Our son Samuel has a passion for writing. After reading the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in fifth grade he decided to try his hand at writing his own version of the story. The results of his labor disappointed him. As he told me about it he shook his head. “Mom, if you ever come across my story, please shred it!” I think most writers would feel the same if someone unearthed their first “great” work.
It was the flowery prose and fantastical story that drew Samuel to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “Lord of the Rings.” He also loved “Narnia” by C.S. Lewis and the “Redwall” books by Brian Jacques. Set in Redwall Abbey, this fantasy series tells stories about peace-loving forest animals who are often called on to defend themselves from invading enemies.
Samuel loves a good story
Much of Samuel’s early writing retold other people’s stories, adding his own twists but shying away from telling a tale of his own invention. For years I encouraged him to write an original story. Perhaps “pestered” would better describe my promptings. We finally hit upon a compromise. He would write the story of Goldilocks in his own words.
Our understanding of that simple assignment, however, differed greatly. Whereas I expected a straight retelling of the beloved children’s story, he told the story with a twist of his own. In his version, which he called “The Three Bears and the Human Girl,” Samuel added a bit of family tension, a dose of intrigue, and generous amounts of humor. The story ends with the brief appearance of a new character warning the forest dwellers of a radiation leak at the nearby power station.
I loved his story. And that was the day I realized that our son is a writer in his own right, a man who has stories to tell.
An ambitious writer
Not only is Samuel a passionate writer, he is also an ambitious one. He is working on a lofty story line that takes place in eight different worlds. He doesn’t have an overview of his project outlined on paper, but he does have it in his head.
Me: “How many books will it take to tell the story?”
Samuel: “Seventy.”
Me: “Seventy, Samuel! You will have to live to 120 to get that many books written.”
Samuel: “I know. I guess I need to learn to be more reasonable.”
Yes, that would be good. But being reasonable can be an ill-fitting burden to bear if you are capable of holding 70 story lines in your head all at once.
Samuel has been in a number of writing groups since middle school. He has benefitted from many excellent teachers, coaches, and mentors. I am grateful for each one of them. He has matured as a writer over the years.
Writers benefit from writers conferences
But one thing he had not done was attend a writers conference. So I took him with me to the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal Conference over the weekend (May 21-22, 2021). This online event was perfect for us both. Attending 15 one-hour sessions in two days filled our time. And the content of these session filled our minds. We learned about platform and marketing, techniques for writing more effectively, working with an editor, creating worlds (for sci-fi and fantasy writers like Samuel), and much more. We were encouraged as Christian writers to share our stories with people who are hungry for the truth.
I was pleased to have Samuel meet these amazing humans that I have come to know and love over the past several years. And I was pleased to have them get to know Samuel. They now stand on the shoulders of the many people who have spoken into Samuel’s writing life and those who have spoken into his faith life.
The process of becoming a writer starts long before the recognition we might (or might not) receive from others. It starts with a love of story and an ambition to tell our stories. Somewhere along the line it is in our best interest to develop a little bit of reasonableness. We just can’t let that snuff out our passion.
How about you?
If God has put a writer spirit in you, no matter you age or station in life, get out your pen and paper. Fire up your computer. Give voice to the characters you’ve been living with for a long time. Record the Spirit-breathed words that are on your heart. Share the true story of your own life. Just write!
Perhaps you, too, are a writer in your own right.
Ginger
Hurray for Samuel! And to his wonderful inspiring supportive parents whose own love of great stories passed to the next generation!
Thank you, Sharon, for your supportive comment! We did our part, but it was a seed planted in Samuel by the Lord, I believe! I wonder what kind of harvest will come from it.
Thank you for your love and friendship through the years. I’m glad to see you here.
Ginger
Hi Ginger, I didn’t know Samuel is your son but I was impressed by his attention to everything that our teachers said. I was in the same classes as Samuel and, let me tell you, he didn’t miss anything! And Samuel was also bold in sharing segments of his writing and asked lots of questions. I should be so bold!💕
Oh, Dena, what a delightful comment! You’re right, he doesn’t miss anything, and he’s not shy to share or ask a question. I’m glad he got to attend the conference!
Wish I could have been there. Congratulations to Samuel for making the most of his opportunity, and to you for making the most of your opportunity to be his mom and his mentor!
Thank you, Joan! Samuel did love the conference. I’m glad we have writing in common, and that Samuel is my son!
Samuel was an absolute delight as he learned and shared and connected with us at the conference. Thank you for sharing more of his story. I am so excited about his writing future!
Thank you, Susie, for your kind words about Samuel! I wonder what the Lord has in mind for his writing. One thing I do know is that Samuel brings a lot of joy to our lives.