university I’ve been trying to figure out what genre I’d write. In middle school I loved fantasy but I just haven’t felt like I was meant to write it, at least not right now. Science fiction, romance and mystery aren’t even options. Though I like creative non-fiction (like Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz and Anne Lamott’s Traveling Mercies) and will write some essays like that, I have still felt that there is a fiction writer in me lying dormant, waiting for direction. That night I got some of the direction I’ve been hoping for.
I want to be our (Christianity’s) Chaim Potok. What I mean by that is that I want to have stories that are related to the Christian faith but are also universally applicable. Fiction that was so compelling, that intellectuals with any spiritual or anti-spiritual leaning would be drawn to it. Since our religion is not so tragic nor are we such a sorrowful people I think it means that my books will have to be a bit apologetic and humble (well, in the faith aspect.) Since I’m most religious when sacrilegious I think that my narrator(or at least this first one that is growing in my mind) will be rather bitter. Some of the darkest aspects of me are going to come out in this first short story or novel, whatever it turns out to be. I’m going to do a lot of research this summer of our religion and religious writings and classical literature and eastern religions (with the exception of Islam, which will be written off since it is so antagonistic to females and my narrator will be a female with some feminist leanings.)
Any thoughts, comments or questions?
4 comments:
We need books which cause people to think. I could go on and ramble on that subject but I believe that first sentence is self explanatory. I suppose it could be argued that almost all literature makes one think but there is a difference between thinking "Oh, that was a good story" and coming away changed as a result of vicariously living through the experience.
I'm also a big fan of "My Name is Asher Lev" and the sequel, "The Gift of Asher Lev".
Do it. I'm looking forward to it.
that sounds completely brilliant! I adore Potok, he is one of my most favorite authors.
Do it! I'd love to see what you come up with!
I read Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" this summer and loved it. Just as you stated, it forced you to see the good in a specific religion while also showing some of its drawbacks. And yet, you still walked away thinking.
I believe that all fiction stories ought to do that. Yes, I am a firm believer in novel plots and engaging characters, but I am also a stern advocate that all stories should have a steadfast moral for its readers.
With that said, I'd like to encourage you to research, process, and consider. Without passionate writers like you, the rest of us would have nothing literarilly stimulating to look forward to.
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