Ever since Elementary School it has been my dream to write, and to have people read it. I love the feeling of people reading something tangible that came from my mind, and actually enjoying it.
I remember my favorite thing in Kindergarten being a blank white journal with clear pages, in which we drew a picture and a single sentence about what we drew. Of course, we could hardly write in Kindergarten so the teacher would translate our scribbles. And in second grade, we wrote books, drew pictures, and bound them ourselves with copy paper, cardboard, fabric, and tape. Not exactly professional, but very fun. We entered them in a contest. I didn't win, but I think it was due to my procrastination and sloppy drawings.
I remember writing a story about the tooth fairy, and a dragon in school. I won 4th place in a state-wide essay contest for agriculture in Wisconsin, back in 4th grade. If I had won 3rd I would have traveled to Madison for another contest. Oh well. Agriculture wasn't really my thing anyways. I didn't know anything about farming. I researched everything I wrote down. Guess it paid off though, hey?
After Elementary School, I tended to keep all of my writing for myself, thinking that nobody would enjoy it. After reading Harry Potter among other well-written books, I figured anything I wrote could never match up or even come close to the eloquence and imagination that these writers possessed. Therefore, I locked my love of writing deep into a chamber of my heart, never thinking I would share it with anyone.
But, after becoming a born-again Christian when I was about 15, I realized that my whole life should be dedicated to God in any way possible, and that whatever gifts God had given me, I should use them, even if I am not the same as Rebecca St. James, or Nancy Leigh DeMoss, or Karen Kingsbury. I am Carmen, and I am precious in God's sight, and a willing vessel of whatever He has planned for my life.
I was home schooled throughout high school, and I mostly took care of my elderly parents, or daydreamed about my then-boyfriend, now-husband, Zachary. I didn't devote any time to writing besides recording notes from my devotional reading, journaling, or writing poems and letters for Zach. I also played violin quite a bit, and I played for Zach's Junior Church class a couple of times, and before the congregation at my own small-town Baptist church.
After we got married when I turned 18, I got pregnant a month later, and really didn't do a whole lot during that time in my life besides try to get through the day.
But finally, after having our son, Ethan, I started to think about what I am really doing with my life, and how I can serve God with my talents. I realized I wanted to write for His glory, and use my creativity in a positive way. I started planning my first book. Some of the notes I already had written out, that gathered dust in my closet. I had the idea for the book back when I was home schooled, but added in most of the major twists after I got married.
I saw a need for more Christian books that aren't just about the amish, or cheesy romance. I didn't want to write something that would be too Hallmark-y. Real life isn't always a pocketful of daisies. I wanted to write a book that I would be happy to read.
Something with the adventure and creativity of Harry Potter, or Narnia, but with the exciting romance of Twilight, but without all the witchcraft and vampires. Something clean that the whole family can read, without cussing or in-depth information about the intimacy between husband and wife. I love fantasy books, and new worlds. I hope to bring that kind of excitement to my books that seems to be missing in most streamline Christian books.
My hope is that through my writing, I might be able to show readers that a book doesn't have to defy God in any way, shape, or form in order to be an enjoyable read. I even hope that by my writing I can touch people's lives by showing them the ways of God through my character's actions and motives. I dream that my life could bring some light into people's lives, touching them with the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. He is the only reason I write, and I pray that He will move you in your life as well as mine, to reach people through whatever gift He gives you. To God belongs all the glory, I am just an instrument in His hand.
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