Solving a Dilemma
October 24th, 2008 | 
Author: So, how many words did I write last night? Um… Well, I had good intentions of cracking the whip and hashing out some details. But…
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been stumped about part of my story. I couldn’t write another word until I solved the problem. You see, I was missing the dilemma, what the character battles throughout the story.
My story goal is to write about immigration and detail a journey through Ellis Island, but other than a threat of deportation or sickness, I just couldn’t think of anything.
I needed something that would essentially turn my character’s world upside down. But I didn’t know what.
Discouragement set in because without my dilemma I didn’t have a story and I was failing. I truly believe that God called me to write this story. The best thing I can compare it to is a burden – my story is my burden. I have to carry it and see it through to the end. If not, well…I don’t want to think of that.
Just when I was ready to give up, the Lord proved Himself faithful.
I still smile 24 hours later when I think of how things fell in place. (And I also hit myself upside the head for being so daft and not figuring this out sooner.)
Last November I started a story with no preparation, no forethought. (I heard of NaNoWriMo about 2 days before it started, so I really didn’t have time pre-plan.) I worked on the story sporadically after November, but at that point, I didn’t have peace about writing.
Now, almost a full year later, God’s given me permission to use that story. With a little adaptation, it weaves perfectly with Oceans of Hope. *sigh* God is good. =)
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You’ve captured the essence of it perfectly! I have an idea of how you feel. I never put together the words ‘writing’ and ‘burden’ before… but I think it’s accurate. It can be a consuming fire, a fun distraction, and yes, a burden. Glad to hear that you finally came through it!