Rewrites

To me, writing is fun. I've been enjoying my training for a few years: reading "how to" books, reading novels, writing, listening for God's guidance.

There is so much to learn. I have to get all of the various pieces working together to create a cohesive whole. I work on point of view, narrator's voice, logical reactions from the characters, setting details, plot flow, weaving the subplot, taking out extraneous details, etc. There's a lot to do.

When I focus on one part of the book, I must go back to previous chapters and make sure the story leading up to that part makes sense. Will the reader expect this to happen? Will the reader be disappointed by the character's action, attitude or speech? Should the reader be disappointed at this moment in the book - because they're involved in the character's emotions?

Sometimes my first draft will leave out something important. Something that is necessary for the reader to understand before moving on to the next chapter. Normally, I go over each chapter several times before others read it. Occasionally, it takes a critique partner's eyes to catch something I overlooked.

I wish I could write a book by myself, but I can't. I must listen to God for His input. I want a critique partner to catch mistakes and omissions. When a publishing house wants to produce my book, an editor will make changes to my words again.

The first draft isn't as good as it could be. That's why God invented rewrites.

I can easily relate this to my spiritual life. God created me to be special. A unique individual. But I sometimes make mistakes. That's why He sent Jesus. I need complete forgiveness from a Perfect God. An Almighty God. And He forgives completely.

When I delete a wrong sentence or word, I don't have a record of how many times I've made that same mistake all through the story. It's ridiculous to think someone would keep track of how many times the delete key has been struck per story.

God has no record of how many times He has forgiven me. He has a great memory, but Love keeps no record of wrongs.

When I rewrite part of a chapter, my my story gets stronger. When God helps me rewrite my life mistakes, the memory of the mistakes is still there, reminding me what I've done. If I'll learn the lesson, I don't have to keep making the same mistake. Eventually, the memory of the mistake fades into the background, no longer recognizable.

My actions, attitudes, and speech aren't as good as they could be right now, but God forgives - and allows rewrites.