Generally, when I’m writing, I try to remember the ol’ rule of thumb, “If it quacks like a duck, it must be a duck!” Meaning, there are some things that are givens–things that we know are true. Like for instance, the sun will rise tomorrow. It won’t snow (at least where I’m at) in July. Gas will never be two dollars a gallon again. Those types of things.
As I write, I try not to break the rules too much. I mean, I’ve never actually seen a leopard change his spots, and since I don’t write fantasy or sci-fi, I probably will never write about a leopard that does. (At least, in the literal context anyway. Some of the characters in my books will undergo pronounced transformations as they grow and expand their horizons, but that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax.)
Although books do let us travel to different worlds and experiment with “what ifs”, I try to inject a certain amount of realism in my stories while also allowing the reader a brief respite from the glaring hardships of life.
Because I am a Christian, it’s my belief that all things are possible with God. That means what we tend to believe can’t or won’t happen is like putting God in a box. We limit Him. We bar the door against supernatural miracles. In our finite minds, the things that I mentioned above–the givens–are not debatable. But when God is thrown into the equation and permitted full access to our lives, all Heaven can literally break open–if God so chooses!
In my first novel, things are not necessarily what they seem. Uncanny events unfold. Fact and fiction are questioned. Characters bend, break, and are put back together by the loving hands of One unseen.
And the reader is drawn into my heartfelt, homespun fiction quickly realizing that if it quacks like a duck, it might be a moose!
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Status Update: Soon, I’ll be telling you about my fantastic literary agent and which agency I have signed with! Stay tuned!
A question for you to ponder: When reading, what writing style holds your interest the most?
