Welcome to part two!
If you don’t know already, this is the second post of a three-part series where I give comments and thoughts about Story Embers’ Christian Storytellers Manifesto. If you missed the first post, click here!
Let’s just jump right in without delay!
We resolve to craft characters who remain true to how flawed human beings live and act, affirming that Christian storytellers have the freedom to portray the full human experience in all its beauty and depravity, not to glorify or endorse sin but to accurately reveal the brokenness of the world.
My thoughts: When I read a book that has authentic characters, and I mean flawed, broken characters (especially if they’re Christian), I connect to the story in a different way. It makes it deeper, more realistic, and more powerful for the message behind the story. Writers, having characters who aren’t perfect is not a bad thing. We need the darkness to better show the light.
We resolve to seek to understand readers’ thought processes, emotion, and worldview so we can connect meaningfully with them in our storytelling, knowing that human nature is repelled by simplistic representation.
My thoughts: This is not something that I always think about. But it is essential for creating a story that will resonate with people and impact the world. Readers want to know that you’re writing for them because you understand them, or are trying to.
We resolve, in light of God’s ultimate victory in our fallen world, to paint traces of hope in even the darkest situations.
My thoughts: God’s light is everywhere. As Christians, it’s only right that we should always show that light in the darkness.
We resolve to accurately represent beliefs that differ form our own in order to help readers understand people rightly and challenge misconceptions.
My thoughts: This was a really interesting one to me when I first read the manifesto. So often Christian authors will portray other religions or beliefs in a hateful, inaccurate way. If you have other beliefs that are against your own in your stories, that doesn’t mean you’re endorsing it. Accurately portray it to “challenge misconceptions.”
We resolve to strive for excellence and not settle for mediocrity by developing a competent command of grammar and style, understanding that skilled use of language points to the splendor of God’s created order.
My thoughts: To be honest, I never liked learning about grammar and all that technical stuff. XD But I definitely see the importance here. We are representations of Christ in everything we do. We should always be striving for excellence, especially if you’ve dedicated your writing to Him.
And that’s part two! Let’s start a discussion about these points in the comments; I’d love to know your thoughts on today’s post. 🙂 If you want to find out more about Story Embers, then click here. Click here to read the manifesto.
What are your thoughts on today’s points?
6 Comments
Yes, I agree so much about accurately representing other people’s beliefs! I’ve read stories by Christians before where it was obvious that the author had no idea why someone might believe the same things their character did, and I cringed so hard each time. We have to understand our characters, and understanding our characters means understanding people.
Yes! So true, Becky!
Every point on this Manifesto is incredibly worded and I agree wholeheartedly with it all! It’s so important to write authentic characters (I agree, it helps me connect to a story when the characters are imperfect, believable, and/or relatable) and to portray hope.
Whenever I read a story where someone bashes those of other beliefs…eesh, it is not at all fun. Portraying them accurately, gracefully, and appropriately is a must in our world.
This series is fabulous, Jenna! ❤️
Yes, it is SO GOOD!
Yes, accuracy so so important!
Thanks for reading, Amelie! <3
All these points are so deep and so important to remember when writing as a christian fiction author (and non-fiction that matter!) While all of them are good, I think the first one struck with me the most. That’s one of my main goals in writing. If I had to pick out one strength in writing, it would be that one. So important to have real people on the page. They should be than mere characters. They should reflect humanity in all its glory and brokenness.
Also show hope! Another thing I so want to write into my stories. It’s only recently that I realise the importance of hope. If we don’t show hope then our stories are hopeless. We should show hope in some form, whether small or big.
Yes, being respectful of other’s beliefs is another thing that we need to show through our writing. We need to be loving of others. ❤️
Yes, Miranda! <3 It's the characters that readers connect with and are impacted from. That's so awesome that you have those goals for your writing!