Sunday, June 2, 2013

Write Fearlessly


“If you wish to be loved, show more of your faults than your virtues.”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

When I started writing my book, I wanted to write it as a fictional novel to avoid making enemies, to say the least. But I received some advice that impacted my writing and thinking about my writing: if you’re going to write nonfiction, write fearlessly.
A family member had been asking to read my memoir for more than a year. Knowing it would upset the person, I made excuses. But last month, I gave in. And the person hated it.  Among many of the complaints were some scenes/chapters that depict me in a bad light.
“How could you let everyone in church read that?”
“What church?” I said.
“Your church!”
My church?” I said.
“The Followers!”
“Oh, you mean those people who’ve been shunning me for the past nineteen years? I don’t care what they think about me.”

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Ephesians 2:8

7 comments:

  1. I admire you Suzi.....
    You followed your convictions and told a story
    that needed telling.I know it was a long hard road.
    The Bible as usual speaks clearly on courage:
    Deuteronomy 31:6
    Joshua 1:3-9
    As it does on truth:
    John 8:32
    John 4:24
    2nd Timothy 2:15.

    You did the right thing, kudos to you.
    May the Lord Bless and Keep You.

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  2. Very interesting post (even though I'm not a religious person) I always try to keep an open mind!

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  3. Do you have a release date for you book?

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    1. Not yet. I will yell it from the mountaintops (or post it here on my blog) when I do. Thanks for asking :)

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  4. You stepped out in faith, Suzi, took the advice, and wrote fearlessly and honestly. It took tremendous courage and strength. Be proud that you didn't back down from the challenge, that you didn't give into the fear of making enemies. You did the right thing and wrote the story that needed to be told. Don't ever regret that.

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  5. When asked why I don't write a memoir, I have said because some of the people in the story are still living. I appreciate your courage and your convictions! Hats off to you, Suzi!

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  6. This is exactly what I did when writing my book, Return to Genesis. I'd heard so many lies and "unintended" falsehoods about the Bible all my life that I no longer cared what any Christian teacher might think. Of course, I had to be, and was very concerned about God, and whether I was being true to His Word. That's all that matters.

    Sorry to hear you were shunned for 19 years. I recently blogged about church discipline from Matthew 18. If we treat someone as an unbeliever or tax collector, we're still supposed to be friendly, respectful, and communicative. Jesus was a "friend of sinners." I'm sure you know that know. It's just shocking in retrospect how so many Christian leaders don't seem to actually read the Bible - even if they graduated from a seminary.

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