By Sarah Van Diest, @SarahVanDiest
I feel incomplete at times without my pen and paper, without my white mirror. As if walking away from it I forget what I look like. Returning to my writing after a time of being away feels like coming home.
The reality words on the page create for me can become a place in which I get lost, happily lost. I no longer believe I am forming that world with my carefully placed words, but rather simply naming the walls, hallways, doors, and windows already in existence. Or to be more true to what I see: the bushes, trees, cliffs, rivers, and sky.
In that realm where my mind lives, I explore and unearth what is already present, what is buried under the fallen limbs of everyday life. Driven by some innate curiosity, I walk its paths with shovel and trowel in hand, digging up treasures and trash alike.
This is what writing is to me.
We writers are not all the same. I, for example, cannot fathom tackling the tremendous feat of writing a work of fiction, while my brother, Jeff Gerke, is a great fiction writer. I do not know how he does it, and I marvel at the worlds his mind creates. And he is a versatile writer, writing both fiction and non-fiction. Some writers run in terror to think of writing a piece of non-fiction. The task overwhelms them as fiction overwhelms me.
I would like to know what you do, whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or what, I would like to know how you think. What is your process? How does a piece of writing begin in you? I would like to know.
Our processes may all be as unique as we are, and I suppose that is nothing to be surprised about. But whatever steps we take to create, may it all be done in a manner worthy of our calling. May all our endeavors point toward the One who is the Great Creator. And may our wordsmithing be a help to those in need and a hope for fellow sojourners in life.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” Col. 3:17.
Please take a moment and share with me how you do what you do. Thank you!
Educated as a teacher, Sarah taught school for nearly 20 years. As a young woman, she lived in China amid the rice paddies and water buffalo near Changsha, and then later taught English in Costa Rica for four years and raised her two sons.
Sarah is married for the second time, the mother of 2 boys and the step-mother to 3 more. She and her husband, David, work together in their agency The Van Diest Literary Agency. Her full name is Sarah Ruth Gerke Van Diest. She’s 5’5” and cuts her hair when stress overtakes her.
She is a freelance editor (including a New York Times and USA Today bestseller), blogger (The Write Conversation) and writer for hire. Her first book, God in the Dark, releases with NavPress in 2018.
http://christianliteraryagency.com/
The Conversation
Sarah, Great question. I write fiction and non-fiction. I began non-fiction and thought I would never write fiction. A story popped into my head and I thought of all my fiction writing friends. I prayed, “Lord who should write this story, you know I write non-fiction.” The Spirit impressed on my heart, “YOU will write it”. We had a short argument and now I’m writing Accidental Findings.
I write better in the mornings. If I have an idea during the day I text it to myself.
Have a great week. Thank you for getting my brain working so early in the morning. 🙂
Cherrilynn,
What a great story! I love this. 🙂 And what an interesting phrase you said, “A story popped into my head….” I wonder if it it had been ruminating in you for a while before you were aware of it. I wonder how these things work. I know the Lord is the Master Creator, so he is our source of creativity. It’s just fascinating to me to think about how such things come to us.
Keep at it, versatile writer!
Blessings,
Sarah
Sarah, I love NCIS and other mystery/investigation shows. My book is mystery suspense with a young autistic teen who gets in the middle of the action. My son is 16 years old and on the spectrum. I will share with you how the story came to mind at another time. I will give away the ending if I share now. 😉
Oh wow!!! I’m intrigued, Cherrilynn!!! What a wonderful lead in for your story!
Keep writing and pointing to our Father!!!
Blessings!
Sarah
When I get an idea in my head about a story, it usually starts with a situation that needs to be corrected. I’ll pick out my hero and heroine (usually the female first) and put them into the situation. That step one for me. The rest follows. Yes, I’m a pantser. No outline. That comes later. LOL
What a beautiful read on this rainy afternoon, Sarah. {Thank you!} I write non-fiction and poetry but lately, I too have sensed a tugging of sorts to give fiction a try. Often, the first entire line of a book, post, or poem will download into my brain all at once so I always keep a journal, dinner napkin, or the back of a gum wrapper handy. *wink*
But the most important part of my writing process began last January, after reading Allen Arnold’s, The Story of With. Now, before a finger hits the keys, I take a moment to thank God for his presence and for helping me to write for his glory — he is there, with me — and that simple but powerful acknowledgment changes everything.
Very cool, Cathy!!! I’m so impressed by those who branch out and try new and different things! Way to go!
And I love those sacred moments where we pause and seek the Father. I did that for each time I wrote for “God in the Dark.” Those letters where what came from prayers and time in the Lord’s presence, for sure.
Love you, sweet friend! Keep doing what you are doing!!!
Sarah
I’m not sure I really have a process because I still feel new to this writing stuff, but I write fiction. The only non-fiction I write is on my blog, and it’s usually about stuff from my life. It doesn’t scare me; it’s just that my imagination is full of weird, crazy, and (my friends would say) dark ideas. Poetry, on the other hand, is something I avoid like I avoid bees: dodge, duck, and run. I never liked writing it in school because I was terrible at it. My fiction ideas come from all over the place. A short story I’m currently working on came out of my imagination while on a hike of someone throwing a dead body down the hill from the road above. The mystery book I have in progress was inspired by the story of Ehud in Judges. The town mayor is killed by a dagger. Okay, maybe I do have a twisted dark side. Thank you for sharing your kind words, which made me feel okay about not having an ounce of desire to write any form of poetry.
It is a great question and one I’m still finding the answers for. I start with a small idea and begin asking and answering questions. Recently, in a creativity-sparking group, we were asked to look at pictures of patio furniture and write for 5 minutes about one that we picked. I saw something in the shadows of my picture, making me think it would be a good place to find a body for a cozy mystery. There were purple flowers, so I thought, what would clash with purple? An orange jumpsuit, like a prison uniform. Then I asked myself, who was the body and how did he/she get there. And answers continued to come. I’m still building on this story, working title, “Murder, Mayhem, and Moths.” This is a real example of how things sometimes start for me.
Hi, Sarah! My process feels like weaving a spider web in my brain. (Doesn’t sound pleasant, does it?) 🙂 I feel like I get a story idea that is followed by more ideas that kind of stick together and start to form something. It’s a little messy…but I do enjoy the weaving.
Karen,
I am fascinated by this description! What a beautiful and intriguing picture you paint! You are another example of the intricate creation each of us is.
Thank you so much for sharing! I love it!!!!!
And keep at it!!!
Blessings, my friend!
Sarah
Hey there, Karen!
I thought I had responded to your great comment, but it didn’t show up. I shall try again. 🙂
I love the description you use about the spider web in your brain and I marvel at the unique structure of each one of our minds. Our Father, the Great Creator, used his creativity to give us distinct and beautiful ways of thinking and being, ways of reflecting his glory!
Keep writing and sharing, my friend!
Blessings,
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I write both fiction and non-fiction. Like you, ideas do pop into my head at odd times, but I have noticed that the process usually takes place in those moments when my heart is in the right place whether I am riding in car, waking in the morning or grocery shopping. The quicker I write it down the better, so I don’t spend the next half hour trying to remember that exact word. (You know, the one that was the perfect fit. Now, what was it? 😕) Whenever it happens I feel grateful, because I feel like the Lord has helped me to tap into a thought or an idea that He allows me to share or record for some purpose in His greater plan. Thanks for your interesting post. I enjoy hearing how the creative process of writing works differently in other Christian writers but still springs from the heart into the mind and ends up in words written for His honor and glory.
For me, prayer is crucial in finding the right place for the process to work.
Psalms 118:14